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CHRONICLING LEGAL CANNABIS IN MINNESOTA

By Matt DeLong

In this week’s Nuggets: Island Peži to open off-reservation cannabis store in Mankato; Anoka opens nation’s first city-owned cannabis dispensary; Minnesota’s first licensed cannabis delivery service hopes to open within weeks; state lacks authority to prosecute White Earth pot case, court rules: Clemon Dabney writes that 2026 could be big for Minnesota cannabis — if we fix these bottlenecks; Wisconsin Democrats announce marijuana legalization bill; a new U study seeks participants who regularly consume THC or CBD edibles, beverages; and a roundup of local government news.

Island Peži to open off-reservation cannabis store in Mankato: More than three months after Prairie Island Indian Community signed a cannabis compact with Minnesota authorizing the tribe to open retail cannabis stores outside of tribal lands, the tribe announced this week that it will open its first such dispensary in Mankato. Island Peži, the tribally owned adult-use cannabis dispensary with an existing location outside the Treasure Island Casino near Red Wing, will open a second location in the southern Minnesota city, according to a news release. The tribe is currently working with Mankato officials to finalize plans for the project and no opening date has been set. In addition to its retail store, Prairie Island Indian Community operates cannabis cultivation, manufacturing and distribution businesses. Mankato currently has two adult-use cannabis dispensaries open for business — Rise and Voyager Cannabis Co. — according to the Minnesota Star Tribune’s retail cannabis map.

Anoka opens nation’s first city-owned cannabis dispensary: Anoka opened the first city-owned cannabis dispensary in Minnesota on Thursday, Feb. 5. Anoka Cannabis Co., at 839 E. River Road, is also the only municipal marijuana retailer operating in the United States, Mayor Erik Skogquist said. The 2023 law that made marijuana legal in Minnesota allows cities to open one publicly owned cannabis store within their boundaries. Anoka Cannabis Co. will be open by reservation only Friday, Feb. 6, through Sunday, Feb. 8, then will fully open its doors Monday, Feb. 9. Read more. 

Minnesota’s first licensed cannabis delivery service hopes to open soon: The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) issued its first cannabis delivery license to Moonlight MN LLC in Plymouth. The company was also awarded a cannabis transporter license. Co-owner Allie Mann told Nuggets she hopes to launch Moonrover, which will deliver adult-use cannabis and hemp-derived products to the Twin Cities metro area, within a few weeks. Mann and her husband, Carter, also own Moonlight Cannabis, which makes a line of hemp-derived THC and CBD gummies.

State lacks authority to prosecute White Earth pot case, court rules: “A Minnesota court dismissed a case against an Ojibwe man who was charged with first degree felony possession of marijuana after police seized more than 7 pounds of cannabis during a raid at his reservation-based tobacco shop. In an opinion issued Monday, the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled that the state of Minnesota has no authority to prosecute Todd Jeremy Thompson, 56, of Mahnomen, who was arrested after the state fully legalized cannabis in 2023. Thompson, who owns the Asema Pipe & Tobacco Shop, faced up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted,” Mike Mosedale reports for the Minnesota Reformer. Read more.

OPINION | 2026 could be big for Minnesota cannabis — if we fix these bottlenecks: “Minnesota is not uniquely cursed. Most states that have legalized adult-use cannabis have had some version of this early turbulence. New York had lawsuits, licensing delays and a painfully slow trickle of operational dispensaries before sales finally began to ramp up. Other states have had lab shortages or regulatory missteps that forced mid-course corrections. We are not the first to struggle with building the plane while it’s already taxiing. The question is not whether we face bumps — we have and will. The question is whether we learn fast enough that those bumps don’t become walls,” writes Star Tribune opinion columnist Clemon Dabney. Read more.

Wisconsin Democrats announce marijuana legalization bill: “In a bid to capitalize on recent bipartisan pushes to regulate the state’s hemp industry, Wisconsin Democrats have introduced a bill to fully legalize marijuana. But the effort to create legal recreational and medical programs is all but sure to fail,” Anya Van Wagtendonk reports for Wisconsin Public Radio. Read more.

New U study seeks participants who regularly consume THC or CBD edibles, beverages: University of Minnesota researchers Lauren Tschida and Dr. Lisa Harnack are conducting a research study with the goal of developing a questionnaire to assess the use of edibles and beverages containing THC or CBD. For this purpose, they are seeking input from Minnesota residents 21 or older who consume these products at least once per month. Participants will be paid $200 for completing two 45-minute zoom interviews and three online surveys. Those interested can complete this survey to apply.

Local government roundup:

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Feb. 6-8 (Fri.-Sun.): Anoka Cannabis Co. Grand Opening - Minnesota's first municipal cannabis store marks its launch with deals on flower (opening weekend sales by appointment only) and a Sally Port Party from noon-4 p.m. Saturday featuring a photo booth, swag station, freebie table, and vendors. Anoka Cannabis Company, 839 E. River Rd., Anoka. More info.

Feb. 11 (Wed.): Blue Crush THC Beverage Tasting - 23rd State will be sampling Blue Crush, a new THC-infused sparkling wine alternative at the Canna Club Happy Hour. 5-9 p.m. Earl Giles Distillery Mezzanine, 1325 NE. Quincy St., Minneapolis. More info. 

Feb. 15 (Sun.): Light 'Em Up The Bong Show - "The Hook is teaming up with local comic/host/producer Ira Ford, our friends at Retro Bakery, Smoke SuMN, TerpWolves, Zen Arcade, Green Piece Minnesota and 12 very special Midwest comedians to present a live stand-up showcase/competition." 7-10 p.m. Hook and Ladder Theater, 3010 Minnehaha Av., Minneapolis. More info.

Feb. 27-28 (Fri.-Sat.): Lucky Leaf Expo Minneapolis - "Come network with some of the best professionals in the cannabis industry during our two-day cannabis conference." Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 S. 2nd Av., Minneapolis. More info.

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