Upheaval in Michigan’s Cannabis Market: New Tax Sparks Price Hikes and Layoffs

Michigan’s cannabis market has lurched into 2026 facing its most significant challenge to date.

A controversial 24% wholesale tax that took effect on January 1 is already causing immense disruption across an industry that had, until recently, known only runaway growth.

The immediate fallout has been stark.

The tax has been cited as a direct cause for closures and job cuts.

Higher Love, a cannabis company based in the Upper Peninsula with 10 dispensaries, laid off approximately 60 of its 200 employees in December, a direct response to the impending financial pressure.

This pain is a symptom of a broader market shift.

For the first time since recreational sales began in 2019, the market contracted last year.

According to figures from Michigan's Cannabis Regulatory Agency, sales dipped by 3% in 2025, falling to $3.17 billion from $3.28 billion the previous year.

Industry leaders are now faced with an impossible choice: absorb the massive new tax or pass the cost along to consumers.

Most say they have no financial room to absorb it.

Lume Cannabis Co., one of Michigan's largest marijuana companies, has stated that customers should expect prices on some items to rise, though not by the full 24%.

The move signals a tough new reality for consumers accustomed to some of the nation's lowest cannabis prices.

Adding to the uncertainty is a fierce legal battle over the tax itself.

The Michigan Cannabis Industry Association, which represents hundreds of marijuana businesses, is appealing a judge's decision that allowed the tax to proceed, arguing it's unconstitutional.

While the legal fight continues in Lansing, businesses must still comply, navigating razor-thin margins that are now even tighter.

Amid the state-level chaos, a major development is unfolding on the federal stage.

Late last year, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the federal government to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous substance.

This potential shift from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug could eventually provide significant financial relief for cannabis companies, but the process is slow and offers no immediate help.

For now, all eyes are on how Michigan dispensaries and consumers will navigate a market suddenly defined by higher costs, legal fights, and unprecedented economic strain.

FAQ:

Q: Why did Michigan implement a new 24% wholesale cannabis tax?

A: The tax was passed as part of a state budget deal aimed at increasing funding for road repairs across Michigan, estimated to generate over $400 million in revenue.

Q: Will marijuana prices go up for consumers in Michigan?

A: Yes, industry experts and major retailers like Lume Cannabis Co. have indicated that they cannot absorb the entire tax, meaning consumer prices are expected to increase throughout 2026. Many retailers stocked up on inventory before the tax took effect, which may delay the full price shock for consumers by a month or two.

Q: Is the new cannabis tax being challenged in court?

A: The Michigan Cannabis Industry Association has filed a lawsuit arguing the tax is unconstitutional. While an initial ruling allowed the tax to proceed, the association is appealing the decision, and the case is moving forward.