Minnesota Signs Cannabis Agreement with Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) and the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM)
announced Monday that the state has signed a new cannabis compact with the
Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians.

The agreement is the latest partnership allowing state-licensed cannabis
companies to do business with tribal cannabis operations.

“This partnership opens a new outlet for state-licensed cannabis businesses
to access and sell legal cannabis and honors the independence of the
members of the Red Lake Band. We look forward to their cooperation in
bringing more cannabis supply to the state and seeing their cannabis
operations develop and thrive while respecting the Red Lake Band’s
autonomy.” — OCM Executive Director Eric Taubel, in a press release

Darrell G. Seki, Sr., Chairman of the Red Lake Nation, noted in the release
that the Red Lake Nation’s NativeCare dispensary was the site of the first
legal sales under Minnesota’s adult-use reforms, and that its operators
have since been perfecting their trade.

“The Red Lake Nation is eager to share our top-tier cannabis and cannabis
products with the Minnesota market,” Seki said.

The state of Minnesota has now signed cannabis agreements with the
following tribes:

- Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians
- White Earth Nation, the
- Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, the
- Prairie Island Indian Community, the
- Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and the
- Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe

The governor’s office noted that additional tribal-state compacts are
expected soon.