Community, Connection & Cannabis on the North Shore

83 degrees. Sunshine. Blue skies. A light breeze off Lake Superior.

Mother Nature couldn’t have delivered a more perfect evening for Canna Connect’s Cannabis & Community: Networking on the North Shore. With fall colors starting to peek through the lush forests and gardens surrounding Castle Danger Brewery, the setting was pure Minnesota magic, the ideal backdrop for a night of connection and collaboration.

The Energy Was There Before the First Pour

Guests started arriving before 5 PM, a sure sign of the excitement building around this event. With drinks in hand, conversations sparked immediately, partnerships were formed, ideas exchanged, and friendships made right there on the Shore.

Industry Leaders, Local Voices

The evening kicked off with a warm welcome from Spencer Ploessl, followed by remarks from Marci Knight of Park State Bank, Fatima Moore of Sota Cann, and Will Blauvelt of Stinson LLP. Each speaker brought a unique perspective on Minnesota’s emerging cannabis industry, sharing not just knowledge, but inspiration for where we can go together as a community.

Food, Fun & Firsts

Emma’s Food Truck kept everyone fueled with a menu that had something for everyone, from cheese curds and hot dogs to egg rolls and empanadas. Meanwhile, Northern Cultivation generously sponsored event photography, capturing the energy and connections that made the night so special.

The timing of the event couldn’t have been better, coming just one day after the opening of Legacy Cannabis in Duluth as Minnesota’s first non-tribal recreational dispensary. That sense of progress and possibility could be felt in every conversation, a shared recognition that this industry is growing, and we’re growing with it.

A True Cross-Section of the Industry

Cultivators, distributors, insurers, bankers, trade associations, enthusiasts, newcomers, retailers, marketers, and event producers all came together, proving that cannabis in Minnesota is about more than business. It’s about building relationships that stretch beyond city limits and into every corner of the state.

Gratitude & Momentum

The feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Many shared how refreshing it was to connect in a relaxed, welcoming setting and to see such a diverse cross-section of the industry gathered together on the North Shore. People left feeling inspired, energized, and ready to continue the conversations that began over a drink or a bite to eat.

This event showed just how much momentum is building in Minnesota’s cannabis community and how hungry people are for spaces that foster real collaboration and connection.

Thank You to Our Partners

Events like this don’t happen without support. Huge thanks to our partners Park State Bank, Sota Cann, Castle Danger Brewery, and Northern Cultivators for helping bring this vision to life.

See You on the Shore Next Time

Cannabis in Minnesota is more than an industry, it’s a movement. Together, we’re creating a future that’s collaborative, inclusive, and rooted in community. If you missed this event, don’t worry, there are more to come, and we’d love to see you at the next one.

Here’s to more community, more conversation, and a bright future for Minnesota cannabis, we’ll see you next time!