MENOMINEE, Mi. (WBAY) – A cannabis dispensary in Menominee, Michigan, submitted paperwork on Thursday to sue the city for $20 million in compensatory damages.

The mayor of Menominee, Casey Hoffman, and Nick Hannawa, the co-owner of PUFF Cannabis Company, both say the store has been ready to open and operate since July, but has remained closed because of the city council’s refusal to give them the final forms to open.

In December of 2024, the city manager gave PUFF permission to proceed with construction and open when ready.

In August of 2025, just eight months later, there was a vote to allow only nine cannabis dispensaries in the city.

There are eight open and operating right now.

PUFF is looking to be the ninth, but the mayor says the city council has to take action in order for the store to open.

PUFF Cannabis Company says it’s been losing $1 million a week since July, and the mayor says the city council is divided on the issue.

“I am terrified by what my city council thinks right now. Half of them want to settle this and make it go away so that the city doesn’t bet the farm in court. And half of them want to sue and are convinced they can win,” says Mayor Casey Hoffman.

“It’s not fair, it’s not right. PUFF has done nothing wrong. We came in, we played by the rules. We were issued a building permit. We had an approval for our marijuana license once that was completed. And you know, they are doing everything they can to block our opening,” says Nick Hannawa, who is also the legal counsel for PUFF Cannabis Company.

Action 2 News called the city manager on Thursday, but we have not heard back yet.

Copyright 2025 WBAY. All rights reserved.