CARLTON — The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa opens its second dispensary and a cannabis tasting lounge Friday. It’s the first such lounge in the state — and the first tribally owned lounge offering solventless concentrates in the country, according to the band.

“The indigenous community has always had a great love and respect and reciprocating relationship with nature, and this is just one more aspect of it,” said David Fairbanks,general manager of Anang Tasting Lounge and Dispensary. “We’re returning back to the roots of finding potent medicine.”

The new location is behind Black Bear Casino Resort at 1440 Black Bear Drive.

“Staff walk visitors through the aromas, textures and effects of each product, similar to a tasting flight in a craft spirits or coffee tasting room,” a band news release says about the new lounge. “It is educational, social and entirely unique in Minnesota.”

Outside cannabis is not permitted, and customers must be 21 or older.

“The lounge is where you can come get coffee, you can consume cannabis in a variety of different methods, and just really hang out and have a good time. This is a more open and educational environment,” said Tyler McDonald, a ganjier, a title given to staff who have completed a cannabis sommelier certification.

The new location has a hash lab, where trained staff use ice water extraction and gentle heat and pressure techniques to create concentrates without chemical solvents. The lounge includes a ‘Dab Theatre,’ which the band describes as a “guided sensory experience where guests explore solventless concentrates in a curated environment.”

Pipes and bongs made by local glass artists are available to rent for use within the facility, as are vaporizers. Reusable silicone mouthpieces are offered to each customer. There is a “rigorous” cleaning process, according to McDonald.

The lounge plans to host events such as outdoor concerts, live entertainment, craft-focused competitions and cannabis golf events, as well as cultural programming.

“This expansion of Anang Native Cannabis Co. reflects our commitment to sovereignty, innovation and responsible economic development,” Band Chairman Bruce M. Savage said in a release. “It positions the Fond du Lac Band as a national leader in cannabis hospitality and craft production, and it establishes a destination that honors our land and our values while setting a new standard for the future of this industry.”

The band’s first dispensary,
Anang Native Cannabis,
opened for business at 1508 Big Lake Road one year ago. The dispensary sold cannabis grown by other tribal nations until it was able to cultivate its own. McDonald assisted in setting up the band’s grow operations.

Cannabis flower is grown using a living soil cultivation method, similar to the way high-end vineyards cultivate grapes.

“As we have come online with our outdoor and indoor grow, we’ve started to develop some product lines,” Fairbanks said.

Last October,
the band entered into a compact with the state that created a legal framework to expand its cannabis operations by selling its product to dispensaries across Minnesota and to open off-reservation dispensaries.

Bill Abbott, CEO for Gordon Cannabis Group, who helped design both the tribe’s dispensaries, said there are plans for at least two more dispensaries in the region. Its third dispensary will be located in the Duluth area, and another small mobile dispensary will serve the communities of the reservation, he said.