Minnesota Signs Cannabis Compact with Lower Sioux Indian Community 

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) on Monday signed a cannabis compact with the
Lower Sioux Indian Community. It is the ninth such agreement between the
state and Minnesota tribes to regulate Tribal cannabis businesses off
tribally regulated lands.

In a statement, Joseph O’Brien, president of the Lower Sioux Indian
Community Council, called the compact “a meaningful step forward for the
Lower Sioux Indian Community in the State of Minnesota.”

“This compact reflects the state of Minnesota’s growing respect for Tribal
sovereignty and economic self‑determination. And we are excited for the
opportunities it creates for our community – opportunities to support our
people, strengthen our economy, and move forward in partnership with the
state of Minnesota in a good way.” — O’Brien in a press release

Eric Taubel, executive director of the Minnesota Office of Cannabis
Management (OCM), added that “state and Tribal leaders share a commitment
to further build a mature cannabis industry that is safe, equitable and
sustainable.”

Tribal Nations that enter into cannabis compacts or cooperative agreements
with the state have established Tribal regulatory agencies that will
license Tribal cannabis enterprises and oversee enforcement of the Tribe’s
civil regulatory cannabis program using standards that meet or exceed
those established by OCM.

In addition to the Lower Sioux Indian Community, Minnesota officials have
entered into cannabis comppacts with the Bois Forte Band of the Minnesota
Chppewa Tribe, Fond du Lac Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa, Leech Lake
Band of Ojibwe, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Prarie Island Indian Community,
Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, Shakopee Mdewakaton Sioux Community, and
White Earth Nation.