Minnesota's adult-use cannabis industry has begun to bud as many potential retail owners are nearing the finish line. In June, the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) drew 249 winners during the first state lottery. Now, all that's left for the winning businesses to complete before starting sales is a state inspection and the local government's approval.
Although the Smoking Tree storefront was bare, and its shelves were empty on Wednesday, owner Jacob Schlichter was riding the highs of being named the state's first owner to receive a micro retail license, and now, the state's first micro retail owner to pass inspection.
"I pretty much eat, sleep, and breathe this. To be here is just an honor and an absolute humbling experience. I didn't expect to be this early. I thought I'd be coming in towards the end, if anything, Schlichter said. "I just wanted to be timely, to be one of those two in my city. So that the citizens' money, that would be spent at any dispensary here, could be spent at a local one, and that money can go right back into that same community."
Along with giving back to his community through sales tax, he hoped his business would also help those struggling with drug addiction.
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