ROCHESTER, Minn. – After missing out on Olmsted County’s initial cannabis business lottery, local entrepreneurs Peter and Tasha Jada are getting a second chance to enter Minnesota’s growing legal market. The couple, owners of Canna Serve Ya, were not among the 14 winners selected in the county’s first round, but when several initial applicants withdrew, alternates like the Jadas were invited to take their place marking a new beginning for their cannabis business dreams.
“I was pretty sad, not being able to be there and just kind of hearing we didn’t get it,” Peter said. But that disappointment turned into excitement once they learned they could finally move forward with their cannabis business plans.
They are currently scouting locations in Rochester, focusing on the northern part of town. “We found one really good location; it’s on the northern side of town. We’ll just have to do a little bit of construction,” Tasha said, explaining their next steps in launching the cannabis business.
This isn’t the couple’s first experience in retail. In 2023, they owned a brick-and-mortar shop that sold cannabis growing supplies. When that store closed, they pivoted to online sales. “We still have a storage unit and a half full of growing equipment and supplies,” Peter said. Their goal now is to blend their experience in cultivation equipment sales with their new cannabis business license to create a unique customer experience.
Their microbusiness license allows them to cultivate up to half an acre of cannabis outdoors or 5,000 square feet indoors. This setup enables them to sell directly to consumers or wholesale to other operators — a key advantage in Minnesota’s emerging cannabis business landscape.
Peter, who has a background in mechanics and hands-on projects, says the goal is to serve both growers and consumers. “Most people don’t grow their own products, but they still want quality,” he said. “That’s what we’re trying to deliver through our cannabis business.”
The Jadas hope to open their storefront within the next few months, with cannabis product sales expected to start around New Year’s. Their story is one of persistence, community spirit, and opportunity a reminder that determination pays off in Minnesota’s expanding cannabis business industry.
