On September 18, 2024, the City Council unanimously approved zoning amendments that outline where different types of legal cannabis operations can locate in Saint Paul. These regulations will help support the local economy, promote public safety, and mitigate potential negative impacts to neighborhoods.
The Saint Paul City Council directed staff to study cannabis and to develop Zoning Code amendments for new cannabis businesses in Saint Paul.
The newly-created Minnesota State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) will begin licensing cannabis businesses in 2025 and cities will be partially responsible for regulating those new businesses. Read about the new State Law, Chapter 342 Cannabis.
Staff used the rules and framework in the existing Zoning Code to accommodate and regulate the new cannabis business operations licensed under the OCM.
View the approved ordinance amendments and read the staff research memo.
If you have questions about the amendments, please contact staff at cannabis@stpaul.gov.
The table below provides a description of what each state license type allows the license holder to do, and which zoning districts cannabis businesses are allowed in. To check what a property is zoned please refer to this online zoning map.
State License Type | What Activities Are Allowed | Where They May Operate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(included in zoning study) | Sell to customers | Sell to cannabis/ | Grow cannabis | Make cannabis/ | Sell for on-site consumption | Transport cannabis products | Test cannabis products | Zoning Districts |
Cannabis cultivator | x | x | Industrial (IT-I2) | |||||
Cannabis delivery service | x | Business Districts (B3-B5), Industrial (IT-I2), and Ford (F5-F6) | ||||||
Cannabis manufacturer | x | x | Industrial (IT-I2) | |||||
Cannabis mezzobusiness | x | x | x | x | Cultivation and Production: | |||
Cannabis microbusiness | x | x | x | x | x | Cultivation and Production: | ||
Cannabis retailer | x | Traditional Neighborhood (T2 – T4), | ||||||
Cannabis transporter | x | Business (B3-B5), Industrial (IT-I2), and | ||||||
Cannabis testing facility | x | All business (OS-B5), All traditional neighborhood (T1 - T4), Industrial (IT-I2), Ford (F2 - F6) | ||||||
Cannabis wholesaler | x | Industrial (IT-I2) | ||||||
Lower-potency hemp edible manufactuer | x | x | Traditional Neighborhood (T2-T4), Business (B3 and B5), Ford (F3 – F6), and | |||||
Lower-potency hemp edible retailer | x | x | Traditional Neighborhood Districts (T2 – T4), Business Districts (B1 – B5), Ford Districts | |||||
Medical cannabis combination business | x | x | x | x | Retail Sales: Traditional Neighborhood | |||
Medical cannabis cultivator | x | x | Industrial (IT-I2) | |||||
Medical cannabis processor | x | x | Industrial (IT-I2) | |||||
Medical cannabis retailer | x | Traditional Neighborhood (T2 – T4), | ||||||
The web map below was created to assist potential business owners on determining if a location will work for their future cannabis businesses.
The “Cannabis Retail Sales Permitted” layer will show locations that will allow businesses with a cannabis retail license or a micro/mezzo business license with a retail endorsement can operate.
The “Cannabis Production and Cultivation” layer will show locations that will allow cultivation/and or the production of cannabis products. The “limited” production and cultivation areas will allow up to 15,000 sq. ft. of cultivation and/or product manufacturing which could potentially accommodate a business with a micro or mezzo license.
The areas labeled as “full” will allow cultivation or product production of any size and any license type.
Updated September 18, 2024
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, March 27, 2024 | Comprehensive and Neighborhood Planning Committee (CNPC) releases proposed amendments for public review |
| Friday, June 7, 2024 | Planning Commission holds a public hearing on the proposed amendments |
| Wednesday, July 17, 2024 | Comprehensive and Neighborhood Planning Committee (CNPC) reviews public testimony memo and any staff revisions, and makes a recommendation to the Planning Commission |
| Friday, August 2, 2024 | Planning Commission votes on proposed CNPC amendments and makes a recommendation to the City Council |
| Wednesday, August 28, 2024 | First reading at City Council and staff presentation |
| Wednesday, September 4, 2024 | Second reading at City Council and public hearing |
| Wednesday, September 11, 2024 | Continuation of public hearing |
| Wednesday, September 18, 2024 | Final adoption of zoning amendments |
| Friday, October 18, 2024 | Effective date of approved ordinance amendments |
Last Edited: October 10, 2024
Tony Johnson
Senior City Planner
cannabis@stpaul.gov