Albert Lea Increases Cannabis Dispensary Cap to 4

City Council approves first reading of amendment to cannabis ordinance

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Albert Lea City Council voted to approve the first reading of an amendment to the city's cannabis and tobacco ordinance, increasing the cap on cannabis retail registrations from 2 to 4. The mayor and one councilor voted against the change, citing concerns about the impact of cannabis, while other councilors supported letting the free market determine the appropriate number of dispensaries.

Why it matters

This decision reflects the ongoing debate around cannabis legalization and regulation at the local level. While some officials remain cautious about expanding access, others see it as an opportunity to support business growth and consumer choice. The outcome could impact the local cannabis market, tax revenue, and community attitudes.

The details

The council approved the first reading of the amendment, which would increase the number of cannabis retail registrations from 2 to 4. Two companies, Matchbox Farms and Black Husky, were previously approved for registrations but have not yet opened. One of the approved operators, Matchbox Farms, cited supply chain issues as a reason for the delay in opening. Some councilors supported expanding the cap to allow more businesses, while the mayor and one councilor voted against the change due to concerns about the societal impacts of cannabis.

  • The Albert Lea City Council approved the first reading of the amendment on February 10, 2026.
  • Two cannabis retail registrations were previously approved by the council in August 2025, but neither business has opened yet.

The players

Rich Murray

The mayor of Albert Lea who voted against the amendment, citing concerns that cannabis "leads to other things".

Ted Herman

The Third Ward Councilor who voted against the amendment along with the mayor.

Brian Anderson

The Sixth Ward Councilor who has long supported increasing the number of cannabis retail registrations.

Chris Gracia

The representative from Matchbox Farms, one of the two companies previously approved for a cannabis retail registration in Albert Lea.

Larry Baker

The Second Ward Councilor who asked about the status of the second approved company, Black Husky.

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What they’re saying

“I still believe it leads to other things, and I represent that part of the community that believes the same thing, so I will stand strong with them.”

— Rich Murray, Mayor (albertleatribune.com)

“The idea that us limiting it to two is going to help the free market seems counter intuitive to me. Let's let the free market work and let's have some more people licensed.”

— Brian Anderson, Sixth Ward Councilor (albertleatribune.com)

“We are not going anywhere. We are not sitting on our licenses. We're not planning to sell our license. We want nothing more than to get this business going and have a successful, long-term business.”

— Chris Gracia, Matchbox Farms Representative (albertleatribune.com)

What’s next

The council will need to approve a second reading of the amendment before it can be officially adopted. The mayor has indicated he will continue to oppose the change.

The takeaway

This decision reflects the ongoing tension between those who want to limit cannabis access and those who see it as an economic opportunity. The outcome could impact the local cannabis market, tax revenue, and community attitudes, highlighting the complex issues surrounding legalization at the municipal level.