Overview

• The council granted registrations to Matchbox Farms and Black Husky after both received Minnesota microbusiness licenses in late July
• Reconsideration of Jacob Schlichter’s The Smoking Tree application failed, effectively barring his shop over a 2016 gross misdemeanor conviction
• City manager Ian Rigg cited probation violations, statements to open regardless of approval and an unverified recent restraining order in recommending denial of Schlichter’s registration
• Officials warned that denying state-licensed applicants could trigger costly lawsuits and potential cuts to state aid for Albert Lea
• Council documents propose adding criminal background checks to the city’s cannabis registration process to strengthen local vetting procedures