Staff photo by Fritz Busch Brown County Commissioner Brian Braun speaks after a cannabis business ordinance public hearing Tuesday. Commissioners unanimously approved the ordinance.

NEW ULM — Brown County commissioners unanimously approved limiting the number of cannabis retail businesses outside of New Ulm at three Tuesday.

The cities of Sleepy Eye, Springfield, Hanska, Comfrey, Evan and Cobden have delegated cannabis retail registration authority to Brown County.

The New Ulm City Council recently approved a cannabis retail ordinance that limited the number of retail outlets to two.

No comments were heard at a public hearing before commissioners discussed the nine-page ordinance.

Cannabis retail business enforcement was detailed in the ordinance.

The Brown County Sheriff’s Office shall complete a minimum of one compliance check per year of every cannabis business to assess if the business meets age verification requirements.

Brown County may suspend a cannabis retail business’s registration if it violates the ordinance of Brown County or poses an immediate threat to the health or safety of the public. Business suspension may be for up to 30 calendar days, unless the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) suspends the license for a longer period.

Brown County or the OCM may reinstate a retail business if it determines violations are resolved. Business violation civil penalties may not exceed $2,000.

Cannabis business minimum buffer requirements include prohibiting business operation within 1,000 feet of a school and within 500 feet of a day care, residential treatment facility, place of worship, adult entertainment establishment, DHS (Department of Human Services) licensed facility, playground, athletic field or another cannabis retail business.

Retail sales of cannabis flower, cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, or hemp-derived consumer products are limited to 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.

Brown County Planning and Zoning Administrator Robert Santaella said he did not receive any public feedback after the cannabis business ordinance appeared for public notice in the newspaper.

Brown County Administrator Sam Hansen said he did not receive any public feedback since the ordinance was published.

Commissioner Brian Braun asked about cannabis retail business license revocation for a business that repeatedly violated the ordinance. Santaella said the OCM would eventually revoke a cannabis retail business license if there were repeated ordinance violations.

Santaella said the cities could set their limits on cannabis retail business license limits but that only the City of New Ulm has shown interest in cannabis retail registration authority. The other county cities delegated cannabis retail registration authority to Brown County which has a limit of three cannabis retail businesses.

Brown County Administrator Sam Hansen said League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) guidance is that cannabis business licenses would be granted on a first come, first served basis.

Ordinance approval came on a motion by Commissioner Tony Berg, seconded by Jeff Veerkamp, who thanked Santaella for his work on the ordinance.