Mayor And Son In Small Minnesota Town Arrested For Illegally Growing Marijuana

Minnesota Mayor Scott Robertson and his son Jacob Robertson were charged with illicit cannabis cultivation reported CBS News. State regulations allow Minnesotans to grow only up to eight cannabis plants per house, and only four can be mature. 

Police seized more than 200 plants "believed to be cannabis" from Robertsons' properties at different locations. The police used search warrants to conduct the raid last Thursday and discovered 55 plants at Main Street and 185 plants at 340th Avenue in Winnebago, a town in Faribault County with fewer than 1,400 residents. Plants were labeled with names such as "Lady Kush," and "Gorilla Cookies," reported Twin Cities. 

The father-son duo is facing several charges connected to the illegal growing of marijuana plants. Both men have been arrested and are being held at the Faribault County Jail.

The police document reveals the Robertsons previously ran a licensed regulated hemp cultivation business and both had licenses that expired in December. They reportedly had not registered any hemp plants with the state since 2021. Under Minnesota law, each hemp crop needs to be registered with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Hemp is considered to have only 0.3% delta 9 THC, under the 2018 Farm Bill, which is still in effect. 

The law enforcement agents also discovered a box of seeds addressed to Scott Robertson with financial data suggestions for a $360,000 profit distribution plan. 

The mayor's first court appearance is set for Friday, while the son has a court hearing scheduled for March 25.

Recent Cannabis Developments In Minnesota

Minnesota's Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) recently held an informational webinar in which it revealed that the agency is still hiring new employees and setting up the infrastructure to run the legal cannabis marketplace. State regulators indicated they're hoping the legislature will consider proposed changes to the licensing process enabling the program's launch in 2025

Among the proposed changes detailed in two reports is a recommendation to allow temporary business licenses, especially for social equity applicants to launch sales sooner rather than later.

See Also: Minnesota Prepares For Launch Of Its Legal Cannabis Market With Pre-Licensing Property Reforms

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