Out at a farm near Farmington, a dozen greenhouses sit on 12 and a half acres of land that have been left untouched for over a year. Overgrown weeds poke out of a clear tarp that just barely covers the greenhouse roofs. Tangled hoses are piled on the floor by one of the doors. Bundles of blue wire hang from the ceiling in the main corridor, where a new security system was supposed to be installed.
Regulatory problems, namely getting local signoff, have the plans stuck in place. That's led to litigation and is among a series of lawsuits cropping up around Minnesota as the still-forming legal marijuana industry is getting off the ground. Clashes between local authorities and would-be cannabis operations are leading to rearranged plans, court fights or resignation that some might not come to pass as planned. In the case of the Farmington fields, things are in limbo.
"It's honestly depressing," said Josh Kasprzyk. "We've invested millions here."
Since 2019, Kasprzyk and his business partner, Richard Brama, have grown hemp at the farm to produce low-dose THC products under BKR Brands. The plan had always been to cultivate recreational cannabis there once it became legal in Minnesota and lease some of their space to other license holders.
Read more at MPR News
