Minnesota’s First Non-Tribal Cannabis Shop Opens, But Without Products
The Smoking Tree, a cannabis shop in Albert Lea, Minnesota, has officially opened its doors, but it’s not yet selling any products. The shop’s owner, Jacob Schlichter, is waiting for local Native American tribes to supply him with Minnesota-grown cannabis, which is required by state law.
The shop’s opening comes despite the city council’s rejection of its registration last week. The council voted 3-4 against the shop’s registration, citing a lack of local control over cannabis businesses. However, it’s unclear if the council’s decision followed state law, which gives cities limited power to restrict cannabis businesses.
Schlichter plans to begin selling cannabis later this week, pending the arrival of the products from the tribes. In the meantime, he is using the space to educate people about cannabis laws in Minnesota.
The Smoking Tree is the first non-tribal retail cannabis shop in Minnesota to receive a license from the state. The shop’s opening is a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to legalize recreational cannabis.
However, the shop’s opening has also raised concerns about the potential for a shortage of cannabis products in the state. Schlichter believes that as more shops open, there may be a shortage of products available to all retailers.
The city council’s decision to reject the shop’s registration has also sparked controversy. Some council members argued that the state law does not give local governments enough control over cannabis businesses, while others believe that the council should have been given more say in the matter.
Despite the challenges, Schlichter remains optimistic about the future of his shop. “It’s nothing complicated,” he said. “We’re going to line the walls with some displays. We just sanctioned it off like that, just so it would be easily identifiable, so you know where the public can go and where they cannot.”
The shop’s opening is a significant step forward for the cannabis industry in Minnesota, and it remains to be seen how the shop will fare in the coming months.
