A lottery for registering potential Olmsted County cannabis retailers could be held as early as late summer under a rough plan discussed Tuesday.
"This is unfortunately uncharted territory," Senior Assistant Olmsted County Attorney Tom Canan told commissioners.
The proposed lottery would only be needed if state retail licenses are issued to more than 14 businesses seeking to sell recreational cannabis in the county. Olmsted County Public Health Associate Director Sagar Chowdhury said the number of local businesses seeking a cannabis license is unknown, but with at least 119 retailers selling low-dose THC products, it's likely more than 14 will seek to step up to more potent products.
The county is capping local registrations at 14 — the lowest number allowed under state statute — but the state's licensing system will not restrict where retailers are located, which leaves it to registering jurisdictions, including Olmsted County, to determine how to limit numbers, if desired.
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