Council introduces ordinance to regulate temporary cannabis events with buffers, deposit and on-site consumption rules

Marshall City Council introduced an ordinance to regulate temporary cannabis events, following a presentation by City Attorney Pam Whitmore and a Legislative and Ordinance Committee review.

Whitmore explained that state legislation allows organizers to hold temporary cannabis events lasting no more than four days and that cities cannot fully prohibit such events but may impose regulations. The draft ordinance creates an application process, allows the city to recover costs when events draw on city services through deposits or reimbursement, establishes a 1,000-foot buffer from schools (increased from the 500-foot buffer for permanent businesses), and includes an exception to allow such events at the Red Baron Center on non-school days at the request of the committee. The draft also permits on-site consumption areas subject to state law and local controls (screening, age restrictions and no smoking where applicable) and proposes hours of operation of 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

The Legislative and Ordinance Committee reviewed the draft and reported a unanimous recommendation to introduce the ordinance. A motion to introduce the ordinance was made and seconded; the council voted to approve the introduction for further consideration and public process.

Whitmore noted the draft includes an appeal process for applicants whose permits are denied or revoked and that applicants will be required to supply information in the application so the city can assess potential drains on city resources.

The introduction does not adopt a final ordinance; it places the draft into the formal review and adoption process.