(A) Statement of purpose and intent.
(1) This chapter is adopted by the Wright County Commissioners for the purpose of protecting public health and safety by regulating the use of cannabis and cannabis derived products in public places and places of public accommodation within Wright County.
(2) By enacting 2023 Session Law, Chapter 63, H. F. No. 100 [hereinafter referred to "state legislation"], the Minnesota Legislature passed the Adult-Use Cannabis Bill. Under that bill, the adult use, possession and personal growing of cannabis became legal on August 1, 2023.
(3) State legislation authorizes adoption of a local ordinance establishing a petty misdemeanor offense for public use of cannabis.
(4) Wright County (hereinafter "the county") recognizes the risks that unintended access and use of cannabis products and exposure to cannabis and its effects present to the health, welfare, and safety of youth and the general public in Wright County.
(5) State legislation authorizes adoption of ordinances to regulate actual or potential threats to the public health. The county wishes to be proactive in protecting public health and safety by enacting regulations that will mitigate threats presented to the public and public health by the public use of cannabis.
(B) Statutory authority. This chapter is enacted pursuant to 2023 Session Law, Chapter 63, H. F. No. 100 [hereinafter referred to "state legislation"]; M.S. § 342.01; M.S. § 342.09 subd. l(b) or successor statute; M.S. § 342.09, subd. 1(b)(9) or successor statute; M.S. § 342.09 subd. l(a)(7) or successor statute; and M.S. § 152.0263, subd. 5, or successor statute; and M.S. § 145A.05, as it may be amended from time to time.
(Ord. 23-3, passed 8-15-2023)
Statutory reference:
Petty misdemeanor, see M.S. § 152.0263, subd. 5, as it may be amended from time to time
Public health, see M.S. § 145A.05, subds. 1 and 7, as it may be amended from time to time