Michigan Surpasses California in Monthly Cannabis Sales for First Time

LOS ANGELES- Michigan sold more cannabis products in March this year than any other state, surpassing California for the first time in monthly sales, according to BDSA data outlined in an SF Gate report.

Michigan retailers sold 22 million cannabis products in March, while California shops sold 21.3 million products. This marks the first time a state other than California has led in monthly cannabis product sales.

Despite this, California’s cannabis industry still generates more revenue. Sales data indicate California sold $1 billion worth of cannabis in the first three months of the year, compared to Michigan’s $786 million. The difference in revenue despite higher product sales in Michigan is attributed to significant price variations between the states. Michigan offers lower-priced legal cannabis products, whereas California continues to experience higher prices.

Michigan’s market also benefits from neighboring states without legal cannabis programs, unlike California, whose neighbors have already adopted adult-use reforms.

“Michigan is unquestionably better at running the legal cannabis market than California. Michigan illustrates the ways that California has squandered the opportunity,” said cannabis consultant Hirsh Jain to SF Gate.

The BDSA data tracked purchases of cannabis flower, edibles, and vape pens, but did not include paraphernalia such as rolling papers or pipes.