Cannabis sales in Michigan approached $1 billion in 2020, state records show.
According to data from the Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA), combined sales of medical marijuana and adult-use cannabis reached $984.7 million.
Adult-use cannabis made up more than 50% of statewide sales, reaching $510.6 million, while medical marijuana sales eclipsed $474 million.
Sales peaked in July, when consumers spent $109.5 million on adult-use cannabis and more than $52 million on medical marijuana.
In addition to July, monthly consumer spending on cannabis surpassed $100 million four other times in 2020 — August, September, October and December.
The combined statewide total rival those of larger markets, like nearby Illinois, where dispensaries sold more than $1 billion worth of cannabis last year.
Adult-Use cannabis sales in Illinois were about 27% higher, eclipsing $669 million in 2020. However, Michigan dispensaries sold about 25% more medical marijuana ($474 million) than those in the Prairie State ($365.7 million).
The surging sales of cannabis also created more than 9,000 new jobs in Michigan, according to a recent Leafly report.
There are now more than 18,000 people employed in the Michigan cannabis industry, which challenges the number of auto repair mechanics in a state that is home to some of the biggest names in the automotive industry.
Michigan dispensaries got off to a hot start in 2021, selling more than $108 million worth of cannabis in January. Adult-use sales reached a record $67.4 million. The previous high was $61.5 million in December 2020.
Meanwhile, sales of medical marijuana eclipsed $41 million in Michigan last month.