Alpena Township exploring benefits of marijuana businesses | News, Sports, Jobs

Photo in message file An employee of Consume Cannabis Co in Harrisville weighs some marijuana in this photo in the message file.

ALPENA – Alpena Township opted out of Proposal 1 after it was passed in Michigan in 2018, not allowing recreational marijuana sales within its borders.

That could all change as the community begins researching the financial benefits of selling the drug legally.

Township Supervisor Nathan Skibbe said a Township Planning Commission workshop held on Monday was a first step.

He said it was one of several step in a process that marijuana companies in the community may or may not allow.

“We want to see what it would look like and what we would have to do to achieve it,” said Skibbe. “We are only just starting the discussion, but this is a discussion that many municipalities are having.”

Denise Cline, associate director and chief planner of the Northeast Michigan Government Council, offered her assistance in formulating a plan for adult marijuana use, should one be needed.

Despite the benefits it might have on local tax revenues, few communities in the area allow adult marijuana to be sold.

Any community that has a marijuana business receives the revenue it needs, as does the county in which the business is located.

Rogers Township, Presque Isle County, received $ 28,001 in tax revenue last year for allowing Meds Cafe to operate. Presque Isle County received $ 56,002 last year for the two stores that opened there.

Sticky Bush Farms operates in Onaway and received $ 28,001 for the community.

Consume cannabis is legal for sale in Harrisville, but the city has not yet received any tax revenue as the store has only been open for a few months.

Skibbe said the community has reached a point financially where it needs to consider anything that can improve its bottom line. He said the community previously shied away from medical and recreational marijuana, but now the option needs to be explored and considered.

“It’s time to explore all possible sources of income,” said Skibbe. “I’d rather do that than move on to any new or higher taxes.”

Alpena is expected to get two medical marijuana stores, Green Buddha and Lume Cannabis Company, but construction has yet to begin on the facilities.

Both Green Buddha and Lume have released renderings of what the facilities might look like.

Skibbe said it is possible the planning commission will make a recommendation to the board of trustees on how to move forward with marijuana, but that move is not imminent.

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