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Pine County board removes strict distance rule for low-potency hemp sales after public concern over access and enforcement
Summary
After a public hearing that drew residents and city and business officials, the Pine County Board voted to strike a 1,000-foot youth-oriented setback from its low-potency hemp edible ordinance and agreed to revisit point-of-sale rules at a May public hearing.
PINE CITY, Minn. — The Pine County Board of Commissioners voted on April 1 to remove a 1,000-foot distance requirement from the county raft ordinance regulating low-potency hemp edibles, after a public hearing in which city officials and local business owners urged rules that balance youth protection with enforceability and downtown retailers ccess.
Kelly Schroeder, Pine County dministrators, told commissioners the county dopted Ordinance 2025-40 last year to regulate retail sales of low-potency hemp edibles. Schroeder said the county—ound its 1,000-foot rule — written to limit retail locations near youth-oriented facilities — proved more restrictive than other county codes and would exclude many downtown businesses, municipal liquor stores and tobacco shops from selling the product. "All of downtown Pine City nd our local restaurants re not able to sell it under this language," Schroeder said, urging the board to strike the distance requirement so businesses are not unduly harmed.
City officials and retailers urged stricter…
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