Goodhue County adopts cannabis ordinance after public hearing, with limits tied to state rules

The Goodhue County Board on Oct. 11 approved a county cannabis ordinance after a public hearing that drew industry representatives, public-health advocates and residents opposed to legalization.

Land use staff opened the hearing saying the draft ordinance was prepared in compliance with Minnesota Statutes chapter 342 and guidance from the Office of Cannabis Management, and that county fees and an application form would be considered separately on the December fee schedule. Staff asked the board to open the hearing, accept public comment and approve the ordinance as drafted.

Several members of the public spoke. Jeffrey Zimmer, who said he owns Uncle Sam's Hemp in Red Wing, urged the county to consider permitting testing laboratories and partnerships with tribal nations, saying testing jobs pay well and laboratories are underrepresented. "Testing the whole market out there in America is messed up," Zimmer said, and urged the county to consider lab permits and tribal partnerships rather than focusing solely on retail.

Ruth Greenslade of Red Wing voiced support for the ordinance on public-health grounds, saying county rules can help limit youth access and protect people in recovery; she cited a U.S. Surgeon General advisory on risks to developing brains from highly potent products. Wayne Otto, a former health-education teacher, expressed personal opposition, describing addiction in his family and saying he did not want the county to ‘‘invite this stuff into our community.’’ An emailed comment read by staff from Jay Hill said a prohibition on public use in places of public accommodation might be too broad and could force businesses into an "either/or" choice about allowing on-site use.

During board discussion staff and commissioners focused on mechanics: counties register businesses while the state issues licenses; the state has said local governments must allow one retail cannabis business per 12,500 people, which staff said would translate to four retail businesses for Goodhue County. Commissioners also asked whether municipal dispensaries or tribal retail operations would count against the county cap. Staff said the Office of Cannabis Management's draft rules have language on counting tribal and municipal operations but are not finalized; the county's draft ordinance currently does not count tribal dispensaries toward the county cap and could be amended later if state rules change.

Commissioners also discussed a 500-person threshold in the draft for temporary cannabis-event permits; staff said that number is taken from the county's assembly-control ordinance and that state licensure and additional local permitting requirements would apply. Staff acknowledged enforcement and registration workload will be shared across land use, finance/taxpayer services and the sheriff's office and urged applicants to consult county staff early because the state provides a 30-day window for local decisions.

A commissioner who said he was “against [the ordinance] in my feelings” moved to approve the ordinance, noting the board must follow state law; another commissioner seconded. The board approved the ordinance by voice vote. The board directed staff to return with zoning-ordinance changes and other technical adjustments to align local rules with the county ordinance and state rules once those rules are final.

The action takes effect per the county's adoption process; fees and the registration form will return to the board for separate consideration in December.