Staff outlines proposed cannabis registration and zoning rules; council told state lottery likely in May–June 2025

Operations Director Kyle Box presented an overview of staff’s draft approach to local cannabis regulation and zoning and told the Willmar City Council what to expect in January.

Box explained state law authorizes multiple license types and that local governments can impose two main controls: local certification of zoning compliance and a local registration/retention process. He said staff will introduce two ordinances in January — a regulatory/registration ordinance and a zoning/land‑use ordinance — with public hearings scheduled in February and adoption possible at that meeting. Box recommended setting the city’s minimum number of retail cannabis locations at two, a statutory minimum tied to population; the council may set a higher number by ordinance.

Box summarized draft buffer rules staff will recommend: prohibit retail operations within 1,000 feet of schools and 500 feet of daycares, residential treatment facilities or parks/playgrounds. He also said staff plans to require conditional‑use permits for retail in designated business districts and that the city will compile maps of buffer zones and impacted parcels.

On state timing, Box said the Office of Cannabis Management’s latest guidance puts the likely lottery and licensing process into May–June 2025; staff emphasized the city will revisit provisions as state processes evolve. Councilmembers asked about how multiple local applicants would be handled; Box said selection of retail licensees is a state decision for 2025 and the city’s role is registration and zoning compliance.

No ordinances were adopted at the meeting; staff will return with draft ordinance text and licensing forms for council consideration.