Waite Park passes interim moratorium for Cannabis businesses
Waite Park City Council Implements Moratorium on Cannabis Businesses.
The Waite Park City Council held a special meeting on Monday, July 22, to discuss an interim moratorium on cannabis businesses in the city until Jan. 1, 2025.
The Waite Park City Council unanimously voted to adopt a short-term moratorium on cannabis-related businesses, including cultivation, during a special session on Monday, July 22.
The newly adopted measure, which expires at the end of the year, will give city staff time to research recommendations to the city council for cannabis business and location ordinances, according to city documents.
This decision comes two days before the state is set to open pre-approval applications for social equity applicants, according to the League of Minnesota Cities. The Minnesota House previously approved that pre-approval process earlier this year, according to Minnesota Public Radio.
City Attorney Pat Storm clarified during the July 22 special meeting that the moratorium will not affect low-potency products such as THC edibles and seltzers. Legislation allowing for the sale of those products went into effect July 1, 2022, according to the state Legislature.
The city was previously under a general moratorium adopted by Stearns County last year, but that did not cover the aspect of cultivation, according to Planning and Community Development Director Jon Noerenberg. He added that upcoming work sessions will discuss the details of ordinance recommendations for cannabis businesses.
Timeline
- Spring 2023: The Minnesota Legislatures legalizes and decriminalizes the use of cannabis, becoming the 23rd state to do so.
- Aug. 1, 2023: Statewide decriminalization of possession, use and homegrow of cannabis for those older than 21.
- Aug. 22, 2023: Stearns County Board of Commissioners passes an interim ordinance regulating cannabis consumption in public spaces.
- June 18, 2024: Steans County imposes a moratorium on the operation of cannabis businesses until Jan. 1, 2025.
- July 24, 2024: Window of pre-approval of social equity applicants opens, closing Aug. 12.
- Jan. 1, 2025: Local moratoriums set to expire.
- 2025: License for commercial sales expected to be issued.
