In Menominee, Michigan, voters will soon have the opportunity to weigh in on a controversial issue that has stirred debate across the city: whether to limit the number of cannabis dispensaries operating within city limits.
A new ballot initiative proposes capping the total number of dispensaries at nine. According to Mayor Casey Hoffman, the plan is to allow the cannabis market to determine which businesses survive, with the city gradually reducing the number of dispensaries through a policy of attrition.
“The first time a dispensary closes, the city of Menominee will not issue another license,” Hoffman explained. “And we will continue a reduction through attrition policy, until we reach nine dispensaries as approved by the voters this election season.”
However, when voters will actually make that decision is currently up in the air.
Last week, City Councilman William Plemel filed a lawsuit against the city in an effort to delay the vote until the November general election. Plemel argues that holding a special election to decide on the initiative could violate Michigan election law, which generally requires candidates to be on the ballot for an election to proceed.
Plemel also points out that delaying the initiative to November would save the city significant costs associated with organizing a separate election.
“I do have thoughts about the proposal, but that’s not what started this,” Plemel said. “It’s in violation of state law, as far as I know. We shouldn’t have an election; it’s going to cost the city a bunch of money, and it’s probably not going to stand anyway. Everybody’s going to have a chance to vote on this come November.”
Despite the legal roadblocks, Mayor Hoffman remains hopeful that the matter will finally be resolved—with help from voters.
“I think limiting the number of dispensaries to nine is the beginning of the end,” Hoffman said. “We will see the amount of dispensaries go up before they go down, but really what we need is approval from the voters.”
The debate reflects a broader tension in Menominee between business interests, legal compliance, and public opinion. While cannabis has been a legal and growing industry in Michigan, cities like Menominee are still working through how to best manage its presence locally.
Plemel’s lawsuit is scheduled for a court hearing on Friday. Until then, the city waits for a final decision on whether voters will cast their ballots sooner—or later—on the future of cannabis dispensaries in Menominee.
