DETROIT LAKES
— Tim Rohloff and Rose Diemert of rural Waubun plan to use computer-controlled and precisely dosed hydroponic cultivation to grow cannabis in a 5,000-square-foot facility in Shell Lake Township.

The Becker County Board on Tuesday granted Rohloff and Diemert their request for a conditional use permit “for the cultivation, manufacture and wholesale of cannabis.” Approval had been recommended by the Becker County Planning Commission.

The facility, when built, will be largely regulated by the state, but a county conditional use permit was also required.

Rohloff said they expect to produce about 800 pounds of cannabis per year in the enclosed, indoor cultivation facility.

Both Rohloff and Diemert have technology backgrounds, and it shows in their water-friendly production plans — growing the cannabis plants in compost made from coconut hair, or coco coir fiber, which is fine enough to give plant roots access to oxygen, while holding the nutrient-rich water and providing plant stability.

The system is “extremely efficient” and does not produce any wasted water, so there will be no issue with water runoff, Rohloff said.

The new grow facility will use “innovative technology, using AI (Artificial Intelligence) capabilities we’re developing ourselves in-house,” he said, adding that they are happy to partner and share information with Becker County since the business is new here.

A well and septic system will be on the 40-acre site, and the permit allows expansion up to a 15,000-square-foot facility. “We will have plans to expand,” he said.

The no-odor operation will be inside one building, with perimeter security and state-approved composting facilities.

“It will likely be fenced, that is my strong preference,” Rohloff said, adding that the final security plan depends on state regulations that have not yet been finalized.

Cannabis waste material will be composted on-site, mixed with soil “to make it undesirable” for human use, he said. It could also be mulched and combined with other material. There are other possible uses for the (non-THC active) stems, stalks and fibrous parts of the cannabis plants, such as pelletizing the material to burn in wood stoves, he said.

In any event, the waste material will be stored on site, recycled if possible, and hopefully safely marketed under state regulations, he said. Failing that, it will be mixed in with compost and disposed of properly.

Security will be strong, no cash will be kept on site, and WiFi wireless networking technology “will cover every inch of developed property,” he added. The facility will be located back several hundred feet from the road and will keep a low profile, with obscure lighting and no business signage, so as to “not put a target on our backs,” Rohloff said. Although, he added later “there’s really no incentive for thieves to break in other than curiosity itself.”

Rohloff and Diemert hope to work with Itasca-Mantrap Electric Cooperative to bury key power lines serving the facility to avoid potential power outages. “Power consumption for facilities of this nature are notable,” Rohloff said, and the company — Fire Cannabis, LLC — is exploring options for backup energy to keep the operation humming during a power outage.

Commissioner Erica Jepson made it clear that the state does the heavy lifting when it comes to regulating businesses under the new recreational cannabis law. “We’re just here to regulate the land use, the state regulates everything else,” she reminded commissioners. “Under our current zoning, this is an appropriate use.”

While other commissioners seemed comfortable granting the conditional use permit, Commissioner Phil Hansen had concerns. “There are more questions than answers,” he said. “Once the horse is out of the barn, others can say ‘well, you let him do it,’” Hansen said.

The conditional use permit was approved 4-1, with Hansen casting the dissenting vote.

The business hopes to break ground on the well and septic system in late May or early June, Rohloff said.