Jeri Scovel and Maia Winskowski spoke to the Hubbard County Board on Tuesday.
Both said they wanted to shed some light on the county’s proposed THC/cannabinoid ordinance.
Scovel owns Hemptress Farms in Lake George, while Winskowski owns Midwest Dabbin’ Cabin, a hybrid smoke and hemp shop in downtown Park Rapids.
Hemp in lieu of narcotics
“We educate all of our clients and customers on the uses of THC,” Winskowski said. “I would have to say that 60% to 70% of our customers are between the ages of 40 and 70 years, with occupations that would astound you. This is the age group that normally comes into a smoke shop looking for products that are trying to be taken out of this community. A lot of our customers that you meet have amazing back stories on why they chose hemp as their form of medicine. We have customers who have chronic pain, PTSD, inflammation, sleep disorders, physical disabilities, etc. that come in here to get a form of relief instead of being on narcotics that are extremely addicting.”
Winskowski also pointed out that hemp-derived products only contain 0.3% THC, which is legal under federal and state law.
“All of my products are compliant under that law,” she said. “Since it’s local, it is also half the price compared to what you’d get at the medical dispensary if you do have a medical cannabis card, which I and my husband also obtained.”
Similar to alcohol and tobacco, the Winskowskis can only sell to adults 21 years and older.
Maia has two stepkids in high school. “Youth can get they’re hands on literally anything,” she said. “Let me tell you, cocaine, meth and opioids are the bigger issue. Marijuana is at the bottom of the list that we should all be caring about, really.”
Scovel was the first licensed, industrial hemp farmer in Hubbard County. She started in 2019 by participating in the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s pilot program.
The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp when the U.S. Department of Agriculture recognized it as a legitimate crop.
Hemp comes from the same plant family as marijuana, but contains very little THC, the psychoactive chemical compound that can induce a high in marijuana users. Both contain cannabidiol (CBD).
To be legal, hemp must contain no more than 0.3% THC.
Medical cannabis — in pill, liquid and vapor form — became available in Minnesota in 2015, and is used to treat such conditions as cancer-related nausea, seizures, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and ALS.
Hemptress Farms markets CBD creams, tinctures, bath bombs, powders, syrup, tea and more. Scovel’s farm is in Lake George, while her store is in Nevis.
“As with everything, the only way to keep our community and youth safe is through education,” she told county commissioners.
Scovel said everyone “has been told for years how ‘bad’ this plant is. I get it. But everyone in the cannabis industry are experts and educators in their field, and we are changing the way people feel about this plant one person or group at a time.”
She continued that “many finally realize the benefits this plant has to offer and has had to offer for many years – from fiber and grain to the medicinal parts of the plant, like CBD, CBG, CBN and the dreaded THC. Marijuana is not a gateway drug. There is no research to validate that myth, but it is a substitute. It’s a substitute to get off opioids, prescription medications, cigarettes and more. It’s the greatest feeling to have someone come up to me and tell me how this plant has helped them in their day-to-day struggles, whether it’s arthritis or anxiety or from the effects of radiation and chemotherapy.”
Scovel pointed out that bars and liquor stores aren’t “stigmatized.” Thanks to education, she said, it doesn’t matter if a bar or liquor store is next to a park, candy store or school.
“We all know the rules and we follow them,” she said. “I feel our community or youth are not getting the credit they deserve. And neither are we. We are still being stigmatized because of what we were taught regarding this plant, which is why education is essential. I hope you do your due diligence in researching this.”
Scovel said she’s available to answer any questions.
In Sept. 2022, Hubbard County Attorney Jonathan Frieden, also representing Hubbard In Prevention Coalition (HIP), proposed a draft ordinance regulating the legal sales of cannabinoid products and drug paraphernalia.
According to the new Minnesota law, which went into effect July 1, edible food and beverage products, such as gummies, containing up to 5 milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) per serving, may be sold to people over the age of 21. Each package may only contain up to 50 milligrams of THC-edible products. Packaging may not be intended to entice children.
The revised ordinance would require an annual license for any person, firm or corporation who owns a cannabinoid retail establishment.
Operating without a license would be a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail or to a payment of a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
Owners with more than a 5% interest in the business would be required to detail each gross misdemeanor or felony conviction they have received and whether they have operated in another city or county.
The county board could deny a license based upon “proximity to locations frequented by youth, including schools, churches, ice cream parlors and retail establishments selling candy,” among other considerations.
In September, board consensus was to continue discussion at the Tuesday, Nov. 8 work session.
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