Growing for the Future: Hinckley lake leaf dispensary now open

Photos and story by Vivian LaMoore, Inaajimowin Editor

Lake Leaf Cultivation, a cannabis business owned by Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures (MLCV), proudly announces the opening of its second dispensary in Hinckley, Minn. This launch marks the next phase in the company’s seed-to-sale growth strategy, following the successful debut of its Onamia location earlier in June.

“We’re not just opening a second dispensary — we’re building a brand Minnesotans can trust, from cultivation to consumer experience,” said Aarik Robertson, General Manager of Lake Leaf Cultivation. “Over the past 18 months, we’ve worked hard to grow this business from the ground up. This opening is a milestone for our team, and we’re excited to continue growing with our customers. And we’re just getting started.”

The Hinckley location is conveniently located just off I-35. The Hinckley store is well-positioned to serve both local customers and Twin Cities travelers headed north. Its proximity to Grand Casino Hinckley creates natural synergy with one of the region’s top hospitality destinations, making Lake Leaf’s retail expansion part of a wider tourism and economic development hub.

The grand opening was held on July 11 with a celebration including elected officials, MLCV and Lake Leaf leadership, staff, and others. Chief Executive Virgil Wind thanked all of those involved in the process from including everyone from the visionaries who dreamed of the possibilities, to the cultivators, budtenders, retail managers, elected officials, the legal teams, the regulators, legislators, project managers, and more. “When we opened the dispensary in Mille Lacs just a few weeks ago, we called that a milestone — and it was. But today is something more,” Wind said. “Today is a statement that the non-removable Mille Lacs Band is here. We are not just participating in this emerging industry, but we are shaping it, we are guiding it, and we are doing it our way. This location isn’t just another store opening; it is a strategic expansion of our presence in Minnesota’s cannabis industry, a major addition to our regional economy.”

Wind recognized Grand Casino Hinckley as one of the most profitable businesses of MLCV. “Today, we add another spark to that engine. With this new dispensary, another addition to our economy, another door to opportunity, another site where jobs are created, skills are developed, and revenue is generated to help support all Mille Lacs Band communities. The best part is this business didn’t come from the outside — it came from within. It was built from the ground up by MLCV, by our people. Right now, we can proudly say we have over 60% of the entire cannabis workforce represented by Band members.”

District II Representative Wendy Merrill was the key sponsor of the bill in support of the cannabis business venture for the Mille Lacs Band and has been a strong supporter from the beginning. She acknowledged the Band members’ support from the beginning. “When we went out to every single community, the people are the ones who decided this was something we wanted to push forward — I would say we got a 99% approval rating from Band members. We are here today because Band members made that decision, and I want to acknowledge every single Band member.”

Last November, the Band was celebrating the grand opening of the Lake Leaf Cultivation Facility, “where we planted the seeds of the dream and today, we are opening the doors to our very first dispensary in Hinckley,” Merrill said. “I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge someone instrumental in making this dream a reality. I want to give recognition to Joe Nayquonabe Jr., who was the visionary person behind this whole thing.”

Representative Carolyn Beaulieu serves the District I community, where the Lake Leaf Cultivation Facility and the first retail cannabis outlet on the Mille Lacs Band Reservation are located. “I am happy to be here,” Beaulieu said. “I came in after the legislation had already passed, but I am happy to be part of this new venture for MLCV and the Band. Miigwech to everybody.”

District III Representative Harry Davis has been a great supporter of MLCV businesses in the District III community. “This is an exciting new venture for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and a new business we are doing to diversify our economy and step onto a different path to success for our tribe. We wish all the best to all the staff and our Band.”

The dispensary offers a wide selection of premium cannabis products, including flower, pre-rolls, and vape products. Shoppers can explore Lake Leaf’s exclusive Campfire Cannabis brand, crafted in-house with a focus on quality, consistency, and Minnesota-grown pride. Customer favorites like Campfire Cannabis continue to lead in product quality and satisfaction.

In keeping with Lake Leaf’s customer-first philosophy, the Hinckley location was designed to offer an approachable, educational retail experience, especially for first-time consumers. Budtenders receive specialized training to guide guests through products and preferences in an inviting environment.

The first retail dispensary is located on US-169 across from Grand Casino Mille Lacs. The Onamia dispensary has been serving customers since June 20, offering a trusted and welcoming retail experience to cannabis consumers in East-Central Minnesota. The Hinckley location builds on that foundation by expanding Lake Leaf’s dispensary presence and creating more access for customers at a strategic site along the I-35 corridor.

While the Onamia location introduced customers to the Lake Leaf experience, the Hinckley dispensary represents a more robust retail evolution offering a refined in-store education experience and greater access for cannabis consumers across Central and Northern Minnesota.

“Within the Mille Lacs Band, we have some struggles, and today, we get the opportunity to celebrate a bold step into our future. It wouldn’t be possible without everybody who put the work in,” Wind said. “It really is an honor and pleasure to be here for you guys.”

As a business wholly owned by Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures, Lake Leaf operates independently from tribal governance. This structure allows the company to move intentionally and competitively within Minnesota’s regulated cannabis market while also advancing workforce development and job creation in the Mille Lacs tribal economy.

Lake Leaf Dispensary Hinckley opened to the public on Friday, July 11, 2025.

To learn more, visit www.lakeleafretail.com

Aarik Robertson, Lake Leaf Cultivation General Manager

District III Representative Harry Davis welcomed the opening of the Hinckley Lake Leaf Dispensary in his district as an exciting venture to diversify the tribal economy and set a path for tribal success.