A tiny Minnesota town made history Thursday by flipping open the nation’s newest government-run weed store. Long lines snaked around the block in Annandale as folks rushed to grab the first legal buys. This bold city-owned marijuana retail experiment signals big changes ahead for the state’s booming cannabis scene.
Annandale sits just 60 miles west of Minneapolis with under 3,500 residents. On August 8, city leaders cut the ribbon for Annandale Cannabis Company. Shoppers waited hours to stock up on gummies, vapes, and drinks packed with hemp-derived THC.
The store sits on a quiet highway spot perfect for travelers. Local leaders beamed as sales rang up fast. One buyer called it a game-changer for small-town cash flow.
Crowds grew so big police helped direct traffic.
City Steps Up to Run the Show
Annandale City Council voted yes back in February after months of debate. They formed a special nonprofit arm to own and operate the shop. This setup makes Annandale the first Minnesota city to directly sell cannabis products under government control.
Why go this route? Quick revenue without waiting for private licenses. The state legalized recreational use in 2023 but pushed full retail flower sales to 2025. Hemp THC items fly off shelves now since rules kicked in last year.
City Manager Mark Abell leads the charge. He eyes steady income for roads and parks.
No private owner beats city prices or control.
Stocking Shelves with Legal Goodies
Annandale Cannabis focuses on safe, tested hemp products under 5 milligrams THC per serving. Edibles lead sales with flavors like watermelon and chocolate. Vapes and topicals round out the mix.
Here’s a quick look at opening day stock:
| Product Type | Examples | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Gummies | Fruit punch, sour apple | $10-$25 |
| Beverages | THC seltzers | $8-$15 |
| Vapes | Indica, sativa blends | $20-$40 |
| Topicals | Lotions, balms | $15-$30 |
All items come lab-tested for purity. Staff trains buyers on dosing to avoid overdoing it. One short rule guides sales.
Rules keep it family-friendly next to hardware stores.
Revenue Dreams Fuel the Push
Annandale projects $500,000 in first-year sales. That cash flows straight to the city budget. Officials plan to fund police gear and community events.
Statewide hemp THC sales topped $27 million in early 2024, per the Minnesota Department of Commerce data from June. Numbers climbed 40% from last year as demand surges.
Nearby tribal shops started recreational sales August 2 with full flower. They report $1 million days easy.
Annandale bets on steady local traffic.
Rare Model Sparks National Eyes
Few spots run weed sales like this. Detroit opened three public stores last year run by a city nonprofit. Oregon cities toy with ideas too.
What sets Annandale apart stands out in charts:
- Population under 5,000: True small-town test.
- Full city control: No investor profits skim.
- Highway access: Grabs Twin Cities commuters.
Experts watch close. Cannabis analysts at Viridian Capital forecast Minnesota’s full market at $2 billion by 2028. Tax haul could hit $1.2 billion over three years based on 2023 state estimates.
Private shops eye 400 licenses next year. City model skips red tape.
Private rivals grumble about unfair edge.
Tribes dominate now with 11 nations selling rec weed. They pay no state tax but share some local fees.
Annandale joins this mix as a pioneer proving towns can play.
Few US cities match this gutsy step.
Annandale’s launch proves small places can lead big shifts in the green rush. From packed lines to fat city coffers, this government pot shop experiment brews hope for steady jobs and funds amid Minnesota’s cannabis boom. It challenges old stigmas while padding budgets smartly.