As cannabis sales continue to hit new highs in Michigan, communities that embraced legal weed are reaping the rewards with an influx of jobs, tax revenue, community benefits, and renovated buildings.
The cannabis industry has seen tremendous growth since the state’s first adult-use dispensaries opened in December 2019, with sales hitting unprecedented levels year after year.
In 2023, licensed dispensaries rang up a record $3.06 billion in sales, a 25% increase over 2022.
The surge in demand for legal weed has not only transformed the landscape of the state’s economy but also revitalized communities that have allowed recreational cannabis businesses to open.
One of the most significant impacts is the cascade of tax revenue from cannabis sales. With a 10% excise tax on recreational cannabis sales, hundreds of millions of dollars have gone to local governments, schools, and roads since 2020.
The state recently sent more than $87 million to 269 municipalities and counties as part of their share of excise taxes in 2023. That includes 99 cities, 69 townships, and 71 counties.
The communities and counties each receive more than $59,000 annually for every licensed cannabis dispensary