Albert Lea, MN – July 29, 2025 — In a sharply decisive move, the local electorate has rejected the establishment of the city’s first recreational cannabis retailer. The vote came days after The Smoking Tree, led by owner Jacob Schlichter, had received a microbusiness license from the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and completed city registration paperwork. The council had been poised to consider final approval, as the city caps retail cannabis businesses at two within its limits.
Despite state mandates requiring that cities accommodate at least one cannabis retail license for every 12,500 residents, Albert Lea’s City Council previously opted for a more conservative approach—initially allowing only two retail establishments and planning to fill those slots on a first-come, first-served registration basis Registration criteria also included eligibility checks—such as no overdue municipal accounts or property taxes in the past 24 months.
Council members and community stakeholders supported this cautious rollout strategy. Officials cited concerns about store locations near sensitive sites—like schools, daycares, parks, or places of worship—and aimed to balance responsible business growth with public health and welfare.
Zoning rules introduced in 2024 stipulated strict setbacks of at least 1,000 feet from schools or 500 feet from daycare or religious sites—designed to alleviate fears about exposure or inappropriate placement
Despite these safeguards, community sentiment leaned firmly against allowing a cannabis retailer to open. While The Smoking Tree had moved through the state licensing and city registration stages, the broader public vote ultimately overturned its approval, signaling a clear preference for delaying or even denying retail cannabis in the community.
This outcome highlights the tension between state-level legalization and local control—a guiding principle in Minnesota law that mandates cities cannot enact blanket bans limiting operations below the mandated minimum but still grants municipalities some flexibility in placement, number and licensing conditions
They’ve prioritized conservative implementation, preferring to evaluate the real-world impact of recreational cannabis operations elsewhere before committing locally. And while the city maintains its license cap of two, officials can revisit and possibly expand that number in the future should public attitudes and local outcomes shift.
What’s next?
-
No retailer will open immediately. With the vote rejecting the first proposed store, no businesses are currently authorized to operate.
-
The city remains limited to two potential retailers, but new applicants will still go through the same state and local approval process, subject to zoning and compliance rules.
-
Council could revisit the ordinance. If public opinion evolves or if other cities demonstrate safe and beneficial cannabis operations, Albert Lea officials may reconsider allowing retail operations in the future.
As of July 29, 2025, the vote in Albert Lea serves as a reminder that legalization at the state level doesn’t guarantee local adoption. Even with frameworks in place, community values and concerns continue to shape the pace of implementation.
Let me know if you'd like more depth on zoning restrictions, social equity rules, or licensing procedures!
