The White Earth Band of Chippewa is targeting the St. Cloud area for a marijuana dispensary, however, at this time there are still several hurdles left to clear before that happens, the biggest hurdle is coming to an agreed-upon compact between the state and the White Earth Band of Chippewa. Here's what we know so far.

About a week ago news came out that the White Earth Band of Chippewa, from Western Minnesota, was targeting two additional Minnesota cities to open a dispensary in, and one of those cities is St. Cloud.

I spoke with the City of St. Cloud and they indicated that as of now the White Earth Band is looking at several locations for a dispensary, however the business website for Waabigwan Mashkiki, has an address on 33rd Ave S listed as the future location.

The St. Cloud City Clerk also assured me that the dispensary would still follow the zoning requirements set by the St. Cloud City Council, but until a compact is agreed upon between the state and the tribe, nothing else will happen.

The compact, that has been referenced, would be between the tribe and the state of Minnesota will set the terms and regulations for sales of marijuana and marijuana products.

Why does the White Earth Tribe want a compact?

The compact, in which the 2023 legislation legalizing marijuana, "authorizes Gov. Walz to negotiate contracts between the state and tribal nations. Under the agreements, cannabis businesses licensed by tribes would be exempt from rules facing non-tribal businesses that prevent them from having retail, cultivation and manufacturing under one company."

The real question is just how big or not big this dispensary will be, if it ends up where their website indicates, there would be a fair amount of retail space, but again nothing has been made official.

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