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Pine County board narrows retail access to low‑potency hemp edibles; compliance tied to county registration renewals
Summary
The board approved an amendment requiring low‑potency hemp beverages sold outside liquor/tobacco stores to be kept behind counters or in locked coolers and set compliance to businesses' next county registration renewal or Jan. 1, 2027; the change follows public concern about youth exposure to marketing.
Pine County commissioners approved an amendment to the county’s low‑potency hemp edible ordinance that requires retailers without an age‑restricted primary product offering to keep hemp beverages behind the counter or in a controlled, non‑public area.
County Administrator Kelly Schroeder told the board the change responds to public concerns that beverages are displayed in coolers next to energy drinks at convenience stores and gas stations, creating the potential for youth access. “If the business does not have a primary product offering that’s age restricted…the store must either store those beverages behind their counter or in a controlled area that’s not accessible to the general public,” Schroeder said, describing an option for existing coolers to be locked and retrieved by employees on request.
The board discussed when the rule should take effect. County auditor‑treasurer Mary Lindala said county registrations are tied to each business’s renewal date and recommended compliance by the business’s next county registration renewal or by Jan. 1, 2027, to simplify administration. Lara Smeta of the City of Pine City clarified that the city’s registrations renew on the date the license was issued and that renewal dates vary by retailer.
Public comment earlier in the meeting included a complaint by Denise Weiss, who said a 6‑foot banner promoting “let’s grow together low potency THC” had been displayed at a youth awards event in a public park and cited Minnesota statute 342.64 concerning advertising directed at audiences under 21. Weiss told staff she provided photos and the statute text.
The board moved and seconded the ordinance amendment; the motion passed. The recorded meeting audio captured one board member saying “I oppose” and another saying “I abstain,” but the transcript did not identify which members cast those votes. The amended ordinance requires county‑registered retailers to comply at their next county registration renewal or by Jan. 1, 2027, whichever comes first; county staff (auditor’s office) will notify registered businesses of the new requirement and timeline.
The change narrows display and access methods but does not ban low‑potency hemp products; enforcement will occur through the county registration process and any applicable state licensing requirements.
