Cannabis Ordinance Facts

On December 3, the City Council passed ordinance #1666, Chapter 122 Cannabis Regulation. This ordinance establishes regulation for the City of Owatonna regarding cannabis businesses. 

Some of the key points of the ordinance are insurance requirements for cannabis businesses, zoning and licensing rules, buffer zone restrictions, hours of operation and temporary event regulations. 

Licensing and Compliance 

Pursuant to MN Statue 342.22 and Steele County Ordinance 2024-42, The City, by resolution, shall delegate to Steele County the City’s authority to register cannabis and hemp businesses and its authority to conduct compliance checks of said businesses within the City’s jurisdiction. 

Liability Insurance Requirements 

No individual or entity may operate a state-licensed cannabis business within the City without first presenting a certificate of insurance to the City Administrator’s office as evidence of the following coverages for the location which shall meet the following minimum limits of liability pertaining to commercial general liability, worker’s compensation insurance and commercial auto insurance. 

Location zoning and buffer requirements for cannabis businesses 

• Being at least 1,000 feet away from schools
• Being 500 feet from daycare centers, residential treatment facilities, public parks and the Steele County Fairgrounds
• Cannot be within 1,000 feet of another cannabis retail store

Cannabis businesses are limited to retail sale of cannabis, cannabis flower, cannabis products between the hours of 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Sunday. 

Event permits for temporary cannabis events 

An event holder must obtain a state license and City-issued temporary cannabis event permit.  Events cannot be held in residential districts, must be over 1,000 feet from a school for outdoor events and are restricted to operating hours of 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.  

Enforcement 

Any violation of the provisions of this ordinance or failure to comply with any of its requirements constitutes a misdemeanor and is punishable as defined by law.