A year after cannabis was legalized in Minnesota, dispensaries in tribal nations have been cultivating and selling the drug. Nahayla Londo of the Waabigwan Mashkiki Dispensary in White Earth Nation, assumed growing marijuana would be similar to her family's vegetable garden.
Today marks one year of legalized recreational marijuana. MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Zach Wilson, CEO of the White Earth operation known as Waabigwan Mashkiki, to reflect on this first year and look forward to what's next.
Last August, Red Lake Nation opened NativeCare, a seed-to-sale cannabis operation. The state’s first cannabis dispensary has hired new leadership and will embark on a campaign to educate customers about the benefits of cannabis.
The state’s Office of Cannabis Management is reviewing applications for the first applicants set to stand up Minnesota’s legal cannabis marketplace. The office is also fine-tuning an inspections regimen.
Now starting its third year, the 988 call line has turned into a lifeline for tens of thousands of Minnesotans. Advocates say it’s been a success helping people with all kinds of health needs, although challenges remain to make the system better.