On Tuesday, the state announced that municipalities will receive $51,841 for each licensed marijuana retail store or microbusiness operating within their boundaries. That allocation slipped from $56,453 last year, but remains well above the $28,001 per licensed marijuana operation governments received in 2021, when Michigan’s marijuana industry was still getting its legs under itself.
Despite the slight dip in allocation, local government officials say the money is welcome, especially during current times, with budgets tight and expenses rising.
According to state data, Alpena County will receive $155,523 for the three licensed businesses in the county. A pair of the marijuana businesses are in Alpena, which will receive $103,682, and the third store is in Sanborn Township.
County Administrator Mary Catherine Hannah said the county knew it would receive something from the state, but the commissioners were not sure how much. She said the board budgeted $100,000 for the 2023 budget, so the extra $55,000 is welcome.
“The extra money will have a huge impact and could be used for things like law enforcement, the courts, or other projects,” she said. “The added revenue is certainly nice and it will be put to good use.”
Read more at the Alpena News