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MEMORANDUM To:Mayor Webster and St. Anthony Village City Council From:Stephen Grittman, City Planner Date:City Council Meeting – September 10, 2024 GC Project No.140.00 Request:Cannabis – Zoning Ordinance Amendments Property Address: NA Property PID:NA PROJECT DESCRIPTION As has been discussed, the State of Minnesota has passed legislation during the 2023 legislative session legalizing various aspects of cannabis use, sales, agriculture, and manufacturing. This legislation follows 2022 legalization of certain low-potency hemp-based THC products. The City of St. Anthony subsequently adopted regulations for hemp-THC products. In August of 2023, the City adopted a moratorium on cannabis-related businesses (as authorized by the legislation), in anticipation of the State’s establishment of agency and rule- making activities. The State has created the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) to carry out the requirements of the legislation, with an originally-anticipated start date of January, 2025. While that date may shift some, the City is seeking to update its zoning regulations to comply with the local land use impacts of the legislation. OCM has now developed a model ordinance for local government use and fine-tuning. Staff has updated the model ordinance to fit St. Anthony’s formatting and policy choices (Exhibit A). These retain the prohibition on use in public places, and a separation buffer from specific land uses (1,000 feet for schools, 500 feet for parks regularly used by minors, and 300 feet for child care facilities and substance-abuse treatment facilities. COUNCIL ACTION The draft ordinance regulating cannabis business is attached for review and consideration as a first reading. As noted below, the Planning Commission recommended approval, with discussion of the specific sections and notes below, staff requests approval of the first reading of this ordinance. 41