Minnesota

Two tribal nations to open Minnesota’s first legal recreational marijuana dispensaries

Published

1 year ago

July 30, 2023

Two tribal nations to open Minnesota’s first legal recreational marijuana dispensaries

At least two tribal nations are planning to open Minnesota’s first dispensaries for recreational marijuana as it becomes legal to possess and grow in the state in August

FILE – Marijuana plants grow at LifeLine Labs in Cottage Grove, Minn., June 17, 2015. At least two tribal nations are expected to open Minnesota’s first recreational marijuana dispensaries in August 2023, as recreational marijuana becomes legal to possess and grow in the state on Tuesday, Aug. 1. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)

The Associated Press

WHITE EARTH, Minn. — At least two tribal nations are expected to open Minnesota’s first recreational marijuana dispensaries in August as recreational marijuana becomes legal to possess and grow in the state on Tuesday.

Following a council vote on Friday, the White Earth Nation in northwestern Minnesota legalized recreational cannabis and will begin selling it sometime in the first half of August, Minnesota Public Radio reported. Both tribal members and non-tribal adults 21 years and older would be able to purchase from the nation’s dispensary.

Weeks earlier, NativeCare — a tribal-run medical marijuana provider — announced a recreational marijuana dispensary expected to open shortly on Red Lake Nation once the new law takes effect, the Star Tribune reported. The nation is also in northwestern Minnesota.

The band could’ve started selling recreational marijuana at that time but decided to wait until Minnesota’s new marijuana law legalizes possession statewide.

“Our intention is to be a good partner and ultimately fill the void for people who intend to use cannabis,” Red Lake tribal secretary Sam Strong told the Star Tribune.

The state’s Democratic-controlled Legislature approved a massive marijuana legalization bill this year, which Democratic Gov. Tim Walz signed in May.

White Earth Nation and Red Lake Nation plan to take advantage of their sovereignty and allow sales right away. But the state projects most legal retail sales won’t begin until early 2025, while it creates a licensing and regulatory system for the new industry.

Minnesota is the 23rd state to legalize recreational marijuana, more than a decade after Colorado and Washington did so.

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Minnesota

Cold weather prompts school closures, train cancellations in Minnesota

Published

1 hour ago

January 20, 2025

Press Room

Cold weather prompts school closures, train cancellations in Minnesota

Most schools across Minnesota are off Monday due to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. Some of the remaining districts have canceled or moved classes online due to the extreme cold.

Temperatures across parts of northern Minnesota dropped into the 30s below zero early Monday. Wind chills were in the 40s below zero. Extreme cold warnings and cold weather advisories remain in effect through midday Tuesday. Find forecast updates on MPR Weather’s Updraft blog.

The arctic blast is also affecting Amtrak service in Minnesota, with no trains running Monday.

School closures, delays

School districts with weather-related closures or delays Monday include:

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Closed

Blue Earth Area
Dover-Eyota
Hendricks
Martin County West
Melrose Area
Red Rock Central

E-learning day

Battle Lake
Byron
Canby
Cedar Mountain
Lynd
Marshall
New London-Spicer
Norman County East
Parkers Prairie
Tracy Area
Ulen-Hitterdal
West Central Area

Two-hour delay

Butterfield-Odin
Hancock
Lester Prairie
Maple Lake

Amtrak trains canceled

The blast of arctic air in the Upper Midwest is also affecting Amtrak service in the region, including trains serving stations in Minnesota.

Empire Builder trains were canceled Saturday and Sunday, and again on Monday.

And Borealis service between Chicago and the Twin Cities is canceled Monday and Tuesday. Find additional information on Amtrak’s website.

Amtrak said the changes are due to the weather forecast, but did not provide further details on why trains need to be canceled amid the cold weather.

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Minnesota

How to make sure your home is properly insured

Published

9 hours ago

January 20, 2025

Press Room

How to make sure your home is properly insured – CBS Minnesota

Watch CBS News

Costs are growing fast and coverage is likely shrinking.

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Minnesota

Minnesota State Fair ticket prices increase $2, on-site parking goes up $5

Published

17 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Press Room

Minnesota State Fair ticket prices increase , on-site parking goes up

A look back at the 2024 Minnesota State Fair

02:17

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. — It will be more expensive to attend the Minnesota State Fair this summer, officials announced on Sunday.

The state fair’s governing body, the Minnesota State Agricultural Society board, approved more than $20 million in projects aimed at improving the fairgrounds. As a result, admission tickets will cost an additional $2. On-site parking will also increase to $25. Sponsored park-and-ride service and on-site bike parking will still be free.

Pre-fair discount tickets will continue to be available for sale at the 2024 price of $15 through Sunday, Jan. 26. Starting Jan. 27, pre-fair discount tickets will cost $17 through Aug. 20. Regular fair-time admission at the gate will be $20 for adults, $18 for seniors over 65 and kids ages 5-12. Children 4 and under can get into the fair for free.

The 2025 budget contains nearly $14 million for the first phase of renovation work on the Lee and Rose Warner Coliseum — the first significant update for the building in its almost 75-year history.

Fair officials say upgrades include replacing the roof, which is leaking, modernizing mechanical and electrical systems, installing new seats and railings, expanding the restrooms, renovating entryways and improving lighting, ventilation and accessibility.

Another $6.2 million is being invested in other projects such as replacing and repairing sidewalks and street pavement, improving lighting, installing and replacing water bottle stations and drinking fountains and more.

The last time the Minnesota State Fair increased ticket and parking prices was in 2023, when admission rose by $1 and parking increased by $3.

The Minnesota State Fair runs from Aug. 21 through Labor Day.

Riley Moser

Riley Moser is a digital producer who covers breaking news and feature stories for CBS Minnesota. Riley started her career at CBS Minnesota in June 2022 and earned an honorable mention for sports writing from the Iowa College Media Association the same year.

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