Berkley and Southfield Approve Recreational Cannabis Sales, Expanding Access in Oakland County
Recreational marijuana sales launched this week in Berkley and Southfield, two Oakland County communities that now join a select few permitting such businesses. Lume Cannabis Co. reopened its Southfield dispensary on Tuesday after receiving final city approval, while its Berkley location prepares to open Thursday. This development broadens cannabis access in Michigan's second-most populous county, where most communities remain closed to recreational outlets.
Strategic Expansions by Lume Amid Shifting Markets
Lume Cannabis Co., a major player in Michigan's cannabis sector, secured approvals alongside Dreams to operate in Southfield. The Southfield store at 26760 Lahser Road, positioned between the Lodge Freeway and I-696, targets commuters from Detroit and nearby areas. Previously a medical-only dispensary, it closed in July 2022 due to declining medical sales and falling marijuana flower prices, but reopened as recreational demand rose and prices stabilized.
The Berkley site at 1949 Twelve Mile Road will offer delivery to surrounding areas and joins Quality Roots, which opened in April. Three additional dispensaries plan to launch in Berkley soon. Lume aims to add five more retail locations this year, reaching 34 statewide with the Berkley opening. Rebecca Spindler, Lume's senior marketing manager, emphasized during a store visit that reopening brings high-quality products closer to Southfield residents. Both sites feature gummies, baked goods, infused pre-rolls, flower, and opening specials including 25% storewide discounts over the weekend.
Oakland County's Patchwork of Local Opt-Ins
Only a handful of Oakland County communities allow recreational cannabis sales, concentrated near the southeast border in Ferndale, Hazel Park, and Madison Heights. Northern spots like Lake Orion and Oxford permit dispensaries, but other plans stall amid lawsuits challenging local ordinances. Michigan voters legalized adult recreational use in 2018, with first sales in Ann Arbor by December 2019. Local governments decide to opt in or out: as of May 2023, 134 communities opted in while 1,373 opted out, per the Cannabis Regulatory Agency.
Detroit launched recreational sales in January, reflecting uneven statewide rollout. Oakland County's expansion signals growing acceptance in suburban areas, though most municipalities prioritize restrictions.
Broader Implications for Michigan's Cannabis Landscape
These openings highlight recreational marijuana's momentum since legalization, shifting from medical dominance to broader adult access. Companies like Lume adapt by converting medical sites and targeting high-traffic zones, capitalizing on stabilized markets. Yet the opt-out majority underscores persistent local resistance, often rooted in concerns over zoning, traffic, or youth access. As more communities weigh approvals, Oakland County's moves could encourage neighbors, potentially reshaping suburban retail patterns and state tax revenues from cannabis.
