Agenda - Council Work Session - 04/22/2025

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2. 1. CC Work Session Meeting Date: 04/22/2025 Primary Strategic Plan Initiative: Promote economic growth and development. Information Title: Cannabis Business Regulation Discussion Purpose/Background: Councilmember Buscher and Mayor Heineman requested to discuss Ordinance #24-12, Cannabis Business Regulations. It has been requested to review the adopted regulations for the benefit of new councilmembers understanding what was approved. Additionally, the request is to further review the regulations to consider changes to where businesses may be located, the number of licenses allowed, hours of operations and even whether a municipal license should be considered. Below is a summary of Ramsey regulations: On November 12, 2024, Ramsey City Council adopted the ordinance, effective January 1, 2025. The adopted ordinance is attached for your review. The ordinance regulates the following: The number of retail locations: 2; One (1) retail operation is allowed in the COR district; retailers must be located, at a minimum, 1,000 feet apart Retailers are allowed in the following districts: B 1 Neighborhood Business, B2 Commercial, B3 Regional Business, I-1 Light Industrial, 1-2 General Industrial and those portions of COR and PUD approved and designed for retail sales. Mirco businesses with/without retail and Mezzo businesses with/without retail are allowed in the I-1 Light Industrial and I-2 General Industrial Districts. Buffers: Prohibits the operation of a cannabis business within 1,000 feet of a school or 500 feet of a daycare, residential treatment facility or public park that is regularly used by minors, including playgrounds and athletic fields. Attached is a map showing the buffers around these existing facilities. The regulations set forth in the ordinance are based on the regulations from Chapter 342 of Minnesota Law. The Law was established by the State Legislature in 2023 and was updated in 2024. Minnesota's Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) is the state regulatory office created to oversee the implementation and regulation of the adult -use cannabis market, the medical cannabis market and the consumer hemp industry. Chapter 342 establishes rules, policies and regulates the industry. OCM governs the application and licensing process, and conducts enforcement and inspection activities. The local government may impose certain retail time restrictions, may limit the number of retail locations and provide buffer and zoning guidelines; all of which are addressed in Chapter 342. Notification: Not applicable Time Frame/Observations/Alternatives: Not applicable Funding Source: