County staff (S11) briefed commissioners Dec. 16 on the first fully completed cannabis retail registration application under Minnesota’s new framework and recommended approval because the application met local ordinance and statutory requirements.

Staff reviewed the state regulatory framework (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 3 42 and Minnesota Rules, Chapter 98.1 as referenced in the presentation) and explained that Goodhue County’s ordinance limits certain retail cannabis registrations to one per 12,500 residents, which yields a county cap of four registrations based on current population. Staff confirmed Lake City zoning approval, receipt of an insurance binder, tax ID and all application materials for Flora Skura LLC, doing business as American Made Cannabis, which submitted a completed application Dec. 1.

The board moved and approved the registration. Staff said they cannot deny an application that meets ordinance and statutory requirements and noted other license types (medical cannabis combination businesses and low‑potency hemp retailers) are not subject to the same numeric caps.

The approval allows the applicant to proceed with county registration; zoning and state licensing remain separate processes.