12/09/2025

LANSING - A Michigan Court of Claims judge has denied a request to block a 24% wholesale marijuana tax before it takes effect next year.  Judge Sima G. Patel on Monday wrote the plaintiffs in the case — the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association and a group of marijuana companies suing to block the tax — “have not demonstrated they are likely to succeed on the merits.” The MCIA and suing companies argue the new tax, passed by state lawmakers and signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in October, amends the 2018 voter-passed Michigan Regulation of Marijuana Act. That’s why they argue it should have required 75% supermajority support of the state Legislature to be passed.  While the tax is set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, the court left open the possibility that the tax could still be eliminated following a hearing set for Jan. 13.  State officials estimate the new 24% marijuana tax will generate $420 million that would be used towards Whitmer’s “Fix the Damn roads” funding plan.