Minnesota’s First Dispensary Announced

Cannabis Jul 14, 2023 Chicago, IL

Yesterday, Red Lake Nation announced that it will open a dispensary on the Red Lake Reservation on August 1, 2023, the day recreational cannabis becomes legal in Minnesota. The move, as first reported by the Minnesota Reformer, would put the tribal area well ahead of others looking to operate retail establishments in the state, as retail recreational cannabis shops are not expected to be licensed and operational until late 2024 or even 2025. The delay is the result of the need for the creation of the Office of Cannabis Management and the agency’s establishment of an application process and regulations that will control Minnesota’s recreational market.

The Red Lake Nation is well-positioned to launch a tribally run cannabis dispensary since it already cultivates and dispenses medicinal marijuana on the reservation through its NativeCare entity. It legalized medicinal marijuana through a referendum back in 2020. A move that could pay significant dividends now that it can transition to recreational cannabis so quickly. The move is not surprising. As we previously noted here, Gov. Tim Walz anticipated that tribal operators would be the first to open dispensaries in Minnesota. NativeCare announced on its website that “[b]y keeping the entire process on the Red Lake Nation, NativeCare can maintain strict quality control standards, and ensure that the products are free of pesticides, heavy metals or other contaminants.” While NativeCare is poised to be the first recreational dispensary in Minnesota, it will not be convenient for most Minnesotans to visit the site. The Red Lake Reservation is nearly four hours north of the Twin Cities. Given the opportunity tribal operators have to get in first, it would not surprise us if we see more dispensaries popping up on tribal lands in the near future.

This is an exciting development for Minnesota, and our cannabis team continues to be excited about the opportunity that Minnesota brings for both existing operators and those looking to break into the cannabis industry. We are following Minnesota closely and are prepared to assist our clients in obtaining new licenses in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Be sure to continue to follow our blog for updates and please reach out to the author (David Standa, [email protected]) to discuss opportunities in Minnesota.

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Minnesota’s First Dispensary Announced

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