At the polls in November, voters in two Michigan border communities, Niles Township and Menominee, passed ballot initiatives to block or limit new marijuana shops.

In the Upper Peninsula’s Menominee, where eight shops already exist in the town of about 8,500 along the Wisconsin border, residents voted to cap the number of stores at nine.

After Niles Township voters green-lit marijuana commerce in November 2024, voters reversed their stance and passed a complete ban on retailers this election.

The results reflect residents’ unease over fears that an influx of profit-driven cannabis shops could reshape their communities in an effort to capitalize on lucrative cross-border sales.

Now, officials and residents in both communities are bracing for expected lawsuits. MLive covered the election

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