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<br /> <br /> STAFF REPORT <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />TO: Chair Johnson and Members of the Planning Commission <br /> <br />FROM: Laura Linehan, Community Relations Manager <br /> Heidi Heller, City Clerk/ HR Manager <br /> <br />DATE: August 8, 2024 <br /> <br />RE: Discuss Potential Zoning Requirements for Cannabis Businesses <br /> <br /> <br />ACTIONS TO BE CONSIDERED <br />No action will be considered at this time, background information has been provided for the <br />purposes of initial discussion. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br />Staff is providing background and educational material to begin the discussion around cannabis <br />businesses locating within the City of Little Canada. Several items require discussion and <br />consideration at either the City Council level (CC) only or both the Planning Commission and the <br />City Council (PC/CC). City staff has outlined areas for discussion and which body will participate <br />in providing input, with the final consideration of all items at the City Council level: <br />• Determine proper zoning districts for the various cannabis business license types (PC/CC) <br />• Determine the number of businesses with retail endorsement (minimum required is one per <br />12,500 residents) (CC) <br />• Review allowable buffers around specific uses (PC/CC) <br />• Develop a local registration system for certain cannabis businesses (CC) <br />• Discuss philosophy around inspections and compliance checks (CC) <br />Areas of background and education include general legalization information, the types of cannabis <br />licenses, local authority, and zoning and land use. Additionally, city staff has researched <br />neighboring communities to determine area best practices. <br />Cannabis Legalization <br />A new law enacted at the end of the 2023 legislative session, and amended during the 2024 <br />legislative session, legalized adult-use cannabis in Minnesota and established a regulatory <br />framework for the cannabis industry. The new law legalizes the possession, use, manufacturing, and <br />sale of certain cannabis products within the state. It established the Office of Cannabis Management <br />(OCM), which is charged with, among other things, enforcing an organized system of regulation for <br />the cannabis industry and the hemp consumer industry. <br />It is anticipated that retail sales of cannabis will begin in January 2025. Before beginning sales, a <br />cannabis retailer must obtain a local retail registration. <br />