Notice of Publication for Public Comment Announced by White Earth Nation

In a November 4, 2025, press release, Laurie York, Executive Director of White Earth Reservation, issued a Notice of Publication for Public Comment (1). The White Earth Reservation Business Committee adopted on October 31, 2025, a new resolution and directed York to make the revisions to the resolution public.

Public commentary will be processed via email.

Some of the revisions included in the resolution are (2,3):

• Cannabis means any adult-use, recreational, or medicinal cannabis concentrate, cannabis flower, cannabis plant, cannabis product, edible cannabis product, and artificially derived cannabinoid.
• This Code replaces and repeals the Adult-Use Cannabis Code (enacted August 2023) and Medicinal Cannabis Code (first enacted January 5, 2021, last amended August 2023).
• Synthetic Cannabis Prohibited. The use, possession, manufacture, sale, transfer, and retail sale of synthetic cannabis is prohibited.
• Tribally Regulated Land means (i) all land held in trust by the United States for the benefit of a Minnesota Tribal government (“trust land”); (ii) all land held by a Minnesota Tribal government in restricted fee status; and, (iii) all land within the exterior boundaries of the reservation of a Minnesota Tribal government that is subject to the civil regulatory jurisdiction of the Tribal government. For the purposes of subpart (iii) of this definition, land that is subject to the civil regulatory jurisdiction of the Band includes: (x) trust land, or fee land held (including leased land) by the Band, entities organized under Band’slaw, or individual Indians; and (y) land held (including leased land) by non-Indian entities or individuals who consent to the civil regulation of the Band or are otherwise subject to such regulation under federal law.

White Earth Nation Enters the Minnesota Cannabis Market

In Mahnomen, Minnesota, Waabigwan Mashkiki, a Native American cannabis manufacturing plant owned by White Earth Nation, opened in the beginning of August 2023. It became one of the first dispensaries to legally begin to sell adult-use cannabis in the state (4).

“Others were racing to the market to capitalize on this unique time in Minnesota history,” Alexander Oxendine, General Manager of Waabigwan Mashkiki, said (4). “We have been preparing for this day for years. Because of our location, dedication to excellence, and unique and proven growing and processing practices, our product is simply better.”

On May 23, 2025, White Earth Nation officially opened the first cannabis dispensary located outside of Tribal lands (4). The recreational cannabis dispensary is located in Moorhead, Minnesota.

An agreement was reached between White Earth Nation and the state of Minnesota (5) that allows the tribal nation to be able to open cannabis dispensaries throughout the state.

Second Tribal-State Compact Reached

In a September 2025 press release, it was announced that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz had signed the second Tribal-state compact that was authorized under state statute (6). With the new agreement, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and the state of Minnesota will be able to work together to “promote a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship to regulate cannabis and promote public health and safety,” (6). The Minnesota Legislature instructed the governor “to negotiate intergovernmental agreements—cannabis compacts—with Tribal Nations sharing territory with Minnesota to enhance public health and safety, ensure a lawful and well-regulated cannabis market, encourage economic development, and provide financial benefits to both the state and Tribal Nations,” (6).

“This is an exciting development in the rollout of Minnesota’s adult-use cannabis market,” said Minnesota Office of Cannabs Management (OCM) Executive Director Eric Taubel (6). “The many newly licensed businesses preparing to open their doors to adult-use customers are eager to partner with Mille Lacs. This compact will open up unique opportunities that benefit the state, Mille Lacs, state-licensed businesses, and Minnesota cannabis consumers. We look forward to seeing these unique and innovative partnerships develop and flourish across the state.”

References

1. Public comment- cannabis laws https://www.whiteearth.com/news/public-comment-cannabis-laws (accessed Nov 7, 2025).
2. Notice of Publication for Public Comment https://www.whiteearth.com/media/pages/news/public-comment-cannabis-laws/d309a4bb82-1762266387/publication-notice-and-draft-revised-cannabis-code-november-2025.pdf (accessed Nov 7, 2025).
3. Cannabis Compact Between The White Earth Band Of Minnesota The Chippewa Tribe And The State Of Minnesota https://www.wemccc.com/_files/ugd/3c3851_47fceea8edd041d2bce74e68ed82eeb2.pdf (accessed Nov 7, 2025).
4. Colli, M. Medical Cannabis Program and adult-use cannabis sales launched by White Earth Nation https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/medical-cannabis-program-and-adult-use-cannabis-sales-launched-by-white-earth-nation (accessed Nov 7, 2025).
5. Colli, M. White Earth Nation opens first cannabis dispensary located outside of tribal lands in Minnesota https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/white-earth-nation-opens-first-cannabis-dispensary-located-outside-of-tribal-lands-in-minnesota (accessed Nov 7, 2025).
6. Colli, M. How Minnesota’s second tribal-state compact is boosting the adult-use cannabis market https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/how-minnesota-s-second-tribal-state-compact-is-boosting-the-adult-use-cannabis-market (accessed Nov 7, 2025).