Last week, State Senator Foung Hawj from St. Paul chaired a get-together on the East Side for local cannabis producers to hash out the ins and outs of growing their businesses under Minnesota's fresh regulatory landscape. Hawj, a Democrat, had a solid turnout for the forum, which welcomed Senator Lindsey Port of Burnsville, among other state officials, to disseminate the lowdown on the new rules governing the cannabis industry.

Sources say the meeting was designed to quickly get local players up to speed on how to navigate the licensing process, score grants, and foster a more inclusive environment for the small-scale grower and BIPOC communities. In a statement obtained by the Senate DFL website, Hawj expressed his satisfaction over the event, "I was grateful and pleased to see high turnout and engagement at our first East-Side Cannabis Producer’s Forum."

Squared on empowering local communities, the dialogue centered on economic growth, social justice, and sustainable development. The forum was aimed to serve as a stepping stone for future discussions and actions that will unfold within the community. "The forum was aimed at empowering local communities and learning how this new industry can serve as a catalyst for economic growth, social justice, and sustainable development," Hawj's statement read.

An alignment with the Commissioner of Agriculture Thom Petersen and staff from the Office of Cannabis Management insisted on the necessity for continued dialogue. Senator Hawj maintained an optimistic outlook, "I am happy to say it was a success. I look forward to continuing these conversations in our community to ensure the development of this new industry remains accessible and inclusive to all." Hawj is positioning himself firmly in the cannabis ring, pledging to keep these community-focused forums rolling as Minnesota's green wave continues to grow.