OLIVIA
— The
Renville County Board of Commissioners
unanimously approved an ordinance to regulate cannabis sales in the county, despite concerns raised by the city of Olivia that it is too restrictive.

Stating that they wanted to move forward on cannabis sales with caution, the commissioners approved an ordinance that restricts the number of allowed retail establishments in the county to two. The ordinance does not allow temporary cannabis events.

The vote on May 13 followed a public hearing on the ordinance, which was originally drafted by the county’s Public Health Department.

Minnesota law requires counties to authorize at least one permanent retail outlet per 12,500 population. By allowing two, the county ordinance is aimed at meeting the minimum requirement.

The restriction to two retail outlets applies only to high-potency cannabis. The ordinance does not regulate the sale of low-potency THC beverages or edibles at convenience and other stores in the county.

Instead of doing the minimum as required by the law, Olivia Mayor Jon Hawkinson urged the commissioners “to deploy an opportunity mindset to embrace a new industry and perhaps fill some of these vacant store fronts we can see all across our county.”

Contributed / City of Olivia

“Why are we landing on two,” Hawkinson asked. “Does two makes economic sense for the business opportunities in the county?”

Hawkinson questioned whether having only two outlets offers fair access to the market for entrepreneurs in a county as geographically large as
Renville County
. He asked if the choice was simply based on the stigma and the minimum as required by law, rather than looking at the economic potential.

The city of Olivia has delegated its authority to regulate cannabis sales to Renville County, although it has the option under state law to take on that responsibility. If the city adopted its own ordinance, it could set its own number of cannabis retailers,
per state statute.

The mayor and City Administrator Elizabeth Torkelson said the city has chosen to delegate its authority to the county, rather than adopt its own ordinance. They said the city felt that the county had the better resources for the responsibility.

The city administrator pointed out that the county now regulates tobacco sales at 20 or more allowed retail outlets in the county. No different than cannabis, tobacco sales are restricted to those 21 years and older, and the county has effectively enforced this and other requirements for its sale.

The city and county differ on the authority over allowing temporary cannabis events. The county believes the authority belongs as part of its ordinance governing retail sales. Torkelson said the city’s attorney believes the authority over temporary events is a separate law. She said the city did not delegate its responsibility over temporary events to the county.

County Administrator Lisa Herges and Public Health Director Sara Benson said there is a lot of information still to be made known by the state Office of Cannabis Management.

Herges noted that the governor is holding private meetings with the state’s tribes about allowing them to open retail outlets at sites off of their land.

Benson said she has sent multiple inquiries to the state asking about the delegation of authority over temporary events as sought by Olivia, but has not received an answer.

The commissioners emphasized that the draft ordinance is designed to meet the requirements and the county’s obligation to allow cannabis sales. Board Chair David Hamre said this ordinance was proposed to “get the ball rolling,” while emphasizing the commissioners are open to modifying it as needs are raised.

Contributed

“We’ve said that we are open to change if the request is there,” Hamre said during discussions. “We are trying to be cautious and that is our job.”

Commissioner Greg Snow, who represents Olivia, advocated for the city’s call for fewer restrictions, but acknowledged his concerns.

“It’s a tough, moral one for some of us,” he said of the legalization of cannabis sales. There are adverse consequences associated with substance use, he said.

Commissioner Craig Carlson said the people of Renville County are conservative and want the commissioners “to enter with caution.”