Olmsted County Looks at Possible Cannabis Business Moratorium

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - On the same day that the use and possession of cannabis for recreational purposes became legal in Minnesota, the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners is considering a moratorium on businesses selling cannabis products.

The commissioners this morning will be asked to schedule a public hearing on August 15 before acting on a staff recommendation to enact a moratorium on new cannabis businesses in unincorporated areas of Olmsted County until 2025 or after the county adopts new policies and regulations dealing with marijuana businesses. The county staff recommendation followed a move by the Rochester City Council last week to implement a moratorium on new cannabis businesses until 2025.

Under state law, the licenses to operate cannabis dispensaries and related businesses will be issued by the State of Minnesota once it develops its own set of regulations and policies. The law does allow local governments to establish rules that regulate the locations of the businesses, their hours of operation, signage, and other related issues.

The public use of cannabis products is already covered under Olmsted County's smoking ordinance. Locations, where smoking or vaping tobacco products are already prohibited, are also off-limits to anyone smoking or vaping cannabis products.