Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe opens Sweetest Grass cannabis dispensary

WALKER — Despite an overcast, blustery atmosphere, the

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe

sought celebration as it opened its first cannabis dispensary on Thursday.

Following a soft opening for tribal members on Monday, the new facility — coined Sweetest Grass — was unveiled to the general public and made complete with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“It’s a little windy this morning, but it’s a good day,” Leech Lake Chairman Faron Jackson Sr. said as he addressed the crowd on Thursday. “On behalf of the

Leech Lake Tribal Council,

we’re just happy that this happened. This has been in the works for a while. … It takes a lot of collaboration to get things right and before we opened the doors, we wanted to make sure we had everything right.”

Despite the legalization of recreational marijuana on Aug. 1, 2023, much of Minnesota has had to wait for the implementation of a dispensary licensing system by the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management — expected by 2025 — to set up shop.

Sovereign tribal nations, however, retain control over marijuana regulations on tribal lands. As such,

Red Lake Nation opened the first dispensary in the state on Aug. 1

with

White Earth Nation following suit on Aug. 3.

Before too long, Leech Lake would open its own business following the adoption of an ordinance allowing adult-use recreational cannabis businesses to operate in the area, which was approved on Aug. 31, 2023.

“Through the new ordinance, we’ve established a regulatory framework for cannabis sales and consumption, responding to the needs and preferences of our community members,” Leech Lake Gaming CEO Michael Michaud said.

Michaud noted the intent of the ordinance is to foster entrepreneurship and allow band members to explore business opportunities related to cultivation and dispensaries.

“We’re exercising our tribal sovereignty to chart a unique path in regulating and supporting the cannabis industry, prioritizing the voices of our community members,” he added.

John Herrera, vice chairman for Leech Lake Cannabis Company, expounded on economic opportunities that the company aims to create through the dispensary’s opening.

“One of our goals is not only to operate in a way that’s protecting the public and customers but also look at how we build the economics for the band in terms of profits and the taxes that will be generated,” Herrera said. “How do we advance the community in terms of opportunities?”

Maintaining collaboration with the state and other tribal nations is paramount to the company’s future work, Herrera added.

“Cooperation with the state of Minnesota is of utmost importance,” he said. “It’s because they changed their laws that we’re able to build our laws.”

Representing

Prairie Island Indian Community near the Twin Cities,

Tribal Council President Grant Johnson detailed upcoming plans to open “Island Pezi,” an adult-use recreational cannabis company, later this summer.

He acknowledged the work that other tribal nations have exerted to launch their own dispensaries and expressed excitement for Prairie Island’s future business venture.

“With the collective work amongst the tribes, it is our hope that we can become a cornerstone of this new cannabis market in the state of Minnesota,” Johnson said, “so we just want to applaud them.”

Just prior to cutting the ribbon, Jackson detailed his elder’s experience with hemp oil and the benefits he claimed to receive for his post-traumatic stress disorder.

“He said, ‘Faron, it was real beneficial to me. A lot of veterans that are dealing with PTSD, anxiety and issues they deal with on a daily basis, it really helps them out,’” Jackson said. “I’m just excited about what this is going to bring medically to our community.”

Jackson also commended the central nature of Sweetest Grass’ location at 6838 Y Frontage Road NW.

“We’re located right in the heart of Cass County, and this location was key,” he said. “This store is here for everyone in our community.”

As eager attendees crowded the storefront, Jackson sliced through the crimson ribbon as Michaud welcomed everybody inside: “Welcome to the Sweetest Grass dispensary!”

More information can be found on the

“Sweetest Grass” Facebook page.