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Marijuana in Minnesota
Melissa Olson

Tribal nations are expanding their footprint in the cannabis industry

two cannabis flowers
Cannabis flowers reach upward toward an array of grow lights at the Waabigwan Mashkiki manufacturing facility in Mahnomen, Minn.
Ann Arbor Miller for MPR News

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Two Ojibwe nations are planning new locations for cannabis dispensaries, including one planned outside reservation borders. 

CEO of Waabigwan Mashkiki Zach Wilson confirmed to MPR News the tribally owned company has leased a building in Moorhead. Wilson said White Earth Nation is inching closer to finalizing an agreement with the state of Minnesota governing tribal cannabis businesses outside the reservation. 

“We’re still working diligently with the state on compacts, but there’s not been anything definitive as of yet,” said Wilson.  

The state of Minnesota has been negotiating the terms of cannabis compacts with tribal nations across the state for the past year. 

Bois Forte Band of Chippewa joins a growing list of tribal nations across the state who’ve entered the cannabis business after the state of Minnesota legalized recreational cannabis last year. 

The band is planning its first foray into the cannabis industry by opening a dispensary on its land north of Ely, according to Bois Forte spokesperson Brian Anderson. The band plans to open the new dispensary at the end of the month near the tribe’s casino. 

The company will operate under the name Bois Forte Cannabis Corporation. The company’s brand will be Ishkode — the Ojibwe word for fire. 

Cannabis compacting 

The state began negotiating compacts with all 11 tribal nations located in the state last year. 

Communications Director for the Office of Cannabis Management Josh Collins says the state is negotiating compacts with several tribal nations “interested in cannabis both on and off reservation lands, including White Earth.”  

The compacting process is led by the governor’s office as a part of the state’s government-to-government relationship with tribal nations. 

“We are not certain of the timeline for completed compacts,” said Collins. 

Collins said once compacting is finalized, the state can address any questions about the provisions of the agreements.  

“Currently, it’s still too early to say,” said Collins.