Bay Mills Indian Community's organic cannabis company can now sell state-wide

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July 22, 2025

NEWS RELEASEBAY MILLS INDIAN COMMUNITY Bay Mills Indian Community has made history once again. After nearly six years of persistent advocacy, BMIC has signed the first tribal-state cannabis compact in Michigan, a landmark achievement that positions the tribe at the forefront of tribal cannabis policy and innovation.

The compact was signed on Monday, July 21, nearly six years after Bay Mills first requested negotiation with the State of Michigan.

"This compact represents more than just access to a broader market," said Whitney Gravelle, president of Bay Mills Indian Community.

"It affirms tribal sovereignty, economic self-determination, and our right to participate fully in emerging industries on our own terms."

The compact means big changes are on the horizon for the tribe's Northern Light Cannabis Company- also the first tribally-owned cultivation house. Moving into the state's Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting Compliance market (Metrc) means NLCC will be able to sell their organic cannabis statewide, collect excise tax for infrastructure, and offer a wider array of products, such as new edibles and concentrates.

Since first entering the cannabis market, NLCC has faced numerous challenges, namely the limited ability to fairly compete in the market. Now, NLCC can compete on a more level playing field. While many cannabis businesses across the state are scaling back or shuttering due to market saturation, NLCC can be uniquely positioned for long-term sustainability. As a vertically integrated operation, NLCC controls everything from seed to sale, cutting out the middleman and ensuring product quality and cost efficiency.

"Many cannabis dispensaries try to purchase the cheapest available product from whatever grow may be available on the market. In Michigan this means you could potentially consume remediate flower," said Glenn Philpot, director of cannabis operations.

"Michigan cannabis stores do not have to inform their customers if the flower has been remediated. By organically growing our own flower, in-house, we alleviate the need for remediation. Ensuring our customers are only receiving natural, organically grown cannabis.'

Remediation is the process of adding chemical agents or radiation to cannabis flower in order to pass Michigan's rigorous testing requirements. Many companies remediate all of their product to save money on testing. Michigan does not require operations to specify whether or not cannabis has been remediated.

"With remediated flower you have no idea what you are ingesting," added Philpot.

The compact comes a few weeks after NLCC expanded retail operations into Brimley at the request of customers. The second retail site, located in Four Seasons Market, has already surpassed expectations and is expected to expand hours later this month.