The Facebook group called Iron Range Cannabis Growers is more than 2000 members strong now.

“It’s a really great group, a fun place to hang out and network, learn, and educate in the cannabis community. To help others,” Ryan Shoup told us. He’s one of the admins in charge of the page.

Sometimes people meet face to face as well, at Grow Your Own Garden Supply in Duluth.

They recently hosted a fundraiser and were able to bring in over $2000 and supplies to help the homeless in Duluth.

Shawn Wirta is their Duluth connection, and worked on distributing the donations. “Changing the narrative that surrounds cannabis, that’s where my heart is,” he shared.

Justin Toomey is from Frostbud Farms, and shared more about what the group is working on. “We began a podcast, called Minnesota Grow Talks. We gather Wednesday evenings at 8pm, with special guests from around the country and the state,” he said.

Another member, Kip Reid, is also known as Garden of the North. He’s created many logos for the group and companies, and encourages others to follow their dreams. “I wanted to show the beauty of the plant, and use plants as an inspiration to grow.”

Grow Your Own Garden Supply has been a supportive space for them. Marios Glitsos opened it up about two months ago.

“I think with legalization, we’ll see a lot of people who may not have joined in this community before. And they’ll feel more part of the community, and less like an outlaw,” Glitsos said.

His partner in the business, Brooke Joyce, said, “We really want people in Duluth to grow conscientiously, with the right information.”

There will be another fundraiser benefiting epilepsy, a local food shelf, and veterans on Labor Day weekend.

Disc N Dogs Wilderness Games will include camping at the Benton County Beach and Campground in Rice, Minnesota.

The main event is Sunday, September 1st, from 10am-4pm.

Here’s the link for Grow Your Own Garden Supply: https://www.growyourowngardensupply.com/