Max Nesterak, Minnesota Reformer
Red Lake Nation’s tribal council voted Tuesday to legalize marijuana for recreational use and start selling it to both tribal members and non-tribal ones on August 1.
Red Lake Nation could become the first entity in the state to operate a recreational marijuana dispensary. This gives the tribe an important head start on the green rush for a share of the estimated $1.5 billion cannabis market.
Retail locations will not open until 12 to 18 more months, because state officials need to first create a licensing system for dispensaries.
Red Lake Nation has a good position to open a cannabis dispensary that is run by the tribe. The tribe has already grown and distributed medicinal marijuana in the reservation after legalizing medicinal marijuana by referendum in 2020.
Sam Strong, Red Lake Nation’s tribal secretary, announced that the tribe’s medical marijuana dispensary NativeCare will start selling recreational marijuana. Minnesotans over 21 can purchase limited quantities of cannabis in the store.
Red Lake may have the advantage of opening the first dispensary but it will not be convenient for Minnesota consumers. Red Lake is located about 30 minutes away from Bemidji and around three hours away from Moorhead and Duluth. It’s also four hours away from the Twin Cities. Red Lake may also be able to open dispensaries near Thief river Falls and Warroad.
Strong said that legalizing marijuana would help the tribe fight the opioid epidemic and that part of the revenue generated will be used to fund substance abuse prevention.
Strong stated that they see it as a tool to not only reduce harm but also to bring resources in to help our people heal.
Research has found that legalizing marijuana is associated with fewer opioid deaths and overdoses, but the evidence for this is mixed.
Red Lake and the other tribes are also able to run dispensaries outside of reservations through compacts negotiated by Gov. Tim Walz (D).
Strong said that the tribal members currently cultivate and distribute medicinal marijuana which meets high standards and is free of harmful contaminants.
Strong stated that the tribe would release more information for cannabis users before the end the month.
Alcohol remains illegal within the Red Lake Reservation, despite the legalization of recreational marijuana.
The original publication of this story was by Minnesota Reformer.
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The post Minnesota Indian Tribe to Launch Marijuana Sale on August 1, while Maintaining Ban On Alcohol first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
