On Monday night, the Northfield City Council discussed a draft resolution regarding the regulation of consumable products containing hemp
derived Delta-9 THC.
On July 1st, a law passed by the legislature this year went into effect allowing for the legal sale of these products. The law, however, does not provide many guidelines for regulation. Essentially, it says the edibles may not be sold to anyone under the age of 21 years old. It also limits the way the products may be packaged. It limits the amount of THC that can be in an edible as well as the amount of THC allowed per package. Beyond those stipulations, the law says little about how the products may be brought to market.
City Administrator Ben Martig said there are several unknowns related to the edibles. For example, there are very few restrictions on where they can be sold, meaning any retail outlet could sell them. With so many questions, Martig said the city should be proactive about the situation and put some regulatory standards in place.
City Attorney Hood has drawn up a resolution that is similar in nature to the licensing programs the city has in place for alcohol and tobacco, and Martig said that seems to be the model that makes the most sense.
“I’d say primarily how cities are looking at this is under licensing authority like alcohol or tobacco. It’s similar to when we recently had Tobacco 21 ordinances going into effect. We’re focused on keeping this out of the hands of kids and making the public aware of the potential risks around the use.”
Among the stipulations in the draft resolution are the ability to only sell the products with a license issued by the city, that the products only be sold behind a counter or in a locked display case, mandating that there be interaction between a customer and a store employee. The edibles may be sold only at a fixed-location store, and the license holder would be subject to compliance checks throughout the year. Finally, in accordance with state law, nobody under the age of 21 would be able to buy the products.
Opinions on the council differed. Councilor Sean Allen was not comfortable with putting regulations in place before there was a problem, pointing out that no other municipality in the state had done so to this point, while Councilor Jami Reister said she whole heartedly agreed with the idea of regulation and doing everything possible to keep the products away from children.
The resolution will be presented for a first reading at the council meeting on August 23rd.
District looking at expanding Capital Facilities Levy
While the Northfield School Board has decided to not place a referendum regarding upgrades and renovations the high school facility on the
ballot this November, Northfield Superintendent of Public Schools Dr. Matt Hillmann said they will, however, most likely ask the voters to renew and expand the district’s Capital Projects Levy.
The Capital Projects Levy, which was passed in 2011, currently sits at $750,000 per year, and is in place for the district to make smaller improvements to buildings and parking lots, as well as by equipment for the schools, including technology for use in the classroom, and to make sure that technology is maintained and is up to date. Under state law, the district is also allowed to use the fund to pay the salaries of very specific employees.
After trimming $4.5 million from the budget for the upcoming school year, Hillmann said the district is still going to be strapped for cash in terms of the general fund. The Minnesota Legislature this year adjourned before they passed most of the significant supplemental budget bills, including a bill that would have given a large boost to public school funding. Hillmann said without even a standard increase in funding, the district will have to get creative in finding ways to make the finances work.
The Capital Projects fund offers the ability to pay the salaries of the six staff members in the technology department. Hillmann said by expanding the levy from $750,000 to $1.5 million, they would be able to pay the salaries of those six people and thereby open up some more money in the general fund. He also said the annual cost to the average homeowner would not be very much.
“For a $300,000 homeowner – if your home is valued at $300,000 – that would mean a $61 tax increase. So very economical, comparatively, to a lot of other things. And yet it does provide a lot of relief to the school system.”
While the idea was discussed in detail at the work session on Monday, the final vote will come at a meeting later this month..
Early and absentee voting available for Tuesday primary and special elections
Rice County has issued a statement directing voters on the best way to cast early and absentee votes during the August 9th primaries and the
First Congressional District special election.
Early voting for the Minnesota primary and the special election is open now through Monday. Rice County voters can vote by mail or in person at the Property Tax and Elections Office in the Rice County Government Services Office. All Rice County voters or those living in Northfield’s Third Ward in Dakota County, can also cast their ballot at Northfield City Hall.
Anyone voting early must fill out an application in order to receive an absentee ballot. To be counted, absentee ballots must be received by 3 p.m. in person or by 8 p.m. via U.S. Mail or package delivery service on Election Day. Those ballots can also be delivered to the Property Tax and Elections Office at the Rice County Government Services Building by 5 p.m. Monday or the Absentee Voting Office in the second-floor training room at Northfield City Hall through 4:45 p.m. Monday. Neither site has a dropbox, so voters must come to the appropriate office inside the building to deliver their ballot.
The general election is set for Tuesday, Nov. 8. To register to vote, simply visit the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State website and click on Elections and Voting, then Register to Vote.
There you can register online or download forms to complete and mail. Minnesota allows Election Day registration, however that requires proof of residence.
For more information, visit the Rice County Elections Website.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
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