St. Paul City Council hears public input on proposed marijuana ordinance – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

The St. Paul City Council heard community input Wednesday on a proposal to ban marijuana, hemp and cigarette smoking in city-controlled public spaces.

Violations would be a petty misdemeanor.

Although the ordinance would ban the use of cannabis, hemp, and tobacco products in those spaces, officials say it wouldn’t prohibit possession of the products.

Recreational marijuana became legal in Minnesota on Aug. 1. Since then, a number of cities have enacted similar restrictions.

RELATED: Marijuana and more: New Minnesota laws taking effect Aug. 1

St. Paul City Council President Amy Brendmoen said the council has to balance the personal right to use these products with the right to be free of secondhand smoke.

The Minnesota Medical Association said last week it supports the council’s proposal.

Before Wednesday’s meeting, Council Member Chris Tolbert, who drafted the legislation, introduced an amendment to reduce the scope of the ban to parks and within 25 feet of entrances, exits, windows and ventilation intakes of public places and places of employment within the city.

“This is balancing everyone’s enjoyment with clean air with people’s want to use certain substances,” Tolbert said.

Council Member Mitra Jalali introduced two amendments. One limits the smoking ban to “youth activity areas,” such as playgrounds and athletic fields; another lowers the penalty from a petty misdemeanor to…