The state’s second adult-use cannabis dispensary outside tribal lands opened Wednesday in St. Cloud. It’s operated by the White Earth Nation’s cannabis company Waabigwan Mashkiki. The name means medicine flower in Ojibwe. The company opened its first off-reservation in Moorhead in May.
Customers for the dispensary began lining up outside it around 8 a.m. Two hours later, when the doors opened, the line stretched around the side of the building.
Pierrie James was one of the first people in line during the dispensary’s grand opening. And he could barely hold back his enthusiasm.
“It’s a great experience to have this place here, because everybody, as you can see, weed brings everybody together, like Cheech and Chong,” said James, who goes by PM, short for Positive Message. “So go ahead and smoke them if you got them. Yes, Lord, you know we gonna have a good day.”
Since Minnesota legalized cannabis two years ago, more than half of the tribal nations located in the state have entered the cannabis industry on reservation lands. In May, the state of Minnesota and White Earth finalized a cannabis compact agreement. The document lays out the terms and conditions under which the tribe may regulate and operate cannabis businesses outside tribal lands.
Husband and wife, Gary and Michelle Wilson were among those waiting in line for the St. Cloud dispensary to open. Gary said his wife has a preexisting medical condition and has experienced firsthand the medicinal benefits of cannabis over the last two years she’s been using it.
While some have been critical of Minnesota’s slow rollout for adult recreational cannabis use across the state since it was legalized in August 2023, Gary Wilson said he doesn’t see an issue with it.
“If the state took a little bit longer, I’m OK with that as they try to structure things in a way that makes sense for them,” he said. “Because they’ve never done it before.”
The dispensary’s retail director Derek Lee said after some discussion Wednesday’s soft opening was combined with its grand opening. And he added, community response has been strong.
“It’s been great. The community’s out here. They’re showing up. The team is performing excellent,” Lee said. “You know, we’re happy to be here and get some cannabis into some adult users’ hands without a medical card.”
Lee said all products sold at White Earth Nation’s dispensaries are grown and packaged on the tribe’s reservation in Mahnomen.
While product choices were slim today, Lee said that it will all change in the coming days, with edibles and drinks coming soon.
“Everything’s tested by a third party, so we know it’s safe,” Lee said. “We know exactly how much THC is in it. It’s free of microbials, molds, heavy metals, all that good stuff. It’s a great quality product.”
Later, after James came out of the dispensary with his purchases, he said he was impressed with how smooth the interaction went. And he said prices were respectable.
“Come and get it. If you don’t, you’ll be losing out,” he said. “Wake up. Wake up like Folgers in your cup.”
