City Council Meeting Date: May 6, 2025
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Lynette Peterson, City Clerk
Ben Martig, City Administrator
Title
Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1076 Amending Chapter 30 - Health and Sanitation of the City Code Regarding Regulation of Cannabis Businesses, Lower-Potency Hemp Edible Retailers, and Events.
Body
Action Requested:
The City Council is asked to consider the second reading of Ordinance No. 1076 amending Chapter 30 - Health And Sanitation of the City Code Regarding Regulation of Cannabis Businesses, Lower-Potency Hemp, Edible Retailers and Events.
Summary Report:
The Northfield City Council approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 1076 amending Chapter 30 - Health And Sanitation of the City Code Regarding Regulation of Cannabis Businesses, Lower-Potency Hemp, Edible Retailers and Events at their April 15, 2025 meeting.
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 businesses. However, there are provisions that require City Code updates and, with new licensing beginning in 2025 by the State Office of Cannabis Management and required City registration of retail businesses, it would be timely for the City to consider some local regulations in areas.
Staff has been meeting with the City Attorney and Northfield ASAP representatives to review current Cannabis rules and regulations. The City Attorney's office has drafted an ordinance for consideration regarding the regulation and registration of cannabis retail businesses, lower-potency hemp edible retailers, and temporary cannabis events. A copy of the proposed ordinance is attached (Attachmen...
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