(KNOX) –A cannabis business that was approved to open up a shop in East Grand Forks will not end up coming to the city. Red Iris LLC is the company, and the real estate company working with Red Iris, Chicago Atlantic, told the city the purchasing agreement for the location was being terminated. Chicago Atlantic also said Red Iris was as no longer trying to get a license with the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management
City Administrator Reid Huttunen…
Red Iris and company Skol MN LLC were both granted preliminary registration approval in August 2025 through a lottery selection. Two more businesses were selected as backup options if the first two decided to not go through with the application.
Washington State company Boreal Elite LLC, a Washington-based company, was chosen as the other option for Red Iris.
Mayor Mark Olstad doesn’t believe that Boreal Elite should get a license to open a dispensary.
East Grand Forks originally created its cannabis ordinance to only allow two dispensaries. White Earth Nation opened a third dispensary in May called Waabigwan Mashkiki, where several Indigenous tribes have agreements with the state government to open and allow dispensaries to set up shop in other communities regardless of any ordinances that limit the amount of dispensaries allowed in a city. Skol MN is still working on opening its business.
Red Iris was going to move into the property that was previously owned by the Spud Jr. restaurant. Olstad says that MNBowl chose not to renew the lease on the Spud Jr.’s property and that the location was not a decision made by the city.
Council President Brian Larson brought up the idea to discuss with the committee that created dispensary regulations and ordinances. Huttenen also said he would present to the council what he discovers from the committee.
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