Red Lake Nation opens Minnesota’s first adult pharmacy

Sales of regulated adult-use cannabis began Tuesday in Minnesota with the launch of recreational marijuana sales at a dispensary in the Red Lake Nation tribal area.

The Red Lake Nation’s foray into the adult cannabis market in tribal areas of northwest Minnesota coincided with the statewide legalization of recreational marijuana. Under legislation passed by lawmakers and Gov. Tim Walz in May, possession of cannabis by adults age 21 and older was legalized on Aug. 1, though recreational marijuana sales at state-licensed dispensaries aren’t expected to begin until 2025. But as sovereign nations, Minnesota Native American communities have the ability to regulate the production and sale of cannabis on tribal lands.

“It’s one of the few advantages that tribal nations have had, an advantage over everyone else,” Jerry Loud, who oversees operations at Red Lakes Nation pharmacy NativeCare, told WCCO News. “So we’re going to capitalize on that.”

NativeCare was formed after the tribe legalized medical marijuana in 2020. The store began welcoming adult cannabis customers Tuesday, allowing tribesmen and non-members ages 21 and older to purchase limited quantities of cannabis products. Tribal Secretary Sam Strong said he barely slept Monday night as he awaited the introduction of regulated cannabis sales in Minnesota and the end of marijuana “prohibition.”

“It’s a big day,” Strong said. “It’s the end of this war on drugs, which was originally designed to oppress minorities. So it’s only fitting that the Native American tribes participate in this industry – we’ve been hurt the most by the War on Drugs. Now is the time to turn the script around and start an economic development company that can help heal our community.”

Minnesota legalized weed in May

Walz signed a bill into law legalizing recreational marijuana on May 30, making the state the 23rd state in the country to legalize adult-use cannabis. The bill, passed by the Minnesota legislature on May 20, would allow adults age 21 and older to use marijuana recreationally and possess up to two ounces of cannabis in a public place, and will go into effect August 1.

The legislation also legalizes possession of up to two pounds of marijuana in a private home and limited home cultivation of cannabis by adults 21 and older. According to the legislation, adults are allowed to grow up to eight cannabis plants at home, including four mature flowering plants and four immature plants.

Minnesota’s marijuana legalization bill also legalizes commercial cannabis activities. The regulated sale of recreational marijuana occurs after rules are drafted and approved by the Office of Cannabis Management, a new state agency created by the law. The new agency will also regulate medical marijuana and hemp-derived cannabis products.

State authorities have set a target date of May 2024 to begin accepting applications from adult-use cannabis retailers. Recreational marijuana sales are expected to begin in dispensaries in January 2025. Two ounces of cannabis, eight grams of cannabis concentrate, and edibles containing up to 800 milligrams of THC, the cannabis compound largely responsible for the classic marijuana “high.”

Native American pharmacies make the first attempt at the market

The Red Lake Nation and at least one other Native American community are taking the lead in the regulated sale of adult-use cannabis with their own businesses. Charles Goodwin, an incorporated member of the Red Lake Nation, made the first recreational purchase at the tribe’s pharmacy. He told the Star Tribune that that day was “a long time coming” and that the pharmacy was a “huge step forward” for the community.

At least one other Native American community is also planning to regulate the sale of adult-use cannabis on tribal lands. Last week, the tribal council of the White Earth Nation, also in northwest Minnesota, voted to legalize recreational marijuana, with cannabis sales at a dispensary in tribal lands expected to begin in the first half of August. Michael Fairbanks, chairman of White Earth, said selling cannabis grown on the reservation represents a significant opportunity for the tribe. He anticipates that the company will be able to produce high-quality cannabis and sell it at lower prices than upcoming competition.

“It’s not only good for our constituents, it’s good for all Minnesotans,” Fairbanks said in a statement to the Minnesota Reformer.

Citizens of the White Earth Nation voted to legalize medical marijuana in 2020 and planned to open their dispensary in Mahnomen, about 35 miles north of Detroit Lakes, to patients Monday. Sales of recreational marijuana to tribesmen and non-members ages 21 and older are scheduled to begin shortly thereafter.

However, the tribal dispensaries that sell recreational marijuana won’t be convenient for most Minnesotans. The reservations for both Ojibwe tribes are not near the state’s major population centers, requiring a drive of more than three hours from Duluth and four hours or more from twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.