Minnesota Signs Cannabis Compact with Lower Sioux Indian Community 

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) on Monday signed a cannabis compact with the Lower Sioux Indian Community. It is the ninth such agreement between the state and Minnesota tribes to regulate Tribal cannabis businesses off tribally regulated lands. 

In a statement, Joseph O’Brien, president of the Lower Sioux Indian Community Council, called the compact “a meaningful step forward for the Lower Sioux Indian Community in the State of Minnesota.”    

“This compact reflects the state of Minnesota’s growing respect for Tribal sovereignty and economic self‑determination. And we are excited for the opportunities it creates for our community – opportunities to support our people, strengthen our economy, and move forward in partnership with the state of Minnesota in a good way.” — O’Brien in a press release 

Eric Taubel, executive director of the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), added that “state and Tribal leaders share a commitment to further build a mature cannabis industry that is safe, equitable and sustainable.” 

Tribal Nations that enter into cannabis compacts or cooperative agreements with the state have established Tribal regulatory agencies that will license Tribal cannabis enterprises and oversee enforcement of the Tribe’s civil regulatory cannabis program using standards that meet or exceed those established by OCM. 

In addition to the Lower Sioux Indian Community, Minnesota officials have entered into cannabis comppacts with the Bois Forte Band of the Minnesota Chppewa Tribe, Fond du Lac Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Prarie Island Indian Community, Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, Shakopee Mdewakaton Sioux Community, and White Earth Nation.