Pine County to draft ordinance for low‑potency hemp edibles registration; public hearing set for Nov. 18

Pine County staff told commissioners they will prepare an ordinance to register businesses that sell low‑potency hemp edibles to comply with a new state requirement that such businesses obtain a retail registration from their local government.

The county’s 2024 cannabis business ordinance intentionally excluded low‑potency hemp edibles because, staff said, those products had been sold widely and without local registration. Beginning Jan. 1 (year not specified in the staff summary), state regulators will require businesses that sell low‑potency hemp edibles to hold a state license and a local retail registration.

County staff proposed creating a separate, simple registration ordinance modeled on the county’s tobacco licensing process. Staff and the county attorney (Reese, referenced in conversation) will draft the ordinance and include options such as a modest administrative fee; one staff speaker suggested a model similar to the county’s cigarette license with a $100 fee.

Commissioners directed staff to return a draft ordinance at the Nov. 4 meeting and set a tentative public hearing for Nov. 18. County staff said the state will likely begin seeking local certification of retail registration in November and that businesses already applying for state licenses have inquired about the county’s process.

Why it matters: the change will require local retail registrations for businesses that previously sold low‑potency hemp edibles without local oversight. Staff told the board the registration would likely add minimal administrative burden and allow the county to perform compliance checks similar to tobacco or liquor license checks.

Ending: staff will draft a straightforward ordinance and fee schedule for board review on Nov. 4, with a public hearing tentatively scheduled for Nov. 18.