Jenkins City Council decides to watch and wait with cannabis edibles – Pine and Lakes Echo Journal

JENKINS — The Jenkins City Council decided it wasn’t in the city’s best interest to go overboard with regulation concerning cannabis edibles ahead of what will likely be clearer regulation from state lawmakers.

Area cities have been wrestling with the issue since state lawmakers agreed to legalize some edibles and beverages containing a certain level of tetrahydrocannabinol, the chemical in marijuana responsible for causing users to feel high.

The legalization is thought to have been done with little forethought or preparation, as the state provided little or no regulation or advice for cities facing the prospect of businesses selling THC products in their borders. Some have chosen to impose a one-year moratorium, with the assumption the state will impose new guidelines or regulations for who can sell what.

During the Tuesday, Oct. 11, city council meeting, Jenkins council member Andrew Rudlang said with the possibility of pending state guidelines it might not make sense for the council to expend energy on the issue with the chance of whatever they choose to do being wiped out by new state regulation.

He also does not anticipate that any Jenkins business is likely to start selling the products in the meantime.

Council member Charles Hoffman said he was initially in favor of a moratorium, but he would hate to impose any difficulties on Jenkins businesses that might have already started stocking inventory, though that might be unlikely.

The council was torn on what to do about use of THC in public spaces like city parks. They agreed it might be best to follow whatever guidelines Pequot Lakes gives to its police department, which provides service to the city of Jenkins as well.

Council members agreed unanimously that it would be wise to wait and see.

In other business Oct. 11, the council:

• Agreed that city hall requires six new doors, but with the various security and disability compliance features required of the council’s doors, the cost for the specialty doors is too excessive for replacement at this time. The council must plan ahead for the replacement in a reasonable time frame.
• Approved the purchase of two licenses for Adobe products for the city clerk to use.
• Agreed to the planning and zoning commission’s recommendations to: simplify guidelines for fences in certain zoning districts in the city; allow urban chickens within city limits in approved zoning districts with use of a three-year license; and to define the “event center” business type, adding it as a possible property use with conditional use permit to some zoned properties.
• Agreed to continue talks with Pequot Lakes and Loon Lake Township for a shared project paving Myers Road. The bid for the project came in higher than anticipated, with Jenkins’ share at $25,000-$30,000 or more. The council stressed they cannot fully commit at this point, but would like more information before they decide. Sharing the project could provide significant savings for the three parties.

Travis Grimler is a staff writer for the Pineandlakes Echo Journal weekly newspaper in Pequot Lakes/Pine River. He may be reached at 218-855-5853 or travis.grimler@pineandlakes.com.

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