Bemidji Planning Commission to Consider New Cannabis Shop in December
A proposal to open First City Cannabis at 920 Washington Avenue South in Bemidji was postponed on November 21 after the Planning Commission lacked a quorum, and the application is now slated for consideration at the December 18 meeting. The decision matters to local residents because the proposal involves on site cultivation and a full range of cannabis products, and it arrives amid regulatory uncertainty over hemp derived THC limits and active community opposition.
The Bemidji Planning Commission postponed consideration of a retail cannabis permit application on November 21 after commissioners failed to reach a quorum, moving the matter to its December 18 meeting where a public hearing will be held. The applicant, local business owner Julie Canty, seeks approval to open First City Cannabis at 920 Washington Avenue South under a short term lease. Canty’s submittal describes an on site flower cultivation canopy and solventless extraction methods including rosin and water hash, and lists intended inventory such as flower, pre rolls, vapes, edibles, concentrates and beverages. The shop would enforce a 21 and older age limit consistent with state rules.
The hearing drew organized attention before the meeting. Planning staff reported multiple letters of disapproval submitted in advance, signaling community concerns that the commission will need to weigh alongside zoning and licensing criteria. The delayed meeting and pending public hearing mean residents will have a formal opportunity to register support or opposition before the commission makes a recommendation.
Policy context complicates the local review. Federal regulators recently set limits on certain hemp derived THC products, creating uncertainty for parts of the market and for businesses that plan to offer products derived from hemp. That uncertainty could affect product lines, compliance obligations and local enforcement priorities, and it adds a regulatory layer commissioners and city staff will have to consider when evaluating the application.
For Bemidji residents the proposal raises familiar questions about economic opportunity, public health and land use. Proponents point to potential revenue and retail activity, while opponents have expressed concerns about neighborhood impacts. The Planning Commission’s December 18 meeting will include a public hearing, and its recommendation will inform subsequent city approval steps and any required licensing. Local voters and civic groups seeking to influence the outcome should monitor the commission record and participate in the scheduled hearing.
