With the state’s new adult-use marijuana law allowing citizens to grow their own plants, one Minnesota cannabis expert is teaching a class on how to produce marijuana at home successfully.
One of the most exciting aspects of the legalization of recreational cannabis is the ability to cultivate and enjoy home-grown marijuana. While some states do not allow consumers to grow their own plants, others, like Minnesota, have built-in protections and limits for individuals interested in cultivating the versatile and hearty plant.
However, the process is not as simple as buying seeds, planting them, and then waiting for the buds to blossom. For many marijuana enthusiasts, growing the plant is as much an art form as it is farming. One of those talented cannabis connoisseurs is Steve Rosenfeldt, owner of Ediblez OTC in Moorhead, Minnesota.
According to numerous local and national media outlets, Rosenfeldt has begun giving cultivation and cannabis basics workshops free to the public to enable people to get a foot in the door of the highly competitive industry. He is currently offering monthly Cannabis 101 and Growing 101 Workshops on the last Tuesday of each month at the Midtown Tavern in Moorhead.
Many of those in attendance believe the skills Rosenfeldt is teaching will be invaluable as the Minnesota market develops and matures over the coming years. "Really nice to be able to learn how to grow your own and not have to go to the store," said Jamie Carrillo, who was one of 40 people to attend the most recent workshop on Nov. 28.
"Really nice to be able to learn how to grow your own and not have to go to the store."
- Jamie Carillo, an attendee at Rosenfeldt's Cannabis Workshop
That particular class is Rosenfeldt's third one so far, and he plans to offer as many classes as demand dictates. Because of the lack of knowledge surrounding cannabis and the judgment still associated with the much-maligned and misunderstood flower, Rosenfeldt is pleasantly surprised by the intense interest and substantial turnout.
"There's still a lot of stigma. People are skittish of even being seen in here, so it was kind of a surprise to have as many people turn out," he said.
"There's still a lot of stigma. People are skittish of even being seen in here, so it was kind of a surprise to have as many people turn out."
- Steve Rosenfeldt, Owner of Ediblez OTC and Cannabis Workshop Teacher
While Rosenfedlt is legally allowed to sell seeds for growing cannabis at his store, he is still unable to sell any marijuana products. The newly established Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) must still create rules and regulations to govern the Minnesota marijuana market. Once those guidelines are agreed upon and approved, the OCM will begin issuing licenses to prospective retail dispensaries.
That eighteen-month window is ideal for would-be growers to learn the skills and "tricks" for cultivating their own home-grown plants. The seeds cost between $30 and $40, and it takes approximately four months for the seedlings to grow into mature plants.
Under Minnesota's new adult-use cannabis law, individuals are limited to the following:
- Cultivate up to a maximum of eight cannabis plants.
- There can be no more than four mature plants.
- The "home" must be the primary residence of someone over 21.
- Plants must be in an enclosed and locked space out of public view.
Rosenfeldt was also surprised to find that most of his attendees were not stereotypical cannabis users. "My number-one clientele is people over 50, so a lot of people are using it for aches, pains, sleep, abstaining from alcohol is a really big one that people use it for." Rosenfeldt said.
"My number-one clientele is people over 50, so a lot of people are using it for aches, pains, sleep, abstaining from alcohol is a really big one that people use it for."
- Steve Rosenfeldt, Owner of Ediblez OTC and Cannabis Workshop Teacher
His expertise and willingness to share could be invaluable for Minnesotans seeking relief from a myriad of maladies that cannabis can help treat.
With the OCM still smarting from the debacle surrounding the appointment of its first director, Erin Dupree, who stepped down less than 24 hours after her appointment over allegedly selling products at her hemp-based company that exceeded state limits on THC potency, it will be some time before Governor Walz appoints her replacement. Furthermore, once a director is in place, it will still take longer to hash out and finally agree upon the rules and regulations necessary to guide and manage the new sector.
During that interim period, the only recourse for some individuals, like Carillo, will be to cultivate their own plants. Having a resource like Rosenfeldt available to educate and guide prospective individual growers will be paramount to establishing a passionate and knowledgeable foundation for a Minnesota cannabis market expected to exceed $1.5 billion by 2029.
