BERRIEN COUNTY, Michigan (WNDU) – The "legal" drug trade was a $ 341 million business in Michigan in 2020.
This week the state handed out around $ 45.7 million in excise taxes and fees imposed on the adult marijuana industry.
Every city, village, township, and county that has an adult retail store received $ 28,000 per store.
"We are currently receiving $ 84,000 based on previous numbers from three pharmacies. There are currently four and a fifth operating and they will be up and running very soon," said Heather Grace, Buchanan City Manager. "There have been a few in the past productive discussions on improving the quality of life and economic development. "
While the recent passed out revenue is good, it may pale in comparison to other benefits the industry has brought to the city.
“In Buchanan there are industrial corridors that are filled with processing and cultivation. These are high tech jobs. These are laboratories and processing centers. They are well paying jobs. That's tens of millions of dollars in investment, ”said Richard Murphy, Buchanan's Community Development Director.
In fiscal 2020, the 10 percent excise tax on adult marijuana sales, along with various fees, grossed $ 45.7 million.
The host communities shared $ 10 million, while $ 11.6 million was paid to the state school aid and transportation funds.
US $ 12.5 million was spent in administrative expenses for running the pot program.
Buchanan raised $ 84,000. Niles raised $ 56,000.
Some were surprised that Berrien County received $ 140,000 based on the number of pharmacies operating in Buchanan and Niles.
"Well, if you're not waiting, it's a nice little godsend," said Shelly Weich, Berrien County's treasurer.
The city of Ann Arbor raised $ 476,000 based on the 17 pharmacies located there.
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