Minnesota’s Recreational Marijuana Market Expands, Licensing Remains a Challenge
The White Earth Nation is set to open its second cannabis dispensary off the reservation in St. Cloud, Minnesota, on July 2. The dispensary, called Waabigwan Mashkiki, will offer products grown on tribal land and is the second of its kind in the state. The tribe signed a compact with Governor Tim Walz, allowing it to open a few stores without needing a state license.
However, regular business owners are facing significant hurdles in obtaining licenses to open their own dispensaries. St. Cloud is required to license at least six retailers based on population, but the city council has yet to approve any applications. This has left many would-be retailers struggling to get started.
Mary Wedin, owner of Wild Weed in St. Cloud, opened her hemp-derived THC store in April 2024, hoping to eventually convert to recreational cannabis. However, the city zoned her location out of the marijuana business, despite her store still being allowed to sell hemp products and bars and liquor stores being allowed to operate in the area.
Despite the challenges, the demand for recreational marijuana is growing in Minnesota. Dozens of customers have already visited Waabigwan Mashkiki ahead of its official opening, and the dispensary is expecting to serve around 200 customers per day.
The dispensary’s manager, Derek Lee, emphasized the importance of being able to provide products grown on tribal land, saying it allows for greater control over the production process and a higher level of quality. The dispensary will also offer a unique experience, with customers receiving a “Miigwech” (thank you) in the Ojibwe language when they leave.
As the recreational marijuana market continues to expand in Minnesota, it remains to be seen how the licensing process will evolve. For now, the White Earth Nation’s second dispensary is a welcome addition to the state’s growing cannabis industry.
