St. Paul, Minn. — Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) have finalized a cooperative agreement with the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians to support collaboration in Minnesota’s legal adult-use cannabis market.
The agreement, made possible under state law (Minnesota Statutes, section 3.9228), establishes a framework for the state and the Red Lake Nation to work together to protect public health and safety while honoring the Tribe’s sovereignty, cultural heritage, and economic goals.
OCM Executive Director Eric Taubel praised the partnership, noting it will create new opportunities for state-licensed cannabis businesses to engage with the Red Lake Nation’s growing operations, increase supply into Minnesota’s regulated market, and support the Tribe’s autonomy.
The Red Lake Nation’s NativeCare dispensary was the first in Minnesota to sell adult-use cannabis after legalization in August 2023. With this cooperative agreement, NativeCare and other Tribal cannabis ventures can legally collaborate with state-licensed operators, benefiting both the state’s regulated system and the Tribe’s economy.
Red Lake Nation Chairman Darrell G. Seki, Sr. expressed excitement about the collaboration and highlighted the Tribe’s commitment to producing high-quality, toxin-free cannabis products. He emphasized that the finalized agreement opens the door for the Red Lake Nation to bring its top-tier products to the broader Minnesota market.
Like other Tribal-state cannabis agreements, this cooperative arrangement includes measures to ensure rigorous product testing, data collection, and consistent standards for consumers across Minnesota’s cannabis marketplace.
