Source: Harbor Country News
A New Buffalo Township cannabis dispensary is facing the possibility of losing its Special Land Use approval after township officials voted to move forward with revocation proceedings during a June 22 board meeting.
The New Buffalo Township Board unanimously approved findings of fact supporting a potential revocation of the Special Land Use permit for Trap Stars, located at 13964 Grand Avenue. Officials have scheduled a second revocation hearing for the board’s July 20 meeting after new information was presented during the initial hearing, giving dispensary representatives an opportunity to respond.
At the same meeting, motions seeking similar findings against Mint Cannabis, The Refinery Dispensary New Buffalo, and The Plug were unanimously rejected.
According to testimony presented during the public hearing, Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Southcounty Patrol Lt. Thad Chartrand said law enforcement agencies from neighboring states began contacting local authorities in late 2025 after traffic stops involving individuals allegedly transporting large quantities of cannabis purchased in New Buffalo Township.
Chartrand testified that some individuals reportedly admitted purchasing cannabis from Trap Stars and provided receipts documenting multiple transactions. He stated that complaints were subsequently filed with Michigan’s Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA).
The lieutenant also discussed a compliance investigation conducted by the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office narcotics unit. According to his testimony, investigators were able to purchase approximately one pound of cannabis from Trap Stars. Chartrand alleged regulators later determined the sale had been entered into the state’s monitoring system as multiple smaller transactions after the purchase occurred and that required notifications were not made to regulators or law enforcement.
Additional concerns were raised by New Buffalo Township Code Enforcement Officer Jonathan Jackubowski. He testified that Trap Stars received a citation in April for allegedly serving customers beyond the township’s permitted 9 p.m. closing time. Surveillance footage from a neighboring cannabis business reportedly showed customers entering the dispensary after 9 p.m.
Jackubowski also stated that during 4/20 weekend he observed individuals waiting in line outside the dispensary who appeared to be consuming cannabis products.
Township Supervisor Michelle Heit referenced several CRA compliance issues during the hearing, including allegations involving inventory tracking, transaction reporting, facility security requirements, and reporting obligations related to criminal activity.
Representing Trap Stars, attorney Adam Behrendt disputed several of the allegations. He argued that some of the cited CRA violations have already been resolved through the agency’s administrative process and that penalties have been paid where appropriate. He also stated that other allegations remain unresolved and have not yet been fully adjudicated by the CRA.
The July 20 hearing will allow Trap Stars representatives to address the new information before the Township Board determines whether further action on the Special Land Use permit is warranted.
As municipalities across Michigan continue balancing local oversight with state cannabis regulations, the outcome of this case could serve as another example of how local governments are utilizing zoning and land-use authority to address compliance concerns within the cannabis industry.
This article was adapted and reported by Couch Lock’d using information originally published by Harbor Country News. Readers can follow Couch Lock’d for future updates as the July 20 hearing approaches.
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