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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — SEPTEMBER 23, 2024 11 Assistant to the City Administrator/City Clerk Hanson pointed to the memo containing basic preliminary items to consider. Staff is seeking direction regarding zoning for adult use cannabis. The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) will start accepting applications for licenses January 1 St. When they receive those applications, they reach out to the City to have the City sign off on the zoning. The application will work through all the steps with the OCM and then they direct applicants back to the City to complete a registration. The OCM licenses these businesses, the City will register them. Assistant to the City Administrator/City Clerk Hanson said any proposed zoning code amendments will have to go to the Planning Commission and then back to the City Council for final approval. Staff is seeking direction at this time about moving forward with zoning. Mayor Grant said that the mayors met and discussed this topic. Some cities have chosen to create an overlay zone showing where cannabis businesses could be. Other cities limit a certain distance from a school or daycare. He understands the City must allow at least one registration. The City can restrict the number of businesses but does not have to. Councilmember Holden asked if the definition of "school" means a K-12. Interim City Administrator Jagoe confirmed. Councilmember Rousseau asked if this is viewed as a stand-alone business or are they part of other businesses. Assistant to the City Administrator/City Clerk Hanson said Council can determine what type of business would be allowed and the location through zoning. Councilmember Rousseau asked who ensures the potency is accurate. Assistant to the City Administrator/City Clerk Hanson said the City is in charge of compliance. There are still a lot of questions that need to be answered. It is constantly changing. Councilmember Rousseau asked if the optional low potency hemp edibles is already established. Assistant to the City Administrator/City Clerk Hanson confirmed. The Cub Discount Liquor is the one low potency license holder. That is established but can be amended by Council. Councilmember Rousseau asked if the City is required to allow "temporary cannabis event". Assistant to the City Administrator/City Clerk Hanson said that she did not believe it is a requirement. Councilmember Rousseau said OCM is still struggling to put this together. She would like to omit cannabis events and not address that until more questions are answered. Assistant to the City Administrator/City Clerk Hanson agreed it is a work in progress. Council can decide on first steps related to zoning and changes can be made later, after the program is better developed.