U.P. tribe to develop community-owned marijuana business on tribal land

CHIPPEWA COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) -- A northern Michigan tribe is working to develop a community-owned marijuana business on its lands across the state.

The Bay Mills Indian Community said the business will be a vertically-integrated "seed to sale" business.

The operation will be licensed and regulated under tribal law and proceeds will flow back to BMIC to benefit tribal members and community residents.

Officials said the first phase of the project will involve the conversion of tribally owned land, located south of Sault Ste. Marie, into a marijuana grow, process and retail operation.

About 110 acres of land will be converted into a facility that can house upwards of 10,000 marijuana plants and will provide dozens of new jobs.

It will take approximately one year for the initial planting to generate a product that can be brought to market, said Bay Mills.

“As product nears being ready for sale, the second phase of the operation will involve the development of several retail establishments around Chippewa County, including near Bay Mills Resort & Casino,” said Aaron Schlehuber, BMIC in-house counsel.

Right now, there are no tribally-owned marijuana businesses operating in Michigan under tribal laws.

In July, Lume Cannabis did announce a partnership with the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians to open amarijuana retail store on tribal lands.

“Bay Mills Indian Community has developed businesses to generate revenues for our tribal government, and to benefit our citizens and community. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the urgency for us to find new sources of economic opportunity for our people,” said BMIC Tribal Chairperson Bryan Newland. “We don’t begrudge anyone else who has found a different way into this industry. At the same time, Bay Mills has no interest in turning over our sovereign lands to private, for-profit corporations who are regulated and taxed by the State of Michigan.”

In 2018, Michigan enacted the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act, which authorizes the growing and sale of marijuana products under a strict regulatory and licensing process.

The opening dates and partners in the Bay Mills project will be announced at a later date.