Northern Lights

Comment, question, or idea for the podcast? Send us a Text Message! On Monday, December 4th, Chris Tholkes, the Director of the Minnesota Office of Medical Cannabis, announced her resignation to join the City of Minneapolis. Her tenure will conclude this Friday, as confirmed by the Health Department. In this episode, join John, Marcus, and Tanner as they delve into the nuances of this development,...

Comment, question, or idea for the podcast? Send us a Text Message! Marcus and Tanner are back covering some big news in the Minnesota Cannabis industry (and here at the Minnesota Cannabis College)! Rulemaking, county regulations, and recipes for cannabis brownies?? All that and more on this episode of Northern Lights! We try out a few Minnesota-made cannabis products, including Kite Soda’s new Ki...

Comment, question, or idea for the podcast? Send us a Text Message! Taking a short break this week, we're gearing up for some exciting developments! Meanwhile, we're thrilled to revisit an outstanding class we recently hosted on the art of drying cannabis. Mastering this step is key to achieving top-notch quality and ensuring your product stands the test of time. Join Brian Rice, the Dir...

Comment, question, or idea for the podcast? Send us a Text Message! In this high-spirited episode of Northern Lights, Tanner, Marcus, and John delve into the contentious approval of a whopping $10M loan meant to sprout a new cannabis operation in Grand Rapids. Spoiler alert: It might not be the green revolution Minnesota was hoping for. Navigating through the haze, our hosts then dissect the stanc...

Comment, question, or idea for the podcast? Send us a Text Message! Minnesota Cannabis Industry: Let’s Come Together (Presented by North Star Law Group) | September 25, 2023 | Minneapolis Cider Co. On Monday, September 25th at 5:30 pm, Canna Connect MN, together with the Minnesota Cannabis College, North Star Law Group, and the Minnesota Office of Medical Cannabis will host an inspiring panel disc...

Comment, question, or idea for the podcast? Send us a Text Message! It’s been a pretty boring couple of weeks in cannabis in Minnesota. Oh, except for the Legacy Cup that hosted 12,000+ attendees, the number of registered cannabis businesses has skyrocketed, Elk River is allowing cannabis medicine to be administered at school by parents, and the state has begun investigating the previous selection...

Comment, question, or idea for the podcast? Send us a Text Message! It's October 2nd! That means you better have registered with the State of Minnesota if you're selling cannabis products. But that's not the only thing going on, we're also talking about the OCM Director, talking about medical cannabis access, and talking about the tasty products that we tried from Trail Magic a...

Comment, question, or idea for the podcast? Send us a Text Message! Today we’re sharing an interview that we did with the previously named director of the Office of Cannabis Management, Erin DuPree. Erin’s been the talk of a lot of news surrounding the cannabis industry here in Minnesota, and we wanted to give her an opportunity to share her side of the story.  During this conversation, Erin share...

Comment, question, or idea for the podcast? Send us a Text Message! Breaking News! Just one day after her appointment as the director of the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management, Erin DuPree has resigned. Join John, Marcus, and Tanner yet again as they unpack the events of the last 36 hours. Support the show

Comment, question, or idea for the podcast? Send us a Text Message! Breaking News! On September 21st, Gov. Tim Walz unveiled the selection of Erin DuPree as the inaugural director of the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). Dive in with John, Marcus, and Tanner as they unpack this significant announcement. Fun Fact of the Day: Erin DuPree's grandfather, Representative Andrew Wambach...

Comment, question, or idea for the podcast? Send us a Text Message! The Minnesota Supreme Court weighs in on the smell of cannabis, local governments weigh in on where you can exercise your civil liberties, and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe weighs in on who can sell cannabis on tribal lands (hint: it’s just the Band, for now). Then Marcus and Tanner weigh in on a few coffee cannabis products. Last...

Comment, question, or idea for the podcast? Send us a Text Message! Could cannabis be federally rescheduled? Our guest, Jen Reise of North Star Law Group, helps to break that down along with answering some listener questions! We also explain the nearly $600,000 in cannabis revenue from month one, explore what cities and counties are doing with cannabis around Minnesota, and try the new functional...

Comment, question, or idea for the podcast? Send us a Text Message! More cannabis businesses are opening throughout Minnesota, and we have an action-packed episode to fill you in! Join us as our guests, Thomas Thorpe and Aaron Morrison from Granny’s Edibles, discuss the ins and outs of starting a cannabis brand. They also offer an exclusive look into their unique product line, with samples of Gran...

Comment, question, or idea for the podcast? Send us a Text Message! Cannabis is legal in Minnesota! In this episode, our guest Jen Reise of North Star Law Group helps us to break down what's legal, and what remains illegal, around cannabis in Minnesota. We also sample some products from a few of our friends up north (Bent Paddle Brewing Co. and Blacklist Brewing). Finally, we come to you live...

Comment, question, or idea for the podcast? Send us a Text Message! As we approach the historic eve of cannabis legalization, we take a moment to reflect on the journey that led us here. We briefly delve into the complex history of cannabis and its unjust criminalization, shedding light on the devastating consequences of the war on drugs.  But this episode is not just about the legalization celebr...

Comment, question, or idea for the podcast? Send us a Text Message! Welcome to Episode Four of Northern Lights! In this captivating episode, we bring you exciting updates, explore license types, indulge in new THC-infused products, and engage in an enlightening interview with David Gonzalez from The Hemp House. In the introduction, we delve into the eagerly anticipated news that Red Lake Nation wi...

Comment, question, or idea for the podcast? Send us a Text Message! Welcome to another enlightening episode of Northern Lights! We dive into recent Minnesota cannabis updates, starting with the posting of the OCM Director position and the new Seed FAQ dropped by the Department of Agriculture. Unpacking the program's specific rules, we discuss potential opportunities this development presents...

Comment, question, or idea for the podcast? Send us a Text Message! In the second episode of Northern Lights, we illuminate the roles of women in the ever-evolving Minnesota cannabis scene. We start with a spirited speculation about who will head up the office of cannabis management, setting the stage for the unfolding landscape of legal cannabis in Minnesota. Then, we get hands-on with some incre...

Comment, question, or idea for the podcast? Send us a Text Message! Minnesota's cannabis scene is in the spotlight as laws evolve and new products like hit the shelves. In our inaugural episode of Northern Lights, we delve into these updates, give our take on the tantalizing new THC seltzer from Legacy/Indeed, and discuss the much-anticipated CannaConnect event on July 29th. Then, we have an...

Comment, question, or idea for the podcast? Send us a Text Message! Get ready to dive into the world of cannabis with Northern Lights, a bi-weekly podcast that shines a light on this dynamic industry. Co-hosted by industry insiders and activists, Northern Lights aims to be your beacon in the complex and rapidly evolving cannabis landscape. Each episode of Northern Lights comes packed with a wealth...