10-09-2024 Workshop Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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While only OCM has the power to grant licenses, the city has additional tools and authorities granted in the statute: 1. Certification of license application. The city shall certify whether a proposed cannabis business complies with local zoning ordinances and, whether the proposed business complies with the state fire and building codes within 30 days of receiving a copy of the application from OCM. OCM may not issue a license if the city informs OCM that the cannabis business does not meet local zoning and land use laws. 2. Registration. The city must register cannabis retail businesses AND lower-potency hemp edible retailers, but may choose to register all other cannabis businesses. In the alternative, the city can designate the county as the local authority that registers retail businesses. If the city keeps the registration process, it may limit to the number of licensed retailers. The city must allow no fewer than 1 retail shop per 12,500 residents, meaning Little Canada would be required to allow at least 1 retail cannabis business in the city. a. The city may impose an initial retail registration fee of $500.00 or up to half the amount of the initial license fee, whichever is less, and a renewal registration of $1,000.00 or up to half the amount of applicable renewal fee, whichever is less. The initial application fee shall include the fee for initial registration and the first annual renewal. b. Before issuing the registration, the city may conduct a preliminary compliance check to ensure compliance with applicable operation requirements, including any local ordinances regarding cannabis businesses, confirm the business has a valid license with OCM, has paid the registration fee, and is current on all property taxes and assessments. c. A retail registration may not be transferred. d. If the city does the registration process, we must also conduct the following compliance checks: i. Annual compliance check. ii. Unannounced age verification checks (similar to a liquor or tobacco compliance check). e. If the city determines that a cannabis business is not operating in compliance with the requirements of a local ordinance or that the operation of the business poses an immediate threat to the health or safety of the public, the local government may suspend the retail registration. The local government must immediately notify OCM of the suspension and provide a description of the grounds for suspension. OCM may review the registration suspension and may order reinstatement, and the local unit of government must reinstate the retail registration if the office orders reinstatement. f. If any retail cannabis business makes a sale to a customer or patient without a valid retail registration with a local unit of government and a valid OCM license, we may impose a civil penalty of up to $2,000 for each violation. 3. Ordinance with reasonable restrictions. The city may adopt ordinances with reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions on the operation of a cannabis business. The ordinances may not prohibit the possession, transportation, or use of cannabis or hemp derived