First Adult-Use Marijuana Payments Awarded In Oakland County

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI — Three Oakland County communities received thousands of dollars this week from the Michigan Department of Treasury as part of the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act.

According to state Treasury records, the county received $196,009.24 for seven marijuana retail/micro business locations.

Walled Lake and Ferndale both received $56,002.64 for their two respective marijuana retail/micro business locations. Hazel Park, which has three marijuana retail/micro businesses, received $84,003.96.

Nearly $10 million was distributed to more than 100 municipalities and counties in Michigan, payments from the Marihuana Regulation Fund for every licensed retail store and micro business within their respective jurisdiction.

During Michigan's 2020 fiscal year, each eligible municipality and county received around $28,000 for every licensed retail store or microbusiness, according to data provided by the Michigan Department of Treasury.

“The revenue generated from marijuana taxes and fees is important to our local governments,” State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said. “In this extraordinary time, our staff is working to get those payments to impacted municipalities and counties. Every dollar helps right now.”

More than $31 million was collected from the 10 percent adult-use marijuana excise tax in Michigan in 2020, according to Treasury officials. Combined with fees, there was a total of $45.7 million available for distribution from the fund, the state reported.

Officials said that aside from the nearly $10 million in disbursements to municipalities and counties, around $11.6 million will be sent to the School Aid Fund for K-12 education and another $11.6 million to the Michigan Transportation Fund. The remaining $12.5 million amount will be used toward start-up and administrative costs, officials said.

In total, more than $341 million in adult-use marijuana sales was reported for the fiscal year 2020, according to the state.

“The team at the Marijuana Regulatory Agency did a tremendous job getting the adult-use licensing program established and operating efficiently,” said MRA Executive Director Andrew Brisbo. “Infusing over $28,000 per retailer and microbusiness into local government budgets across the state is very impactful and shows how strong and successful the industry is becoming.”