MICHIGAN POT BOOM

Windsor left waiting

Windsor continues to miss out on the growing economic boom of retail cannabis sales, while other nearby jurisdictions are cashing in on tax revenues and economic spinoff benefits, say local supporters in favour of getting a local pot store opened.

Five retail shops that opened their doors across Michigan were able to tally US$1.6 million in sales of recreational marijuana during their first eight days of business, the Detroit Free Press reported on Wednesday.

After years of debate, the state for the first time made available the legal sale of cannabis products starting on Dec. 1.

Combined sales through Dec. 8 at the five locations equated to $1,629,007 with an added $162,900 from the 10 per cent state excise tax and $107,514 from the six per cent state sales tax, the Free Press said.

Three of the store locations sold out of their supply or products.

“Obviously they have moved without dragging their feet,” said Coun. Rino Bortolin, among those frustrated locally over ongoing delays in Windsor to open a retail outlet in the 500 block of Ouellette Avenue, which is awaiting final approval from the province.

“Just look at the 13 per cent in tax revenues this would generate. You are losing jobs and economic stimulus for the downtown.

“The average person would spend $100 and there are lineups for these stores. On average, that would be 3,000 (in Michigan) people at each store.

“The only thing that generates that type of crowd downtown here is WIFF and other large festivals. Imagine the foot traffic. We are missing out. That’s all you can say.”

It has been estimated by the state government that once retail outlets selling recreational marijuana are fully established across Michigan by late 2020, annual sales could reach $949 million, plus millions more in tax revenues, the Free Press reported.

Of the first five stores to open in Michigan, three are in Ann Arbor, another in Morenci, just north of the Ohio border, with the fifth in the small northern town of Evart.

The only thing that generates that type of crowd downtown here is WIFF and other large festivals. Imagine the foot traffic. We are missing out.

The state began accepting applications for recreational marijuana business licences on Nov. 1 and has since awarded 21 licences, the Free Press said.

“It’s always great to see more stores open,” said local cannabis activist Jon Liedtke.

But he remains frustrated on this side of the border, not only because retail sales of cannabis products are not only taking way too long to get in place in Windsor, but all across Ontario.

He supports the downtown location on Ouellette.

“Across the province you only have 24 stores open and no store in Windsor,” he said.

Liedtke believes the longer the process to get retail outlets open here, the harder it’s going to be to drive sales.

“We know there is going to be high demand, but we also know the black market continues to have very high sales,” he said.

“Right now, the black market can offer better prices, is more accessible and has a higher-quality product.

“It’s going to take time to grow the legal sales market.”