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HomeMy Public PortalAbout697 - Ordinance Regarding Underage Use_Possession of ECPCITY OF MEDINA ORDINANCE NO. 697 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 3 of the City Code of Ordinances Pertaining to Edible Cannabinoid Products The city council of the city of Medina ordains as follows: SECTION I: Medina city code chapter 3 is hereby amended by adding a new section 370, entitled “Edible Cannabinoid Products,” as follows: 370. EDIBLE CANNABINOID PRODUCTS Section 370.01. Findings and Purpose. The city recognizes that, based on the most reliable and up-to-date scientific evidence, the recent introduction of legalized edible cannabinoid products presents a potential threat to the public health, safety, and welfare of the residents of Medina and especially young persons that are more impressionable and vulnerable. The purpose of this section is to discourage and reduce the use and consumption of edible cannabinoid products by persons under the age of 21 in the city of Medina for the following reasons: (a) The use and possession of edible cannabinoid products by persons under the age of 21 years may be harmful to those persons and constitutes a potential threat to public health from injuries related to or resulting from consumption, including, but not necessarily limited to, impairment from consumption or related traffic collisions. (b) Consumption of edible cannabinoid products could have drastic effects on those who use it as well as those who are affected by the actions of an irresponsible user. (c) Recently enacted state legislation regarding edible cannabinoid products places restrictions on the labeling and packaging of such products to prevent marketing toward young persons and further prohibits the sale of such products to persons under the age of 21. (d) State law does not, however, address the use or possession of edible cannabinoid products by any person, regardless of age, or the amount of edible cannabinoid products any person consumes. (e) In light of the foregoing, the use and possession of edible cannabinoid products by persons under the age of 21 must be deterred and discouraged to ensure the health and safety of those members of our community that are most impressionable and vulnerable. Section 370.03. Definition. For the purposes of this section, the term “edible cannabinoid product” has the same meaning given the term in Minnesota Statutes, section 151.72, subdivision 1(c), as it may be amended from time to time. Section 370.05. Prohibited Acts. It is unlawful for a person under the age of 21 to possess or consume an edible cannabinoid product in the city. Section 370.07. Exceptions. The acts prohibited above shall not apply to (i) a person under the age of 21 that possesses an edible cannabinoid product solely as part of their role in assisting a law enforcement agency with a legally authorized compliance check; or (ii) a person under the age of 21 that possess or consumes an edible cannabinoid product as part of a bona fide, legally protected religious observance. Section 370.09. Penalty. A violation of this section shall be a petty misdemeanor, subject to a penalty as prescribed in Minnesota Statutes, section 609.02, subd. 4a, as it may be amended from time to time. SECTION II. This ordinance shall be effective upon its adoption and publication. Nothing contained herein shall be interpreted to modify or otherwise affect the validity of Ordinance No. 697. Adopted by the city council of the city of Medina this 1st day of November, 2022. ____________________________ Kathleen Martin, Mayor ATTEST: ____________________________ Caitlyn Walker, City Clerk Published in the Crow River News on the 17th day of November, 2022.