Koochiching County to hold public hearing on rules for low‑potency cannabis products

KOOCHICHING COUNTY, Minn. — The Koochiching County Board of Commissioners on March 25 approved a draft local ordinance that would require low‑potency cannabis and hemp‑derived edible products to be stored so they are inaccessible to the public, and scheduled a public hearing on the measure for April 22, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. on the third floor of the courthouse.

The board voted to advance “Option 2,” a draft provision that requires products intended for ingestion to be kept either behind a staffed checkout counter or in a locked case and to be separated from conventional candy. The draft also asks retail outlets to implement theft‑prevention plans such as top‑shelf storage, continuous video surveillance or staff‑only display areas.

Board members said the measure is intended to reduce the risk that children mistake low‑potency hemp products for common candies and to give smaller stores a compliance pathway that does not require construction of new counters or cases. County staff told the board the state does not mandate locked storage for low‑potency hemp beverages and that local registration and enforcement would be handled by county licensing staff and could be complaint‑driven.

Board action and next steps

Commissioner Ricky Roach moved to proceed with Option 2 and the board approved the motion. The board later approved a separate motion to publish and advertise a public hearing on the full draft ordinance for April 22, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. Commissioners indicated they will consider adoption after hearing public comment, or delay action if substantial concerns arise.

Why it matters

Under the proposal, the county would exercise local authority to require storage safeguards in addition to state registration for low‑potency hemp products. Board members noted that the policy would be enforced largely by complaint investigations and would mirror licensing procedures used for alcohol and tobacco at separate locations, with separate licenses required per retail site.

What the draft says and open questions

The draft (Option 2) requires edible hemp products to be in locked cases or behind employees at the checkout, separated by at least 1 foot from conventional candy, and stored using theft‑prevention methods when not behind a counter. County staff said enforcement would typically be complaint‑based and that the county attorney would review any registration and licensing procedures. The board did not adopt the ordinance at the meeting; it only approved moving the draft to a public hearing.

Public hearing and contact

The board scheduled the public hearing for April 22, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. on the third floor of the Koochiching County Courthouse in International Falls. County licensing staff will accept written comments prior to the hearing and the board will consider adoption or further revision after public input.