By Noah Johnson

njohnson@dailypress.net

ESCANABA — The Michigan Department of Treasury announced nearly $100 million in distributions for communities with commercial marijuana establishments within their borders, including Delta County, which currently has four licensed establishments.

On Friday, Feb. 21, the treasury department announced that payments from the Marijuana Regulation Fund would be distributed over the next few days.

The funds are being distributed to 302 entities, including 108 cities, 36 villages, 80 townships, 74 countries, and four tribes.

“For the State of Michigan’s 2024 fiscal year, this means each eligible municipality, county and tribe will receive more than $58,200 for every licensed retail store and microbusiness located within its jurisdiction,” the department said in a press release.

Delta County currently has four registered licenses, meaning it will receive $232,914.64 in county distributions.

Of the four licenses, two are registered in the City of Escanaba, one in Nahma Township, and one tribal location, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

These governmental units will also receive their own payments of $58,200 for each business, as follows,

Escanaba: $116,457.32

Nahma Township: $58,228.66

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians: $58,228.66

It’s the first year federally recognized tribes in the state received the funding, totaling over $931,000 in distributions to four tribes across the state.

Neighboring counties such as Schoolcraft and Menominee Counties will also receive funds, with Menominee ranking second most in the U.P. with seven stores within its borders; Marquette County leads the U.P. with 14 registered licenses.

Menominee County will receive $407,600.62.

Schoolcraft County currently has one store located in Mueller Township and will receive $58,228.66.

“The dollars received from the adult-use marijuana taxes and fees go towards schools, roads and back into Michigan’s neighborhoods. Local entities and tribes can spend these dollars however they deem fit for their needs,” said State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks.

According to the press release, more than $331 million in funds were available for distribution from the Marihuana Regulation Fund for the 2024 fiscal year. Revenue from the state’s 10 percent adult-use marihuana excise tax and other fees contribute to the fund.

The state law outlines how much is distributed to local entities, schools, tribes, roads and bridges.

In addition to the nearly $100 million in disbursements, more than $116 million was sent to the School Aid Fund for K-12 education, as well as $116 million to the Michigan Transportation Fund.

“Municipalities, counties, and tribes certainly benefit from their local cannabis businesses in many ways, including good-paying jobs, community involvement, and increased revenues for important priorities in their budget,” said Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) Executive Director Brian Hanna. “This portion of the excise tax revenue makes a direct impact in the communities where our licensees work and live.”

A complete breakdown of the disbursements can be found at Michigan.gov/RevenueSharing.