Hugo schedules Planning Commission public hearing on draft cannabis ordinance for Dec. 12

The Hugo City Council voted to schedule a Planning Commission public hearing for a draft local cannabis ordinance on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 7:00 p.m., after staff presented proposed zoning, registration and compliance approaches tied to recent state rules.

Associate Planner Max Gort told the council the city is preparing a draft ordinance to align local code with the state Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) guidance and to create a local registration and certificate-of-compliance process before state licensing. “So, tonight, we're just here to talk a little bit about cannabis and the ordinance and the direction it's heading and, get a little bit of feedback from the council before we get too much further along the way of drafting our ordinance,” Max Gort said.

Council members asked questions about the statutory rounding rule for retail licenses (one retailer is required per 12,500 residents, with the city reaching two licenses once it is over 12,500 residents), enforcement roles with the county sheriff and operational details such as water and odor control for cultivators. Following the discussion, a motion was made and seconded to direct staff to set the public hearing; the mayor announced, “The ayes have it and the public hearing is scheduled.”

The hearing will be conducted by the Planning Commission at 7 p.m. on Dec. 12 to receive public comment on the draft ordinance and will follow an ordinance review committee meeting on Dec. 2 as staff continues to refine performance standards and zoning options.