Anoka holds a unique place in Minnesota's cannabis market: it is the first city in the state to operate its own government-run cannabis dispensary. Anoka Cannabis Company opened February 6, 2026, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 4 attended by city officials and community members. Unlike every other adult-use retailer in Minnesota, Anoka's dispensary is owned and operated by the city - meaning all profits are reinvested into local government services and infrastructure rather than flowing to private investors.

The municipal model was made possible by HF 100, a provision in Minnesota's cannabis law that gives municipalities a unique licensing advantage: they are exempt from the statewide license lottery, face no density caps, and can operate without a private operator partner. Over a dozen other Minnesota cities - including Osseo, Byron, Mounds View, Elk River, and Blaine - are now pursuing municipal dispensary licenses after watching Anoka's launch.

Anoka Cannabis Company sources much of its product from Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and Prairie Island Indian Community cultivators, giving it reliable supply while the broader non-tribal cultivation market ramps up. The city is located about 25 miles north of Minneapolis via Highway 169 or I-35W, making it a convenient stop for north metro residents. Anoka is also famous as the "Halloween Capital of the World," drawing significant tourist traffic every October that could benefit the dispensary's seasonal revenue.