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youngest kids. Without the ordinance, Mankato police could do nothing about it even if they directly witnessed pre -teen kids consuming and sharing them. "This proposed ordinance fills that gap and provides that authority," Whitmore wrote, t tossing. out a couple of scenarios illustrating the problem with the status quo. One involved a pre -teen living in home where the family is okay with edible cannabinoids and has containers of gummies freely available: "The 12--year-old takes the container to the park:to:i eet friends, and passes the container around, with everyone taking as much as they want. This -is legal under. -the state law. A. parent at the park with their own ldds sees this and calls the police. Police. respond but can do nothing if there is no other violation going on...." I0.the second scenario, a 16-year-old new driver is pulled over by an officer for driving slightly over the speed limit: "On the passenger seat, in plain sight, was an.open half gone, .container of edible cannabinoid gurnmies and a can.of cannabis -infused sparlding water."* Withou*t the ordinance, the officer could issuea. ticket for-spoi. ding; But not only would there be no charge for the intoxicants on the seat,--the-cop.wouldn't even be able to confiscate them. The ordinance: makes youngsters guilty of a petty misdemeanor if they possess the. products in. a public space — the lowest level criminal offense and something that's Punishable only with a small fine. And theintent. is not to issue fines in most cases, Arntz said.