MARSHALL — This year, Minnesota governments, including the city of Marshall, have been working to set regulations for cannabis-related businesses. A major part of that process is deciding where different kinds of cannabis businesses can operate within city limits, Marshall city staff said this week.
On Tuesday, the Marshall City Council voted to approve updates to city zoning ordinances for different kinds of cannabis businesses.
“The changes that we are doing are all related to the recent law passed by the state of Minnesota,” legalizing cannabis, said Marshall Assistant Planning and Zoning Administrator Ilya Gutman.
The updated zoning ordinances list out where different types of cannabis-related businesses can be located in Marshall city limits. Gutman said state law defines a total of 13 types of cannabis businesses, ranging from cultivators to retailers.
“The proposed changes reflect that basically the only thing the city has the right to regulate is the location of each cannabis-related business type,” he said.
Under the updated ordinances, cannabis cultivator businesses would be permitted in an agricultural district. Indoor cultivators, cannabis testing facilities and cannabis manufacturers would all be permitted in industrial districts.
Some other types of cannabis businesses defined by state law would be allowed in an industrial district with a conditional use permit.
Retail businesses like lower-potency hemp edible retailers and cannabis retailers would be permitted in Marshall’s central business district and general business districts. In addition, cannabis wholesalers, delivery services and event organizers would also be permitted in general business districts.
Under the ordinances, hemp and cannabis retail businesses with off-sales would all need to be at least 500 feet away from schools.
