Royalton Township resident urges Pine County to follow state guidance and strengthen cannabis zoning

Denise Weiss of Royalton Township addressed the Pine County Board during the public forum and urged commissioners to revisit the county's draft cannabis zoning rules, saying the current main-committee draft departed from state guidance and Minnesota Association of Counties recommendations.

Weiss said a planning and zoning subcommittee had originally produced a draft that she considered workable for both residents and businesses but that the main committee rejected and returned the draft for further work. She said the subcommittee subsequently visited properties she characterized as drug houses, and she said those visits informed her view that local residents are not sufficiently protected under the current draft.

"Bribes come in many fashions and many things can fit in that bag besides money," Weiss said in public comment, arguing the county should protect residents when developing siting rules for cannabis businesses. She asked commissioners to reexamine the draft to ensure it follows state recommendations and the guidance of the Association of Minnesota Counties.

Weiss also urged review or removal of subcommittee members who took trips the public may not have authorized, saying appointed subcommittee members are not directly removable by voters. Her remarks were made during the public comment period; no formal board action or response was recorded in the meeting minutes beyond the public forum acknowledgment.

Why it matters: Zoning for cannabis businesses affects where such businesses may operate relative to homes, schools and other community uses; public comments raised concerns about alignment with state guidance and local oversight of subcommittees.