May 23—EAST GRAND FORKS — As recreational adult-use cannabis is closer to becoming legalized in Minnesota, East Grand Forks City Council members on Tuesday discussed the direction they should take going forward.
The cannabis industry already has seen some legalization in the state. Last year, state law took effect, legalizing the sale of certain edibles and beverages infused with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
While the law included regulations for the sale of hemp-derived THC products, including age requirement and THC limits in servings, it didn't provide a provision on how compliance would be monitored or enforced. Instead, those provisions are left up to city and county governments to decide.
A
couple of businesses
have already started selling hemp-derived THC products in the city, but no action has been taken by the council on the matter.
During Tuesday's meeting, council members considered whether a moratorium should be put in place, or if an ordinance should be drafted to set up business license requirements similar to alcohol and tobacco licenses that are currently required in the city. Though Polk County approved a moratorium in February allowing for more time to develop an ordinance to address the matter, its moratorium does not cover the city.
House File 100 is still on Gov. Tim Walz's desk, waiting to be signed. If signed into law, the bill will allow people 21 and older to possess marijuana. It also will expunge marijuana conviction records and create a regulatory plan for cannabis products. If signed, it will go into effect on Aug. 1.
City Attorney Ron Galstad said it will be at least a year for the licensing process for dispensaries to be determined.
Galstad said since there are already businesses in the city that sell hemp-derived THC products, their right to be open can't be taken away within a moratorium. Galstad recommended the council consider taking a moratorium route rather than drafting an ordinance.
"If it was your wish to be able to figure out where it could be sold, how it could be sold, you know, location, commercial, industrial park, whatever, I would put a moratorium on it so that we can figure out where exactly we would potentially want and control what we can," he said.
Mayor Steve Gander said a moratorium could put a stop to more businesses from selling hemp-derived THC products in the city, but that could create a "non-competitive environment" for the businesses that are already open.
City Council Vice President Tim Riopelle said there currently is no enforcement mentioned within the proposed legislation.