Forest Lake mayor opens city's first cannabis dispensary
A new cannabis dispensary just opened north of the Twin Cities metro and the city's mayor is one of the owners.
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A new cannabis dispensary just opened north of the Twin Cities metro and the city's mayor is one of the owners.
Minnesotans have plenty of experience grabbing beer or wine at liquor stores. That's not the case when it comes to legally buying marijuana. In this Good Question, Jeff Wagner helps first-timers navigate the ins and outs of shopping at a dispensary.
Eric Taubel, executive director of the Office of Cannabis Management, said he expects monthly sales to double in the coming months and years.
The state is cashing in on cannabis. Sales of adult-use weed and hemp products in Minnesota hit $210 million last year. That brought in more than $27 million in tax revenue. More is likely to come as the legal market ramps up. But as Caroline Cummings reports, there are still some growing pains with going green.
The City of Anoka is entering the cannabis business, opening the first city-owned cannabis dispensary in Minnesota and the only one of its kind currently operating in the country.
A first-of-its-kind cannabis dispensary is now open for business in the Twin Cities. Photojournalist Joe Van Ryn and Jeff Wagner take us inside Anoka Cannabis Company to see what makes the shop so different.
As Minnesota's legal cannabis market is just beginning its rollout, very few licensees have the official greenlight, reports Caroline Cummings.
The first recreational marijuana dispensary not owned by a tribe opened for business in Minnesota on Tuesday.
History-making moments for marijuana in Minnesota. The first dispensary not owned by a tribe opened for business. "Legacy Cannabis" in Downtown Duluth holds the distinction. The first three dispensaries in the metro will open their doors on Wednesday. As Photojournalist Tony Peterson and Frankie McLister report, more than two years after legalization was signed into law, dispensary day is suddenly here.
RISE Dispensary said its medical locations in Brooklyn Park, Eagan, Mankato, New Hope and Willmar will open up for recreational users on Wednesday.
The Minnesota State Fair isn't just a fun place to snack and shop. It's a chance to get a pulse of the state on hot-button issues. Nearly 10,000 people participated in the 2025 House of Representatives State Fair Poll, touching on topics that dominated the recent legislative session and maybe conversations at the dinner table.
President Trump is celebrating a new trade deal with Indonesia on Tuesday. It's one of the world's largest producers of copper. The president has threatened a 50% tariff on copper imports starting next month. In "WCCO Price Check," Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield shows us what that means for one of Minnesota's newest industries.
A budding business in southern Minnesota is on track for a legal cannabis market milestone: opening the first retail non-tribally owned dispensary off of tribal land.
A budding business in Southern Minnesota is on track for a legal cannabis market milestone. A dispensary in Albert Lea has cleared a key hurdle and just needs to pay its licensing fee. Caroline Cummings reports on what's next for him and the industry.
It is the tribe's second such cannabis dispensary. Their first opened in Moorhead in May.
Minnesotans can now legally buy marijuana just an hour north of the Twin Cities. A Native tribe just opened a new shop in St. Cloud today. As WCCO's Jason Rantala shows us, customers were buzzing with excitement.
Minnesota regulators hold lotteries for business licenses, giving greenlight for some industry hopefuls to move forward two years after legalization.
Cannabis industry hopefuls and advocates rallied at the Minnesota State Capitol on Wednesday in protest of a proposed tax hike on retail sales before the legal market is even off the ground.
On Tuesday, Gov. Tim Walz signed the first tribal-state compact authorized under Minnesota's 2023 cannabis law.
Minnesota legalized recreational marijuana in 2023, and at the time the state said stores could be open as early as March of this year, but the licensing for retail cannabis shops continues to be delayed.
When will your neighborhood store be open for recreational sales? For those dreaming of green in dollars with a new small cannabis business, they're stuck waiting.
While 4/20 is a celebratory time for her, My Little CBD Co., owner Lynn Bialick said she is surprised at how long it's taking just to set up a cannabis marketplace.
Last week, rules were formally released for licensing cannabis shops. Esme Murphy spoke with Eric Taubel, the Interim Director at the Office of Cannabis Management, to find out when your neighborhood cannabis shop could open.
Marijuana is legal in Minnesota, but the Minneapolis Park Board wants to limit where smokers can light up. WCCO's Kirsten Mitchell explains what going green could look like in the city's world-renowned parks.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board discussed a policy on Wednesday night that aims to ban the use of cannabis and THC in city parks, but stopped short of making it a criminal offense.
A plane crash in Winona, Minnesota, left one person dead Thursday evening.
Conservationists at the Minnesota Zoo say recovery efforts for one of North America's most endangered butterfly species are giving them renewed optimism about the species' future.
A dangerous social media trend is circulating online, and Minnesota health experts are warning parents it involves allergy medication.
It has been a year of ups and downs for Ashley Berry, the mother of Jordan "Manny" Collins Jr., as she attempts to deal with the loss of her only child. One year after his death, she's focused on the good her son brought to the world.
Dangerous living conditions are leading to demands that a public housing leader in Minneapolis be fired.
Conservationists at the Minnesota Zoo say recovery efforts for one of North America's most endangered butterfly species are giving them renewed optimism about the species' future.
