LEECH LAKE — Gov. Tim Walz and the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management announced on Thursday the signing of a new tribal-state cannabis compact to protect the public health, safety and well-being of all Minnesotans regarding adult-use cannabis in partnership with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.

A compact is an intergovernmental agreement authorized under state statute, and this is the fifth such agreement between Minnesota and a tribal nation, according to a release.

“On behalf of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, I am honored to participate in this historic signing ceremony, which marks a critical moment for the economic development of the tribe and the State of Minnesota,” Faron Jackson, chairman of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, said in the release.

He added that this tribal-state compact enshrines the rights of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe — and also tribal cannabis enterprises — both on and off tribal lands.

“This is an important step toward producing jobs for tribal citizens and other community members and we look forward to stimulating revenue and significant job growth on tribal land in northern Minnesota and across the state,” he concluded.

The state legislature directed Walz to negotiate the intergovernmental agreements with tribal nations that share territory with Minnesota to strengthen health and public safety, to secure an equitable and well-regulated cannabis market and to provide financial benefits to both entities, the release said.

“This tribal-state compact with the Leech Lake Band represents another important step in our collaboration with tribal nations to build a unique cannabis industry in Minnesota,” said OCM Executive Director Eric Taubel. “This partnership will create economic opportunities for the Tribe and all Minnesotans, and it furthers our mutual dedication to establishing a safe, well-regulated market that Minnesotans can trust.” 

Courtesy / Office of Gov. Walz

Each compact is unique to the tribal nation involved. Additionally, each agreement contains the same commitment to ensure public health and safety through product testing, data collection and product analysis, according to the release. These practices promote consistency throughout Minnesota’s cannabis market.

The state plans to announce additional tribal-state cannabis compacts in the future.

More information about the tribal-state compacts — including signed and executed copies of existing compacts — can be examined on OCM’s
tribal compacts webpage.