Cambridge takes initial step in moving forward with medical marijuana manufacturing facility

Following a thorough discussion, the Cambridge City Council has taken an initial step in bringing a medical marijuana manufacturing facility to the city’s Industrial Park.

During an Aug. 26 special meeting of the City Council, Economic Development Director Stan Gustafson explained he received an email from Greater MSP indicating the organization was contacted by a pharmaceutical manufacturing company pursuing a production facility for cannabis-based medicine. Two Minnesota licenses, and board-certified emergency medicine physicians, are with the company.

Following discussion, the council approved a motion by a 3-2 vote to authorize staff to contact the company to prepare a purchase agreement for a potential land sale of approximately 20 acres encompassing three sites within Cambridge Opportunity Industrial Park, and bring it back for approval at the council’s Sept. 2 meeting. Council Members Corey Bustrom and Chris Caulk voted against the motion.

Gustafson explained the company anticipates 35 permanent jobs in the first year and predicts growth of up to 150 permanent jobs by the third year. The company anticipates a $10 million capital investment at the beginning and growing up to $25 million over the first three years.

The company is seeking a supportive community that will bring full city approval, as well as approval from local police and fire departments, to comply with the Minnesota Department of Health, Gustafson explained. The company will have a state-of-the-art facility to ensure the facility, products, employees and community are safe, he said.

Gustafson said the facility will be used for the growing and pharmaceutical production of legal cannabis oils or pills. All production is required to be enclosed in the buildings, and Minnesota rules have strict security measures that must be adhered to.

Gustafson told the council members, regardless of if they agree with the medical marijuana law, production and distribution are now legalized in the state. Minnesota, on May 29, became the 22nd state to sign a medical marijuana bill into law.

“I would like to believe Greater MSP sends us emails about qualified companies,” Gustafson said. “I look at this as a pharmaceutical manufacturing

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Cambridge takes initial step in moving forward with medical marijuana manufacturing facility