In 2023, five dispensaries in Big Rapids closed and two more opened for a total of 15 in the 4.5-mile city.
Big Rapids currently does not have a cap on how many active dispensary licenses are available in the city.
Dispensaries, also known as provisioning centers, are defined as storefronts that sell cannabis products. What products they sell depends on the location, but they generally sell flower, vapes, concentrates and edibles or drinkables.
Justin Vance, 46, of Hersey frequents many of the dispensaries in Big Rapids.
Vance has been to many of the dispensaries that have closed in the area and says prices are a big reason why he thinks they’ve closed.
“They weren’t competitive enough,” Vance said, “I think everything is so cutthroat and the margins are so thin that there’s no room for mistakes.”
When choosing a dispensary, Vance said there are many things he looks for. These include prices, available brands and the environment.
Vance mainly uses these products for medicinal purposes and has a medical marijuana card. Many of the dispensaries in Big Rapids and surrounding areas have stopped selling medicinal cannabis products and only offer recreational products and prices.
Timber Cannabis Co. opened in December of 2021 and is one of the longest lasting dispensaries in the area.
Chivonne Rush, 43, has been the marketing manager for all Timber locations since before the storefront in Big Rapids opened.
Rush thinks there are many factors that have contributed to Timber’s success in Big Rapids which include giving back to their community, knowledgeable budtenders and their loyalty program.
“We’re always striving to provide the community with the highest quality products at a fair price,” Rush said.
According to Rush, the business has continued to grow since their opening and they currently get about 50 customers per day.
Economics professor Tyler Watts said the number of dispensaries opening and closing in the area is typical for newer industries.
“Ultimately you’re going to see the companies that have the lowest cost and the best marketing grow,” Watts said, “Competitors will either get bought and merge into those larger, more successful companies or they’ll just fail and that’s very normal.”
Watts thinks the overall economic impact of legalizing marijuana and the large number of dispensaries in small areas will be negative.
“The taxes and jobs and all the upsides are easy to see, but the downsides are significant and harder to see,” Watts said.
From cannabis sales in 2022, Big Rapids and Mecosta County each received almost $900,000 in tax revenue. This number is projected to be even higher for 2023.