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Clay County adopts maximum retail cannabis fee schedule for unincorporated areas, plans two-year review
Summary
The Board approved a county retail cannabis registration and enforcement fee schedule — using the state-allowed maximums for initial and renewal registration and penalties — and instructed staff to review fees in two years.
Clay County commissioners voted on May 6 to adopt a retail cannabis registration and fee schedule for unincorporated areas of the county, setting permit and penalty amounts at the maximum levels authorized by Minnesota guidance and scheduling a review in two years.
Planning and public health staff told the board that the Office of Cannabis Management may begin pre-registration, site evaluation and zoning compliance processes soon and that local jurisdictions have authority to set registration fees for retail cannabis businesses and impose registration-based enforcement. Staff recommended adopting the maximum allowed fees for initial registration, annual renewals and for violations (including up to $2,000 per violation and administrative suspensions) so the county would have flexibility while the statewide rules are still being finalized.
Commissioners discussed whether the fees should be lower; several members emphasized that the county should not use permitting as a revenue source and should reassess the schedule after operations begin. The board added a requirement in the motion that staff return with a review of the fee schedule in two years to evaluate actual workload and costs.
Action: Commissioner Ebinger moved to adopt the retail cannabis fee schedule as presented (maximums under state guidelines) and include penalties, with a two-year review; Commissioner Evers seconded. The motion carried by voice vote.
Scope and application: The schedule applies to cannabis registrations in unincorporated Clay County and would extend to delegated authority if a city or township chooses to have the county manage local registration. Public health will continue to perform annual compliance checks and planning staff will handle zoning verification inspections under the registration program.
Next steps: County staff will publish the fee schedule and implement a registration process for businesses in unincorporated areas; staff will return to the board for a scheduled fee review in two years.
