Cannabis
Cannabis Plant Cannabis Seeds
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 342 became law in 2023 allowing for legalization of recreational adult-use cannabis. Implementation of the law will be the responsibility of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) through regulatory rules and procedures still being developed.
Public Use
The Statute legalized adult use of cannabis within public places effective August 1, 2023 unless otherwise regulated by local government jurisdictions. Wright County has adopted Ordinance 23-3 regulating use of cannabis and cannabis derived products in all public places with in the County, which includes Otsego. Adult use of cannabis is only allowed on private properties and those properties licensed to permit its use.
Retail Sales
The Statue provides for retail sales of cannabis products beginning after January 1, 2025 with a license issued by the State Office of Cannabis Management. As part of the application process, the Office of Cannabis Management will contact Wright County and the City to verify compliance with local regulations and register the business.
The number of cannabis business licenses can be limited within each City with a minimum of one license for each 12,500 population. Additionally, if a county has one license for each 12,500 of county population, a city is not required to register a cannabis business. Based on both the 2020 census and most current official population estimates, Otsego is required to register at least one cannabis business license, subject to the number of licenses issued in all of Wright County.
The City adopted zoning regulations on December 10, 2024 prior to the ability to obtain a cannabis from the state to establish time, place, and manner regulations. The regulations include allowing for retail cannabis businesses within the B3, General Business District. Cannabis businesses must also comply with the following setbacks to provide a buffer zone from areas where children are likely to be:
- One thousand feet (1,000’) of a school.
- 500 feet from a day care.
- 500 feet from a residential treatment facility.
- 500 feet from a public park.
With the City establishing its zoning regulations before issuance of any licenses and no licenses being issued by the State until after January 1, 2025, no locations in Otsego are assured a right to establish a cannabis business in the City except in compliance with City, County, and/or State regulations and performance standards.
Licensing
The City is not directly involved in the licensing of cannabis businesses. Applications for a license are to be submitted to the State Office of Cannabis Management. The State will accept and process the requests for application. As part of this process, the State will contact Wright County to register the proposed cannabis business cannabis location, which will include verifying with the City that
the business will comply with zoning requirements. If a license application is approved and registered with the County, Wright County will be responsible for on-going administration including compliance inspections.
Resources:
Office of Cannabis Management: https://mn.gov/ocm/
Wright County: https://www.co.wright.mn.us/1354/Alcohol-Tobacco-Other-Drugs
Otsego Ordinance 2024-14: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/otsegomn/latest/otsego_mn/0-0-0-20667