Morrison County to review cannabis-event rules and bring proposed changes to planning session

Health and Human Services Director Nathan Bertram told the Morrison County Board of Commissioners he has met with County Attorney Mittendorf and will review the county’s cannabis events language (section 4 of the county ordinance) to compare it with other counties’ ordinances. Bertram said he expects to have a draft ready for a planning session, likely in March, and that the board could then consider next steps including opening the ordinance for public hearing.

"As now we are into 2025, some of the other counties are starting to post what their ordinances look like as well," Bertram said. "Over the course of the next month or so, I will be reviewing some other counties that Attorney Mittendorf pointed out, looking specifically at our cannabis events section of our ordinance, section 4. And so I would probably be looking to bring that to you all in a planning session, probably March is probably going to be the timeframe that I'll have that ready."

Bertram told the board this review is focused on retail and cannabis-event provisions rather than planning and zoning functions; he did not anticipate Planning & Zoning Director Amy being involved unless the review triggers zoning issues. Commissioners did not take formal action at the meeting; the item was presented as staff direction to prepare a review and potential ordinance changes for future board consideration.