West Michigan Cannabis Guild

LOCAL

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$51,841.21 PER STORE
2023 CANNABIS INDUSTRY TAX FUNDS DISTRIBUTION

During the week of February 27, 2023, the State of Michigan distributed $51,841.21 per adult use retailer or microbusiness license to communities that have at least one of these licenses active within their borders.

Within the WMCG's 17-county focus area, this equates to a total of $19,492,294.96 to local municipalities and counties. (That's 33% of the State's total - West Michigan punches above its weight!)

The previous distributions were $56,453.33 per retailer or microbusiness in March 2022 (Source;PDF), and $28,001.32 per retailer or microbusiness in March 2021 (Source;PDF). The total distribution statewide in 2022 was $42,227,173.12 (quite an increase from 2021's total of $9,968,469.92!)

Thank you to the licensed adult-use cannabis industry, and its customers, for providing these tax dollars!

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Cannabis regulations change constantly. You're on this page- so you recognize how important it is to keep up. If you're the type of person who bristles when you see a webpage about important policy and news that's woefully out of date, do we have a Committee for you! The best way to help the Guild track and share what's going on in the crazy world of cannabis policy & politics is to come to a meeting of the Policy & Endorsement Committee. All members (join here) are welcome and encouraged to take part.

This committee meets quarterly. Information & meeting calendar

OUR FOCUS FOR LOCAL ACTION
The West Michigan Cannabis Guild directs local action towards:

Opt-In Ordinances for:

Grand Haven THEY DID IT!

Congratulations to the Grand Haven City Council, which voted to legalize the cannabis industry in Summer 2022. More than 55% of Grand Haven's voters supported statewide legalization in 2018, the highest levels in Ottawa County. Grand Haven had previously adopted an ordinance legalizing licensed medical cannabis industry.

Check Grand Haven's forms & documents here.

Greenville GETTING THERE
57.6% of Greenville voters supported Proposal 18-1 in November 2018. In response to grassroots efforts by residents, in February 2022 the Greenville City Council approved an ordinance allowing medical cannabis provisioning centers, but not adult use retailers. The ordinance allows for growing, processing, secure transport and safety compliance labs for both medical and adult use cannabis products, but hinders retail uses in the Village and leaves a significant amount of tax revenues on the table.

Do you live in Greenville and want to add your voice to the conversation? Join the Guild!

Kentwood
54.6% of Kentwood residents voted in favor of Proposal 18-1 in November 2018. In December 2018, the City Commission voted to prohibit the legal cannabis industry within their City, with just one vote (Bridson) against prohibition. Even with strong resident support, the Commission has not taken steps to reconsider. Do you live in Kentwood and want to legalize the cannabis industry? Join the Guild and let's make it happen!

Wyoming DISCUSSION
55.9% of Wyoming residents voted in favor of Proposal 18-1 in November 2018. In December 2018 the City Council voted to prohibit the licensed cannabis industry from the City. They have reopened discussion since, but still seem to have some misperceptions. We've spoken with Commissioners, but they need to hear from their local constituents. Do you live in Wyoming and want to legalize the cannabis industry? Join the Guild and make sure your voice is heard!

In 2020, we endorsed now-Wyoming City Commissioner John Fitzgerald, who has demonstrated a solid understanding of the industry, and a willingness to listen and engage with the cannabis community. We've also endorsed him for his 2022 campaign for State representative (83rd district). Click for more information about our endorsements.

Others?
If your municipality is considering opting in, please let us know. We have good relationships with many stakeholders in both business and government, and may be able to help facilitate the process.

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Grand Rapids Zoning Ordinance

The most recent changes to the Grand Rapids Zoning Ordinance (effective October 2020) made it even more restrictive, adding new separation distance requirements from previously undefined land uses, effectively shutting down opportunities for any new retail licenses in the City.

Combined with the "Clean Air in Public Places" ordinance (see below) and anti-cannabis landlords, there are very few places for cannabis consumers to legally use cannabis within the City. There are many bars, restaurants, and events for people to drink alcohol (including social zones, which we support), and cigar lounges for people to smoke tobacco products (which they can also do on golf courses). There are no equivalent allowances for cannabis.

We seek to lessen these restrictions, and to allow the following land uses and license types, all of which are licensable by the State:

Designated Consumption Establishments (lounges)
Temporary Marihuana Events
Class A Microbusinesses
Marijuana Education Research

If you live in Grand Rapids and want the cannabis industry to be fully legalized, join the Guild and add your voice!

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Cannabis is hard to govern well. You're on this page- so you recognize how important it is for government at all levels to have facts available when crafting policies and laws. The best way to help the Guild assist elected officials & staff in understanding and governing our industry is to come to a meeting of the Policy & Endorsement Committee. All members (join here) are welcome and encouraged to take part.

We meet monthly. Information & meeting calendar

Social Equity Policies

To their credit, Grand Rapids has worked hard to create their Cannabis Social Equity Policy (check it out here). We support the efforts of those working in government to recognize and try to correct so many of the inequities that have resulted from disparate enforcement of anti-cannabis policies over many decades, especially when that unequal enforcement has been disproportionately visited upon communities of color.

For more information, we suggest checking out this paper: A Tale of Two Countries: Racially Targeted Arrests in the Era of Marijuana Reform. It shows how decades of unequal cannabis enforcement are still playing out today. It's eye-opening, and very frustrating. Did you know that, nationwide, you're 3.5x more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession if you're black than if you're white? In Michigan it's 3.6x.

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Grand Rapids Clean Air in Public Places Ordinance

This ordinance (effective January 1, 2021) prohibits any consumption of cannabis (in any form) in most public places, as well as hotels and motels, and public & private workplaces. It reflect the State's ban on public consumption, but goes too far, especially for non-smoked forms of cannabis (in a Clean Air ordinance). It's another chance for people to get arrested for using their needed medicine, in a city and State where it is legal.

There's an exemption for Designated Consumption Establishments (aka consumption lounges), although those are not currently allowed by City code. The ordinance also exempts golf courses to allow the smoking of tobacco products. The Cannabis Guild seeks to, at minimum, remove the prohibition of non-smoked cannabis from this Clean Air ordinance. Add your voice by becoming a member!

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