Waabigwan Mashkiki, a cannabis company owned by the White Earth Nation, plans to open retail cannabis stores in Moorhead and St. Cloud, Minnesota. This announcement follows the signing of a significant regulatory compact with the State of Minnesota, which allows the tribe to operate cannabis businesses statewide under the state’s 2023 adult-use cannabis law.
The compact, which was authorized by state officials, ensures that the Minnesota Office of Management will oversee operations while respecting the tribe’s jurisdiction and sovereignty. As a result, Waabigwan Mashkiki will become the first tribal cannabis business in Minnesota to operate off-reservation.
Although specific opening dates for the stores have not been disclosed, officials from the White Earth Nation have indicated that one location will serve the Fargo-Moorhead metro area, aiming to provide safe and legal cannabis access to residents in western Minnesota. The second shop in St. Cloud will focus on education, harm reduction, and promoting responsible use of cannabis.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s office stated that this legislation aims to improve public health and safety while ensuring a regulated cannabis market that benefits both the state and tribal nations economically. The CEO of Waabigwan Mashkiki expressed pride in the initiative, highlighting its role in extending the mission of healing and wellness beyond the reservation and into broader communities.
Michael Fairbanks, Chairman of the White Earth Reservation Business Committee, noted that Waabigwan Mashkiki symbolizes the tribe’s values and a commitment to economic development for the health and future of the Anishinaabe people. The White Earth Nation’s entry into the cannabis market marks a notable step in asserting tribal sovereignty and creating sustainable economic opportunities for its members.
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