Osseo Residents Push Back on Municipal Cannabis Dispensary Plan

Some residents in Osseo are pushing back on the city council’s proposal to build a municipal cannabis dispensary. 

Planning for the project has been ongoing for years with a potential development site already in the city’s coffers.

The city bought the former Osseo Press and News office, which is being gutted ahead of plans for a full-scale remodel. The building would be expected to house the city’s cannabis operation and potentially a second tenant. 

To pay for the project, the council is considering issuing a tax abatement bond. That bond would be valued at up to $4 million with a 20-year term.

City officials expect to use revenue from cannabis sales to pay the bond’s debt service. However, if sales fall short, the city’s taxpayers would be left to pick up the check.

That plan has some residents questioning the council’s wisdom.

“I can’t even think maybe of a dumber thing than a weed store,” one resident said during a June 22 public hearing. “And I don’t trust any of you to be able to make sure it works. I don’t think any of you are smart enough.”

Other residents questioned the ability of the shop to meet its financial obligations.

“I know how to read numbers, I know when the math doesn’t add up,” said another resident, citing her previous nonprofit and business experience. “And I can’t make these numbers add up. More concerning, I can’t discern what the city and taxpayers are potentially going to held responsible for if this goes sideways.”

The objections have given some city council members pause.

Council Member Nick Torres said he “can’t support a failing business before the doors have even opened.”

“If my financial advisor came to me with this as an investment, I’d be like, you’ve got to be kidding me,” he said. “No, the numbers aren’t looking right.”

Meanwhile, Council Member Mark Cook said he wanted to “be able to take a breath” and further consider the project.

The council ultimately took no action on the bond issuance after the public hearing. That said, the council could potentially revisit the issue at a future meeting.

Osseo