Escanaba Higher Love among five U.P. cannabis stores abruptly closed
Company cites mounting taxes, oversupply and declining revenue
Higher Love Cannabis Company's space at 421 N. Lincoln Rd. in Escanaba was shuttered on Monday, along with four other of the chain's Upper Peninsula locations. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
Higher Love Cannabis Co. in Escanaba has closed as part of a broader shutdown of five of the cannabis company's nine Upper Peninsula locations. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
A sign on the door of Higher Love Cannabis Co. in Escanaba announced the location's closure. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
Higher Love Cannabis Company's space at 421 N. Lincoln Rd. in Escanaba was shuttered on Monday, along with four other of the chain's Upper Peninsula locations. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
Higher Love Cannabis Co. in Escanaba has closed as part of a broader shutdown of five of the cannabis company's nine Upper Peninsula locations. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
A sign on the door of Higher Love Cannabis Co. in Escanaba announced the location's closure. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
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ESCANABA - Higher Love Cannabis Co. announced Monday that it has closed its Escanaba dispensary as part of a broader shutdown of five of its nine Upper Peninsula locations, citing what the company called a mounting tax burden on Michigan's adult-use cannabis industry as the primary reason for the closures.
In a press release posted Monday on the company's website, Higher Love revealed Sunday, Aug. 9, was the final day for customers to place and pick up orders at its locations in Crystal Falls, Escanaba, Houghton, Munising and Ontonagon.
The company's Escanaba location, 421 North Lincoln Road, inside the former Staples building, opened in April 2025.
"This decision comes amid broader pressure across Michigan's cannabis industry, where oversupply, price compression and declining revenue have already forced numerous businesses to consolidate, suspend operations facilities and eliminate jobs," Higher Love said. "The added tax burden has further strained the supply chain and made it increasingly difficult for responsible operators to remain viable."
The company said Michigan's new 24% tax on certain wholesale marijuana sales and transfers, that went into effect January 1, introduced another substantial cost in a market already subject to a 10% retail excise tax and 6% sales tax.
"While these taxes apply at different stages of the supply chain and do not constitute a single combined tax rate, their collective impact has created an increasingly unsustainable operating environment -- particularly for compliant businesses serving smaller and rural communities," Higher Love added.
The company will continue serving customers at its four dispensaries in Ironwood, Marquette, Menominee and Norway.
"Higher Love joins industry leaders in calling for balanced policies that protect consumers while allowing businesses to retain employees, serve their communities and build a sustainable future," the company concluded.
Current hours, ordering information and further updates are available at www.findhigherlove.com.
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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.