Wyoming council extends moratorium on hemp businesses for 120 days

The Wyoming City Council approved a 120‑day extension of an interim ordinance prohibiting the operation of hemp businesses in the city, saying the additional time is needed while staff develop zoning options and wait for state guidance.

City planner/legal staff member Mr. Linwood told the council that the Minnesota Legislature enacted statute 342.13 this year, which "restricts cities from prohibiting hemp businesses," and that cities now must either adopt zoning language or extend moratoria to delay automatic allowance of hemp operations. Linwood said the council has two options: extend the moratorium for the statutory 120 days or adopt a zoning ordinance to regulate hemp businesses.

The extension—an amendment to interim ordinance 23.03—was introduced during a public hearing for which no members of the public testified. The council opened and closed the hearing and moved to adopt the extension; the motion was moved and seconded and the council approved the ordinance extension.

Linwood said staff will review model ordinances recently released by the Office of Cannabis Management and the League of Minnesota Cities and bring zoning language to the Planning Commission and council in coming weeks. The 120‑day extension is to be counted from publication of the summary in the county paper; staff noted that publication is scheduled for July 11, which would extend the moratorium into November under the statutory timeline.

The council also approved a companion resolution (Resolution 2047767) to adopt a summary publication of the ordinance to reduce printing costs. That resolution lets the city publish a short summary of the ordinance rather than the full text in the newspaper.

The council did not adopt a zoning ordinance at the meeting; staff said a zoning approach would likely return after additional drafting and Planning Commission review.

The council adjourned after taking these actions.