The Michigan State Treasury announced on Friday the distribution of nearly $100 million in marijuana tax revenue to 302 communities and tribes as part of the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act. The distribution encompasses 108 cities, 36 villages, 80 townships, 74 counties, and four tribes.
Newsweek reached out to the Michigan State Treasury via email on Saturday for comment.
Why It Matters
Each eligible municipality and county will receive $58,200 for every licensed retail store and microbusiness, based on revenue collected from the 10 percent recreational marijuana excise tax.
This year's distribution represents growth from last year when 269 municipalities split $87 million in marijuana tax revenue.
This distribution also marks a significant milestone in Michigan's marijuana regulation program, particularly with the inclusion of four federally recognized tribes who will share $931,000 in funding for the first time.
What To Know
Detroit leads recipients with $3.1 million in allocations, the highest amount for any Michigan community.
Wayne County tops county recipients with $5 million. Major cities receiving substantial funding include Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids ($1.5 million each), Lansing ($1.4 million), Kalamazoo ($1.1 million), and Battle Creek ($932,000).
Cities including Traverse City, Ypsilanti, Coldwater, Bay City and Bangor Township will each receive $757,000.
Additionally, $116 million was sent to the School Aid Fund for K-12 education and another $116 million to the Michigan Transportation Fund.
What People Are Saying
State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said in a statement: "Starting this week, my team will begin to distribute adult-use marijuana payments to Michigan's local units of government and tribal partners. The dollars received from the adult-use marijuana taxes and fees go toward schools, roads and back into Michigan's neighborhoods. Local entities and tribes can spend these dollars however they deem fit for their needs."
Cannabis Regulatory Agency Executive Director Brian Hanna said in a statement: "Municipalities, counties and tribes certainly benefit from their local cannabis businesses in many ways, including good-paying jobs, community involvement and increased revenues for important priorities in their budget. This portion of the excise tax revenue makes a direct impact in the communities where our licensees work and live."
What Happens Next
Communities will begin receiving their allocated funds this week, with local governments having full discretion over how to utilize these resources.
For a full list of municipalities, counties and tribes that will receive marijuana tax revenue, go to Michigan.gov/RevenueSharing.
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