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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — AUGUST 28, 2023 9 for cities to have the authority to impose a moratorium on the sale of full strength products until January 1, 2025 in order to allow further review and future discussions as the new law continues to be interpreted. The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) is still taking shape and they will license retailers. Cities will be required to register local adult cannabis retailers and conduct compliance checks. Eventually, the OCM will have sample language and forms to provide to cities. The City Council directed city staff at their work session on July 17, 2023, to work with the City Attorney's Office to prepare the ordinance language for a moratorium prohibiting the sale of Adult Use Cannabis products as allowed under the state law. Staff anticipates this discussion will be reviewed by the City Council at their second regular meeting in August. For this discussion, the City Council is being asked to review and consider ordinance language as it relates solely to lower -potency THC products. Community Development Director Jagoe explained under new State law lower -potency THC hemp products in the form of edibles or beverages could be sold anywhere in the city, including exclusive liquor stores. Without any changes to the city code after August 22, 2023, a business could begin selling lower -potency hemp products as part of their retail operations. Staff commented further on how lower -potency edible cannabinoid products were defined per the Minnesota Department of Health. Community Development Director Jagoe commented at your June 20th and July 17th work sessions, the City Council discussed options for how the City may move forward with regulating the sales of lower -potency hemp edibles when the moratorium expires. The general consensus of the City Council was to establish a new land use classification specific to the sale of lower - potency hemp edibles in our commercial zoning districts mainly along Lexington Avenue at the initial onset with a separation of land use from schools, day cares, parks, etc. as allowed by State Statute. Staff worked with the City Attorney's Office to prepare a draft ordinance reflective of their comments. Community Development Director Jagoe indicated the City Council reviewed the first draft ordinance at the July meeting. During that discussion, the Council considered other types of land uses in addition to Retail Sales and Service that might have the potential of selling lower -potency hemp products such as a gas station or a restaurant. Staff confirmed that the draft ordinance as written would not include these types of businesses since they are a separate land use type. However, a liquor store may qualify as a retail land use. Staff provided an overview of existing retail businesses along Lexington Avenue within the B-3, General Business District as well as the area along County Road E between Lexington Avenue and Snelling Avenue that falls under the B- 2, General Business Zoning District. Under the city code, Retail Sales and Service is a permitted use in the following zoning districts: B-2 - General Business, B-3 - Service Business, and B-4 - Retail Center. For the City Council, staff has included with this report several maps identifying the parcels located within each of these zoning districts. The new State law and any future ordinance change would apply to both existing and new businesses in Arden Hills. Community Development Director Jagoe stated the main topics of discussion during the work session were the delineation of where lower potency hemp sales would be allowed (ex. B-2 and/or B-3 zoning districts) and regulating solely as an accessory use to a retail business. The City Council directed staff to bring forward the proposed ordinance to the Planning Commission for the first review and to hold a public hearing in order to solicit your recommendation on this