Detroit, MI Cannabis Regulations: Dispensary Zoning (2026)
Key Facts
- Retailer-to-retailer buffer
- 500 radial feet
- Drug-free-zone buffer
- 1,000 radial feet, not waivable
- Controlled-use buffer
- 750 radial feet
- Governing section
- Detroit City Code § 50-12-132
- Dual licensing
- State license plus City Ch. 20 license
Summary
Detroit requires marijuana retail/provisioning facilities to sit at least 500 feet from another retailer and 1,000 feet from any school, library, child-care center, or other drug-free-zone use, per Zoning Code § 50-12-132.
Marijuana retail/provisioning facility 500 radial feet - Uses included in definition of "drug-free zone": 1,000 radial feet; - Religious institution identified as exempt by the City Assessor: 1,000 radial feet; - Marijuana microbusiness: 500 radial feet - Controlled uses: 750 radial feet Section 50-12-413
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
Under Detroit City Code § 50-12-132, a marijuana retail/provisioning facility must keep 500 radial feet from another marijuana retail/provisioning facility or a marijuana microbusiness, 750 radial feet from any controlled use (e.g., a pawnshop or firearms range), and 1,000 radial feet from a religious institution the City Assessor has classified as tax-exempt or from any use inside a "drug-free zone." A drug-free zone, defined at § 50-16-172, is any zoning lot within 1,000 feet of a school, child care center, library, educational institution, youth activity center, outdoor recreation facility, or public housing. Section 50-12-135 lets BSEED waive the 500-foot school buffer down to 450 feet, but § 50-12-135(d) bars any waiver of the 1,000-foot drug-free-zone buffer for marijuana uses. Facilities also need a Michigan marijuana license and a City license under Chapter 20, Article VI before opening.
Violations & Fines
Operating without meeting the spacing table or without the required City license under Ch. 20, Art. VI is a zoning and licensing violation enforced by the Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED), which can deny or revoke the certificate of occupancy and license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Detroit marijuana retailer waive the school buffer?
Can two marijuana microbusinesses share a Detroit block?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Detroit
Compare Detroit to another location·View the Michigan cannabis regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Dispensary Zoning in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wayne County handle dispensary zoning.