Isanti council keeps local control of cannabis registrations and directs staff to draft ordinance

City staff told the Isanti Committee of the Whole that legal retail cannabis sales are expected to begin in January 2025 and reviewed what local governments may regulate under state law. A majority of council members signaled they do not want to delegate registration authority to the county and asked staff to draft ordinance changes so the city will have local registration, fee and zoning rules in place before state licenses are issued.

The staff presentation outlined statutory basics: a local unit that issues cannabis retailer registrations "may by ordinance limit the number of licensed cannabis retailers" but must allow at least one registration per 12,500 residents (staff cited the relevant statutory language). The staff member said the county provided sample resolution language for cities that wish to delegate registration, but the council was clear it prefers local control.

Council debate centered on three practical questions: how much to charge for initial registration and renewals, who will perform and pay for required annual…