Minnesota authorizes local buffer rules between cannabis businesses and schools, daycares, residential treatment facilities, and parks, capped by reasonable distance limits under Minn. Stat. 342.13.
Minn. Stat. 342.13 lets cities and counties impose buffer distances between licensed cannabis retailers and sensitive uses such as K-12 schools, licensed daycares, residential treatment facilities, and public parks designed for minors. Buffers must be reasonable and cannot effectively prohibit cannabis operations. Many Hennepin County cities have adopted 500 to 1,000 foot buffers. Hennepin County applies similar buffers in its unincorporated land use district. The OCM reviews local rules during state licensing, and excessive buffers can be challenged as a de facto ban.
Operating within a prohibited buffer can lead to denial of registration, revocation, civil penalties, and zoning enforcement under city or county ordinances.
See how Hennepin County's buffer zones rules stack up against other locations.
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