Anoka is officially in the cannabis business. City leaders cut the ribbon on the Anoka Cannabis Company this week, unveiling what they describe as Minnesota’s first municipally owned cannabis dispensary. The ceremony took place on Thursday, February 5, 2026, and the city has scheduled the first public sales to begin on Friday, February 6, 2026, by appointment only. The new 3,000-square-foot shop is parked right next to the city-owned Better Values liquor store on East River Road, with officials saying every cent of net profit will be reinvested in parks, capital projects and efforts to ease local taxes.
Ribbon cutting and launch timeline
Officials held the ribbon cutting on Thursday, with FOX 9 on hand to cover the event, including an interview with Mayor Erik Skogquist about the municipal experiment. According to FOX 9, city leaders pitched the shop as a natural extension of Anoka’s long history of running municipal retail and as a chance to set a high standard for regulated cannabis sales right out of the gate.
Money and the municipal model
The project carried an upfront price tag of roughly $2.7 million to build, and consultants estimate the dispensary’s net income could reach about $1.7 million by 2027, according to the Star Tribune. City leaders say those figures are central to the plan to help finance parks and other capital work. “Every cent of net profit will stay here,” Mayor Erik Skogquist said, noting that proceeds would go toward revitalizing parks and easing the local tax burden, as reported by Marijuana Moment. City officials say the dispensary will be operated alongside the municipality’s liquor operations and is designed to keep cannabis revenue circulating in the community rather than heading to private operators.
State rules and municipal licenses
Minnesota law gives cities a direct licensing path if they want to open a municipal cannabis store, while still putting the responsibility for zoning and registration checks on local governments. As outlined in the Minnesota statutes, a city or county that meets state requirements may receive a municipal cannabis license, and local officials must verify zoning compliance and other operational conditions before any sales begin.
What shoppers should know
The Anoka Cannabis Company lists its address, hours and booking details on its website and is taking appointment reservations for its grand-opening weekend. The store shows the location as 839 E River Road, with weekday hours and slightly different weekend hours posted online. The city says the building inspection cleared in January 2026 as staff wrapped up training and operational checks, according to the City of Anoka and the dispensary’s site, Anoka Cannabis Co.. When customers arrive for retail sales, they should be ready to show valid ID proving they are 21 or older and to follow state purchase limits.
