In a major milestone for Minnesota’s budding cannabis industry, the state is poised to welcome its first licensed recreational marijuana retailer just 25 months after legalizing adult-use cannabis. While the green ceiling has taken some time to crack, momentum is now building, and businesses are finally stepping into the spotlight—ready to open their doors to the public.
Leading this historic shift is Jacob Schlichter , a social equity microbusiness owner based in Albert Lea. Jacob Schlichter may be the first person in the state to open a licensed cannabis retail store, “The Smoking Tree,” which he hopes Schlichter will begin serving customers by the end of June. His shop recently passed a key inspection from the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), making him one of only two individuals currently known to reach this stage.
Walking into The Smoking Tree might still require some imagination, as the space is being finalized, but Jacob Schlichter is already laying the groundwork for a fully compliant, customer-ready operation. From city approvals to surveillance systems and proper waste disposal methods, he has checked all the boxes necessary to pass the rigorous OCM inspection process.
This progress is no small feat. More than 700 businesses in Minnesota have received preliminary approval from the OCM, but very few have moved beyond that point. For Jacob Schlichter, paying for his license and stocking the store shelves are the final steps before launching his small but meaningful retail operation. His initial inventory will likely come from the state’s tribal distributors, reflecting Minnesota’s unique cannabis supply landscape.
Schlichter’s journey into the cannabis industry wasn’t always part of the plan. He was present in the room when Governor Tim Walz signed the legalization bill into law, but it was a deeply personal experience that pushed him into entrepreneurship.
Encouraged by family and friends, Jacob Schlichter chose to pursue the cannabis business not only for profit but for purpose—hoping to uplift his community and challenge decades of negative cannabis propaganda. “I think it would be amazing to go from all the cannabis propaganda we’ve had for many decades to now—people in the cannabis industry building libraries, building schools, and just upgrading their communities,” he said.
As Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management gears up for its next license lottery in July, more hopeful entrepreneurs are waiting in the wings. The path is being paved—and The Smoking Tree might just be the first to bloom.