First marijuana dispensary opens in Whitmore Lake two years after voters rejected ban

WHITMORE LAKE, MI — A marijuana retail industry is taking root in Whitmore Lake two years after voters here rejected a proposal to ban dispensaries.

Planted Provisioning, located at 9545 Main Street, had a soft launch on Monday with a grand opening planned for Oct. 1.

The dispensary is the first in Whitmore Lake, an unincorporated community that lies partially in Northfield Township north of Ann Arbor.

Northfield Township was previously split over whether to allow marijuana businesses at all. Nearly 64 percent of township residents voted in favor of Michigan’s 2018 recreational marijuana low.

But in 2019, residents circulated a petition to ban marijuana businesses, eventually getting the initiative on the ballot. The issue was controversial, dividing the township. Elected officials at the time were criticized for being part of the anti-marijuana petition group. The proposal was ultimately defeated by a near 10-point margin, with 1,058 or roughly 44% of residents voting in favor of the ban, and 1,338 or about 56% against it.

Northfield Township Supervisor Ken Dignan said the defeat shows that the community has “always been on board” with dispensaries and that residents “welcome them in.”

“It’s a great economic boost for our community,” he said.

Planted is one of three marijuana businesses that have been approved in the township. Two other dispensaries have been approved by the township, with one, located at the former Bobber Down bar, 8475 Main St., opening in November under the name Quest Cannabis. The third marijuana business has been proposed at 50 E. North Territorial Road.

Dignan said the company, Northern Trellis, took over a “very challenging property” there, but that the additional renovations will improve the area.

“I think it’s going to be a great shot in the arm,” Dignan said.