Grand Rapids, Minnesota Planning to Open City-Run Dispensary by July 2027  

A cannabis dispensary run by the municipality of Grand Rapids, Minnesota is slated to open by July 2027, KAXE reports. It would be the second city-run dispensary in the state after officials in Anoka opened the first dispensary operated by a municipality in Minnesota in February. 

City Administrator Tom Pagel told KAXE that the City Council is set to approve construction plans on August 24, with construction set for mid-October. 

Pagel said after an initial ramp-up period, he expects the dispensary to serve about 1,800 customers a month and spend about $100, equating to about $500,000 a year. If the dispensary sees 2,000 customers a month and each spend about $120, the dispensary could see about $1 million in revenues. The city would be free to use the money for whatever it wanted as long as it was approved by the council.   

“And it helps us get to things that we just can’t afford. And maybe it’s helping supplement the library. Maybe it’s, you know, TBD, to be determined. What’s nice is 100% of the profits stay in the community.” — Pagel to KAXE 

The city is expected to hire two full-time managers, six part-time budtenders, and three part-time clerks. 

In all, 11 other Minnesota municipalities have applied for a dispensary license including Blaine, Buffalo, Byron, Elk River, Lauderdale, Mounds View, St. Anthony Village, St. Joseph, Osseo, Owatonna, and Wyoming.