Communities in Rock County are taking action to ban the sale of edible THC products after the state legalized them this summer.
The Rock County Board took the lead last month with a moratorium on the sale of hemp-derived THC food and beverages in non-municipal areas of the county.
Luverne City Council members mirrored the county ordinance at their Tuesday evening meeting, and Beaver Creek City Council members addressed the matter at their Wednesday, Aug. 10, meeting. Other municipalities are poised to follow suit.
“Gummies” and other THC-infused products are being rapidly introduced for sale; however, they’re largely unregulated, and some fear their strength and content aren’t safe.
In fact, since the law changed, there have been documented reports of consumers getting sick from edibles that were stronger than expected or contained harmful ingredients.
“This presents a potential threat to the public health, safety and welfare to the residents of the city of Luverne, and particularly to the youth of the community,” Luverne City Administrator John Call said Tuesday.
“The moratorium on the sale of hemp-derived THC gives the city time to study the issue and consider zoning, licensing, rules and controls for the sale of the legalized edible gummies, similar to tobacco sales and products.”
For example, edible cannabis products would be sold behind the counter with IDs checked, and the city would establish enforcement, compliance checks, license fees and other regulatory framework.
Rock County’s resolution establishing the moratorium on edible sales references the U.S. surgeon general advisory about known and potential harms to developing brains posed by the availability of highly potent marijuana in multiple, concentrated forms and increasing use by teens and adolescents.
It references similar public health concerns by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine.
Minnesota law recognizes the danger of cannabis use among youth by prohibiting the sale of edibles to those under 21 and by requiring that edibles be packaged without appeal to children and in child-resistant containers.
The law that took effect in July legalizes edibles and beverages with up to 5 milligrams of hemp-derived THC per serving.
While that level is considered low, the products (with up to 50 milligrams per package) contain enough psychoactive potency to get most users high.
The law aimed to provide legal clarity regarding hemp-derived consumables stemming from the 2018 Farm Bill.
Marijuana is still illegal in Minnesota. Only the THC derived from hemp — in certain amounts — is now legal to consume.
The Luverne City Council, on a roll call vote, unanimously adopted the interim ordinance to establish a one-year moratorium on the sale of hemp-derived THC in food and beverages.
“I think it’s the right step,” said council member Caroline Thorson. “It will give us a chance to get our heads around it.”
Mayor Pat Baustian said he hoped that in a year’s time, the state will get involved with more specific regulations so that communities don’t have to all act independently.
The moratorium doesn’t affect the sale of CBD oils and other non-edible cannabis products that have long been legal for sale and use.