Minnesota Mayor Arrested for Exceeding Legal Cannabis Cultivation Limits

NEW YORK- In an unexpected turn of events, the mayor of Winnebago, Minnesota, Scott Robertson, and his son Jacob Robertson, have been arrested for operating commercial-grade greenhouses to cultivate cannabis in quantities far exceeding the state’s legal limit. The arrests were made following a collaborative investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies, initiated by an anonymous tip received by the South Central Drug Investigative Unit in January 2023.

Minnesota’s cannabis laws permit adults aged 21 and over to grow cannabis at home for personal use, with a strict limit of eight plants per household, and no more than four of these plants may be in the flowering stage simultaneously. However, the investigation revealed that the Robertsons were growing approximately 240 cannabis plants across several properties, significantly violating state regulations.

Both Scott Robertson, 67, and his son Jacob, 46, have been charged with the unlawful cultivation of cannabis. Following their arrest, they admitted to their involvement in the operation and claimed that they were the sole participants. Reports from FOX 9 indicate that both individuals have since posted bail and were released from jail as of Sunday.

Scott Robertson’s tenure as mayor, which began after a successful write-in campaign in 2021, is now marred by this legal controversy. His arrest raises questions about the oversight and enforcement of cannabis cultivation laws within Minnesota, a state that legalized adult-use cannabis last year, with regulated sales anticipated to begin next year.

This case underscores the challenges and complexities surrounding the regulation of cannabis cultivation and the importance of adherence to state laws, even as the landscape of cannabis legalization continues to evolve across the United States.