Third Tribe Secures Major Cannabis Deal with Minnesota, Expanding Access and Opportunity
In a move signaling continued collaboration between Minnesota and sovereign tribal nations, Gov. Tim Walz and the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management announced a historic cannabis deal with the Third Tribe, formally known as the Prairie Island Indian Community. The cannabis deal grants the Third Tribe the authority to regulate, cultivate, and sell cannabis within its jurisdiction and in partnership with state-licensed businesses.
This cannabis deal marks the Third Tribe’s official entry into Minnesota’s regulated cannabis market. The agreement creates pathways for the Third Tribe to expand both its retail and cultivation operations helping to stabilize product supply at a time when many state dispensaries face shortages. The Third Tribe is now positioned as a key player in filling that gap, offering high-quality, tribally grown cannabis to retailers statewide.
Grant Johnson, president of the Third Tribe’s Tribal Council, expressed excitement about the new cannabis deal, saying, “We’re proud to strengthen our sovereignty and meet Minnesota’s growing demand for premium cannabis products.” This partnership underscores the growing role of tribal nations in shaping Minnesota’s cannabis economy.
When state lawmakers legalized recreational cannabis two years ago, they envisioned cooperative agreements like this cannabis deal to ensure a fair, well-regulated marketplace. The Third Tribe joins other tribal nations leading the way in developing sustainable cannabis enterprises that benefit both Native and non-Native communities.
Eric Taubel, director of the Office of Cannabis Management, praised the Third Tribe’s involvement. He said the cannabis deal “creates opportunities for collaboration, increases access to safe products, and honors tribal sovereignty.”
The agreement also establishes joint oversight between the tribe’s cannabis commission and the state’s Office of Cannabis Management.
Ed Buck, chair of the Third Tribe’s cannabis commission, explained that maintaining high standards is central to this cannabis deal. “We ensure our cannabis meets or exceeds state regulations,” Buck said. “Minnesotans can trust the products we bring to market.”
The Third Tribe’s cannabis commission will license dispensaries interested in selling tribally produced cannabis, providing much-needed supply for the growing industry. With this cannabis deal, the Third Tribe not only strengthens its economic future but also supports the state’s goal of building a stable and transparent cannabis marketplace.
As more tribal-state partnerships emerge, the Third Tribe’s landmark cannabis deal sets a precedent for how collaboration, respect, and regulation can shape the future of cannabis in Minnesota.
