City Council Meeting Date: September 10, 2024
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Ben Martig, City Administrator
Mark Elliott, Police Chief
Lynette Peterson, City Clerk
Jake Reilly, Community Development Director
Title
Review of Cannabis Related Ordinance Amendments.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council discuss ordinance amendments related to cannabis and tobacco/nicotine regulation.
Summary Report:
A new law enacted at the end of the 2023 legislative session and amended during the 2024 legislative session legalized adult-use cannabis in Minnesota and established a regulatory framework over the cannabis industry. Staff has been researching and collecting information related to local regulatory authority, law enforcement, taxing, and employment. There are limited local control regulation options related to cannabis. However, there are provisions that will require City Code updates and, with new licensing beginning in 2025 by the State, it would be timely for the City to consider some local regulations in areas.
Additionally, the Rice County Board of Commissioners is in the process of implementing additional regulations on tobacco/nicotine products. Northfield Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (Northfield ASAP) is recommending adding the restrictions Rice County is proposing, including restrictions on flavored tobacco/nicotine products and restricting the use of coupons and special discounts. The section of City Code related to tobacco is a similar regulatory area of code as the Cannabis amendments. Therefore, staff and Northfield ASAP are advising to integrate both at the same time.
Staff is looking at regulations of all controlled substances to have more similar alignment in policy for each of those as a framework approaching the policy implementation.
A memo and presentation will be coming supplemental. In the meantime, attached is a hyperlink from the League of Minnesota Cities with some initial Frequently Asked Questions that will give you some initial background.
The intent for Tuesday is a briefing on the State regulations, local controls, initial staff policy suggestions and policy direction options for initial reaction. After Tuesday, the intent would be to have the relevant City advisory boards of Northfield ASAP, Planning Commission and EDA have opportunities for input then initiate initial ordinance amendments in October/November through Planning Commission and City Council.
Alternative Options:
Not applicable.
Financial Impacts:
Tentative Timelines:
September 10th City Council to discuss at work session
September/October Northfield ASAP, Planning Commission, and EDA Review and Advise on Amendments
November/December First and Second Readings
January New Ordinances Take Effect