Second cannabis growing permit on path to approval

One conditional use permit for outdoor growth of cannabis in Waseca County was issued during the May 5 meeting of the Waseca County board of commissioners. A second one was approved by the county planning commission the evening of May 7; planning commission members offered their recommendation that the county board should consider approving the permit during its May 19 meeting.

 

Both sites are south of Waseca near Highway 13. The fully approved location is on property leased by commissioner Brian Harguth, who recused himself from both the discussion and the May 5 vote regarding the conditional use permit (CUP) applying to him. 

 

The parcel to be considered May 19 is owned by Daniel and Tara Harguth.

 

Minnesota state rules limit the size of any single outdoor cannabis “canopy” to no more than two acres–with a possibility that the state Office of Cannabis Management will eventually increase the allowed size to four acres if there is sufficient market demand. Statute requires that fields be behind a locked fence and that records be kept regarding who enters and leaves the site.

 

In the case of Brian Harguth, about 25 acres within a 53-acre were made eligible under the CUP for use in cultivating cannabis.

 

Dan and Tara Harguth’s field is about 9.5 acres in size, and may eventually include up to 5 growing sites for cannabis production. According to information shared at the planning commission meeting, each 2-acre site will require a separate license; fees for a state commercial cannabis growers’ license can be as high as $30,000 a year.