Marijuana Money Arrives

The first in the county...not the last.

Grant, White Cloud, County starting to see recreational cannabis cash 

Why has recreational marijuana has found a niche in small Michigan towns, villages and townships?
Two of our local municipalities just received 28,000 reasons when the state came through with monies from the Michigan Regulation Fund..

A recent Department of Treasury press release reported 38 cities, 21 townships, 7 villages and 38 counties began receiving payments from the fund to the tune of 28 grand per facility.
White Cloud and Grant both qualified for the annual remittance as did Newaygo County which  received $56,000 for the businesses in WC and Grant.

“The distribution received from the Marijuana Regulatory Agency comes at an important time for Grant,” said Grant City Manager Kasey Jernberg. “ Over the past year we have seen unstable revenues due to COVID-19 and related executive orders that have put a strain on the budget. This new revenue is significant for a small community at a time when every dollar helps.
“While this year the funds will help stabilize the budget, moving forward the City is committed to funding programs, projects, and services that directly benefit residents and local businesses. In addition to the revenue, the retail location in Grant has also provided several full-time jobs and has attracted a lot of people to town, helping to support the local economy. The community will also benefit by revenue distributions to the state Transportation Fund and School Aid Fund.”

For the state of Michigan’s 2020 fiscal year, more than $31 million was collected from the 10% adult-use marijuana excise tax. Combined with fees, there was a total of $45.7 million available for distribution from the fund.

White Cloud has another facility up and running and there is a bit of a buzz (pun intended) about the possibility of another dispensary in the county seat, presently home to grow facilities as well.

Other municipalities nearby include Pleasant Plains Township in Lake County that received $28K and Big Rapids who pulled in $84K as did Mecosta County for three facilities in the city limits.

The onetime subject of heated discussion as well as dire predictions of its disastrous impact on communities seems to have quietly found a home in the economic landscape of our county as well as our nearby neighbors.