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Chaska adopts cannabis retail registration and public‑smoking ordinances; council limits hours and public use
Summary
The council adopted two ordinances: one establishing local retail registration limits and public‑use prohibitions for cannabis (matching state minimums, currently three retail registrations) and one prohibiting smoking on city‑owned properties and most public park spaces; both carry petty‑misdemeanor penalties and compliance checks for retailers.
The City of Chaska council adopted two ordinances Monday that regulate the sale and public use of cannabis and that broaden outdoor public‑smoking prohibitions on city property.
City staff explained the first ordinance would require local retail registration for cannabis retailers and set the city’s maximum retail registrations to the minimum number required by state statute. Under current Minnesota statute language cited by staff, that minimum equates to one registration per 12,500 residents; with Chaska’s population, staff said the city is required to allow a minimum of three retail registrations. The ordinance also makes public use of cannabis a petty misdemeanor, requires registered retailers to provide video and audio surveillance, and calls for at least one annual compliance check per registered retailer.
Elise (staff) told council that the state will award licenses through a lottery for applicants statewide; the city cannot refuse a retailer who is granted a state license but can require local registration paperwork and fees and can deny registration if an applicant fails the city’s registration requirements. Staff said registration fees will be set at the maximums allowed by statute and that collected fees will be used to fund enforcement and administration, including police compliance checks.
Council members set hours of sale for retail cannabis registration at 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays, mirroring off‑sale liquor store hours. Temporary cannabis events must be held between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. and cannot be held in public spaces, staff said.
The second ordinance extends the city’s prohibition on tobacco smoking to city‑owned facilities, grounds, parking lots, work areas, vehicles and equipment, and most outdoor park and recreation areas, including playgrounds, beaches, nature areas, trails and recreation centers. The city proposed a limited exception to permit smoking on active golf course playing areas (but not in parking lots). The smoking ordinance also treats violations as a petty misdemeanor punishable by a fine.
The cannabis ordinance was moved by Council member Grama and seconded by Council member Benesch; the smoking ordinance was moved by Council member Benesch and seconded by Council member Hatfield. Council adopted both ordinances by voice vote.
