Minneapolis, MN
Marijuana production, retail license regulations eyed by Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – As recreational marijuana becomes legal throughout Minnesota, leaders in the state’s largest city are looking to define a wide swath of regulations for businesses and licenses before the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) officially doles out licenses next year.
On Thursday, Minneapolis officials discussed proposed city zoning code amendments regulating the cultivation, production, distribution, and retail sale of cannabis flower.
In an adult use cannabis staff memo, Minneapolis City Council members discussed standards that would, “regulate odor, light and glare, security, and noise, but are general in nature” while seeking to regulate the emerging industry.
“City leaders and subject matter experts across our local government have been collaborating for months to develop a framework to keep the production and sale of recreational cannabis safe for the community,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said in a statement.
Several tiers of licenses will be made available by the OCM, and the council will seek to regulate each through the proposed zoning amendment.
Below is a table of licenses, with their included definition as currently proposed:
- Cannabis microbusiness/mezzobusiness: Both allow a license holder to cultivate, manufacture, and sell cannabis, and related products. Micro and mezzobusinesses differ in the scale of operation permitted, with a 5,000 square foot plant canopy limit placed on indoor cultivation at microbusinesses, and a 15,000 square foot limit at mezzobusinesses.
- Cannabis cultivator: Allows an entity to grow cannabis for commercial purposes. Cannabis cultivation must be conducted inside an enclosed building, and not take place in hoop houses, greenhouses, or other similar structures. A cannabis cultivation license would be limited to 30,000 square feet of plant canopy. If the business has a retail component, it would be subject to the use standards for a dispensary.
- Cannabis/hemp edible manufacturer: Allows an entity to process cannabis or hemp to create products.
- Cannabis retailer: Also known as a dispensary, a business would be subject to further regulations due to its public-facing, retail component. A dispensary could not share a common entrance with a liquor store, a tobacco products shop, a food and beverage shop, a drugstore or a pharmacy. It also must be located at least 350 feet from a school (though staff are considering a 500-foot requirement). It could also not be located within 350 feet of an existing dispensary.
- Cannabis transporter: Allows a license holder to transport cannabis, hemp, or associated products from a cannabis business to a cannabis business.
- Cannabis wholesaler: Allows an entity to obtain, store, and sell cannabis and hemp and related products for resale to a cannabis business, but not to consumers.
- Cannabis testing facility: Allows a license holder to obtain and test cannabis and hemp plants and products, similar to a laboratory.
- Cannabis event organizer: Allows an entity to organize temporary cannabis events that last no more than four days.
- Cannabis delivery service: Allows a license holder to purchase cannabis or hemp products, and transport and deliver those products directly to consumers.
- Medical cannabis combination business: Allows a license holder to cultivate, manufacture, and sell cannabis, hemp, and cannabis and hemp related supplies and products. Similar to a micro or mezzobusiness license, however, this would primarily serve the medical cannabis industry.
As licenses are granted by the OCM, local governments outside of Minneapolis will be able to adopt their own zoning ordinances.
State statute permits local governments to limit the number of licensed cannabis retailers and businesses to no less than one registration for every 12,500 residents.
Based on 2020 Census data for the city of Minneapolis, the population of 429,954 people would equate to a minimum of 34 licenses. No current license cap for dispensary or retail cannabis operations is currently being proposed.
City staff says it aims to bring draft recommendations to the City Planning Commission and City Council in the coming months, with adoption taking place by the end of summer.
OCM has previously said it expects to grant licenses to social equity applicants prior to early 2025.
A legislative change this session to allow early cultivation will permit social equity applicants with pre-approval to begin cultivation prior to rule-making concluding at the state level if an applicant receives approval at the local level.
Minneapolis ordinance path to approval
The Minneapolis zoning code is the city’s regulation of land use, and exists to comply with state law, respond to changing market conditions and streamline city ordinances, among other objectives.
City Council members can propose amendments to the code, which is then researched and drafted.
At a City Council meeting, a member can provide a notice of intent to introduce the ordinance change, which is then discussed in committee. City staff can also conduct research and analyze alternative options for the proposed changes during this period.
During the adoption process, a public hearing is held to consider feedback, and a planning commission makes a final recommendation to the council prior to a vote.
If approved, the ordinance amendment is published, and the mayor of Minneapolis can formally approve it with a signature.
It then becomes effective the date the regulation begins.
Minneapolis, MN
Speeding Driver Runs Red Lights, Kills 2 In Minneapolis: Prosecutors
MINNEAPOLIS — A 38-year-old Minneapolis woman is accused of speeding through multiple red lights before causing a crash at Emerson Avenue North and 26th Avenue North that left two people dead and two injured.
