Cannabis Business and Public Use Ordinance
Recreational cannabis use and possession by people aged 21 and older is legal in the state of Minnesota, effective August 1, 2023. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, where it is still classified as a controlled substance.
The cannabis legalization law allows retail sales of cannabis beginning in January 2025 after going through a licensing process with the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and registration with the local government. The new law allows local governments to set standards including placing restrictions on the time, place, and manner of the operation of cannabis retail and lower-potency hemp edible businesses.
Otter Tail County adopted an Ordinance to Regulate Cannabis and Lower-Potency Hemp Businesses effective April 1, 2025. The county ordinance will safeguard public health, safety, and community well-being through responsible regulation of cannabis and lower-potency hemp edible businesses.
The Otter Tail County ordinance also manages the following activities:
- Cannabis cultivation
- Manufacture of cannabis-derived products
- Sale of cannabis-derived products
- Organizing cannabis-related events
- Lower-potency hemp edible retail
Otter Tail County is developing a registration process for cannabis retail businesses or cannabis retail endorsement. If you have received a preliminary license for cannabis retail business or cannabis retail endorsement, please submit an application to be registered with Otter Tail County. A registration fee will be required upon final approval of registration or renewal. If you have questions at this time, please contact Nicole Hansen or Chris LeClair.
Each city and township shall decide whether to delegate registration authority to the county. The city or township will be required to notify the OCM if they have delegated authority on forms provided by the agency. More information about this law, application process, and requirements can be found below and on the State’s website.
Quick Links
Local Government Toolkit (OCM)
Information for Cities and Townships
Sample Resolution to Delegate Authority (Word, PDF)
Registration/Renewal Fee Schedule
Application for Cannabis Retail Businesses and Temporary Cannabis Events
Timeline of Adoption
October 8, 2024
The Board of Commissioners reviewed a draft Ordinance to Regulate Cannabis and Lower-Potency Hemp Businesses and established a public hearing for November 20 at 6 PM at the Government Services Center.
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November 20, 2024 at 6 PM
Public Hearing for an Ordinance to Regulate Cannabis and Lower-Potency Hemp Businesses at the Government Services Center.
Please review the posted notice and direct all questions and comments to the appropriate individuals specified within.
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October – December 2024
Each city and township shall decide whether to delegate registration authority to the county. The city or township will be required to notify the OCM if they have delegated authority on forms provided by the Office.
The most recent version of the draft Ordinance to Regulate Cannabis and Lower-Potency Hemp Businesses is available and will be considered in 2025 for approval and adoption by the Board of Commissioners. The OCM is expected to begin issuing licenses in the Spring of 2025 and Otter Tail County will continue to monitor and determine the appropriate time for adoption of the ordinance.
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March 2025
The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners adopted an Ordinance to Regulate Cannabis and Lower-Potency Hemp Businesses on March 25, 2025, with an effective date of April 1, 2025.
State Role
The OCM will promulgate Minnesota Rules. They will establish a license system and be responsible for licensing cannabis businesses. OCM has developed a Local Government Toolkit. Local government staff can use this workbook for guidance regarding the local government’s role in the application, licensing, and regulatory system for the cannabis industry. The guidance includes a draft model ordinance for local government staff to reference in the development of ordinances.
Information for Cities and Townships
Cities and townships can adopt their own ordinances or delegate authority to the county. More information can be found on the website of the Office for Cannabis Management (OCM).
- If your city or township decides to delegate authority to the county, please consider passing a resolution that can be provided to the county. A resolution template is available on our website (Word, PDF).
- If your city or township delegates authority to the county, a delegation form is available on the OCM website to fill out and submit for their records. It is our understanding that cities and townships delegating authority are required to submit a delegation form to OCM.
In addition to the delegation form, it is recommended that all cities and townships register with Accela through OCM for notification of license applications that are pre-approved. This will provide opportunities for cities and townships to be notified about the license pre-approval as well as ensure that it meets local zoning compliance verification requirements prior to final approval.