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At a press conference inside Red Lake Nation’s tribal headquarters in August 2023, tribal secretary Sam Strong spoke to reporters about the opening of Red Lake’s cannabis operation. As cannabis became legal across Minnesota, Strong described Red Lake’s dispensary as an exercise of tribal sovereignty.  

“Once the bill was passed and there was the ability for us to open our dispensary and make it safe for Minnesotans to come in and purchase, we wanted to be the first,” Strong told reporters. 

Last year the Red Lake Nation’s dispensary saw a line of hundreds of people stretch out the front door waiting to buy cannabis flower and other products. Upon opening, NativeCare was the first and only dispensary in the state.  

Now, at the one-year mark, the organization is exploring new ways to provide cannabis to customers and educate the public on the plant’s medicinal benefits. 

This spring, Red Lake Nation tribal council decided to let go of the day-to-day operations. NativeCare is now in the process of becoming its own nonprofit organization — one that’s owned by the tribe but governed by a board of directors. 

An herbalist by training, Kari Taylor has joined NativeCare as CEO. As the dispensary readies to celebrate one year in business, its new CEO reflects on the lessons of the past year. 

“Business has certainly leveled out, you know, there was that initial boom. But NativeCare has developed a steady customer base,” said Taylor.  

During the run-up to the opening of the dispensary, Strong and other members of Red Lake’s tribal council talked earnestly about the ways cannabis might help those struggling with opioid use disorder.  

Taylor says that while Red Lake Nation hasn’t gathered sufficient data on cannabis as a means of helping those in recovery, the organization is focusing on normalizing the plant as a medicine. 

“We are starting to do a little bit more of a media program to start educating people on dosing and administration, on effects and strains and the different aspects of cannabis,” said Taylor. 

She says the biggest change she’s seen at Red Lake is a general acceptance of cannabis as a treatment for pain.  

Jon Roberts is a Red Lake Nation citizen. He’s a comedian and host of podcast focused on day-to-day life at Red Lake and the surrounding communities in the northwestern part of the state. 

Like Taylor, he’s reflecting on what he learned about cannabis as a younger person. In talking with fellow band members, he sees a growing acceptance of cannabis at Red Lake. 

He supports Red Lake Nation’s vision for cannabis as a means of helping people recover from opioid use. 

“I think that people who have benefited from the of cannabis, we could hear from them. Their stories, where they come from, and how they discovered the benefits of cannabis. It would be more beneficial to the community to hear from them.” 

‘A long relationship with plant medicines’ 

As the state moves forward with its regulatory framework and new cannabis shops pop up across the state, CEO Kari Taylor says NativeCare will have to adapt to a changing market.  

“Seeing cannabis stores in every locale, we do have to differentiate ourselves and make products to fit those markets and retain our space in the industry.” 

Taylor says as a community Red Lake Nation has “unique and special gifts,” which will help them carve out a place in the state’s cannabis market. 

“In my opinion, tribal people have a long relationship with plant medicines and have had a deep trust in plant medicines as being an accepted part of healing and pain relief,” said Taylor. 

Taylor is not a Red Lake Nation citizen herself — she grew up in International Falls. As a young person she moved west and spent many years working in the cannabis industry in Washington state, studying the plant’s medicinal uses before coming back home. 

Her specialty is in using the whole plant for tinctures and topical oils. 

“Like using trim from the plant to make, you know, Rick Simpson oil, or like a full plant extract to be utilized. Recreationally that item may be less desirable, but it makes really wonderful medicine,” said Taylor.  

As the organization develops new products, Taylor says she expects to open more jobs for members of the rural reservation community.  

She notes that staff are a key part of the dispensary’s brand and key in helping to educate the public. 

“Cannabis is a stress reliever. And most people who tend to be open to cannabis, you know, tend to be a little bit more laid back. And so, it’s very much a good work environment where people can have fun — and also do good work,” said Taylor. 

The dispensary has also recently deployed a mobile unit to reach customers across the reservation’s several communities — think food truck equipped with surveillance, a small tent and music. She says communities surrounding Red Lake may also soon see the mobile unit. 

“Legally, we’re making sure that we’re doing everything to protect the assets of NativeCare,” said Taylor. “At the moment, we are operating within the reservation boundaries.” 

The dispensary will celebrate its anniversary with day-long festivities, including an invitation to TikTok star Doggface. People might remember the influencer who skateboarded and lip-synced his way to social media fame a couple of years back. He’s set to join the celebration Saturday afternoon. 

“There’s more to cannabis, to plant medicine, than recreational use,” said Taylor. “But there’s also great value in recreational use.”

Melissa Olson

Author

Last August, Red Lake Nation opened NativeCare, a seed-to-sale cannabis operation. The state’s first cannabis dispensary has hired new leadership and will embark on a campaign to educate customers about the benefits of cannabis.

Last August, Red Lake Nation opened NativeCare, a seed-to-sale cannabis operation. The state’s first cannabis dispensary has hired new leadership and will embark on a campaign to educate customers about the benefits of cannabis.

State’s 1st legal cannabis dispensary celebrates anniversary, seeks new ways to reach customers

A building with a sign that reads nativecare-3

Mathew Holding Eagle III | MPR News

Two people on either side of a counter with cash register

Strains of recreational cannabis in jars with labels

State’s 1st legal cannabis dispensary celebrates anniversary, seeks new ways to reach customers

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