Laserfiche WebLink
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes <br />July 18, 2023 <br />Page 2 <br />1 containing cannabinoids (primarily limited amounts of THC), the City adopted an interim <br />2 moratorium ordinance in late July 2022. The purpose of the moratorium ordinance was to <br />3 study the public policy issues surrounding the new legislation, gain additional guidance from <br />4 the League of Minnesota Cities and other resources, and eventually, develop local regulations <br />5 that manage the sale of the products allowed by the Legislature. <br />6 <br />7 In 2023, the Legislature adopted some changes to the Hemp/THC legislation, but in more <br />8 prominent news, also adopted allowances for adult-use cannabis (marijuana). As it stands, <br />9 there are two separate tracks occurring on these products – one for the prior Hemp/THC <br />10 products, and one for the upcoming legalization of marijuana. <br />11 <br />12 Later materials will address the options for marijuana regulation. Adult-use marijuana will <br />13 become legal in August of 2023 (personal use and limited growing) with business sales <br />14 coming later (probably in 2024) – dependent on further State organization and legislation. <br />15 <br />16 Mr. Grittman provided updated information related to THC/Hemp sales pursuant to the City <br />17 Council’s discussion at a Work Session in June. Staff provided an early draft ordinance for <br />18 Council discussion, and based on feedback from the work session, created the attached <br />19 version. The materials below are redlined to identify changes to the provided ordinance draft <br />20 as they have evolved. The redlines in the memo relate to the redlines in the ordinance. <br />21 <br />22 The moratorium ordinance was adopted for a 12-month period on July 26, 2022, and will <br />23 expire on that date in 2023, pending any extension necessary to complete the City’s study of <br />24 the issues. A sample ordinance that establishes a basic licensing program and process for <br />25 applying, reviewing, issuing, and enforcing regulations for these products was provided. If the <br />26 City decides to do so, it may consider the City’s municipal liquor stores as eligible licensed <br />27 locations. <br />28 <br />29 The ordinance language is based on a review of several other communities adopted <br />30 regulations. The resource ordinances were compiled, and in this version, customized to create <br />31 three categories of products: <br />32 Solid edible products (such as gummies and bars) which will track the City’s tobacco <br />33 sales licensing. <br />34 THC-infused beverages which will be for sale as packaged products at the City’s <br />35 municipal liquor stores. <br />36 THC-infused beverages which will be available for on-sale consumption at the City’s <br />37 licensed alcohol establishments. <br />38 <br />39 This structure was chosen as these various establishments already have created protocols for <br />40 sales of regulated products to ensure that minors are not served, that on-sale consumption is <br />41 addressed in the event of over-use and similar controls. It further tracks the City’s (or <br />42 County’s) enforcement and verification processes. Thus, those with tobacco licenses may <br />43 apply for a Hemp/THC edibles license, those with on-sale alcohol licenses may apply for <br />44 THC-infused beverage license, and the City’s municipal liquor stores may apply for a THC- <br />45 infused beverage off-sale license. Sampling of these products will be limited to the municipal <br />46 liquor operations only.