St. Cloud Planning Commission Approves Rise Dispensary’s Request to Sell Recreational Cannabis

(KNSI) – The St. Cloud Planning Commission unanimously approved allowing a medical marijuana dispensary to add recreational cannabis to its menu.

Rise Dispensary requested a change to the Planned Unit Development to allow the sale of both kinds of cannabis at 3800 3rd Street North. The location was allowed to sell marijuana for medical use only at the site, but is now seeking a combination license.

Carol Moss, an attorney representing Rise, spoke with KNSI News moments after getting unanimous approval and wanted the community to know their top priority is making sure those who use their products as medicine will still have access. “We have children who are in the medical program. We have people from all around St. Cloud and outside of St. Cloud that come to the store. So, that’s our main concern-that there’s no stoppage in that service.”

Rise is expecting to get approval from the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management on Monday for its dual licenses. Moss explained that there are still some hoops to jump through before the store can expand its client base. “We will get the license, but we won’t start selling recreational [cannabis] until we satisfy our local ordinances and zoning requirements.”

No one spoke against the plan during a public hearing on Tuesday night. “I think that just goes to Rise being good business partners and business citizens in the community. So, I think that just goes to show that this can be done right.”

Rise moved to its current location in 2023, but before that, had been operating out of a site near the St. Cloud Walmart since 2016.

The proposal now goes to the city council for a second public hearing before the council votes on final approval.

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