California has long been considered the epicenter of cannabis culture in America. From the craft farms of the Emerald Triangle to the start of medical marijuana in the Bay Area, weed is ubiquitous in the Golden State. But while California has dominated cannabis sales for years, one Midwestern state is coming for the crown.
As reported by Crain’s, Michigan’s marijuana market is poised to overtake California any day now. Last year, dispensaries in the Great Lakes State hit a new milestone by out-selling CA, based on a monthly units sold metric. They already had the West Coast beat on per capita sales. Now, Michigan is on track to lead the nation in overall cannabis sales as well.
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According to Crain’s, data shows California had $297 million in cannabis sales in June. This is only 13.5 percent higher than Michigan’s $261.1 million, despite California having 30 million more people living there.
It’s a stark shift for California, which boasted $450 million in weed sales four years ago compared to $148.9 million in Michigan. California’s legal cannabis market has been struggling as operators deal with tax increases, overregulation, and a lack of dispensary access for many residents. Many license holders have been forced to close their businesses as the illicit market continues to thrive.
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Meanwhile, Michigan is thriving, thanks to a number of factors. First, prices are lower and dispensaries are seemingly everywhere, making cannabis far more accessible than in California. The fact that neighboring Wisconsin and Indiana remain under prohibition also helps boost sales. Even with Illinois and Ohio offering adult-use, people may still trek to Michigan to save on their flower.
Crain’s notes that the Michigan market has started to plateau this year, seeing yearly sales slightly down from 2024. But given the chaos happening in California’s cannabis industry, it’s very possible the Midwest could become the new epicenter of the marijuana market.
