From seed to sale: lake leaf cultivation opens first dispensary
Zach Atherton-Ely, Lake Leaf Chief Growth Officer, Aarik Robertson, Lake Leaf General Manager, Wendy Merrill, District II Representative, Carolyn Beaulieu, District I Representative, and Virgil Wind, Chief Executive, and Rachel Wind, Executive Assistant.
By Alyssa Enno, MLCV Executive Director of Marketing and Communications; and Vivian LaMoore, Inaajimowin Editor
On Friday, June 20, Lake Leaf Cultivation, a Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures-owned cannabis business, officially opened its first dispensary in Mille Lacs. The opening marks a meaningful milestone for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, representing new opportunities for Band Members and continued growth in the Mille Lacs tribal economy. A soft opening earlier in the week allowed staff time to prepare, while Friday’s opening featured a photo opportunity and invited remarks from Mille Lacs Band Elected Officials, who joined to witness the milestone and support this next step in Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures’ continued investment and growth in the tribal economy. Each speaker echoed similar statements, projecting gratitude for this new opportunity and that it would not be possible without the collaboration and teamwork of everybody involved: “The elected leadership, the employees of MLCV, the Band members — everybody who believed this dream could be a reality,” said Chief Executive Virgil Wind. He also acknowledged the vision brought forth by former MLCV CEO Joe Nayquonabe Jr. and thanked him for his contributions.
“It is an honor and a privilege to stand before you today to say we are growing, diversifying, and we are building something that hopefully will outlast all of us,” Wind said.
The Band has already been selling cannabis products to other tribes who do not yet have cultivation opportunities themselves, including the Fond du Lac Band. Tribal Chairman Bruce Savage was in attendance.
The Mille Lacs dispensary is operating out of a smaller structure while the permanent facility is under development. A second location is set to open in Hinckley with quiet openings on Wednesday, July 9, and Thursday, July 10. The public opening will be on Friday, July 11. The hours of operation are Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 8 p.m. for both locations.
This is not only another business entity for the Band, but the Band is leveraging its sovereign status to establish and operate cannabis businesses, including dispensaries and cultivation facilities. “The Mille Lacs Band does not just follow trends — we set them,” said District I Representative Wend Merrill. “We have created something unique right here in our own community. Just doors away from where we cultivate our cannabis in our state-of-the-art facility, we can sell that very same product. We are not just participating in this industry, we are doing it with complete sovereignty over the entire supply chain.”
Merrill continued, “We will have new revenue streams that fund services that our people need and deserve. Let’s not forget we are providing safe, regulated quality product to those who choose to partake in cannabis use. No uncertainty. No unsafe sources. Just professional responsible services rooted in our values.”
Lake Leaf’s long-term vision includes workforce development, career advancement pathways, and an elevated customer experience. As a growing enterprise within Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures’ portfolio, Lake Leaf is expanding its role in the cannabis industry with intention — focused on long-term growth, operational maturity, and brand credibility.
“This opening marks a major milestone for Lake Leaf,” said Aarik Robertson, General Manager of Lake Leaf Cultivation. “Over the past 18 months, we’ve worked hard to build this business from the ground up — from cultivation to retail, seed to sale. Entering the retail space is an exciting next step, and we’re looking forward to connecting with customers and continuing to grow.”
To learn more about Lake Leaf, check out the website at lakeleafretail.com and follow Lake Leaf Cultivation on Facebook.
