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.