(Photo: Big Dream Organics Facebook)
Albert Lea, Minnesota – March 10, 2025
Albert Lea is about to welcome a new cannabis retailer, Big Dream Organics (BDO), owned and managed by Jerry Lee Collins. Collins, formerly focused on hemp products, is now making a push into the cannabis industry after his relocation. But for some residents and observers, his past raises serious concerns.
Business and Property Structure
BDO is operated by Big Dream Organics LLC, established February 7, 2019, with its principal office at 1039 S Broadway Ave, Albert Lea. Collins is listed as the manager. He also controls BDO Properties LLC, which owns the building where BDO operates. In effect, Collins runs both the business and the property it occupies.
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Big Dream Organics LLC (operating entity)
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File Number: 1067428400022
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Filing Date: 2/7/2019
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Registered Office: 18202 Minnetonka Blvd, Deephaven, MN 55391
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Principal Executive Office: 1039 S Broadway Ave, Albert Lea, MN 56007
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Registered Agent: United States Corporation Agents, Inc.
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Manager: Jerry Lee Collins (1404 Swanhill Dr, Albert Lea, MN 56007)
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BDO Properties LLC (owns the property where BDO operates)
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File Number: 1346708200027
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Filing Date: 11/3/2022
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Registered Office: 1404 Swanhill Dr, Albert Lea, MN 56007
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Manager: Jerry Lee Collins
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This setup shows that Collins controls both the operating business and the property from which it runs.
Alleged Connections to a Controversial Motorcycle Club
Collins has a long-standing connection to Choppers MC SE MINN, a motorcycle club with a controversial reputation. He served as the club’s president at one point and continues to own its property in Wykoff, Minnesota, even though the current manager is listed as Stephen J. Gappa.
According to multiple individuals who have reached out to our news outlet, Collins has boasted to customers about involvement in criminal activity, including theft, intimidation, drug sales, and even murder. These claims are unverified and remain allegations, but they contribute to a perception of controversy surrounding him.
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Choppers MC S.E. MINN. LLC
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File Number: 752317200025
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Filing Date: 4/14/2014
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Principal Executive Office: 508 West Marion St, Lake City, MN 55041
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Manager: Stephen J. Gappa
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Property Owner: Jerry Lee Collins (parcel viewer maps show Collins owns the building at 138 N Silver St, Wykoff, MN 55990)
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While Stephen J. Gappa is listed as the manager, Collins retains ownership of the club building, suggesting continued direct involvement.
Cannabis Industry Activity
Despite the controversy, Collins has built relationships in the cannabis industry. Current BDO clients include AC Infinity, Crested River, 4Canna, Dr. Dabs, Retro Bakery, and Superior Cannabis Company. In June 2024, former Governor Jesse Ventura visited BDO to endorse Collins and promote his cannabis edibles in collaboration with Retro Bakery.
Why This Matters
Collins’s self-reported history with a controversial motorcycle club and his control over a new cannabis business has left some Albert Lea residents uneasy. While these are only allegations based on statements he reportedly made to customers, they raise broader questions about who is entering the local cannabis market and the values they bring.