MOORHEAD — He stepped out of the car in the parking lot, looking less like a politician and more like a dad running weekend errands. But even wearing a baseball cap, sneakers and a fanny pack, former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura knew how to command an audience.
Close to 100 people lined up to meet Ventura at Unwind, a Moorhead store specializing in THC and CBD products.
Tracy Briggs / The Forum
Ventura, who served as governor from 1999 to 2003, launched his own brand of cannabis edibles this spring. He partnered with Twin Cities-based Retro Bakery, which produces hemp-derived THC edibles under the Jesse Ventura Farms brand.
The products, which include chocolate bars and gummies, are now available at Unwind and other outlets in the state.
It's been a long time coming for Ventura, who first fought for marijuana legalization during his time in office. He said, fortunately, the issue “stayed on the burner and kept smoldering.”
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He said he’ll never forget last summer when Gov. Tim Walz handed him the pen he used to sign to legalize and decriminalize cannabis.
“I was very proud to be able, 25 years later, to see something that I always knew should happen, happen,” he said.
Ventura’s support for cannabis legalization comes from a very personal place.
Chris Flynn / The Forum
At a recent Senate hearing and again today at the store, Ventura shared the story of how his wife of nearly 50 years, Terry, suffered terrible seizures. After being put on four different seizure medications, nothing worked. So, they planned a trip to Colorado, where recreational marijuana was legal.
He said after three drops of a THC tincture under her tongue, she has never had another seizure.
“If it weren't for cannabis, I wouldn't be standing here today. It was a lifesaver for me and my family,” he said.
Many of those who came out to see the former professional wrestler, actor and controversial governor called themselves fans, like Melissa Niecko, who recently moved to Moorhead from Texas and hoped to reconnect with the governor.
“I met him 25 years ago. It was at a marine ball. I was in the Navy, and we met in San Diego, and I just want to see if he remembers me,” she said with a laugh.
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While Niecko said she’s never tried Ventura’s products, she planned to give them a try.
Tracy Briggs / The Forum
That was an understatement for another Ventura fan here today.
“I bought everything — the whole line,” said a woman named Tammy, who declined to give her last name.
If it weren't for cannabis, I wouldn't be standing here today.
Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura
She said she always liked Ventura because he was never a professional politician.
“I like his attitude. He’s so real. I wish he would run for president,” she said.
But the products also brought her out. Tammy is an Air Force veteran who said she suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and cannabis products have eased her stress and helped her sleep.
It’s an endorsem*nt Unwind’s owner Theresa Sorenson has heard repeatedly.
“We have a lot of military people come in, and they don't want to take the prescription drugs anymore. They want something more natural. And actually, cannabis is a natural plant. It's not made from chemicals,” Sorenson said.
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She said she heard about Ventura’s tour around the state just last week and was excited to have him in Moorhead to help educate people about the products that are so new to Minnesota.
Chris Flynn / The Forum
She said their staff has been taking courses to learn about different varieties and products and how they might affect customers and their ailments.
“I don't want my salespeople saying, ‘I’m just here to sell to you.’ I want them to feel like they're getting a product that will help them,” she said. “You can't always trust what you get on the streets, and so I want a safe place for people to come where products are state-compliant. It's safe. It's not treated with anything else. You're going to get the real deal here.”
After today, that includes the former governor’s chocolate bars and gummies, which come in flavors like bubblegum, strawberry and berry gelato.
After taking photos with fans, Ventura signed product packages and even a few action figures.
Chris Flynn / The Forum
He’s taking this show on the road all over Minnesota. He visited Breckenridge earlier Saturday and planned a stop at Moorhead's Junkyard Brewing after his stop at Unwind.
He will make appearances around the Twin Cities metro area on Sunday.
Ventura, an often colorful and controversial public figure for decades, told the crowd today that even though he gets asked to make appearances elsewhere, these will be the only ones he’ll continue to do. That’s how strongly he feels about cannabis.
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“I don't want anybody's family to have to go through what we went through,” he said. “Now, we just need to get the Dakotas on board with us.”
Ventura talks to a crowd in Moorhead about how cannabis saved his family
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