ELY - The Ely City Council voted at their Dec. 6 meeting to approve a moratorium on new permits for the sale of cannabinoid products derived from hemp until March 7, 2023, or until the city passes an ordinance on these products, whichever happens first.
The moratorium was added as a new business item after the publication of the agenda.
Ely city attorney Kelly Klun presented the issues involved for the consideration of the councilors: “In August 2022, the state Legislature passed a law allowing cannabis products within the state. We are aware that there are some sales on various cannabis products … within the city but those have been done in existing businesses with relatively small (amounts of) product. This week, the city has received two requests from individuals seeking to start or be a full scale or sole operation CBD or CBD/smoke.”
Klun said many other cities have begun addressing the issue, which has evolved quickly as laws have changed regarding cannabis around the country and in Minnesota.
“So many cities have done this, when faced with this question and in essence, they say, ‘it’s not that we’re not willing to allow this to occur, it’s that we’d like to have a licensing mechanism. We’d like to have a way to ensure that we know who’s selling, and also that we’re not selling to minors and that we’re selling in capacities that are allowed under state law.’”
Klun said that the purpose of the temporary moratorium was to give the city time to explore its options and to study the issue more deeply: “We’d like time to be able to establish an ordinance. So, we’re asking for the City Council to approve (the moratorium) to March 7, 2023.
Klun also explained that the moratorium would be for new cannabinoid businesses only. It would not affect businesses that have already been permitted in the city and have established cannabinoid sales: “This moratorium would allow for current existing sales. So, if you have this product currently on your shelf, that product may remain.”
In part, the moratorium was prompted by a first responder call in the city for a CBD overdose, according to information provided by Ely Fire Chief Dave Marshall.
The temporary resolution for a moratorium on new cannabinoid sales permits passed the city council unanimously.