Anoka Breaks Ground on Municipal Cannabis Dispensary

ANOKA, Minn. — The City of Anoka is breaking ground on a municipal cannabis dispensary Thursday, marking a significant step in Minnesota‘s cannabis legalization efforts. The dispensary will be located on East River Road, adjacent to a city-owned liquor store.

Anoka is one of several cities in Minnesota that applied for a municipal cannabis license to operate a dispensary. The city’s liquor operation manager, Kevin Morelli, spoke with KARE 11 in April about the financial benefits of the new venture. He stated, “Some of the money from dispensary sales will go back into city operations and projects.” Morelli emphasized that the goal is to control recreational marijuana sales while generating revenue for the city.

If approved, the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management will allow one privately owned dispensary to operate in Anoka, in addition to the city-run establishment. The groundbreaking ceremony will include local leaders and state officials, such as Representative Zack Stephenson, who authored the cannabis bill in the Minnesota House.

The city has already unveiled a logo for the new dispensary, naming it the “Anoka Cannabis Company,” established in 2025. Although the groundbreaking marks progress, it remains unclear when the dispensary will officially open due to ongoing licensing at the state level.

As of now, cannabis lobbyists estimate that 16 to 18 municipalities across Minnesota are trying to establish dispensaries, indicating a robust move towards recreational cannabis access in the state.