What’s this all about?
The City of Menominee, Michigan officially allowed its first recreational marijuana dispensaries to open in late July 2023. Prior to this, the city had zero recreational shops. Once the city cleared the path for licensing, the market expanded rapidly due to Menominee's location bordering Wisconsin, where cannabis remains illegal. By October 2023, five dispensaries were operating, eventually expanding to the eight active storefronts today.
Because the market grew so quickly, it triggered a series of major local developments. The city initially had a limit on licenses, but a legal battle temporarily stripped the cap, opening the door for unlimited licenses. It was at this point that Menominee opened their arms, inviting other entities to come in and apply for licensing, and collected fees and other monies all the while.
Here is where it gets complicated. Documents show that Menominee gave the go ahead to at least one of the new applicants, PUFF Cannabis. With a written approval in hand, PUFF understandably and legally forged ahead, meeting every application date, paying every fee required, and spending millions of dollars buying and renovating property and buildings.
And then Menominee changed the rules of the game. Allegedly prompted by existing dispensaries, a ballot initiative was rushed to voters. This initiative limited to number of dispensaries to 9 - one more than currently existed. Without ample time to rebut the misinformation used to sway voters, the initiative passed.
Many think this was dirty and unfair. Hit the Learn More button and decide for yourself.
How can we fix it?
This November, we have a chance to fix this. How? A new ballot initiative is in place which is asking voters to change the cap of allowed dispensaries from 9 to 13. BTW 13 is the number that was originally intended in the zoning laws.
What will this mean to you, the voter?
Voting YES will END all lawsuits against city. Today there are lawsuits, both active and on appeal that could cost taxpayers millions of dollars.
Voting YES will END legal costs. Even if the city wins the current and pending lawsuits, there is a real cost of over hundreds of thousands of dollars in insurance and legal fees each year, with the probability of that number growing much higher.
Voting YES will ADD revenue to the city coffers. Along with fees that the city will collect, there will be hundreds of thousands of dollars added to the city each year through tax revenue.
Voting YES will ADD jobs. Open dispensaries offer the opportunity for dozens of secure, good paying jobs, which will add to our economy and tax base.
Voting YES Keeps our promise and our reputation intact.
What people are saying
In December of 2025 a film crew commissioned by PUFF Cannabis created a documentary, exposing many of the issues we see today. As part of that documentary, several Menominee residents were interviewed. Watch their interviews here to get their perspectives.
Watch the Documentary
Click here to access the short documentary for an honest representation of the issues at stake.
See the evidence for yourself
As part of the initial lawsuit levied against the city by PUFF Cannabis, several documents were released under the Freedom of Information Act. These documents show how this case unfolded, and in clear black and white prove the case that PUFF alleges, that they were indeed in compliance at every step of the way, and that the City manager was not truthful in his representations.
What does PUFF Cannabis have in this?
In addition to the numerous fees and applications filed and met by PUFF when applying for a license, PUFF bought several properties in Menominee, properties that had stood vacant and were in a state of disrepair. The cost of purchasing the buildings, and then bringing them up to and beyond code cost PUFF several million dollars. PUFF understood that this investment in Menominee was important and needed. Learn where and how PUFF spent their money making Menominee a better place.
What can YOU do about it?
As Menominee residents and taxpayers, it is incumbent on us to vote this November. We ask that you vote to raise the cap limit to 13 from the existing 9 licenses. We also ask that you spread the word, get your neighbors and friends to get out and vote. A Yes on this initiative can only help Menominee, and can stave off the almost certain tax levies and the stunted economic growth in our area.
If you would like to learn more…
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