Cannabis Sales Launch On Tribal Land In Minnesota As Rest Of State Works Out Red Tape For Legal Program

The first shop open for business on Tuesday, the NativeCare dispensary, is on the Red Lake Nation in north-central Minnesota, home of the Ojibwe people, an independent nation that is federally recognized as an Indian tribe. Minnesota is now the 23rd state in the nation to legalize weed for recreational use. 

“Once the bill was passed, there was the ability to open our dispensary and make it safe for Minnesotans to come on and purchase, we wanted to be the first, we not only wanted to be the first, we wanted to be the best experience,” said Tribal Secretary Samuel Strong, per a local ABC station.

The Red Lake Nation already had a cannabis-growing operation, with 24 employees, where they sold medical marijuana to patients.

Because of that infrastructure and the fact that tribal nations don’t need to wait for the state’s licensing system to get up and running, Red Lake Nation is in prime position as the new recreational cannabis law takes effect on August 1.

“Making some dollars, it’s an economic driver for the Red Lake Nation, we’ve invested a lot of money into this, that whole ROI, we want a return on our investment,” said Jerry Loud, executive director.

While tribal officials won’t share financial projections, noted KSTP-TV, they will likely boost the community's financial situation.

Red Lake leaders say they’re expecting long lines Tuesday based on pre-orders and will bring in security teams as sales are cash-only.

“I think the thing that makes me most nervous is making sure everyone has a good experience and we’re able to accommodate all the requests,” Strong said.

Marijuana and other products sold at the shop, point out Tribal leaders, can’t be used in public spaces on their land.

Meanwhile cannabis shops across Minnesota will not open until the state figures out a licensing system for the businesses. Some estimate the won’t open until early 2025. The state’s medical marijuana system will continue.