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Stearns County, MN Public Conduct: Public Marijuana Use (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing law
Ordinance No. 696, § 17.4
Cross-referenced statute
Ordinance No. 654.4, Subd. 1
Scope
Parks, trails, streets, sidewalks, public property
Zone-dependent
No; applies parkwide, not just posted zones

Summary

Stearns County bans using cannabis products in any public place, including its parks, trails, streets, and sidewalks. Ordinance No. 696 § 17.4 folds the county park rule into the broader public-cannabis-use ban set out in Stearns County Ordinance No. 654.4, Subd. 1, applying it directly to park visitors.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Stearns County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

17.4 It is unlawful to use cannabis products in a public place, including parks, trails, public recreation area, public street or sidewalk, or any publicly owned property as outlined in Stearns County Ordinance 654.4, Subd. 1.

View official code

Full Breakdown

4 of Stearns County's Parks Ordinance No. 696 closes out the ordinance's alcohol-tobacco-cannabis article by cross-referencing the county's separate cannabis ordinance rather than writing a freestanding park rule. 4, Subd. 1. The effect for a park visitor is direct: every Stearns County park, trail, and preserve counts as a public place under that cross-referenced rule, so smoking, vaping, or otherwise consuming cannabis products there is prohibited the same as on a public sidewalk. 4 rather than by posted signage. 4.

Violations & Fines

Using cannabis products anywhere in a Stearns County park, trail, or preserve violates Ordinance No. 696 § 17.4 and the underlying public-use ban in Stearns County Ordinance No. 654.4, Subd. 1. Park Director staff and the Stearns County Sheriff can cite a violation observed on park property.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I smoke marijuana at a Stearns County park?
No. Section 17.4 of the Parks Ordinance bans cannabis product use in any public place, naming parks, trails, and public recreation areas specifically, applying the county's broader public-use cannabis ban in Ordinance No. 654.4, Subd. 1 to park property.
Does the cannabis ban only apply inside posted zones like the tobacco rule?
No. Unlike the tobacco and e-cigarette free zones the Director posts under Section 17.3, the cannabis ban in Section 17.4 isn't tied to signage; it applies across the entire park by cross-reference to Ordinance 654.4.
Who enforces the cannabis rule in county parks?
Park Director staff and the Stearns County Sheriff, who have general enforcement authority over the Parks Ordinance under Section 20.2, can cite a Section 17.4 violation observed on park property.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Stearns County

Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSignificant RestrictionsOutdoor Smoking RestrictionsSome RestrictionsPublic UrinationSome RestrictionsPublic Alcohol UseSignificant RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome Restrictions

All Stearns County rules

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