During a recent city council meeting, members discussed strategies for public engagement regarding upcoming cannabis regulations. The conversation highlighted the need for effective communication with the community, balancing the urgency of regulatory timelines with the desire for public input.

One council member proposed exploring options beyond traditional notices, suggesting the publication of articles in the city news and outreach to industry stakeholders to gather their perspectives on regulation. However, Council Member Strawn expressed concerns about the limited time available for extensive public engagement, noting that similar discussions are occurring statewide and that the council has only three months to finalize their approach.

Councilor Schoeder echoed Strawn's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of establishing a regulatory framework quickly while remaining open to future public input and adjustments. The council considered the timing of their next city news publication, which is scheduled for November 1st, and discussed the possibility of utilizing social media and a dedicated webpage to inform the public sooner.

The council members agreed on the necessity of outreach to avoid perceptions of secrecy in their decision-making process, acknowledging the tight deadline of January 1st for implementing the new regulations. The meeting concluded with a commitment to balance the urgency of the situation with the need for community engagement.