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<br />Request for Action <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />To Item Number <br />Mayor and City Council 8.4 <br />Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by <br />General Business September 6, 2022 Cal Portner, City Administrator <br />Item Description Reviewed by <br />Hemp THC Sales Moratorium and Licensing Jared Shepherd, City Attorney <br />Reviewed by <br />Peter Beck, City Attorney <br /> <br />Action Requested <br />Approve, by motion, an interim ordinance prohibiting the sale, testing, manufacturing, and distribution of THC <br />products. <br /> <br />Background/Discussion <br />During the last session the legislature passed a bill allowing the sale of hemp-derived THC effective July 1, 2022. <br />The legislature, however, did not provide a mechanism or infrastructure to regulate such products. Hemp-derived <br />products were legalized for sale federally by the 2018 Agriculture Bill. The Minnesota action clarified the THC <br />lawfulness. <br /> <br />A moratorium must be temporary and may be discontinued by Council action at any time. It would provide a <br />period to develop and approve a licensing, regulation, and fee program to regulate the intoxicating forms of the <br />product. <br /> <br />At the August 15 Council Meeting, the Council asked to survey neighboring communities regarding their actions. <br /> <br />Albertville – Discussing 9/6, moratorium expected. <br />Becker – Moratorium failed on 8/16. Staff directed to bring a regulating ordinance back. <br />Big Lake – Council directed staff to bring a temporary moratorium ordinance for consideration. <br />Otsego, Ramsey, Rogers – Awaiting LMC guidance. <br />Monticello – Were to discuss a moratorium on 8/22. <br />St. Michael – Passed a moratorium on 8/22. <br /> <br />Financial Impact <br />N/A <br /> <br />Mission/Policy/Goal <br />Elk River Mission Statement <br /> <br />Attachments <br /> LMC Slide Presentation <br /> Interim Ordinance <br />The Elk River Vision <br />A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional <br /> <br />service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity. <br /> Updated: August 2020 <br /> <br />