MLBO STRENGTHENS SOVEREIGNTY THROUGH TRIBAL-STATE CANNABIS COMPACT
Mille Lacs Band Chief Executive Virgil Wind and Governor Tim Walz proudly display the signed cannabis compact. Screengrab from the Mille Lacs Band video.
Compact Paves Way for Mille Lacs Band Expansion and Safe Regulation
By Vivian LaMoore, Inaajimowin Editor
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Chief Executive Virgil Wind and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed the state's second tribal-state cannabis compact on September 10, 2025, establishing a framework for cooperation in cannabis regulation across jurisdictions.
The compact affirms the sovereignty of the Mille Lacs Band while laying the foundation for responsible participation in Minnesota's evolving cannabis industry. It sets shared standards for product testing, packaging, labeling, and civil regulatory enforcement. It also supports the Band's ability to open off-reservation retail outlets and requires a tax agreement between the Band and the Minnesota Department of Revenue for sharing tax revenue generated by tribally owned cannabis businesses.
"This compact represents a critical step forward in what respectful government-to-government partnership looks like," said Chief Executive Wind. "By signing this compact, the Mille Lacs Band is demonstrating what tribal leadership and state partnership can achieve together. We are building a model of responsible regulation that respects sovereignty and benefits all."
The Band's cannabis enterprise, Lake Leaf Cultivation, has already begun operations on the Reservation and recently opened two temporary retail locations. With the compact in place, the Band is positioned to expand its footprint and pursue long-term plans for participation in the broader state market. Lake Leaf products are already being sold to other tribal dispensaries, and plans are underway to distribute to licensed dispensaries statewide.
The Mille Lacs Band's Department of Cannabis Regulation will oversee licensing, compliance, and enforcement within its jurisdiction, ensuring the Band's approach remains rooted in public health, safety, and economic sustainability.
The Department of Cannabis Regulation Board is an independent regulatory body responsible for overseeing the Bands cannabis activity on tribal lands under the new cannabis code. Board members include Daniel Clay, Christa Klug, Steven La Prairie, Toya Stewart Downey, and Jamie Thomas Rasset. Elected officials hired Band member Becky Houle as the Executive Director of the Cannabis Regulation Department. Houle immediately partnered with the board to adopt bylaws, initiate the development of regulations, and propose key revisions to the cannabis code before the Band Assembly. She brings extensive regulatory and compliance expertise from her tenure as Executive Director of the Band's Gaming Regulatory Authority.
Together, Houle and the board have worked diligently to understand this emerging industry and to ensure that the Band has strong safeguards in place. These measures are designed to protect the safety of all cannabis products sold both on the Reservation and in the state market.
Chief Executive Wind added, "For the Mille Lacs Band, economic development is about creating opportunity for our people, building sustainable industries, and exercising our inherent rights. This compact helps us do all three."
He also thanked the many people who worked tirelessly to ensure the Band's priorities were reflected in the compact while aligning with state regulations and sovereignty. In a video update to Band members (see the video and subscribe to the Band's YouTube Channel at https://tinyurl.com/bdh9k2c3), Chief Executive Wind expressed gratitude for their persistence and recognized key supporters. He highlighted District |I Representative Wendy Merrill, who sponsored the original legisla-tion, along with District I|I Representative Harry Davis. Special acknowledgement was given to Joe Nayquonabe Sr., former Commissioner of Corporate Affairs, for planting the first seed that grew into today's tribally owned, state-of-the-art seed-to-sale cannabis industry.
Chief Executive Wind also extended thanks to the Band's legal, strategy, and policy teams, as well as Government Affairs, the negotiation teams, MLCV, and Lake Leaf Cultivation for their contributions to this milestone achievement.
James Meggesto, Holland and Knight, Jamie Edwards, Government Affairs Advisor, Becky Houle, Executive Director of MLBO Cannabis Regulation, Virgil Wind, Chief Executive, and Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota discuss the significance of the cannabis compact between the Band and the State. Photo by Adam Candler, Sr. Government Advisor.