GTI Opens Rise Dispensaries in Minnesota, Expanding Access to Adult-Use Cannabis Buyers

CHICAGO – Green Thumb Industries (GTI) announced opening its Rise dispensaries across Minnesota, marking a key step in the state’s shift to broader access for adult consumers. The move comes two years after lawmakers approved legalization, allowing established medical providers to expand into the general market ahead of a full retail licensing rollout.

Sales start September 17 at retail locations in Brooklyn Park, Eagan, Mankato, New Hope and Willmar. Three additional Rise stores are set to follow in the coming weeks. Customers aged 21+ can now purchase flower, edibles, and other products from Green Thumb’s brand portfolio, without needing a medical card. This follows a similar launch by competitor Vireo Growth Inc. at its eight Green Goods outlets statewide.

Minnesota’s Cannabis framework, enacted in 2023, permits adults to possess up to two ounces in public and grow up to eight plants at home. Until now, non-tribal sales were limited to medical use, with tribal nations operating their own dispensaries since last year. The state Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has approved these expansions for existing operators to bridge the gap while it develops rules for new entrants, expected next year.

With a population of about 5.8 million, Minnesota represents untapped potential for Cannabis companies. Unlike denser markets in Colorado or California, the state currently has just two dominant non-tribal players, Green Thumb and Vireo, handling both retail and wholesale. This setup could boost revenues through limited competition, especially since neighboring states like Wisconsin and Iowa lack recreational programs. Analysts project steady growth as demand builds, though challenges remain in supply chain logistics and regulatory oversight.

Green Thumb, operating 108 stores nationwide, views Minnesota as a strategic addition, with company executives highlighting the opportunity for organic expansion in a market free from immediate oversaturation.

As Minnesota’s Cannabis sector takes shape, early movers like Green Thumb stand to gain from first advantages, but sustained success will depend on adapting to consumer preferences and forthcoming state guidelines. For now, the opening signals a practical advance in access for residents.