MAHNOMEN—The White Earth Nation became the second tribe in Minnesota to sell recreational cannabis.
The White Earth Reservation Business Council approved codes for the sale of recreational cannabis on Friday, July 28.
The Band has been working toward a medicinal cannabis dispensary for a few years, according to Tom LaVoy, the Interim Executive Director of WE-Enterprises and Waabigwan Mashkiki, the name of the new dispensary.
Waabigwan Mashkiki means medicine flower in Ojibwe.
"The vision for a medical cannabis program started about three years ago,” said LaVoy.
“We adopted our medical cannabis code and then we had adopted our rules and regulations and we started building this plant.”
We believe there may be some strategic spots around the reservation that we could even look at, being closer to the Bemidji as an example, closer to Detroit Lakes, or maybe even closer to Park RapidsTom LaVoy
Waabigwan Mashkiki’s storefront is housed in an Amish-built cabin on East Adams Avenue in Mahnomen.
The warehouse behind the cabin, according to LaVoy, is where the product is grown, in a secure, fenced-in campus.
“It took us about two years to build this plant and we always believed that, with the way the rest of the states were turning to adult recreational, that Minnesota eventually would follow,” added LaVoy.
“This spring probably happened a lot faster than we all expected,” LaVoy said.
“The state basically adopted all the bills and regulations that allowed us to do everything we needed to start selling the medical and then recreationally on Aug. 1.”
The new dispensary, according to LaVoy, is only the beginning.
“You know, initially I think we can only open locations on the reservation, but yeah, we believe there may be some strategic spots around the reservation that we could even look at, being closer to the Bemidji as an example or closer to Detroit Lakes or maybe even closer to Park Rapids.”
While not as busy as the Red Lake Nation’s opening of NativeCare, Waabigwan Mashkiki’s customers were able to wait for their opportunity to purchase indoors.
The White Earth Band’s cannabis operation currently employs 20 people and is cultivating about 200 pounds of cannabis a month for sale, with plans to expand.
"We will be producing about 250 pounds of marijuana on a monthly basis, but we have an expansion plan to potentially go to 400 and if we build out the entire facility, it will be nearly 700 pounds a month,” said LaVoy.
White Earth is not closed reservation and the Band is a member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, unlike the Red Lake Nation.
State and local authorities have jurisdiction on these tribal lands, and cannabis dispensaries on White Earth must be licensed by the band.
The White Earth Reservation Business Committee announced in a press release Thursday, Aug. 3, that an illegal cannabis dispensary was shut down on Wednesday, Aug. 2.
The Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force and Mahnomen County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case with the cooperation of the White Earth Band.
“The Band would like to reiterate that while adult-use cannabis has been decriminalized it is still an area that is heavily regulated by both the State and the Band. No person or entity can produce or sell cannabis within the White Earth Reservation without a license issued by the White Earth Medicinal Cannabis Control Commission,” stated the release.
“The commission is authorized to issue a notice of seizure to any person or entity that is found to possess or sell illegal cannabis. The commission will seize and destroy any illegal cannabis within the exterior boundaries of the White Earth Reservation.”
Cannabis operations across the country operate in cash-only, and Waabigwan Mashkiki is no exception.
Tribes still have the opportunity to capitalize on the new law Aug. 1, with the law authorizing tribal nations to create their own regulations for sales on reservations.
"There are not many opportunities you find like this where you are potentially only two or three competitors in a market for a couple of years,” said LaVoy.
“In a very highly sought after product from all over the state, so this incredible opportunity for the for the tribe.”
Waabigwan Mashkiki, 850 E Adams Avenue in Mahnomen, is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