Teniki Steward, 38, faces two counts of criminal vehicular homicide and two counts of criminal vehicular operation. If convicted, she faces up 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
The crash killed Esther Jean Fulks and Rose Elaine Reece.
“Our office has been in close communication with the Minneapolis Police Department regarding this case, which was submitted to our office on Thursday and charged Friday,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said.
“This was another completely avoidable incident of a car being driven irresponsibly with disastrous consequences. Our thoughts are with the surviving victims and with the families of the two members of our community who were killed.”
On Dec. 16, Minneapolis police responded to a crash at the intersection of Emerson Avenue North and 26th Avenue North.
Prosecutors said Steward was driving a Buick Enclave at a high rate of speed when she ran a red light at Emerson Avenue North and Broadway Avenue North, nearly causing a collision.
Steward continued driving northbound on Emerson Avenue North at high speed, according to authorities.
As she approached 26th Avenue North, the traffic light for northbound traffic was red. Despite this, Steward entered the intersection at high speed and struck a Ford Explorer traveling eastbound, which was lawfully entering the intersection on a green light, authorities said.
The collision killed both individuals in the Ford Explorer. The force of the impact caused the Explorer to hit a pedestrian on the sidewalk, resulting in a third victim.
The passenger in the Buick Enclave also suffered injuries in the crash
Minneapolis, MN
Twin Cities enjoy 'white Christmas'
After last year’s brown Christmas, the big question people had in the Twin Cities metro this holiday season was will it be a white or brown Christmas? It was officially a white Christmas once again in Minnesota’s big cities.
Minneapolis, MN
Journalist Michele Norris to headline Minneapolis MLK breakfast
The annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast is scheduled for Jan. 20 in Minneapolis with a keynote address by journalist and Minnesotan Michele Norris.
The 35th annual breakfast, which host General Mills says is one of the largest in the country, will be held from 8-9:30 a.m. (doors open at 7 a.m., with pre-event programming starting at 7:30 a.m.) at the Minneapolis Convention Center. It’s held every year in support of the United Negro College Fund.
“Every year, the Breakfast brings together nearly 2,500 people – community leaders, elected officials, teachers and students, nonprofit members, corporate employees, and more – all who have a passion and commitment to bringing people together and serving others,” General Mills Communications Manager Mollie Wulff said. “Year after year, we hear that the breakfast is like ‘a big family reunion.’”
The theme of the new year’s event is “One People,” inspired by a message from Dr. King’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail: “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
“The Breakfast is an opportunity for the local community to honor Dr. King and live out his message of unity and serving others,” Wulff said.
Award-winning journalist, radio host and author Michele Norris will speak on topics of race, culture and communication in America. The program will be moderated by Blue Cross Endowed Professor of Health and Racial Equity Founding Director, Center for Antiracism Research for Health Equity, Dr. Rachel Hardeman.
A former NPR journalist, Norris was born in Minneapolis and “encouraged by her parents to read the newspaper and watch the evening news” growing up, according to thehistorymakers.org. She attended Washburn High School and eventually majored in journalism and mass communications at the University of Minnesota.
Norris reported for multiple media outlets including the Washington Post, Chicago Tribune and L.A Times. Because of her work, she has won numerous awards including the University of Minnesota’s Outstanding Achievement Award, the National Association of Black Journalists’ Salute to Excellence Award, Ebony magazine’s Outstanding Women in Marketing & Communications Award and was named one of Essence Magazine’s 25 Most Influential Black Americans.
A current resident of Washington, D.C., Norris is also an MSNBC Senior Contributing Editor; founder of “The Race Card Project,” which asks people globally to share their thoughts and questions about race in six words; host of podcast “Your Mama’s Kitchen“; and author of the New York Times Best Selling book, “Our Hidden Conversations,” which explores uncomfortable conversations surrounding race and identity.
Sounds of Blackness, a three-time Grammy-winning band that got their start at Macalester College, is scheduled to perform at the event as well. The band’s sound is a blend of jazz, blues, spirituals, rock and roll, hip-hop and soul. Threads Dance Project, with a Choral Reading by VocalEssence Singers of this Age, will also be performing.
Proceeds from the breakfast will go to UNCF Twin Cities, helping under-represented students attend college in honor of King, who graduated from a historically Black college.
“We are grateful for General Mills’ partnership in bringing this cornerstone event to the Twin Cities community every year,” Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO of UNCF said in the release. “This event helps provide life-changing support for students to help them get to and through college and go after their dreams.”
To purchase tickets and for more event information, visit MLKBreakfast.com.
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