Baxter Will Consider Opening More Cannabis Stores – Brainerd Dispatch

BAXTER — More cannabis retail stores could open in Baxter than the minimum limit required by state law, depending on a City Council decision later this month.

Like other Minnesota cities, Baxter is required to amend its code and zoning ordinance to reflect state law regarding the legalization of cannabis for adult use. The state’s cannabis law was passed in 2023 and gave local units of government – cities and counties – time to develop codes such as zoning ordinances regulating hours of operation and the location of a cannabis business in terms of physical distance from school or care day care, a treatment facility or a place regularly used by minors, such as a public park or sports fields.

Cities must have a code effective January 1, 2025 to allow for various types of cannabis-related activities and uses. Josh Doty, director of community development, noted that those applying for a license will do so before the state, and then the company will need to obtain approval from local authorities. Doty addressed council during a workshop session on Tuesday, December 3.

In November, the Baxter Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on cannabis-related zoning amendments. The commission’s recommendation will be presented to the city on December 17. The draft ordinance for council consideration on Tuesday was suggested by city officials, who recommended starting with the per-store limit because demand is unknown. The report to council indicated the limit could be changed at any time, as the city did with its previous mobile sales ordinance. The planning commission also recommended an ordinance to address commercial distance buffers such as schools and parks. In the case of retail, the draft regulation specifies that zoning must be commercial in nature so that the product cannot be sold outside the residential or office zone. The draft ordinance also asks companies dealing with medical marijuana combinations not to include cultivation and production, as this use should take place in the city’s industrial zone.

The state licenses businesses and establishes an ordinance that required the city to allow at least one retail store for every 12,500 residents. The state also allowed cities to limit the number of stores allowed to the required number, but cities were not allowed to issue outright bans on such businesses. Some local government entities favor allowing only what the state says it must contain.

Council member Zach Tabatt said he feels a little uncomfortable with the government creating a monopoly. Council member Mark Cross said he agreed.

Tabatt said that if the idea of ​​a cap was to test it, a test of two or three would make a little more sense in terms of letting the market decide, rather than a trial size of one.

Doty said the hat is optional and they can have a different hat. Without the cap, the city would have as many stores as the market would allow. Doty said staff may present alternative resolutions to the board for the Dec. 17 meeting.

The state Office of Cannabis Management has prepared a guide to help local governments consider changes and best practices for local cannabis regulation.

For those involved in cultivation and production, the state has also prepared a table in its guide with zoning information that takes into account urban issues such as odor, transportation, waste and energy use, and safety. Stan also noted that cities could include micro-businesses that can offer on-site consumption, such as a brewery.

State law allows for 13 different types of cannabis and hemp business licenses – from retailer, to wholesaler, to cultivator and amalgamation companies, to those involved in testing, transporting, delivering or selling medical marijuana and hemp edibles at lower power.

Renee Richardson, Editor-in-Chief, can be reached at 218-855-5852 or [email protected]. Follow on Twitter at @DispatchBizBuzz.