The Duluth City Council met on Thursday to discuss zoning and regulatory plans for recreational cannabis sales, which are set to begin in Minnesota next year. As the state approaches the legalization of recreational cannabis, the city of Duluth is taking steps to ensure its regulations align with state laws and are ready for businesses to operate when the new market opens in 2025.
Zoning Cannabis Businesses in Duluth
The city’s Planning Commission has proposed zoning cannabis businesses in a manner similar to other retail businesses. Retail cannabis shops would be allowed near other retail outlets, while production facilities would be concentrated in areas designated for manufacturing and production. This approach is meant to integrate cannabis businesses into the community while ensuring that they comply with legal standards and local business zoning.
Jenn Moses, Manager of the city’s Planning Commission, emphasized the need for updated zoning regulations. “We want to make sure that our zoning regulations are up to date with state laws and that when businesses come forward, we have regulations in place for where they can be allowed,” Moses stated.
Moratorium on Licensing Expiring
In St. Louis County, a temporary moratorium on the licensing of retail cannabis businesses will expire at the end of the year. This has allowed local agencies time to prepare for the expected growth of cannabis-related businesses and their impact on the community. Duluth is moving forward to ensure its local regulations are ready as the moratorium lifts and the market for recreational cannabis becomes operational.
Legal and Regulatory Violations
Duluth City Attorney Terri Lehr explained that violations of cannabis-related regulations would be treated similarly to alcohol violations. For instance, cannabis businesses found operating without valid registration or engaging in illegal sales would face penalties. Under the proposed ordinance, cannabis retailers caught selling without registration could be fined up to $2,000.
However, lower potency hemp edibles, which have been legal in Minnesota since 2022, would not be subject to the same penalties. This distinction ensures that businesses dealing with legal hemp products are not unfairly penalized under new cannabis regulations.
Upcoming City Council Vote
Both zoning and regulatory ordinances will be put to a vote at the Duluth City Council’s upcoming meeting on Monday. If passed, these regulations will pave the way for the safe and legal operation of recreational cannabis businesses in the city starting in 2025.
Duluth’s proactive approach to zoning and regulation is an essential step toward establishing a robust cannabis industry that aligns with state laws and meets the needs of the community.
