Anoka, Minnesota just did something no other American city has done since Prohibition ended: it opened a cannabis store owned and operated by the city itself. Residents walked into Anoka Cannabis Company on Monday and bought legal weed with the profits going straight to lower taxes and better parks.
This is the first municipal cannabis dispensary in the United States.
Mayor Erik Skogquist stood outside the doors on opening day and called it “truly a historic day for our city.”
Why Anoka Decided to Sell Weed Itself
City leaders watched other Minnesota towns hand retail licenses to private companies and saw most of the money leave town. Anoka wanted to keep every dollar at home.
City Manager Kevin Morelli explained the math simply: a private shop in the same spot would send profits to owners somewhere else. The city shop sends every cent of profit back to Anoka taxpayers.
Early estimates show the store could bring in $500,000 to $1 million a year in new revenue once it hits full speed. That money will go toward street repairs, police and fire equipment, and keeping property taxes low.
Anoka already keeps its tax rate among the lowest in the metro area. Residents repeatedly told city hall they want to keep it that way.
From Empty Bank to Busy Dispensary
The shop sits in the old Wells Fargo building on Main Street. Crews gutted the inside, installed vault-style security, bright lighting, and clean white walls.
On Thursday the store held a quiet soft opening for Minnesota cannabis growers and processors. They got first look at the shelves and left impressed.
Online orders opened Saturday. By Sunday night every delivery slot for Monday was booked solid.
Monday morning cars lined up before the 10 a.m. opening. Customers said prices were lower than most private shops in the Twin Cities and the quality matched anything they had seen.
What Customers Actually Find Inside
Anoka Cannabis Company sells only Minnesota-grown flower, edibles, vapes, and concentrates. Every product comes from licensed state growers and every package gets tested at state labs.
Popular first-day items:
- Flower from Bemidji and Moorhead growers ($25-$45 per eighth)
- Gummies and chocolates priced 10-20% below Twin Cities averages
- Pre-rolled joints ready to go
Staff wear city name tags and know the products cold. Many are Anoka residents who went through months of state training.
The city partnered with Colorado-based Standing Akimbo to handle day-to-day operations. That company runs medical dispensaries and knows security and compliance inside out.
How Anoka Pulled This Off
Minnesota’s 2023 adult-use law let cities create their own cannabis businesses. Most towns banned retail altogether. Some issued private licenses. Only Anoka and tiny Goodhue (population 1,300) chose to run their own stores.
Anoka started planning in spring 2023. City council voted yes. They bought the old bank building, won state approval, and built everything to match Minnesota’s strict rules.
Security is serious: armed guards, bullet-proof glass, 24-hour cameras, and a police substation next door.
Early Reactions Pour In
Residents waiting in line Monday morning told reporters they love the idea.
One man said he paid cash for an eighth of flower and felt proud the money stays in Anoka instead of going to some corporation.
A woman buying gummies for sleep said she trusts the city more than some random private shop.
Across Minnesota other city councils now watch closely. Several have already called Anoka asking how to copy the model.
The shop plans longer hours soon and will add delivery across Anoka County once the state gives final approval.
Anoka just proved a small city can take control of the cannabis market and turn it into something that directly helps taxpayers. Other towns across America are paying very close attention.
Maria Garcia is an award-winning author who excels in creating engaging cannabis-centric articles that captivate audiences. Her versatile writing style allows her to cover a wide range of topics within the cannabis space, from advocacy and social justice to product reviews and lifestyle features. Maria’s dedication to promoting education and awareness about cannabis shines through in her thoughtfully curated content that resonates with both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
