The first recreational marijuana dispensary not owned by a tribe opened for business in Minnesota on Tuesday. More than two years after recreational weed was legalized, Legacy Cannabis in downtown Duluth is now the first non-tribal dispensary in the state. Josh Wilken-Simon, who owns Legacy Cannabis, has been a prominent advocate for the legal sales of recreational marijuana over the past several years.
“We are absolutely honored to be the first state-licensed recreational cannabis dispensary open in Minnesota,” Wilken-Simon said. Partnerships with Minnesota tribal nations now allow licensed retailers to begin selling cannabis products on their shelves, offering customers more options. “Our goal is to have as many high-quality small craft products for sale at our dispensary and to ensure all the products are safe, high-quality, and there’s a big selection,” he added.
On Monday, the Office of Cannabis Management issued licenses allowing two medical cannabis providers, Green Goods and RISE, to sell recreational marijuana. RISE will begin adult-use cannabis sales in Brooklyn Park, New Hope, and Eagan on Wednesday. Legacy Cannabis plans to open its Twin Cities locations in the next few months.
“We’re really excited to see small businesses take a win here in Minnesota,” Wilken-Simon said. “Like other small businesses that were waiting, this is our time, and we’re ready for it.”
While certain products such as THC beverages and gummies have been available to Minnesotans for some time, cannabis itself is what attracted many of the customers on the first day. “It’s a great medicine.
We should have never outlawed it,” said Tamaye, one of the dozens lined up outside who waited patiently during the ribbon cutting.
First non-tribal dispensary opens
“It should always have been legal.
It’s great for my anxiety, for my PTSD. I have arthritis. It takes away the pain, it lets you go to sleep.” She went on to explain the difficulties she faced in getting a medical-use license, and said she’s glad to have a local place to buy cannabis hassle-free.
Josh Wilken-Simon, who serves as a consultant for the business, says that stories like Tamaye’s aren’t unique. “Minnesotans have been frustrated. Today, everybody is just ecstatic that the time has come where they can buy a safe regulated cannabis product from a local business,” he said.
In addition to flower and pre-rolled joints, Legacy Cannabis still sells the edibles and drinks that Minnesotans might be familiar with. While he anticipates big sales of flower, Wilken-Simon thinks there’s still a place for the other products. “Not everybody wants a highly potent product.
People use drinks to go out on the pontoon boat with their friends when their friends are consuming alcohol and they don’t want to, but maybe they don’t want to smoke a joint out on the pontoon boat,” he explained. On the first day, sales of flower and pre-rolled joints appeared to be the most popular products. While Legacy Cannabis is the first off-reservation licensed dispensary in Minnesota, several others are expected to open across the state in the coming weeks and months.
