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<br /> <br /> STAFF REPORT <br /> <br /> <br />TO: Little Canada Planning Commission <br /> <br />FROM: Ben Harrington, AICP, Community Development Director <br /> <br />DATE: November 8, 2024 <br /> <br />RE: Planning Case 1435 – Cannabis Ordinances – Ordinances #902, 903, 904, 905. <br /> <br />ACTIONS TO BE CONSIDERED <br />Recommend to Approve/Approve with Amendments/Deny Ordinances 903, 904, 905 to amend <br />Chapters 905 906, and 914 of the City of Little Canada Zoning Code (Attachments 1, 2, and 3). <br /> <br />Ordinance 902 (Attachment 4), creating Chapter 827 – Cannabis, is a regulatory ordinance and thus <br />not under the Planning Commission’s discretion to provide formal feedback under. Given that the <br />ordinances go hand-in-hand, it is being provided for additional context and understanding to the <br />Planning Commission. <br /> <br />All ordinances are still undergoing review from the City Attorney. Staff will provide the Planning <br />Commission with Legal’s feedback when it is received. Staff have provided a version with <br />commentary that was sent to the City Attorney (Attachment 9). <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br />Staff are presenting the proposed zoning and regulatory standards for cannabis businesses. The City <br />must have these regulations in place before January 1st of 2025. <br /> <br />Cannabis Legalization <br />A new law enacted at the end of the 2023 legislative session, and amended during the 2024 legislative <br />session, legalized adult-use cannabis in Minnesota and established a regulatory framework for the <br />cannabis industry. The new law legalizes the possession, use, manufacturing, and sale of certain <br />cannabis products within the state. The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), was created and is <br />charged with, among other things, enforcing an organized system of regulation for the cannabis <br />industry and the hemp consumer industry. It is anticipated that retail sales of cannabis could begin as <br />soon as January 2025. Before beginning sales in a local community, a cannabis retailer is required to <br />obtain a local retail registration. <br /> <br />Cannabis Business License Types <br />The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has developed 16 types of business licenses; including <br />cannabis (10), medical cannabis (4) and lower-potency hemp edibles (2). Each of the types of business <br />licenses fulfills a unique role in the cannabis and hemp supply chain. The cannabis business license <br />types are outlined and defined (see Attachment A). <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />