Pine County board removes strict distance rule for low-potency hemp sales after public concern over access and enforcement

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 point-of-sale controls, not wider geographic setbacks. Marcy Peterson, Pine City—ity administrator, urged that beverages containing THC be kept behind the counter to ensure age verification and prevent underage access, noting Pine County has had inconsistent liquor compliance checks: "Relying on compliance alone is not enough," Peterson said.

Laura Smetana, owner of the Voyageur Bottle Shop in Pine City, said retailers that already sell restricted products (tobacco and alcohol) have training and systems to prevent underage sales and suggested limiting hemp beverage sales to outlets that can secure them behind a counter. Tabitha Pickett, Pine City planner, offered a compromise amendment: require behind-the-counter placement in any store that is not 21-plus.

Several residents also spoke about odor and neighborhood impacts tied to marijuana manufacturing and processing operations in Royalton Township. Victoria Sigurdson described strong odors she said affected children and school buses, and Lisa Wise said neighborhood light and odor issues had been repeatedly reported to county staff.

Commissioners debated options including maintaining the setback, requiring beverages behind the counter in non-21+ stores, or narrowing the set of retail venues that may sell low-potency items. Several commissioners said the county must balance local control with the way the state regulates low-potency hemp and noted the state has placed a pause in a timeline for broader federal changes; Schroeder reminded the board the state previously made edibles behind-the-counter except for beverages.

Commissioner Steve moved to strike the 1,000-foot youth-oriented facility setback (ordinance referenced in the hearing as Ordinance 2026-14). After discussion, the board approved the motion and agreed to hold another public hearing at the May meeting to consider transaction-level rules such as behind-the-counter requirements and whether to limit sales to 21-plus retailers. The board instructed staff to gather additional enforcement information and to consult with cities and affected businesses ahead of the follow-up hearing.

The board did not adopt any new point-of-sale requirements at the April meeting; instead it removed the spatial restriction and scheduled further public comment and potential revisions for May. Schroeder noted that if the board later adopts new setbacks or limits, registrations already granted could complicate enforcement and grandfathering, so staff will present options and legal implications at the next hearing.

The decision comes as city officials, retailers and residents urged different remedies: city staff and retailers pressed for behind-the-counter placement to ensure IDs are checked at the point of sale; residents flagged odor, lighting and neighborhood impacts tied to cannabis manufacturing operations in adjacent townships.

What happens next: the board directed county staff to prepare materials for the May public hearing on sales and storage (transaction) rules and to provide clarity on what registrations exist now and how any new limits would affect currently registered retailers.