Press Release: Governor Walz signs Tribal-state cannabis compact with the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

“Minnesota’s cannabis market is coming together as important partnerships fall into place, creating opportunities for mutual prosperity for Minnesotans and citizens of Tribal Nations,” said OCM Executive Director Eric Taubel. “The compact between the state and the Fond du Lac Band builds on our shared commitment to establish a safe and equitable cannabis market that consumers can trust.” 

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 strengthen public health and safety, secure an equitable and well-regulated cannabis market, and provide financial benefits to both the state and Tribal Nations. 

“This compact reflects the respect and responsibility that define government-to-government relationships,” said Bruce Savage, chairman of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. “Our Fond du Lac Band has invested significant time and effort to help shape a fair and equitable agreement that upholds our values and affirms our commitment to responsible cannabis regulation in Minnesota. As the state’s cannabis industry continues to grow, this compact reinforces our role as sovereign leaders in building a safe and inclusive marketplace. We acknowledge the State of Minnesota’s recognition of Tribal sovereignty through this compact.” 

Although the specifics of each Tribal-state compact are unique to each Tribal Nation, all of them contain the same commitments to put public health and safety first through product testing, data gathering and analysis, ensuring consistency for customers throughout Minnesota's cannabis market. Each of the compacts contains provisions that create opportunities for Tribal Nations to partner with state-licensed businesses to sell Tribally grown cannabis products at wholesale into the state market. 

Compact negotiations continue between the state and Tribal Nations sharing territory with the state of Minnesota. To date, the state has signed compacts with White Earth Nation, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, and Prairie Island Indian Community. The state expects to announce additional Tribal-state cannabis compacts soon. 

More information about the compacting process, including copies of signed, executed Tribal-state cannabis compacts, can be found on OCM’s Tribal Compacts webpage.