Press Release: Governor Walz signs second Tribal-state cannabis compact

St. Paul, Minn. – This morning, Governor Tim Walz signed the second Tribal-state compact authorized under state statute. The agreement outlines how the state of Minnesota and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe will promote a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship to regulate cannabis and promote public health and safety.  

In establishing Minnesota’s cannabis law, the state Legislature directed the governor to negotiate intergovernmental agreements—cannabis compacts—with Tribal Nations sharing territory with Minnesota to enhance public health and safety, ensure a lawful and well-regulated cannabis market, encourage economic development, and provide financial benefits to both the state and Tribal Nations. 

“This is an exciting development in the rollout of Minnesota’s adult-use cannabis market,” said OCM Executive Director Eric Taubel. “The many newly licensed businesses preparing to open their doors to adult-use customers are eager to partner with Mille Lacs. This compact will open up unique opportunities that benefit the state, Mille Lacs, state-licensed businesses, and Minnesota cannabis consumers. We look forward to seeing these unique and innovative partnerships develop and flourish across the state.” 

While each Tribal-state compact reflects the uniqueness of each Tribal Nation, all compacts include the same commitments to prioritizing public health and safety through product testing, data collection and analysis, ensuring consistency for consumers across Minnesota’s cannabis market.  

More information about the compacting process—including copies of signed, executed cannabis compacts—can be found on the Office of Cannabis Management's Tribal Compacts website.   

Following are links to download photos from the signing ceremony held today, with captions: 

• Photo 1: Chief Executive Virgil Wind of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and Governor Tim Walz sign a Tribal-state cannabis compact on Sept. 10, 2025 
  
• Photo 2: Pictured L-R: James Meggesto, attorney, Holland & Knight; Hannah Valento, legal and policy counsel, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe (MLBO); Adam Candler, senior advisor, MLBO; Chief Executive Virgil Wind, MLBO; Governor Tim Walz; Becky Houle, director of cannabis regulation, MLBO; Jamie Edwards, government relations, MLBO