NORTH MANKATO — Sales of cannabis won’t happen until at least later this year, but North Mankato became the latest local government to pass an ordinance addressing marijuana cultivation, sales and use.
Many rules were already established by the state when lawmakers and Gov. Tim Walz approved legislation on legalization of marijuana in 2023.
But while recreational marijuana dispensaries were set to open early this year there is likely to be significant delays because of court challenges that have stopped the process until state lawmakers approve final rules for the program.
The North Mankato City Council unanimously approved a local ordinance Tuesday night, after no one spoke at a public hearing on the issue earlier in the meeting.
Anyone wanting to start a state-licensed cannabis business must register with the city and undergo a preliminary compliance check, with compliance checks continuing annually, including checking that a business doesn’t sell to anyone under age 21.
The compliance checks will include age verification checks using people aged 17 to 21 going to businesses to see if their IDs are checked before being sold cannabis products.
Cannabis businesses will need to be at least 1,000 feet from a school and 500 feet from a daycare, residential treatment center, park or attraction regularly used by minors.
The ordinance also spells out the hours the businesses can operate.
Under the state legislation, cities and counties can’t opt out of having cannabis businesses.
But state law only requires a city to permit at least one retail store selling higher-potency marijuana products for every 12,500 residents. North Mankato’s population is around 14,000 and the council approved up to two retailers with the ability to allow for more in the future.
In November, Mankato approved its cannabis ordinance and they are required to permit up to four cannabis businesses based on their population.
Cities can allow more than the minimum number of cannabis businesses, but so far most in Minnesota are approving the minimum number until they see how things play out in the industry.