“Candidly, I don’t suspect any tribe will get past about three to four stores for the next two years just because of the actual cost in setting up these stores,” Taubel said.

News of the compact being signed Tuesday took Wilson by surprise, he said. He had been waiting months for confirmation, previously telling the Star Tribune in February that the Moorhead location would open in mid-March. He’s had 25 to 30 people hired for almost two months working at the tribe’s dispensary in Mahnomen until Moorhead could open.

Now that the compact has been signed, Wilson said the tribe can legally begin transporting cannabis products from its grow facility in Mahnomen to Moorhead.

White Earth Nation hopes to open a store in St. Cloud in mid-June, Wilson said. After that, the tribe will look to expand to the Mankato and Rochester area. Wilson said White Earth intends to open up the maximum number of stores allowed.

The Moorhead location, located in the former JL Beers restaurant building, will have cannabis flower and beverages immediately available for purchase while edible gummies and vape cartridges will be in store in the next two to four weeks, pending testing, Wilson said.