During the 2023 legislative session, the Minnesota Legislature legalized the use and sale of recreational cannabis. Possession and consumption became legal effective August 2, 2023, and it is expected sales will be legal by January 2025. The state legislation did not specify where the use of cannabis products would be allowed or prohibited - with a few exceptions. Cities are now adopting ordinances to address this lack of specification. As it stands, someone can legally use these products in city parks or while on streets, sidewalks, or public parking lots unless the city has an ordinance prohibiting such use. 

The essential definition of this first draft ordinance is the determination of what should be considered a "public place."

Any violation would be a petty misdemeanor. 

Also attached is an ordinance that would prohibit the smoking of cannabis products in public parks. Currently only the use of tobacco products is prohibited. This may or may not be necessary depending upon what council directs in regards to the first ordinance.