05-08-2024 Workshop Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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WORKSHOP MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MAY 89 2024 PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL LICENSING AND REGULATIONS FOR THC AND CANNABIS BUSINESSES The City Clerk explained that in 2022, the Minnesota Legislature legalized THC and then in 2023 legalized cannabis with sales anticipated to begin around January 2025. She stated that tonight staff is looking for direction from the City Council on whether the city should license THC and/or cannabis. She noted that the cannabis discussion will need to wait until after the Legislature finishes session since law changes related to cannabis are anticipated, and then the state's new Office of Cannabis Management needs to finalize their process and regulations for what cities can and cannot regulate with cannabis. She stated that there are currently no regulations in Little Canada for THC sales and there are at least four business selling THC products according to the state's registration list. She noted that she has received several calls from businesses looking to open THC businesses or start preparing to open a cannabis business. She reminded the Council that there is a moratorium in place that does not allow any future cannabis businesses to open or establish a business here in anticipation of selling cannabis until the moratorium either expires on December 31, 2024 or the Council removes it. There was Council consensus for staff to move forward with drafting an ordinance for licensing THC sales using similar regulations as for tobacco licenses, including distance requirements from schools and churches. There was Council consensus that they do want to regulate cannabis sales and limit the number of cannabis businesses, and further discussion will happen after the state has finalized their requirements and processes. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:22 p.m. T omas Fischer, Mayor Attest: (9stopher Heinema , City Administrator 2