MOORHEAD — He stepped out of the automotive within the car parking zone, wanting much less like a politician and extra like a dad operating weekend errands. However even carrying a baseball cap, sneakers and a fanny pack, former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura knew command an viewers.
Near 100 folks lined as much as meet Ventura at Unwind, a Moorhead retailer specializing in THC and CBD merchandise.
Tracy Briggs / The Discussion board
Ventura, who served as governor from 1999 to 2003, launched his personal model of hashish edibles this spring. He partnered with Twin Cities-based Retro Bakery, which produces hemp-derived THC edibles beneath the Jesse Ventura Farms model.
The merchandise, which embody chocolate bars and gummies, at the moment are obtainable at Unwind and different retailers within the state.
It has been a very long time coming for Ventura, who first fought for marijuana legalization throughout his time in workplace. He stated, thankfully, the problem “stayed on the burner and saved smoldering.”
He stated he’ll always remember final summer time when Gov. Tim Walz handed him the pen he used to signal to legalize and decriminalize hashish.
“I used to be very proud to have the option, 25 years later, to see one thing that I all the time knew ought to occur, occur,” he stated.
Ventura’s assist for hashish legalization comes from a really private place.
Chris Flynn / The Discussion board
At a current Senate listening to and once more at present on the retailer, Ventura shared the story of how his spouse of practically 50 years, Terry, suffered horrible seizures. After being placed on 4 totally different seizure drugs, nothing labored. So, they deliberate a visit to Colorado, the place leisure marijuana was authorized.
He stated after three drops of a THC tincture beneath her tongue, she has by no means had one other seizure.
“If it weren’t for hashish, I would not be standing right here at present. It was a lifesaver for me and my household,” he stated.
Lots of those that got here out to see the previous skilled wrestler, actor and controversial governor referred to as themselves followers, like Melissa Niecko, who just lately moved to Moorhead from Texas and hoped to reconnect with the governor.
“I met him 25 years in the past. It was at a marine ball. I used to be within the Navy, and we met in San Diego, and I simply need to see if he remembers me,” she stated with fun.
Whereas Niecko stated she’s by no means tried Ventura’s merchandise, she deliberate to offer them a strive.
Tracy Briggs / The Discussion board
That was an understatement for an additional Ventura fan right here at present.
“I purchased all the things — the entire line,” stated a lady named Tammy, who declined to offer her final identify.
If it weren’t for hashish, I would not be standing right here at present.
Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura
She stated she all the time favored Ventura as a result of he was by no means knowledgeable politician.
“I like his angle. He’s so actual. I want he would run for president,” she stated.
However the merchandise additionally introduced her out. Tammy is an Air Pressure veteran who stated she suffers from Submit Traumatic Stress Dysfunction, and hashish merchandise have eased her stress and helped her sleep.
It’s an endorsement Unwind’s proprietor Theresa Sorenson has heard repeatedly.
“We now have a number of army folks are available in, and so they do not need to take the prescribed drugs anymore. They need one thing extra pure. And really, hashish is a pure plant. It isn’t constructed from chemical substances,” Sorenson stated.
She stated she heard about Ventura’s tour across the state simply final week and was excited to have him in Moorhead to assist educate folks concerning the merchandise which are so new to Minnesota.
Chris Flynn / The Discussion board
She stated their workers has been taking programs to find out about totally different varieties and merchandise and the way they could have an effect on prospects and their illnesses.
“I do not need my salespeople saying, ‘I’m simply right here to promote to you.’ I need them to really feel like they’re getting a product that may assist them,” she stated. “You possibly can’t all the time belief what you get on the streets, and so I need a protected place for folks to come back the place merchandise are state-compliant. It is protected. It isn’t handled with the rest. You are going to get the true deal right here.”
After at present, that features the previous governor’s chocolate bars and gummies, which are available in flavors like bubblegum, strawberry and berry gelato.
After taking photographs with followers, Ventura signed product packages and even just a few motion figures.
Chris Flynn / The Discussion board
He’s taking this present on the highway throughout Minnesota. He visited Breckenridge earlier Saturday and deliberate a cease at Moorhead’s Junkyard Brewing after his cease at Unwind.
He’ll make appearances across the Twin Cities metro space on Sunday.
Ventura, an typically colourful and controversial public determine for many years, instructed the group at present that regardless that he will get requested to make appearances elsewhere, these would be the solely ones he’ll proceed to do. That’s how strongly he feels about hashish.
“I do not need anyone’s household to must undergo what we went by way of,” he stated. “Now, we simply must get the Dakotas on board with us.”
Ventura talks to a crowd in Moorhead about how hashish saved his household
