MARSHALL — A former restaurant property in Marshall is poised to transform into one of the city’s first retail cannabis dispensaries. During a Marshall Economic Development Authority (EDA) tour, Director Lauren Deutz confirmed that the new owners of the former D’s Thai restaurant have registered with the city to operate a cannabis store.
“I know everybody has noticed that D’s Thai has closed. That building has also sold, and we are in the process of working with a business owner out of Sioux Falls for a potential cannabis store,” Deutz said.
While the news has generated excitement, City Clerk Steven Anderson cautioned that it may take time before a cannabis store officially opens. Under Minnesota’s new Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), business owners must first complete a rigorous licensing process, including background checks and site inspections, before approval is granted.
The property on Susan Drive has a long history — it started as a combination KFC and A&W before becoming D’s Thai. Now, Roy’zzz Premium Cannabis, a well-known medical cannabis retailer based in Sioux Falls, hopes to turn it into a successful cannabis store. “He’s got quite a few stores, he seems to know what he’s doing,” Deutz said.
The city is also optimistic about the broader impact. Deutz noted that the new property owner has expressed interest in additional development at the site, such as adding another retail space or a quick-service restaurant alongside the future cannabis store. This could help spur growth in the Susan Drive area and create new jobs for residents.
Marshall currently has regulations requiring any cannabis store to register with the city. Those rules set clear boundaries on where cannabis products may be sold, ensuring that no cannabis store opens near schools or other restricted areas. The city has capped the number of registrations at two — the minimum required under Minnesota law based on population.
Both available spots have already been filled, with the former D’s Thai property and the Marshall Smoke Shop each registering for a cannabis store license. Anderson said he has received multiple phone calls from other interested parties, but the quota is full. For now, residents and visitors alike will be watching to see when the first licensed cannabis store officially opens its doors in Marshall.
by Marshall Independent
