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| |  | Cali Cannabis in Uptown Minneapolis. (Tiffany Bui / City Cast Twin Cities) |
| One Year of Buying Weed In-Store | Last September, non-tribal recreational marijuana stores opened in Minnesota for the first time. (Maybe you braved some first-day lines?) Minnesotans have spent $250 million on recreational and medical cannabis since then, according to new figures from the Office of Cannabis Management. This doesn’t account for sales of hemp-derived THC products, since that’s not tracked. But overall, cannabis and hemp-derived edibles and drinks contributed over $45 million in tax revenue. The numbers provide a snapshot of the state’s burgeoning legal weed industry as it finds footing – and is potentially upended by a federal ban on hemp-THC products. [Office of Cannabis Management] | - Equity: The state has tried to address the disproportionate impact of marijuana criminalization on marginalized communities through its social equity licenses. The OCM reports 43% of cannabis businesses are owned by such license-holders. To qualify, a social equity applicant must be a veteran, live in a high-poverty area, or have been impacted by a cannabis charge. The Minnesota Reformer estimates that definition covers about one-third of Minnesotans. [Minnesota Reformer]
- Medical need persists: A growing number of patients are using medical marijuana to treat their symptoms, which the OCM says is contrary to trends in other states after recreational legalization. The OCM also reports the number of enrollees in the state’s medical marijuana program have doubled since 2023 thanks to recent laws easing access. [OCM]
- Rewind: The demand is certainly here, but the rollout of licensing and remaining logistical challenges have made getting recreational marijuana to market bumpy, to say the least. Social equity applicants were unhappy that Rise and Green Goods seemed to get a jump on selling recreational weed. There’s not yet enough licensed cultivators to solve the supply issue. Plus, flower is still pretty expensive. [Star Tribune / CBS Minnesota]
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| | | Award-winning bluegrass duo The Gibson Brothers bring their sibling harmonies, sharp songwriting, and decades of acclaimed music-making to Hopkins Center for the Arts on September 26. Minnesota favorites Monroe Crossing joins them for a night of bluegrass in our intimate downtown Hopkins theater. Make a night of it with free parking and restaurants just steps away. Tickets are on sale now. |
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| What the Cities Are Talking About |
| More foreclosure news: I was so distracted by Summit Brewing facing foreclosure that I missed the news that HmongTown Marketplace is facing the same peril. Stearns Bank filed for foreclosure against the market and its owners, alleging $6.5 million in unpaid loans. However, owner Toua Xiong and his lawyer say the bank put him in a dire financial decision when they backed out of his project to expand into Maplewood Mall. It’s a sprawling story of lawsuits, and gives some insight into why the Maplewood Mall’s Pan-Asian Center feels 'Backrooms'-esque. [Pioneer Press / KARE 11] | | Fraud fracas: Hennepin County closed its fund for small businesses impacted by the winter’s ICE surge after approving less than a third of the applications. County officials say they were beset by fraudulent applications, but were able to weed them out so no money was lost. Ultimately, the program distributed just $500,000 of the $2 million approved. [KSTP / FOX 9] |  | Don’t sleep on the wings from Khue’s Kitchen. (Sean McPherson / City Cast) |
| Win on wins: Congrats to Khue’s Kitchen for being named one of The New York Times’ best restaurants in America. A nice second trophy, after the Star Tribune crowned them 2025’s best new restaurant in December. Personally, I bestow upon them the “Good-Enough-For-My-Grandparents” Award. Get the jicama ribs and if you’re a pork-chop hater, Khue’s might make you a convert. I always get a glass of United Ferments Jasmine Green on the side. [The New York Times] | | “Time is of the essence”: When will United Village be finished? Looks like there’s some movement. Fred Melo reports hotel construction is resuming after an impasse between the city and developer. The acre of garden planned to connect the hotel to the giant loon statue is still on hold, though the owner of Minnesota United has previously staked the project on it. [Pioneer Press] | |
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Producer Adam (of Taco Bell 50k fame) regretfully tells me he can’t make the El Tour de Taco this Saturday, but maybe you can. If you want some real tacos (sorry T-Bell) and good biking company, this seems to be the thing. |
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