Dangerous living conditions are leading to demands that a public housing leader in Minneapolis be fired.
Minneapolis city leaders approved a five-month pause on new data center development Thursday, adding the state's largest city to a growing debate over the economic benefits and potential impacts of the rapidly expanding industry.
Back-to-back earthquakes rattled Venezuela Wednesday evening, killing nearly 190 people.
Fifteen people, most of them Minnesotans, were arrested and charged last week, accused of impeding Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.
A plane crash in Winona, Minnesota, left one person dead Thursday evening.
A new report says nearly half of Minnesota hospitality and tourism businesses surveyed are seeing fewer customers and less income as the state heads into its most profitable season.
We have another action-packed weekend with events happening every day all across the state, including plenty of ways to celebrate Pride!
It's a lake cruise in the middle of town, and there's more than pelicans on the Pelican Breeze tour in Albert Lea, Minnesota.
Invasive species like zebra mussels or Eurasian watermilfoil are at a much higher risk of spreading this time of year from used boating equipment.
A 63-year-old man was killed in a single-vehicle crash Sunday morning in western Wisconsin.
A federal judge ruled ICE failed to show enough evidence to justify holding Salah Sarsour, a legal permanent resident detained for 80 days after speaking out in support of Palestinian rights.
Jim Troupis, Mike Roman, and Ken Chesebro entered not guilty pleas in Dane County Circuit Court on Tuesday to 11 felony forgery charges tied to a scheme to submit false electoral certificates to Congress after Trump lost Wisconsin in 2020.
A federal judge ruled Tuesday that Hannah Dugan's obstruction of justice conviction will stand, rejecting her legal team's argument that a recent appeals court ruling should have invalidated the case.
A big birthday party is coming up this summer, one that every American can celebrate. And it could help the fireworks industry explode with record sales. WCCO explores how much Americans spend each year on fireworks.
What started as a small fundraiser following one of Joe's surgeries at Gillette Children's has grown into a community tradition that has raised nearly $100,000 for the hospital.
A trip to the video store was once a weekly ritual, and now one Minnesota movie lover is trying to bring that experience back.
Betty and Kermit Eastman, both 99, celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary on June 6 — a milestone so rare that on average only one couple in the U.S. reaches it each year.
Created by artist Lilyan Lauzon, the mini art vending machine at Inkwell Booksellers charges no fees to artists and returns the full $1 sale price to each creator.
On the Lake Harriet shoreline in Minneapolis Saturday evening, dozens of children picked up a fishing rod for the first time.
A judge on Thursday ordered the Justice Department to either release unredacted versions of several files on the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein or explain why it can't do so.
Minnesota Congressman Tom Emmer made the remarks at a Faith and Freedom Coalition town hall on Capitol Hill, drawing a sharp response from Rep. Ilhan Omar.
Two anti-ICE protesters charged with felonies in federal court tell their story to WCCO's Esme Murphy.
The Minneapolis City Council on Thursday voted to overturn a ban on adult bathhouses and sex venues that has been in place for 38 years.
Republican state Sen. Thomas Pischke of Dell Rapids turned himself in to the Minnehaha County Jail and was released on a promise to appear, facing two felony counts tied to forged signatures on Republican Party nomination forms.
Insurance experts say hail damage claims that once averaged $10,000–$15,000 now routinely reach $40,000–$60,000, even as many policies have shifted away from full replacement coverage.
Hundreds of workers, employed by Delaware North Company to serve food and drinks, say they are fighting for livable wages and healthcare benefits.
Target is tapping designer and TV personality Isaac Mizrahi for a newly created role as creative director at large as the discounter aims to reclaim its reputation for stylish clothing on a budget.
Target is voluntarily recalling two types of baby wipes due to concerns that the products may be contaminated with bacteria that may cause "serious and life-threatening infections," the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Friday.
The dream of a woman in Minnesota started with excitement, but quickly unraveled into loss after she said she fell victim to a scheme that targeted more than 30 Spanish speakers.
Vance Boelter, the man who pleaded guilty to assassinating former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, is set to be sentenced on federal charges later this summer.
Federal prosecutors say they've charged a Twin Cities man and his son in connection to an alleged income tax scheme.
An Oakdale, Minnesota, man faces criminal charges after authorities say his blood-alcohol count was three times the legal limit when he crashed into multiple Woodbury townhouses this past weekend, triggering a gas leak.
A judge sentenced a man convicted in connection with a federal crackdown involving dozens of members of a major gang in Minneapolis to more than 11 years in prison.
A Twin Cities woman who was facing a felony for assaulting federal agents during a tense operation last summer pleaded guilty on Tuesday.
A dangerous social media trend is circulating online, and Minnesota health experts are warning parents it involves allergy medication.
The Minneapolis City Council on Thursday voted to overturn a ban on adult bathhouses and sex venues that has been in place for 38 years.
Emily Pearson has a rare genetic disorder that causes severe, painful reactions to sunlight.
Jenn Glass has been taking a GLP-1 since last November. The 53-year-old mother of three has already lost more than 30 pounds, but she's focused on something beyond the number on the scale.
