Marijuana has meant big business for Buchanan, and leaders there say they don’t regret decisions made several years ago to welcome the businesses into town.
Buchanan Mayor Mark Weedon tells us they have both processors, which are less visible to the public, and dispensaries in town. Some are located right downtown, and he says they’ve enhanced the area.
“They don’t stand out, they compliment the downtown,” Weedon said. “Then it gives opportunities for people who are here for that product to see other spaces that we have available and get some ice cream down at the Sweet Shop, grab a drink over at one of the — a even cider over at Lehman’s Farmhouse.
Weedon says dire warnings from the past about marijuana businesses attracting crime and other social ills have been proven wrong. Rather, he says having cannabis businesses nearby just means more people come to town, whether to work or to shop.
“The people who work at these dispensaries, they live there and they make a living off of this industry. And when you look at it from the perspective of bars and restaurants, they’re providing a service. They’re providing an opportunity that’s legal for anyone 21 and over.”
Weedon tells us the idea was once controversial in Buchanan, but he’s grateful to have the cannabis operations now.
However, not all is well. Weedon says the state’s new 24% wholesale tax on marijuana, passed in the dead of night during last minute legislative budget negotiations, is hurting the industry. He says some cannabis operations have even left Michigan because of it. He also believes the state isn’t letting municipalities keep enough of the marijuana tax revenue generated in their towns.
