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The St. Louis County Board has voted to pause the registration or operation of new cannabis businesses in the county for five months.
Following a public hearing on Tuesday, the Board voted 6-1 to approve a temporary moratorium that will be effective through the end of December. Commissioner Ashley Grimm was the dissenting vote.
The moratorium's purpose is to give local units of government more time to determine how they will regulate this new industry, including its zoning and enforcement implications.
This moratorium does not affect existing businesses involved with low-potency hemp products.
"There are a lot of details to sort through, and we need to ensure we do this properly," said County Board Chair Keith Nelson. "The legislation has undergone numerous changes and processes are still being finalized, so we felt the best option was to slow down to allow ourselves and the jurisdictions within our county more time to develop strategies that serve all our citizens."
The Minnesota Legislature legalized adult-use cannabis in 2023 and established the Office of Cannabis Management, which is responsible for developing and implementing the operation and regulatory systems governing the cannabis industry in Minnesota. During the 2024 session, the Legislature enacted revisions to clarify the 2023 law, including one provision that authorizes the OCM’s issuance of provisional licenses and a lottery for cannabis businesses before January 1, 2025.
The Office of Cannabis Management controls the application and approval process for cannabis businesses, and has not yet completed its rulemaking process, which will directly impact the registration and implementation procedures for cannabis businesses. The legislation allows local governments to pass a temporary moratorium to protect the planning process and the health, safety and welfare of its citizens.
This moratorium applies to all jurisdictions within St. Louis County, including those cities and townships with their own zoning authority.
Volunteers sought for Local Mental Health Advisory Council
St. Louis County seeks six volunteers to serve on its Local Mental Health Advisory Councils. Currently, there are five openings on the advisory council serving Duluth and surrounding communities in the southern part of the county and one on the advisory council serving the Iron Range and the northern part of the county.
Ideal candidates include anyone with lived experience of their own or through a loved one, anyone with professional mental health training, and those passionate about improving services in our community. A stipend is available for people who serve on the advisory council and have lived experience.
The Local Mental Health Advisory Council meets on the third Thursday of each month for approximately 90 minutes. The south group meets from 5-6:30 p.m. at the St. Louis County Government Services Center in Duluth and virtually. The north group meets from 4:30-6 p.m. at the St. Louis County Government Services Center in Virginia and virtually.
The application deadline is August 8. Advisory council members are asked to commit to serving on the council for two years.
The advisory council started in the fall of 2020 to bring together diverse perspectives on mental health to improve mental health services in our communities. The group works to identify existing resources and provide recommendations to St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services regarding changes, additions, and improvements needed to local mental health services for children and adults.
More information about the work of the Local Advisory Council and a link to apply can be found online at stlouiscountymn.gov/lac.
– St. Louis County press releases
