City-Operated Cannabis Dispensary Opens in Anoka, Minnesota

A cannabis dispensary operated by the city of Anoka, Minnesota, opened its doors last week, MPR News reports. Anoka Cannabis Company is believed to be one of the first in the country – and the first in Minnesota – to be operated by a town or city.

In an interview with MPR, Anoka Mayor Erik Skogquist called the dispensary’s opening “truly a historic day.”

“Our residents want safe, vibrant, and well-maintained communities, while keeping taxes as low as practicable. The Anoka Cannabis Company allows the city of Anoka to do just that.” — Skogquist to MPR News

The soft opening last Thursday was exclusive to members of the state’s cannabis industry and opened for online reservations over the weekend. The shop opened to the public on Monday.

Kevin Morelli, city manager of liquor and cannabis operations, told MPR that the dispensary is obtaining its products from Prairie Island Indian Community and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. Anoka officials plan to use revenue from the dispensary to help fund city parks and reduce the tax levy.

In 2015, the city of North Bonneville, Washington, opened a city-operated cannabis retail store that eventually closed down in 2021, according to the report.

According to the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management data outlined by MPR, 12 municipalities in the state have applied for adult-use retail cannabis licenses.