GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The state released its annual marijuana tax revenue totals yesterday — a record $87 million.
Kent County will receive one of the highest totals of any county and in one city, it will all go to a specific set of projects.
On several streets throughout Lowell, you'll find plenty of rough patches in the road. But over the last few years, the city has been able to be more aggressive with road repairs than ever before, filling potholes using pot taxes.
"I would say in the last four years, we've probably done more streets than we've done the previous 50," said Michael Burns, Lowell's city manager.
And that's largely because of tax revenue brought into the city, thanks to its six marijuana dispensaries. Each city is allowed to use that money how it sees fit, and Lowell puts it all into one place.
"It goes to our local streets," said Burns. "That's it."
Kent County received the third largest amount of money in the state from marijuana tax this year, bringing in more than $2.2 million. Lowell received a large portion of that total.
"We received just under $473,000," said Burns. "It's about $225,000 more than we had projected."
Since Lowell opted into allowing dispensaries in town five years ago, that's the largest amount it's received yet.
"Mainly because of the marijuana dollars, we've got about a million dollars of work planned just in road improvements," said Burns.
He said that has allowed them to fast-track road repairs that weren't going to be possible for years, getting them done well ahead of time.
Burns said while some people still question the legalization of recreational marijuana, it's become a beneficial partnership that has helped improve the city in ways that were previously impossible.
"I'll be honest, I was very skeptical when we opted in five years ago," said Burns. "The city would not be able to do the things that we've been able to do with our local streets without those funds."
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