Dunn Township reviews cannabis rules amid shifting Minnesota law

Dunn Township officials in the Pelican Rapids area moved to reassess their local cannabis ordinance as Minnesota’s regulatory landscape continues to evolve. Township board members sought legal guidance and discussed a range of options intended to keep local rules consistent with state statutes while protecting community character.

At a January 15 meeting, the board reviewed potential tools for local control, including restrictions on where cannabis businesses may operate, local licensing requirements, setback standards from homes and sensitive uses, and other land-use controls. Officials framed the review as an effort to ensure the ordinance is both legally compliant and responsive to residents’ priorities for rural land use, traffic, public safety and neighborhood quality of life.

The review reflects a broader trend across Minnesota in which townships and small municipalities are revisiting their rules after state-level changes and evolving guidance from regulators. For Dunn Township, the choices under consideration are procedural as well as substantive: how to structure permitting and enforcement, whether local licensing or conditional use permits are appropriate, and how to write setbacks and zoning language that are defensible under state law.

Institutionally, the township board remains the primary local decision-maker for ordinance adoption and zoning within Dunn’s jurisdiction. The board’s reliance on outside legal counsel underscores the technical complexity of reconciling local land-use authority with state regulatory regimes. That interplay will determine how much discretion the township preserves to limit the size, concentration or location of cannabis establishments without running afoul of state preemption or statutory constraints.

The practical stakes for Otter Tail County residents are tangible. Zoning and setback rules influence where commercial activity occurs and how it interacts with farms, residences and county roads. Licensing and enforcement provisions set expectations for compliance costs, inspection and penalties. For property owners and prospective business operators, clearer local rules provide predictability; for neighbors, they offer a path for addressing nuisance, traffic or safety concerns.

Civic engagement is likely to shape the final ordinance. Officials have signaled an intent to gather input and legal advice before moving forward, which means residents have opportunities to weigh in during upcoming planning and board proceedings. The township’s choices will also inform how nearby jurisdictions respond, contributing to a patchwork of local approaches across rural Minnesota.

What comes next: Dunn Township will continue its review with counsel and public engagement, drafting ordinance language intended to align with state law while reflecting local priorities. Residents and businesses in the Pelican Rapids area should watch for meeting notices and plan to participate as the township translates statewide policy shifts into local land-use rules.