LCO Cannabis Task Force Visits Prairie Island's Expanding Cannabis Operations

By Joe Morey News Editor

Members of the Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) Tribal Cannabis Task Force recently visited the Prairie Island Indian Community (PIIC) on December 20, 2024, as part of their ongoing efforts to explore and learn from established tribal cannabis operations. The delegation, including LCO Secretary/Treasurer Bill Trepanier, Joe Morey, LCO Public Relations Director, and LCO’s cannabis consultant, Thi Le, met with the Prairie Island Cannabis Commission to tour the tribe’s dispensary and facilities, as well as present a Proclamation of Support for their cannabis initiatives.

LCO Representatives present Prairie Island with a proclamation of support. Pictured from L-R) Jonathan Campbell, Ed Buck, Thi Le, Kim Campbell, Blake Johnson, Secretary/Treasurer Bill Trepanier, and Joe Morey.

The visit was part of a broader tour of tribal cannabis operations in Minnesota, which also included stops at White Earth Nation and Red Lake Nation. During their time at Prairie Island, the LCO representatives witnessed firsthand the tribe’s structured regulatory framework, innovative cultivation processes, and strategic approach to economic development through cannabis.

A Model for Tribal Cannabis Operations

Prairie Island Indian Community formally entered the cannabis market in early 2024, establishing a strong regulatory foundation with two key ordinances: the Cannabis Regulatory Ordinance, adopted on February 22, 2024, which centralizes regulatory oversight under the Prairie Island Indian Community Cannabis Regulatory Commission, and the Personal Cannabis Use, Cultivation, and Possession Ordinance, adopted on May 15, 2024, which governs personal use within the reservation.

PIIC’s first dispensary, Island Peži, opened on June 29, 2024, and saw nearly 600 customers on its first day. The dispensary is operated by CBH, Inc., a tribally owned corporation managing Prairie Island’s cannabis economic development ventures. Island Peži has already begun fostering inter-tribal trade, sourcing some of its products from White Earth Nation’s cultivation facility.

Inside of the Island Peži dispensary facing the entrance.

The dispensary currently employs 30 people, with five additional staff dedicated to distribution. Once their outdoor cultivation facility becomes operational, an additional 40 employees will be hired, with the long-term expectation of growing to 150 employees across various departments.

Thi Le, LCO’s cannabis consultant, was impressed by the scale and execution of PIIC’s cannabis program. “Prairie Island Indian Community has developed an exceptional cannabis operation through comprehensive planning and execution. Their innovative and specially designed cultivation processes set them apart in Minnesota’s cannabis market,” said Le. “Additionally, their team is vast and impressively organized. LCO should remain supportive and connected with Prairie Island as they continue their progress.”

Prairie Island Expands Its Cannabis Operations

As part of their growing presence in the Minnesota cannabis industry, Prairie Island Indian Community recently launched a 13-acre cannabis farming, processing, and distribution facility under the Island Peži brand. The new cannabis campus will produce over 10,000 pounds of cannabis and extracts, supplying both their dispensary and the wider Minnesota market.

“Prairie Island Cannabis Campus is a significant step toward economic sovereignty and self-determination for our tribe,” said Prairie Island Indian Community President Grant Johnson. “The cultivation site has provided new opportunities for sustainable economic growth and has created numerous job opportunities within our community. We are proud to take this step while respecting our traditions and ensuring responsible stewardship of our land.”

Prairie Island’s cannabis expansion follows a broader trend of tribal cannabis operations in Minnesota. Red Lake Nation and White Earth Nation both opened dispensaries in 2023, and the White Earth Band of Chippewa is set to open Minnesota’s first off-reservation dispensary in Moorhead, with another location planned for St. Cloud. Additionally, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe has begun constructing a 50,000-square-foot cultivation facility near their casino in Onamia.

As the state’s general cannabis licensing program faces delays due to legal disputes, tribes have taken the lead in Minnesota’s cannabis market. Pending compacts between Governor Tim Walz and ten of Minnesota’s eleven tribal nations could further empower tribal governments to regulate off-reservation cannabis businesses. Unlike non-tribal enterprises, tribal cannabis businesses are exempt from restrictions on vertical integration, allowing them to combine cultivation, retail, and manufacturing under one entity.

Strengthening Tribal Partnerships

The visit by LCO’s Tribal Cannabis Task Force underscores the importance of tribal collaboration in navigating the evolving cannabis industry. According to Thi Le, by fostering partnerships with Prairie Island, White Earth, and Red Lake, LCO aims to gain valuable insights as they shape their own approach to cannabis regulation and economic development.

“Prairie Island has set a high standard in tribal cannabis operations, and their structured approach is something all tribal nations can learn from,” said Le. “The relationships we’re building now will be key in ensuring the success of tribal cannabis enterprises throughout the region.”

As LCO continues its exploration of cannabis opportunities, its engagement with leading tribal cannabis programs like Prairie Island’s will help inform and strengthen its path forward in this emerging industry.