NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 23, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT: Dana Kazel, Communications Manager
218-725-5049 (office) • 218-591-2219 (cell)
County Board approves five-month moratorium on new Cannabis businesses
The St. Louis County Board has voted to put a five-month pause on allowing new cannabis businesses to register or operate in St. Louis County. Following a public hearing Tuesday, the Board voted 6-1 to approve a temporary moratorium that is effective now through the end of December. Commissioner Ashley Grimm was the dissenting vote. The purpose of the moratorium is to provide local units of government with more time to determine how they will regulate this new industry including zoning and enforcement implications.
This moratorium does not affect existing businesses involved with low potency hemp products.
"There are a lot of details to sort through, and we need to make sure we do this properly," said County Board Chair Keith Nelson. "The legislation has undergone numerous changes and processes are still being finalized, so we felt the best option was to slow down to allow ourselves and the jurisdictions within our county more time to develop strategies that serve all our citizens.
The Minnesota Legislature, in 2023, legalized adult-use cannabis and established the Office of Cannabis Management, which is responsible for developing and implementing the operation and
regulatory systems governing the cannabis industry in Minnesota. During the 2024 session, the Legislature enacted revisions to further clarify the 2023 law, including one provision that authorizes the OCM’s issuance of provisional licenses and a lottery for cannabis businesses prior to January 1, 2025.
The Office of Cannabis Management controls the application and approval process for cannabis businesses, and has not yet completed its rulemaking process, which will directly impact the registration and implementation procedures for cannabis businesses. The legislation allows local governments to pass a temporary moratorium to protect the planning process and the health, safety and welfare of its citizens.
This moratorium applies to all jurisdictions within St. Louis County, including those cities and townships that have their own zoning authority.
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