Using marijuana in public draws scrutiny of city

White Bear Lake —The control of public use of marijuana will be one of the provisions of a new city ordinance controlling adult marijuana use.

City Attorney Troy Gilchrist says public marijuana use is currently not prohibited in the city. Gilchrist is urging the White Bear Lake city council to look for some sort of “level playing field” when it comes to public marijuana usage and the current laws regarding public usage of tobacco and alcohol.

Mayor Dan Louismet agrees and thinks a future ordinance regarding the public use of marijuana should search for a level of parity with alcohol and tobacco products.

“We currently prohibit the use of alcohol in a public park and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t prevent the use of marijuana in a public park,” Louismet said. “I think that makes good sense.”

White Bear Lake City Council Notes

The police department will purchase thermal imaging two drones. Thermal imaging drones would have been invaluable on past calls of a drowning on White Bear Lake, missing vulnerable adults and children, suspects fleeing on foot and an officerinvolved shooting. Funding from a $14,000 a grant requires a matching contribution from the city of $30,600. Police chief Julie Swanson says restrictions prohibit the police department from invading the privacy of citizens with drones.

Councilmember Kevin Edberg also thinks council should search for some sort of parity between the three drugs while forming a future ordinance and search for consistency regarding the legality of public usage.

City manager Crawford says the city can draft a public marijuana use ordinance based on other cities’ models and existing ordinances and present it to the council for a first reading during the Aug. 22 city council meeting.

• T here was approval for the construction of a 14-bed nursing home at 2687 County Road D.

• Element Design-Build has been approved to redevelop the vacant gas station site at 2502 County Road E. into 9, 2.5-story townhome units. The project includes two separate townhome buildings, an outdoor courtyard, a standalone community room, a stormwater management area, and surface lot guest parking.

• T he next regular city council meeting is Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

Sebastian Studier