It's a gruesome problem impacting livestock in southern states and veterinarians worry it could come to Minnesota.
We have another action-packed weekend with events happening every day all across the state, including plenty of ways to celebrate Pride!
Legendary musician Lionel Richie had to cut his performance short Wednesday night in St. Paul, Minnesota, leaving fans with many questions.
A trip to the video store was once a weekly ritual, and now one Minnesota movie lover is trying to bring that experience back.
Clive Davis helped shape the careers of music stars including Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen and Whitney Houston.
Created by artist Lilyan Lauzon, the mini art vending machine at Inkwell Booksellers charges no fees to artists and returns the full $1 sale price to each creator.
No foul was initially called after Alyssa Thomas' fist made contact with Caitlin Clark's throat during a game between the Phoenix Mercury and Indiana Fever on Wednesday.
A Minnesota Timberwolves fan favorite is reportedly heading out the door.
Mookie Betts backed Shohei Ohtani with his 300th career home run, three hits and slick defense, as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Minnesota Twins 4-3 for a three-game sweep.
Minnesota Twins right-hander Mick Abel has been recommended for arthroscopic elbow surgery after a recent setback in his injury recovery.
Natasha Howard had 21 points and a season-high 15 rebounds, Olivia Miles scored 10 of her 21 points in the fourth quarter, and the Minnesota Lynx rallied from a 12-point deficit to beat the Washington Mystics 78-76.
Fifteen people, most of them Minnesotans, were arrested and charged last week, accused of impeding Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.
Two anti-ICE protesters charged with felonies in federal court tell their story to WCCO's Esme Murphy.
Early voting for the Aug. 11 primary starts this Friday, and one of the most-watched races in Minnesota is the very tight contest for governor on the Republican side.
After disputes about ballots and concerns about voting totals, businessman Kendall Qualls won the endorsement.
Minnesota's endorsing conventions are over, and the story of the weekend is the upset of House Speaker Lisa Demuth in the GOP governor's race.
It's a lake cruise in the middle of town, and there's more than pelicans on the Pelican Breeze tour in Albert Lea, Minnesota.
Currie, Minnesota, is truly small-town America. The population hovers at just over 200. But on the northern outskirts, you'll happen upon a place with plenty of bells and whistles: End-O-Line Railroad Park and Museum
School's out, summer's here, and if you're heading to the lake on Highway 10, you may just stumble upon hidden treasure.
Nearly 40 years ago, a building was sent over piece by piece from Norway to a farm in Chippewa County, Minnesota. It's one of the only stabburs in the United States.
Minneiska, Minnesota, is a small river town on Highway 61 near the Mississippi River, but at one point it was home to a castle.
Water beckons Minnesotans this time of year, especially our lakes. But something in it can turn us away, even if other animals and organisms need it.
The latest data shows it's at 331.2 million barrels of oil.
Fifteen Minnesotans charged for conspiracy to impede or injure federal agents are part of what President Trump considers a terrorist group, prosecutors said.
A big birthday party is coming up this summer, one that every American can celebrate. And it could help the fireworks industry explode with record sales. WCCO explores how much Americans spend each year on fireworks.
Minnesotans weathered the third air quality alert triggered by ozone of the year Monday. If two more happen, it will tie the yearly record.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Minnesotans got a great view of the northern lights Tuesday night.
A look at the newest addition to the polar bear population at St. Paul, Minnesota's Como Zoo.
From food shelves to school programs, our team is proud to serve where it matters most.
The Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new food, drinks and vendors for 2025.
Conditions in the Twin Cities will be mostly cloudy for throughout the late morning and afternoon, according to NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer. Temperatures will be around 77 degrees by 5 p.m.
In Minnesota, weather can be all over the place. Here at WCCO, we want to give you what you need to prepare for what's happening next.
Temperatures around the Twin Cities will climb to 80 degrees on Friday and conditions will be warmer on Saturday and Sunday, according to NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer.
Temperatures will reach the 80s across central and southern Minnesota on Friday and during the weekend, according to NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer.
It stays pleasant for the next few days. Highs near 80 tomorrow and still not humid, WCCO meteorologist Mike Augustyniak reports.
Conditions in the Twin Cities will be mostly cloudy for throughout the late morning and afternoon, according to NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer. Temperatures will be around 77 degrees by 5 p.m.
The Poweshiek skipperling butterfly is making a comeback. It had nearly vanished from North America before a partnership involving the Minnesota Zoo helped pull it back from the brink. Photojournalist Ray Campos and reporter Adam Duxter show the next chapter in their story.
Doctors say a social media trend involves something many families already have in their medicine cabinet: Benadryl. Ubah Ali explains the challenge sending teens to the hospital.
The Minneapolis mayor could find himself in a courtroom next year if the city doesn't deal with its under-staffed police force. A court order filed on Thursday said Mayor Jacob Frey "violated and continues to violate his duty" by failing to reach a minimum number of officers. Conor Wight explains why the rare move by the judge could force Mayor Frey's hand in hiring.
On Thursday, Minneapolis pressed pause on building new data centers. But as Jason Rantala explains, there's one area of the city where it doesn't apply.