New regulations regarding cannabis sales are moving forward in the Brainerd – Brainerd Dispatch

BRAINERD — A maximum of two cannabis retailers are expected to be allowed in Brainerd, and business owners will likely have to pay an initial retail fee of $500.

The decision on cannabis guidelines will also impact off-the-counter alcohol sales.

On Monday, June 3, Brainerd City Council members approved the first reading of an ordinance establishing conditions for cannabis retailers to operate in the city.

While city officials have not yet heard from anyone with plans to open a cannabis dispensary in Brainerd, officials would like to get ahead of the issue in light of last year’s legalization of recreational marijuana in Minnesota.

Under state statute, municipalities can impose restrictions on when, where and how cannabis businesses can operate, including distance from places such as schools, medical facilities and public parks. State legislation proposes that retail sales of adult-use cannabis begin in the first quarter of 2025.

In the ordinance, Brainerd would allow a maximum of two cannabis dispensaries in the city because the state requires cities to allow no less than one cannabis business per 12,500 residents. Brainerd’s population at the 2020 census was 14,395. Under these regulations, Crow Wing County must allow a maximum of six cannabis businesses. If there were six such companies registered in the county and only one in Brainerd, Brainerd would not be required to issue registration documents for the second cannabis company.

The city will also impose an initial $500 retail fee on cannabis businesses and a $1,000 renewal registration fee.

The ordinance would prohibit cannabis businesses from operating within 100 feet of a school, treatment center or attraction in a public park regularly used by minors, such as a playground or sports field. A conditional use permit would be required for the dispensary to operate within 300 feet of the same facilities. Retail cannabis operations would be limited to operations in commercial districts.

The cultivation and production of cannabis products would be permitted within the general industrial area upon obtaining a conditional use permit.

Because the ordinance would limit marijuana sales to commercial districts, city officials have proposed giving the same treatment to businesses that sell alcohol off-sale. This means that off-sale liquor stores will be removed from the traditional district 2. This district is intended to combine residential and commercial functions and allows for the operation of businesses such as boarding houses, veterinary clinics, boarding houses, commercial day care centers, restaurants, houses, among others. care and health clubs.

Council member Mike O’Day asked whether this would impact existing businesses.

Community Development Director James Kramvik said the only business that would be impacted is Mill Avenue Liquor, which is no longer in business. He added that this would not affect gas stations, which only sell products with an alcohol content of 3.2% and therefore do not have a license to sell alcohol. Kramvik stated that if an existing company were to be affected, it would become unlawful, meaning it would still be able to operate but would not expand its existing footprint.

Council members approved the first reading of the cannabis ordinance Monday evening, along with the first reading of the amended alcohol ordinance allowing for zoning changes.

The final reading of both regulations will take place before council members at the next meeting.

TERESA BOURKE can be contacted at

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Theresa Bourke joined the Dispatch in July 2018, covering Brainerd city government and local education, including Brainerd Public Schools and Central Lakes College.