EAST GRAND FORKS, MINN. (Valley News Live) – White Earth Nation held a ribbon cutting Tuesday, April 28 for its newest tribally owned cannabis dispensary in East Grand Forks.
Waabigwan Mashkiki — meaning “flower medicine” in Ojibwe — opened its doors Tuesday at 926 Central Avenue Northwest in East Grand Forks. The location is the tribe’s fourth total and third off-reservation, under a compact that allows White Earth Nation up to eight dispensaries across Minnesota.
The dispensary has about 25 employees, with potential to grow to 35, according to Zach Wilson, CEO of Waabigwan Mashkiki.
“We do have native preference as far as our hiring protocol, but it’s open to everybody,” Wilson said. “We have about 25 — close to 25 employees right now, that fluxes anywhere from 25 up to potentially 35.”
The dispensary is moving into a former Burger King that hadn’t been in operation for at least five years. East Grand Forks City Administrator Reid Huttunen said the rehab of that building alone is a win for the community.
“We’re settling in a location that was a former Burger King, hasn’t been operating for at least 5 years — so it’s rehabbing a building, it’s going to grow the tax base and increase property values, which is going to be a benefit for our community,” Huttunen said.
This location is White Earth Nation’s third off-reservation dispensary and won’t be the last. The tribe has plans to open in Chanhassen, Minnesota in mid to late June, with more locations expected throughout the rest of the year.
Huttunen said he is excited about the new operation.
“Generally excited to have what appears to be a really great operation with this new store…and am excited they’ve selected East Grand Forks to be here,” Huttunen said.
The grand opening of the dispensary is set for Friday, May 1.
Previous coverage of White Earth Nation dispensary openings is available here.
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