2025 UPDATE:
At its November 25, 2024 meeting, the Arden Hills City Council amended Chapter 13, Zoning Code (Sections 1305, 1320 and 1325), as it relates to establishing definitions for cannabis uses, determining zoning districts for cannabis uses and establishing performance standards for cannabis uses. Visit Chapter 13 and the sections referenced for more information.
Interested parties should always check with the City's Planning and Zoning department first to confirm zoning information prior to beginning the application process with the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). Zoning approval must be provided by the local unit of government (City) and the applicant's information then progresses through the OCM application process. Once approval is received, the City may then issue a cannabis registration. Visit Chapter 3, Section 396 for information regarding the City registration process and fees.
Note Arden Hills currently has capped the number of cannabis retail registrations allowed at one (1). See Minnesota Statute 342.13, Local Control for more information which allows a local unit of government to cap the number of registrations at at least one (1) per 12,500 residents. Note this cap on registrations does not apply to a medical cannabis combination business with a retail endorsement or a lower-potency hemp edible retailer
The City of Arden Hills continues to monitor legislation and laws, which continue to change.
Background:
Since 2023, there have been a number of recent changes to State Law regarding the sale of lower-potency hemp edibles (less than 0.3 percent THC) and full-strength cannabis products. Due to a recent moratorium passed the City Council, full-strength cannabis sales are prohibited in Arden Hills until January 1, 2025. This means that no business can sell full-strength cannabis products in the City until at least after that date. Note the moratorium does not pertain to the Medical Cannabis Program as administered by the MN Dept of Health.
In August 2023, the City Council approved an ordinance that had the following stipulations for the sale of lower-potency products, like gummies or THC-infused beverages, the highlights of the ordinance are:
- Lower-potency products may be sold by a retail establishment, restaurant, or service station that is already licensed for liquor or tobacco sales in the commercial zoning districts as a conditional accessory use only. This means there cannot be a standalone store exclusively selling lower-potency THC products, and THC product sales would not be permitted in the City’s residential or industrial zoning districts.
- Any business interested in selling lower-potency products must come before the Planning Commission and City Council for a Conditional Use Permit.
At its September 11, 2023, meeting, the City Council adopted a separate ordinance prohibiting tobacco and cannabis/THC use within open spaces. Smoking, vaping, consuming any tobacco or THC/cannabis, or offering to sell is strictly prohibited in places like parks, trails, and other city-owned open spaces.
2024 Update:
The Arden Hills Planning Commission reviewed the proposed draft for cannabis business zoning on November 6, and the City Council adopted the Chapter 13 Zoning Code amendment at its November 25 meeting. This amendment establishes the locations where various types of cannabis businesses can operate within the City.
On December 9, 2024, the City Council adopted amendments to Chapter 3 (Section 396), addressing local cannabis registration requirements. Arden Hills, with a population under 12,500, is mandated to issue at least one cannabis retail registration, and the Council has directed staff to proceed with issuing the single required registration.
Continue to check the City's website for updates, and if you have questions, please contact City Hall at 651-792-7800. You can also visit the League of Minnesota Cities Adult-Use Cannabis webpage or the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management website to get answers to many questions regarding the new law.