A Minnesota Hemp Advocate Making Waves in the Green Industry
Minnesota's hemp and cannabis industry is growing fast — and some of the people helping build it have been here from the very beginning.
Leah Kollross is one of them.
Leah was recently featured on KSTP 5 Eyewitness News as part of a segment spotlighting entrepreneurs shaping Minnesota's emerging cannabis market. The story followed a cannabis industry mixer in south Minneapolis where new and established businesses gathered to connect, share knowledge, and grow together. Leah was among those highlighted as a voice for what's possible in this space.
"There's a lot of interest in this space since it's so fresh and new," Leah told KSTP — a sentiment that perfectly captures the energy driving Minnesota's hemp community right now.
A Lifelong Commitment to the Plant
Leah's presence in that KSTP segment wasn't a coincidence. She has spent years building relationships, learning the industry inside and out, and advocating for cannabis and hemp as legitimate, meaningful parts of both the wellness and social landscape in Minnesota.
Her deep roots in the hemp community inform everything she's connected to — including 23rd State, the Minnesota-born cannabis beverage brand redefining how people think about THC-infused drinks. Leah's passion for quality, community, and doing things right is woven into the DNA of what 23rd State stands for.
The Industry Is Growing — and Minnesota Is Ready
What made the KSTP feature so timely is just how much momentum Minnesota's cannabis industry has built since legalization passed in August 2023. Entrepreneurs across the state are stepping up, showing out, and proving that this isn't just a trend — it's a long-term shift in how Minnesotans relate to cannabis and hemp.
At that south Minneapolis mixer, the energy was palpable. People from every corner of the industry were in the room, sharing what they'd learned and investing in each other's success. That's the community Leah has always been a part of — and continues to help lead.
23rd State: Hemp Done with Intention
For Leah and the team behind 23rd State, the most exciting part of this moment isn't the buzz. It's the opportunity to do it right.
23rd State was built on a simple belief: people deserve better options. SHAKE, our flagship THC-infused edible glitter drops, gives you a way to elevate any drink — water, sparkling water, a mocktail — with real ingredients and a clean, intentional experience. No artificial flavors. No compromise. Just a smarter way to enjoy hemp-derived THC.
That philosophy didn't come out of nowhere. It came from years of people like Leah showing up for this plant, this community, and this industry — long before the cameras showed up.
This Is Just the Beginning
Minnesota's green industry is still in its early chapters. The regulatory landscape is taking shape, new businesses are finding their footing, and consumers are just starting to understand how many options they have. That's exactly why the voices of advocates like Leah matter so much right now.
She's not just watching this industry grow. She's helping plant it.
Follow along with 23rd State as we continue to be part of Minnesota's hemp story — one intentional drop at a time.
Explore SHAKE and all of 23rd State's THC-infused beverages at 23state.com. Follow us on Instagram for the latest from Minnesota's hemp community.
