St. Paul, Minn. – Today, Governor Tim Walz and the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) announced the signing of a new Tribal-state cannabis compact authorized under state statute. The agreement outlines how the state of Minnesota and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe will protect the public health, safety, and well-being of all Minnesotans regarding adult-use cannabis and respects the sovereignty and self-rule of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe people.  

“This Tribal-state compact with the Leech Lake Band represents another important step in our collaboration with Tribal Nations to build a unique cannabis industry in Minnesota,” said OCM Executive Director Eric Taubel. “This partnership will create economic opportunities for the Tribe and all Minnesotans, and it furthers our mutual dedication to establishing a safe, well-regulated market that Minnesotans can trust.” 

In Minnesota’s cannabis law, the state Legislature directed the governor to negotiate intergovernmental agreements—cannabis compacts—with Tribal Nations sharing territory with Minnesota to strengthen public health and safety, secure an equitable and well-regulated cannabis market, and provide financial benefits to both the state and Tribal Nations.  

“On behalf of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, I am honored to participate in this historic signing ceremony, which marks a critical moment for the economic development of the tribe and the State of Minnesota,”said Faron Jackson, chairman of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. “This tribal-state compact enshrines the rights of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe—and also tribal cannabis enterprises—both on and off reservation lands. This is an important step towards producing jobs for tribal citizens and other community members and we look forward to stimulating revenue and significant job growth on tribal land in northern Minnesota and across the state.” 

While the specifics of each Tribal-state compact are unique to each Tribal Nation, each agreement contains the same commitments to put public health and safety first through product testing, data gathering, and analysis, ensuring consistency for customers throughout Minnesota's cannabis market.  

Compact negotiations continue between the state and Tribal Nations sharing territory with the state of Minnesota. To date, the state has signed four compacts with White Earth Nation, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, the Prairie Island Indian Community, and the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. The state expects to announce additional Tribal-state cannabis compacts soon.  

More information about the compacting process, including copies of signed, executed Tribal-state cannabis compacts, can be found on OCM’s Tribal Compacts webpage.  

Links to download photos from the signing ceremony held today, with captions: 

/ocm/assets/Governor%20Walz%20and%20Leech%20Lake%20Band%20Chairman%20Faron%20Jackson%20sign%20cannabis%20compact_tcm1202-711209.jpgPhoto 1: Governor Tim Walz and Chairman Faron Jackson of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe sign a Tribal-state cannabis compact on Oct. 30, 2025.

/ocm/assets/Governor%20Walz-Chairman%20Jackson%20and%20members%20of%20the%20Leech%20Lake%20Band%20at%20the%20cannabis%20compact%20signing_tcm1202-711212.jpgPhoto 2: Pictured left-right: (back row) Steve White, LLBO District 2 representative; Leonard Fineday, LLBO secretary-treasurer; Leon Staples, LLBO District 3 representative; Steven Day, chairman of LLBO Cannabis Regulator Commission; (front row) Chairman Faron Jackson, LLBO; Governor Tim Walz.