Laserfiche WebLink
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — AUGUST 28, 2023 11 <br />Further discussion ensued on where lower potency sales would and would not be allowed in the <br />City. <br />Councilmember Rousseau stated she appreciated the work the Planning Commission did on this <br />Planning Case. She asked if restaurants would be allowed to serve alcohol and cannabis drinks at <br />the same time. <br />City Attorney Jamnik reported most cities were allowing this going forward. He commented <br />further on how regulations regarding cannabis would continue to change over the next year and a <br />half. <br />Mayor Grant indicated one of the options available to the Council would be to only allow lower <br />potency sales in the B-3 District and watch this evolve. He noted other zoning districts could then <br />be added if advisable. <br />City Attorney Jamnik advised this would be an option to the City Council. <br />Councilmember Rousseau explained residents could purchase edibles at the liquor store on <br />CR96 in an adjacent community, if they aren't able to purchase in Arden Hills because restrictions <br />were put in place. <br />Councilmember Fabel commented on where would be occurring in the community. <br />Mayor Grant asked if the distance should be limited next to schools and parks. <br />Councilmember Fabel indicated he was fine with the distances as proposed by staff. He <br />supported lower potency sales occurring at the one liquor store in the City. <br />Mayor Grant questioned if the distance provision was State Statute. <br />City Attorney Jamnik reported this language was not State Statute. <br />Mayor Grant opened the public hearing at 8:54 p.m. <br />With no one coming forward to speak, Mayor Grant closed the public hearing at 8:55 p.m. <br />C. Interim Ordinance — Adult Use Cannabis Business Moratorium <br />Assistant to the City Administrator/City Clerk Hanson stated earlier this spring, the Minnesota <br />State Legislature legalized adult -use cannabis. This law, effective August 1, 2023, permits the <br />operation of cannabis businesses and the sale of cannabis products for consumption but provides <br />little guidance on how cities are to regulate, leaving zoning and compliance to local control. The <br />law also created a new agency, the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), that will license <br />businesses regarding sales of cannabis products, but the OCB will not be operational until <br />approximately January 1, 2025. <br />