Moorhead zavádí nová pravidla pro konopné podniky uprostřed přísahy policejního náčelníka

Moorhead City Council held a significant meeting on Monday, April 14, where they welcomed their new Police Chief Chris Helmick and discussed new regulations for cannabis businesses. Helmick was officially sworn in during a ceremony attended by family, friends, and colleagues, marking a new chapter for the Moorhead Police Department.

During the ceremony, Helmick expressed his commitment to the community, stating that it is crucial for him to ensure the safety of Moorhead for all residents and their families. He emphasized his intention to collaborate closely with his colleagues at the police department to fulfill this mission.

Before taking on his new role, Helmick served as a captain at the Fargo Police Department for over two decades, starting his career there in 2001. He acknowledged the contributions of Interim Police Chief Tory Jacobson, who temporarily led the department after the retirement of former Police Chief Shannon Monroe. Helmick praised Jacobson’s invaluable support during the transition period.

In addition to the swearing-in ceremony, council members unanimously approved a new ordinance that sets forth fees and registration standards for cannabis businesses in Moorhead. This ordinance is particularly timely, as the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management is expected to begin issuing licenses for cannabis sales in the coming weeks.

The new rules specify that all cannabis sales must occur between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily. This regulation applies to both businesses selling recreational marijuana and those already offering hemp-derived THC products, such as edibles and beverages. City planner Robin Huston pointed out that businesses holding liquor licenses will need to adhere to this new cannabis sales schedule, despite their ability to sell alcohol until 2 a.m.

Huston noted that the state office had closed cannabis license applications on March 14 and indicated that a lottery for limited categories of businesses might occur around May or June. The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management is set to limit the number of licenses granted for various types of cannabis businesses, including retailers, manufacturers, cultivators, and mezzobusinesses, which can engage in multiple facets of the cannabis industry.