Council approves 2 cannabis registrations

City News August 12, 2025

At its Aug. 11 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council approved two of three cannabis retailer registrations on its agenda:

• Christopher Gracia of New Mexico, doing business as Matchbox Farms, plans to open a retail business at 2316 Hendrickson Road.
• Cristina Aranguiz of Washington state, doing business as Black Husky, plans to open a retail business at 2706 Ekko Ave.

The council took no action on a third registration, Jacob Schlichter of Albert Lea, a registration that it voted against at its July 28 meeting. The lack of action means the registration is not approved. City Manager Ian Rigg did not recommend reconsideration by the council based on the applicant’s criminal history, probation violations and recent actions.

The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) issues the licenses to sell cannabis. The City of Albert Lea then registers the applicant locally, and that registration – similar to an alcohol license – is subject to council approval. 

Mayor Rich Murray said, “The state has failed to protect our community and protect communities across the state of Minnesota when they limited the Office of Cannabis Management’s authority to consider this applicant or others similar as objectionable.

“Approving this registration remains objectionable by the city based on his refusal to follow lawful instructions. His reaction to the denial was to harass people to the point they sought new restraining orders after a few years of silence. The applicant has publicly stated that he does not have to follow any of the local requirements.

“We’re doing the uncomfortable thing that the Legislature and the governor failed to do, which is protecting our residents.”

The council discussed adding criminal background checks by the city to its criteria for approving cannabis registrations, similar to the requirements for licenses to sell alcohol. The council is also considering raising the current limit of two non-tribal cannabis retailers in the future.

 For all the public forum comments and full council discussion, watch the council meeting on YouTube