Ord #285 - 3rd - Cannabis Moratorium

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2. The study will allow the City Council to determine the appropriate changes, if any, that that it should make to City ordinances. 3. The study was discussed before the City Council at a public hearing held on Nn�W) 27 , 2023. 4. After considering the information available to it, including the testimony of members of the public at the public hearing convened for that purpose, the City Council finds that there is a need to adopt a City-wide moratorium on the operation of any Cannabis Business within the City while Staff studies the issue. SECTION 3. MORATORIUM. 1. No individual, establishment, organization, or other entity may open or operate any cannabis business within the City until January 1, 2025. 2. Planning or zoning applications related to Cannabis Products or applications from individuals, establishments, organizations, or businesses involved in the proposed sale, testing, manufacturing, or distribution of Cannabis Products within the City of Orono shall not be accepted or considered while the moratorium is in effect 3. This moratorium does not apply to the selling, testing, manufacturing, or distributing of THC Products related to the Medical Cannabis Program as administered by the Minnesota Department of Health, provided that such activity is done in accordance with the regulations and laws of Minnesota regarding Medical Cannabis. SECTION 4. STUDY. The City Council directs City staff to study the need for local regulation regarding the sale, testing, manufacturing, or distribution of Cannabis Products and the operation A Cannabis Businesses within the City of Orono. Staff must also study the need for creating or amending zoning ordinances or any other ordinances to protect the citizens of Orono from any potential negative impacts of Cannabis Products or Cannabis Businesses. Upon completion of the study, the City Council, together with such commission as the City Council deems appropriate or, as may be required by law, will consider the advisability of adopting new ordinances or amending its current ordinances. SECTION 5. ENFORCEMENT. The City may enforce this Ordinance by mandamus, injunctive relief, or other appropriate civil remedy in any court of competent jurisdiction. The City Council hereby authorizes the City Administrator, in consultation with the City Attorney, to initiate any legal action deemed necessary to secure compliance with this Ordinance. A violation of this Ordinance is also subject to the City's general penalty in City Code § 1-8. SECTION 6. TERM. Unless earlier rescinded by the City Council, the moratorium established under this Ordinance shall remain in effect until January 1, 2025, at which point, it will automatically expire. SECTION 7. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect immediately from and after its passage by the City Council, and shall be published.