Forest Lake Mayor to Open City's First Cannabis Shop

Blake and Kelly Roberts, third-generation owners of Lakes Floral Gift & Garden, receive license to expand family business into cannabis.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The mayor of Forest Lake, Illinois and his brother plan to open the city's first cannabis shop by expanding their family's longtime floral business into the new industry. Blake and Kelly Roberts, the third-generation owners of Lakes Floral Gift & Garden, have received a preliminary state license and city approval to open what is expected to be Forest Lake's first cannabis dispensary.

Why it matters

This move by the mayor and his brother represents a shift in the cannabis industry as more local leaders embrace the economic opportunities presented by legalization, despite some ongoing social stigma. It also highlights how established businesses are finding ways to diversify into new high-growth sectors.

The details

The Roberts brothers plan to leverage their family's decades of experience in horticulture and retail to transition their floral shop into a cannabis dispensary. They believe this is a "natural extension" of their work with plants, just in a new industry. The city of Forest Lake has approved the plan, making this the first cannabis business to receive the green light in the community.

  • In 2025, the state of Illinois legalized the recreational use of cannabis.
  • Last year, the Roberts brothers received a preliminary state license to open a cannabis dispensary.
  • The city of Forest Lake approved the plan earlier this year.

The players

Blake Roberts

The mayor of Forest Lake and third-generation co-owner of Lakes Floral Gift & Garden.

Kelly Roberts

The brother of Forest Lake's mayor and third-generation co-owner of Lakes Floral Gift & Garden.

Lakes Floral Gift & Garden

A family-owned floral business in Forest Lake that is expanding into the cannabis industry.

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What they’re saying

“In many ways, this is a natural extension of our family's work with plants and horticulture — just in a new and emerging industry.”

— Blake Roberts, Mayor of Forest Lake and co-owner of Lakes Floral Gift & Garden (wn.com)

What’s next

The Roberts brothers plan to open the new cannabis dispensary in the coming months, pending final regulatory approvals.

The takeaway

As more states legalize cannabis, local leaders and established businesses are finding innovative ways to capitalize on the economic opportunities presented by this emerging industry, even in traditionally conservative communities.