MENOMINEE, Mich. (WBAY) – Discussions continue in Menominee, Michigan over a dispensary that cannot open its doors despite the company’s new location being approved a year ago.

Just a few steps away from PUFF Cannabis, which has remained closed despite being ready for business in July, the company’s leadership and employees addressed the Menominee City Council, asking them once again for permission to open their store.

“It’s not just about another dispensary, this is some of our livelihood, income we need, health care to provide for our families, and medicine that helps people with so many other medical issues,” Brittney Parker, a PUFF Cannabis employee, said.

PUFF Cannabis was approved to open a store in Menominee last December. This summer, the community voted to cap the number of dispensaries at nine.

The last available spot was given to another company despite PUFF being approved and ready to open before the other company.

The company has since sued the city for money damages, totaling more than $20 million.

Nick Hannawa, co-owner of PUFF Cannabis, told Action 2 News’ Drew Best that all they want is for the city to see their approval through.

“Do the right thing, settle this with puff, end the litigation, don’t cost the taxpayers millions in damages unnecessarily, puff did nothing wrong, give us our license, and we can all move on from this,” Hannawa said.

The city manager declined to comment while the city works through the lawsuit.

Menominee Mayor Casey Hoffman previously instructed the city’s legal counsel to work on a settlement offer with PUFF.

One board member said the council is still waiting for their advice.

“Judge Barglind ultimately decides how we handle this moving forward, whether we can find an amicable solution that will grandfather Puff in, or whether the cap that the voters put into place is going to be a hard limit,” Michael Dedamos said.

Once the city’s legal counsel reaches a solution, the city council will be called to an emergency meeting to vote on a settlement agreement with PUFF.

City leaders are unsure when that could take place.

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