Planning Commission Meeting Date: April 17, 2025
To: Members of the Planning Commission
From: Jake Reilly, Community Development Director
Mikayla Schmidt, City Planner
Lynnette Peterson, City Clerk
Ben Martig, City Administrator
Title
Resolution Recommending Text Amendments Related to Adult-use Cannabis in Chapter 34 - Land Development Code.
Body
Action Requested:
The Planning Commission recommends changes to Chapter 34 - Land Development code to the City Council in order to address state law changes related to adult-use cannabis and provide for the establishment of regulations.
Summary Report:
The proposed cannabis zoning amendments are in response to MN Session Law Chapter 63, which legalized adult-use cannabis and established a regulatory framework over the cannabis industry through the State of Minnesota's Office of Cannabis Management. The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) is expected to begin issuing cannabis businesses this summer. The proposed amendments herein focus on permitted cannabis business locations, Land Development Code definitions and standards, and distance requirements.
Background:
A new Minnesota Law enacted at the end of the 2023 legislative session, Minnesota state statute chapter 342, legalizes the possession, use, manufacturing, and sale of certain cannabis products within the State. The Law also establishes the OCM to enforce a licensing system throughout the State and establishes expungement procedures for certain individuals previously convicted of cannabis-related crimes. Under the State Law, local governments may register cannabis businesses and enforce certain zoning regulations within their jurisdiction, but they may not require additional licensing of cannabis businesses. Below are additional considerations related to local cannabis businesses:
A local government unit may, by ordinance, limit the number of licensed cannabis retailers, cannabis mezzobusinesses with a retail operations endorsement, and cannabis microb...
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