Olmsted County board approves minor update to cannabis and low‑potency hemp edible ordinance

The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 24 opened a public hearing and voted to approve a minor amendment to the county’s cannabis ordinance that clarifies grounds for denial for both cannabis and low‑potency hemp edible permits.

The change, to Chapter 2,150 of the county code, was presented by Shagir Choudhary, associate director with Olmsted County Public Health, who told commissioners the update is an editing and clarification to ensure the provision covers both low‑potency hemp edibles and cannabis. "We wanted to make sure we're clarifying that it covers both low potency and cannabis as well," Choudhary said during the hearing.

The county opened the public hearing and, after no speakers came forward, closed it and moved to adopt the amendment. The motion to approve the update to Chapter 2,150 passed by voice vote with commissioners saying "aye." The board did not identify any conditions or amendments to the language on the record.

Why it matters: Chapter 2,150 sets local permitting and denial standards for cannabis and related products. The board described the change as an editorial clarification rather than a substantive policy shift.

What happened next: With the vote, the clarified language will be part of the county code going forward. No additional implementation steps, timelines, or appeals were described during the meeting.

Speakers

- Shagir Choudhary, Associate Director, Olmsted County Public Health (presented the ordinance amendment) - Chair (unidentified), Olmsted County Board of Commissioners (ran the hearing and called for motions) - Multiple commissioners (voted; individual names not tied to the motion on the transcript)

Authorities

- {"type":"ordinance","name":"Chapter 2,150 (Olmsted County) - cannabis and hemp edible regulation","referenced_by":["article"]}

Actions

- {"kind":"other","motion":"Approve update to Chapter 2,150 clarifying reasons for denial for cannabis and low‑potency hemp edibles","mover":"not specified","second":"not specified","vote_record":[{"member":"multiple commissioners","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":4,"no":0},"outcome":"approved","notes":"Public hearing opened and closed; no public comment recorded."}

Discussion vs. decision

- Discussion: Staff described the amendment as an editorial clarification to ensure the code covers both low‑potency hemp edibles and cannabis. - Decision: The board voted to approve the textual update to Chapter 2,150.

Clarifying details

- "chapter": "2,150" - "nature_of_change": "editorial clarification to explicitly cover both low‑potency hemp edibles and cannabis"

Proper_names

[{"name":"Olmsted County","type":"agency"},{"name":"Shagir Choudhary","type":"person"}]

Provenance

[{"block_id":"block_1","local_start":0,"local_end":83,"evidence_excerpt":"Update cannabis and lower potency hemp edible ordinance clarifying reasons for denial. Who's handling this? Auger.","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"block_1","local_start":92,"local_end":186,"evidence_excerpt":"Move to approve the update on cannabis and lower potency hemp edible ordinance. Passes. Thank you.","reason_code":"topicfinish"}]