07-31-2023 SCC - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council July 31, 2023 Special Meeting Page 5 City Attorney Riggs clarified the Ordinance was simply a tool. Don Lindstrom, 8470 Long Lake Road, inquired if public places included local bars and restaurants. He asked if THC infused drinks would be allowed. City Attorney Riggs stated this use was already legal and this ordinance would only address the smoking of cannabis in public places. He reported the clean indoor air act does apply to this. Dennis Frohm, 7840 Bona Road, discussed how vaping brings a tremendous amount of moisture into the lungs, which damages the lungs. He explained vaping cannabis brings the cannabis drug and moisture into the lungs. He reported this could be even worse for people. Joyce Jones Strait, 7728 Knollwood Drive, stated hemp and cannabis are two separate things. City Attorney Riggs explained he understood this to be the fact and noted this ordinance was following State Statute. He anticipated that the State legislature would be making more changes in the 2024 legislative session. Ms. Jones Strait questioned how CBD products were being regulated by the City. City Attorney Riggs reported the City was not regulating CBD products. Mr. Frohm stated he was from the Chicago area. It was his understanding that the states that have already made cannabis legal were not having any problems with upticks in crime, but rather were seeing benefits of increased revenue streams. He recommended the City Council support letting people use cannabis in Mounds View. Dr. Strait asked if the definition of hemp derived products should be further considered. City Attorney Riggs explained he was using the definitions within State Statute. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Cermak. To Waive the First Reading and Introduce Ordinance 1007 Prohibiting Use of Cannabis and Hemp in Public Places as amended directing staff to include language regarding the use of medical cannabis. Council Member Lindstrom stated he supported the City having regulations in place that would keep cannabis away from children using public places. He stated his only concern was with the fact 31% of the population of Mounds View was renters. He suggested the City consider having a cannabis friendly public space, such as Ardan Park, because the park was already so underutilized. He indicated he supported the City considering opening a municipal cannabis dispensary as well. City Attorney Riggs stated this was something the City could consider. Julie Clark, 8005 Woodlawn Drive, explained she was not opposed to the idea.