(LANSING) - Local governments in Branch County are receiving less marijuana tax revenue this year as statewide distributions decline for the first time since Michigan's legal cannabis program began.
Data released by the Michigan Department of Treasury shows municipalities and counties will receive $54,017 per licensed retail store or microbusiness for the 2025 fiscal year. That's down from about $59,086 per license the previous year.
Coldwater, which has 13 licensed dispensaries, will receive $702,222, a drop of about $54,700 from last year.
Branch County, with 17 licenses, will receive $918,290, down about $71,600.
Quincy will receive $162,051 from three licenses, a decline of roughly $12,600, while California Township, with one license, will receive $54,017, about $4,200 less than the year before.
State officials say the lower payments come after total statewide cannabis excise tax revenue fell more than $5.6 million, dropping to $93.8 million. Even though the number of licensed facilities grew to 868, falling marijuana prices and a 3.1% drop in overall sales reduced the amount of tax revenue available to distribute.
Under Michigan law, 15% of the excise tax revenue goes to host municipalities and another 15% goes to host counties, providing funding that many local governments use for infrastructure and general services.
Looking ahead, some officials are watching the impact of a new 24% wholesale cannabis tax that took effect January 1 to fund road projects. Critics warn the added tax burden could further reduce sales and local revenue shares.
You can read the complete report from the Michigan Department of Treasury here.