Council sets local registration timetable as cannabis interim use permit returns to council

The council approved bringing a proposed local cannabis registration timetable to an upcoming meeting and received an update that the Planning Commission had recommended a five-year interim use permit (IUP) for a proposed retail location at 112 East Washington.

Planning staff told the council the IUP recommendation includes conditions limiting hours (10 a.m.–8 p.m.), prohibiting on-site consumption or sampling because apartments are above the location, and requiring the property owner to obtain written tenant acknowledgements that they have been informed of the permitted business use. "The planning commission found that all of the necessary items for a conditional use permit were met," the planning presenter said, explaining the IUP framework and its five-year duration.

Staff also laid out a proposed local registration process intended to align with the state licensing tracks. The city plans to open registration from Aug. 8 through Sept. 8, conduct an eligibility/completeness review Sept. 9–10, and bring complete applications to the council for review around the Sept. 15 meeting. Under the city’s ordinance, Fergus Falls must issue at least one registration (and may issue up to two) because of its population category. Staff noted that applicants use different state tracks — Sugar High applied as a micro-business (uncapped) while other applicants used a capped retail path subject to a lottery — and that state lottery timing may not align perfectly with the city’s schedule.

Applicants in attendance described licensing differences and timelines; staff committed to drafting clarifying language about how long a preliminary registration could be held if state licensure lags, and to return the clarified language to council on Monday. Council approved placing the registration timetable and accompanying language on the Monday agenda.