The City of Anoka, Minnesota is set to cut the ribbon and open the Anoka Cannabis Company, which it said will be the first municipal cannabis dispensary not only in the state, but the only currently operating, city-managed dispensary in the U.S.
That means the dispensary is fully owned by Anoka and that all profits from the venture will be reinvested back into the community.
"Our residents want a safe, vibrant, and well-maintained community while keeping taxes as low as practicable. Anoka Cannabis Company allows the City of Anoka to do just that. We aim to safely control the sale of a regulated substance, set a high bar for others to follow, and use profits to lessen taxpayer burdens while further investing in the community,” said Mayor Erik Skogquist in a statement. "These opportunities rarely come along, and in Anoka, we are capitalizing on it to make sure that all 18,000 residents see the benefits."
Construction of the nearly 3,000-square foot facility began in May 2025. The building incorporates security measures, including a secure sally port, more than 35 cameras throughout the property, and reinforced glass windows. Additionally, solar panels will generate 88% of the dispensary’s electrical needs. Sales will begin on February 6th.
Anoka is not the only city in Minnesota that applied to run a municipal cannabis store. Blaine, Buffalo, Byron, Elk River, Grand Rapids, Lauderdale, Mounds View, Osseo, St. Anthony Village, St. Joseph, Owatonna and Wyoming also sought approval for city-run retail.
According to CCX Media, Osseo city officials recently authorized the purchase of a former newspaper office and finalized plans this week to turn it into a city-run dispensary. The city has partnered with Voyageur, a third-party management firm, to run the retail store.
