Mankato temporarily pauses cannabis sales – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

MANKATO, Minn. — The Mankato City Council voted this week to place a temporary pause on cannabis sales within city limits for up to a year, becoming one of the first cities in Minnesota to make such a move as the state prepares to legalize recreational marijuana on Aug. 1.

“I think Mankato is experiencing what all 864 cities across Minnesota are going to experience: What does it look like for us?” Council President Mike Laven said. “We said, ‘Let’s take this pause and make some good decisions.’”

Under a little-known provision of the state legislature’s cannabis bill, local municipalities have the power to temporarily restrict cannabis sales until Jan. 1, 2025, to give them time to study the issue and craft local regulations. Although the new state law will not allow cities to permanently ban cannabis, municipalities will have some authority to determine how many cannabis shops should operate per population and how close they should be located to schools, parks and day care facilities. 

Mankato’s moratorium does not impact THC sales, nor does it prevent residents 21 and older from using or possessing marijuana when the new law takes effect Aug. 1. It merely prevents the sale of cannabis by…