Moratorium passes 4-3

Every seat was full Tuesday evening in Waseca City Hall as council members voted 4-3 to approve a controversial one-year moratorium on THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana. Under the moratorium, no new businesses will be allowed to sell THC infused products in the city of Waseca for up to a year: those which had already been doing so will be allowed to continue. 

Council members also have the option of ending the moratorium at their discretion, noting that time will be needed to enact ordinances for THC licenses or permits similar to those which apply to tobacco and alcohol. 

Despite this, city staff was specifically directed to delay beginning any work on such licensing: 

“Council is indicating that we do not want to put this on the fast track,” Mayor Roy Srp said. “I’m getting from the majority that we want to keep it where we’re at… However, it’s been made very clear that if the council decides–for discussion purposes–if the council decides after the first week in November that they either want to get rid of the moratorium and open things up [or not], then that’s what they’ll direct staff to do.

“With the way things are heading, we need to use all our study sessions for taxes… and set the general levy,” Srp concluded.

Those supporting the moratorium were Srp and council members John Clemmons, Allen Rose, and John Mansfield.

“Tap the brakes,” was how Clemmons, in his first official meeting, described the decision. “I have no problem with THC edibles or oils or anything like that. I have no problem at all. I just thought this moratorium would allow us to reset and come up with a plan.

“It’s easier for a council to do it [a moratorium] before it [THC sales] explodes, if it’s even going to,” Clemmons explained. “If we don’t do a moratorium then what? Are you going to have a plan, Mr. Conrath, to have licensing in place for the future? Or are we going to have the same discussion six months or a year from now? We’re good at discussing. So what is the plan if we don’t do a moratorium? And I really don’t care either way. I thought I would protect the local businesses by putting on a moratorium.”

Council members Mark Christiansen, Jeremy Conrath, and Daren Arndt voted against the moratorium, arguing that it restricted opportunities for new businesses.

“Let’s get this straight,” Christiansen addressed the council. “No new businesses are coming to town?”

“No, there's going to be plenty of new businesses that can come into town anytime they want,” Srp answered. “They’re not going to be able to come in and sell THC gummies and that type of thing.”

“And you’re fine with that?” Christiansen asked. 

“Yes,” responded Srp. “But all the other businesses in the world are welcome in Waseca.”

Srp concluded the public discussion portion of the meeting by thanking everyone who participated; nearly every council member commented at one point or another that the discussion had been beneficial.