COOK- After months of preparation and years of anticipation, Weed Wishes (MICRO-L25-000345) officially began selling marijuana to the public last Saturday, marking a major milestone for the small-town business and for cannabis access in the region.
The shop, co-owned by John and Heather Chaulklin, received its license from the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management on April 1 and opened its doors shortly after.
“Opening day was absolutely fabulous,” Chaulklin said. “We couldn’t have asked for a better turnout, a better day. We’re super stoked to be bringing this to northern Minnesota.”
Customers came from well beyond Cook, underscoring the limited availability of dispensaries across the area. The only other dispensary in the region is Ishkode, a tribal-owned facility operated by the Bois Forte Band.
“We’ve had customers come down from International Falls, all the way from Aurora, the Range,” Chaulklin said. “They’re all super, super happy. They love having an alternative, there’s a place to buy north of the Iron Range.”
Inside, the process reflects the state’s tightly regulated system, with customers required to present a valid ID proving they are 21 or older before entering the retail space. From there, customers are checked in digitally and placed in a queue, where budtenders guide them through purchases and answer questions.
“It’s a double verification process, which is nice,” Chaulklin said.
For now, Weed Wishes is offering a limited but carefully selected lineup. The store currently carries four cannabis strains, three hybrid and one indica, all sold in eighth-ounce quantities, or 3.5 grams, along with pre-rolls and smaller “dog walker” joints.
“They nickname them dog walkers because guys get up in the morning, they just grab the little dog walker and they take their dog for a walk and they smoke that and they’re done,” Chaulklin said. “When the joint’s done and dog’s done, everybody goes home and relaxes.”
All products must be sourced within Minnesota under current law.
Like many early entrants in the state’s emerging cannabis market, Chaulklin said supply has been one of the biggest challenges, particularly in the days immediately following licensure, when he was working the phones to secure product.
“There are always issues with getting product,” he said. “The bigger retailers seem to be buying up giant quantities and leaving a little bit left over for a little guy like me.”
Even so, early feedback has been encouraging, with several customers returning to offer positive reviews of the product, Chaulklin said.
The shop plans to expand its offerings in the coming weeks, including cannabis-based edibles, concentrates, and other products as they become available.
“In two to four weeks, there’s going to be new product being added to the shelves,” Chaulklin said.
The launch marks a significant shift for Weed Wishes, which has operated in Cook for the past three years selling low-dose hemp-derived products. The move into full cannabis sales opens the door to stronger products and a broader customer base.
“These are going to be cannabis-based, not the hemp-based,” Chaulklin said of upcoming edibles.
Chaulklin credited the city of Cook for helping make the transition to a licensed dispensary possible, singling out City Clerk Dawn Kehoe and Mayor Dan Manick for their support.
“The city of Cook has been fabulous to work with,” he said. “They had their arms wide open.”
Before opening, the business also underwent a state inspection, which Chaulklin described as thorough, with officials working through an extensive checklist to ensure compliance.
During a midday interview Monday with the Timberjay, Chaulklin repeatedly paused to check in new customers, a sign that Saturday’s soft opening was just the beginning.