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Cannabis Business License Types <br />The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has developed 13 types of business licenses. Each of <br />the 13 types of business licenses fulfills a unique role in the cannabis and hemp supply chain. Each <br />business license type is outlined and defined; see Attachment A. <br />Local Authority <br />Local governments in Minnesota have various means of oversight over the cannabis market, as <br />provided by the adult-use cannabis law. Local governments may not issue outright bans on cannabis <br />business or limit operations in a manner beyond what is provided by state law. <br />Cannabis Retail Restrictions <br />Local governments may limit the number of retailers and microbusiness/mezzobusinesses with <br />retail endorsements allowed within the locality, as long as there is at least one retail location per <br />12,500 residents. Local units of government are not obligated to seek out a business to register as a <br />cannabis business if they have not been approached by any potential applicants, but cannot prohibit <br />the establishment of a business if this population requirement is not met. Local units of government <br />may also issue more than the minimum number of registrations. Per statutory direction, a municipal <br />cannabis store cannot be included in the minimum number of registrations required. <br />Local Retail Registration Process <br />Once the licensing process begins, local government registration applies to cannabis retailers or <br />other cannabis/hemp businesses seeking a retail endorsement. Local governments must issue a retail <br />registration. Additionally, local governments are permitted specific authorities for registration <br />refusal and registration suspension, in addition to—and not in conflict with—OCM authorities. The <br />city does intend to create a registration system for cannabis businesses. The registration process and <br />portion of the code be considered directly by the City Council. <br />Zoning and Land Use <br />Buffer Guidelines <br />State law does not restrict how a local government conducts its zoning designations for cannabis <br />businesses, except that they may prohibit the operation of a cannabis business within 1,000 feet of a <br />school, or 500 feet of a daycare, residential treatment facility, or an attraction within a public park <br />that is regularly used by minors, including playgrounds and athletic fields. Staff has prepared a map <br />to articulate what the 1,000- and 500-feet buffer would look like for Little Canada schools and <br />businesses; see Attachment B. <br />Zoning Guidelines <br />While each locality conducts its zoning differently, a few themes have emerged across the country. <br />For example, cannabis manufacturing facilities are often placed in industrial zones, while cannabis <br />retailers are typically found in commercial/retail zones. Cannabis retail facilities align with general <br />retail establishments and are prohibited from allowing consumption or use onsite and are also <br />required to have plans to prevent the visibility of cannabis and hemp-derived products to individuals <br />outside the retail location. Industrial hemp is an agricultural product and should be zoned as such. <br />Cannabis businesses should be zoned under existing zoning ordinances in accordance with the <br />license type or endorsed activities held by the cannabis business. <br /> <br />The OCM issued a Zoning and Land Use guide that explains the types of activities that cannabis <br />businesses might undertake, as well as some recommended existing zoning categories; see <br />Attachment C. <br />Local Certification of Zoning Compliance <br />Following OCM’s vetting process, local governments must certify that the applicant, with