Public Notice: Preliminary Approval of Proposed Cannabis Regulations by the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe

CASS LAKE, MN – The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission has announced the preliminary approval of a comprehensive set of proposed Cannabis Regulations this week. The regulations aim to establish a robust framework to govern cannabis-related business activities within the reservation, aligning closely with state laws to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the community.

Summary of Proposed Regulations

The proposed regulations, developed pursuant to relevant chapters of the Act, outline several key objectives:

• Health and Safety: Prioritizing the well-being of individuals by mirroring state laws related to cannabis business activities.
• Regulatory Alignment: Ensuring that cannabis business practices within the reservation do not significantly deviate from established guidance priorities.
• Framework Establishment: Setting forth a clear set of rules for the licensing, operation, and management of cannabis businesses, as well as the employment practices within these establishments.
• Applicability and Enforcement: The regulations apply to all individuals and entities involved in cannabis-related businesses within the reservation, ensuring consistent standards of conduct and compliance.
• Sovereignty and Jurisdiction: Reaffirming the Band’s sovereignty, the regulations emphasize that they are adopted as a matter of Band law, without conceding any jurisdiction to the state.
• Public Comment Period

In the spirit of community engagement and transparency, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission is opening a public comment period effective immediately. Community members, stakeholders, and interested parties are encouraged to review the proposed regulations and submit their feedback.

• Comment Period Closure: The public comment period will close on March 18, 2024.
• Consideration of Comments: All comments received will be carefully considered by the Commission at their meeting scheduled for March 20, 2024.

Participation and Submission of Comments

The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe values the input of its community members and stakeholders. To participate in the public comment period, please review the proposed regulations available at https://www.leechlakenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/LLBO-Cannabis-Regulations-PUB.pdf and submit your comments to [email protected] with the subject “LLBO Cannabis Regulations” or deliver written comments to the Tribal Government building before 4:00 p.m. on March 18, 2024.

This is a pivotal moment for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe as we seek to establish a responsible and community-focused approach to cannabis regulation. We look forward to engaging with our community members and stakeholders during this process and encourage everyone to share their insights and feedback.

For More Information

For further details on the proposed regulations or the public comment process, please contact the Legal Department at 335-3673 or [email protected]