---

A group of neighbors living next to a cannabis cultivation site in Sunrise Township, brought their concerns to the Chisago County Board last week. At the same meeting Commissioner Dan Dahlberg requested some of those same issues be on the meeting agenda. He sought action to have the county planning commission take a look at the cannabis cultivation ordinance and to recommend any helpful revisions.

Zoning code follows state law here when it comes to the relatively new enterprises supporting recreational cannabis in Minnesota.  

State regulators handle security, oversight of product and the state law allows for a “premises” to be permitted locally. These grow operations outdoors are described by the state as a half-acre, one acre and two acre crop canopies.  

The problem is that Chisago County reads the law to mean a premise is a parcel.  The state however, allows for separate licensing for portioned-off acres within an area.

The citizens complained of  an active 18-acre permitted site that has nine two-acre canopies planted.  

They explained the state licenses are issued as separate, resulting in the cultivation covering the entire 18 acres.  There is a 45 acre parcel next to this — which is purchased, they said — being reviewed for what they fear will be about 20 additional cultivation licenses from the state.  Further complicating matters,  they allege, is that the 45 acre cultivation sites are attached to non-existent “addresses” for purposes of submitting the license applications.

They believe the intent of the state was to keep grow fields outdoors to a small size, that wouldn’t have such a negative impact on surrounding property use, but this loophole is being exploited, and the result will be excessive odor, machinery use and other large operation impacts. They do not oppose the legalization of cannabis but just want “reasonable consideration” for their way of life.

If this additional parcel gets approved this fall, they will plant next spring and nothing could be done about authorization.  They asked for an immediate ban on applications.

County commissioners discussed a “moratorium” but agreed that the issues should just go to the planning commission directly. The commission can recommend ordinance changes as fast or faster than the timeframe of a halt.

Commissioner Ben Montzka spoke in favor of a moratorium on cultivation permits at the outset of the discussion, but ultimately voted with the Board to direct any ordinance changes to the planning commission.

Environmental Services Director Kurt Schneider explained the county has the power to regulate time, place and manner of cultivation.  He foresees new standards on property size, licenses per taxable parcel defined, and stronger setbacks from roadways and non-ag zoned adjacent properties.

The state needs to have a conversation to better define what is meant by “premises” and whether a parcel can be “gridded-off” which is also happening at an operation outside of Harris.

Sunrise Township Supervisor Adam Grobove III attended the meeting and stated during an open microphone that it is important the commissioners listen to what the citizens are expressing and support them.

The planning commission was directed to schedule a public hearing on tightening local cultivation regulations as soon as possible.  Commissioner Dahlberg noted he communicated with Senator Mark Koran to have issues addressed at the capitol. 

---