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The opening of T’s THC, a 10,800-square-foot cannabis cultivation facility owned by Therese Haugen, has been halted due to a jurisdictional dispute between the business and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.
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The primary conflict stems from the facility’s location on privately owned land that sits within the exterior boundaries of the Leech Lake Reservation.
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Red Lake Nation News +1Key Points of Contention
- Lack of Licensing Pathway: The Leech Lake Band’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission stated that there is currently no legal “pathway” for a non-Band member to operate a cannabis business within reservation boundaries.
- Tribal vs. State Authority: The Band contends that tribal consent is mandatory for any cannabis business operating within its boundaries. Because the current tribal regulatory act does not include a licensing mechanism for non-members, they cannot grant the necessary authorization.
- Pre-existing Permits: Haugen and her partners argue that since they obtained a preliminary state license before the Leech Lake Band signed its cannabis compact with the state in October 2025, the Band should not have jurisdiction over their operations.
- Financial Impact: Haugen has reportedly invested “seven figures” into the facility, which she intended to open by spring 2026.
Current Status
The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) suggested that Haugen move the business off the reservation, a proposal she described as impossible given the fixed nature of her building. Haugen has indicated that she may seek a resolution through federal court, citing legal precedents that limit tribal authority over non-members on non-tribal fee land.
