As part of a brief agenda for Monday night’s Worthington City Council meeting, council members will consider a proposed ordinance that prohibits the use of cannabis in a public place.
The Minnesota Legislature approved the possession and use of cannabis effective this past Aug. 1. Local units of government are authorized to adopt ordinances establishing a petty misdemeanor offense for a person who unlawfully uses cannabis flower, cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles or hemp-derived consumer products in a public place, provided that the definition of a public place does not include the following: a private residence, including the person's curtilage or yard; private property not generally accessible by the public, unless the person is explicitly prohibited from consuming cannabis flower, cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles or hemp-derived consumer products on the property by the owner of the property; or the premises of an establishment or event licensed to permit on-site consumption.
The city’s proposed ordinance prohibits the use of those defined cannabis products in any public place within the city of Worthington except those places specifically mentioned. Fines for petty misdemeanors may not exceed $300 per offense. Council may approve on Monday the first reading of the proposed ordinance and establish the petty misdemeanor fine.
In another agenda item scheduled for Monday, Abby Schmidt of Abdo will be at the meeting to present the city's 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. Also on tap prior to the 5:30 p.m. council is a meeting of the city’s Economic Development Authority at 5:15 p.m.
