Winona County delays vote on cannabis registration ordinance, asks for more township input and legal clarifications

Winona County commissioners reviewed a draft cannabis business registration ordinance based on the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) model and decided to table final approval to gather more local input and legal clarifications.

Staff told the board the draft largely follows the state model and incorporates earlier board direction, including a provision tied to a population ratio (one registration per 12,500 residents) and a staff‑proposed/board‑adjustable mechanism to make up to five registrations available specifically for the county’s rural areas if municipalities do not provide adequate registrations. Commissioners questioned how registrations would be counted, whether city‑level opt‑ins or opt‑outs affect the county’s obligations, and whether townships would have a practical mechanism to opt out or limit registrations within their borders.

County staff said administrative rules recently approved by the state will go into effect later this month but that a pending court action over the social equity lottery could delay state licensing for months or longer; as a result, a range of implementation timelines is possible (from the end of this month to sometime in 2026, staff said). Commissioners pressed staff for a redlined draft showing changes from the state model and for clearer guidance on how population counts and municipal opt‑ins will be applied when computing the minimum number of required registrations.

After extended discussion about protecting township authority, ensuring a minimum county quota if municipalities don’t provide registrations and the mechanics of counting populations, Commissioner Ailsen moved to table the ordinance to give staff time to produce redlines and a jurisdictional tally (who has opted in or out). Commissioner Baker seconded the motion; the board approved the motion to table and directed staff to return with clarifications and a redline of changes to the model ordinance.

The tabling leaves the county without a finalized local registration ordinance while state timing remains uncertain. Staff said they will prepare the requested redline showing changes from the model ordinance, provide a list of jurisdictions that have opted in or out so far, and supply the OCM guidance the county used to draft the current text.