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<br /> <br />Request for Action <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />To Item Number <br />Mayor and City Council 8.3 <br />Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by <br />General Business January 2, 2024 Tina Allard, City Clerk <br />Item Description Reviewed by <br />Ordinance Amendment: allowing on-site sampling of Cal Portner, City Administrator <br />hemp-based, low potency THC products <br />Reviewed by <br />Joe Audette, Liquor Operations Manager <br />Joe Stremcha, Assistant City Administrator <br /> <br />Action Requested <br />Adopt, by motion, an ordinance amendment allowing on-site sampling of hemp-based, low potency THC <br />products. <br /> <br />Background/Discussion <br />Surrounding communities are allowing on-site sampling of hemp-based, low potency THC products. The adopted <br />city ordinance does not allow sampling in Elk River. <br /> <br />Per state law, sampling is allowed until the recently adopted new legislation takes effect January 1, 2025. At that <br />time, sampling will require an on-site consumption endorsement from the Office of Cannabis Management. <br /> <br />To allow for competition and local licensees to educate the public about THC products, an ordinance amendment <br />is needed. Elk River currently licenses 11 businesses to sell hemp-based, low potency THC products. <br /> <br />Sampling would only be done with liquid seltzers, not vapes or other candied products. Liquid seltzers are <br />produced in varying flavors and due to their pricing, sampling allows customers to find the taste they prefer. <br /> <br />The sample size would be consistent with state law for malt liquor (100 ml or 3.3 oz) which would provide no <br />intoxicating affect. <br /> <br />Financial Impact <br />N/A <br /> <br />Mission/Policy/Goal <br />Welcome a revolutionary spirit that fosters a culture of exceptional service <br /> <br />Attachments <br /> Draft Ordinance <br /> <br /> <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: January 2023 <br /> <br />