Minnesota Nears First Retail Cannabis Licenses in Albert Lea

Albert Lea, Minnesota, is poised to become home to the state’s first retail cannabis dispensary off tribal land, with Jacob Schlichter’s business, The Smoking Tree, nearing the final licensing stages. Schlichter has passed state inspection and received preliminary approval from the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), but the official license is pending payment of a licensing fee amid a slow and complex regulatory process focused on equitable license distribution. The OCM has so far issued only one cannabis license for cultivation, while retail licenses are awaited, and city officials are prepared to register local businesses once the state completes its work. Schlichter, a social equity microbusiness applicant, has prepared his store to meet stringent state and city regulations, emphasizing security and compliance, and aims to invest proceeds into community education. Meanwhile, in Portland, Oregon, Broadway Cannabis Market plans to open a new dispensary in Montavilla's historic downtown by early 2026, reflecting a trend of cannabis retailers expanding into established commercial areas with community support. Both cases highlight the evolving cannabis retail landscape facing regulatory hurdles and community integration efforts in different states.