2025 Vol 19, Issue 4 August Gem Lake News

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Gem Lake News Page 6 of 8 What makes a dispensary different from a convenience store selling gummies at the check-out counter basically comes down to potency. Minnesota law allows for the sale of 5 milligrams max of Delta9 THC per dose in edibles and drinks outside of dispensaries currently. Anything higher per dose than 5 milligrams is considered high potency "recreational" and must be purchased through licensed dispensaries. Other than those on Native American tribal lands within the state, dispensaries in general are just beginning to open. The process for opening a Dispensary outside of tribal lands is highly regulated by the State of Minnesota, through its Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). A potential business owner must apply for and be granted a state license, pass a background check, find a property within a city that meets cannabis zoning requirements (such as away from schools, parks, and other places children might gather), register with their city, set up the business, and pass a vigorous final inspection by the OCM. The Lakes Dispensary bought the Smoke Shop that was located on County Road E, near the intersection of Highway 61, with plans to remodel the space for a licensed dispensary. Once the Dispensary is open for a while, there will be some form of a Grand Opening event in which the public 21 or older will be invited to an open house, according to Business Consultant Roger Vannelli, whose son Maxwell was granted a Micro Business License, one of many different types of available licenses in the State. When the final inspection is passed, the Dispensary is allowed to begin the process of purchasing goods for their shelves, which will include raw flower purchases from cultivators and wholesale house purchases for all other types of products. There are about 30 large capacity cultivators to choose from in the State, along with many other smaller licensed operations. The amount of Marijuana plants an operation can grow depends on their particular license type, with Cultivators at the highest capacity. Cannabis products will completely traced from “seed-to-sale,” according to state law, which allows for the highest level of quality control and consumer safety. More information will be forthcoming as the business officially opens. Become a Recycling Ambassador Are you interested in the environment? Do you have a passion for engaging with your community? Consider volunteering as a Recycling Ambassador! Become a Recycling Ambassador and help inspire your community to reduce waste. Recycling Ambassadors take a six-week training program to learn more about environmental health, waste systems and recycling. Recycling Ambassadors agree to volunteer 20 hours annually to encourage others to reduce, reuse and recycle. Workshop topics include: o Waste systems in Ramsey County. o Yard waste, food waste, and composting. o Climate change. o Environmental justice. o Household hazardous waste. o General recycling Workshops are held every Wednesday from September 10 - October 15 and include both in-person and virtual sessions. Please make sure you have access to the internet and are available for all six workshops before registering. o Sept. 10, 6:30-8:30 p.m. (In-person) o Sept. 17, 6:30-8:30 p.m. (Virtual) o Sept. 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m. (Virtual) o Oct. 1, 6:30-8:30 p.m. (In-person) o Oct. 8, 6:30-8:30 p.m. (Virtual) o Oct. 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. (In-person) Recycling Ambassadors encourage our community to reduce, reuse and recycle. You can register for the upcoming Fall 2025 Recycling Ambassadors volunteer training at ramseycounty.us/RecyclingAmbassadors. Registration closes September 3.