CRA Penalties Hit LE Battle Creek LLC Following Cross-License Product Transfer Violation
PORTAGE, MI — A Portage-area cannabis dispensary has agreed to pay a $15,000 fine and accept a 14-day license suspension after violating Michigan cannabis retail laws by accepting and selling products from a sister store with an expired license.
According to documents released by the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA), LE Battle Creek LLC, which operates the "Doja" dispensaries in Portage and Watervliet, violated state regulations when the Portage location accepted and sold products transferred from Lake Effect on Westnedge Avenue in December.
LE Battle Creek LLC, which owns the "Doja" dispensaries in Portage and Watervliet, has been ordered to pay a fine. It stems from an incident that involved its now-closed sister store, Lake Effect.
Expired License Transfer Broke Michigan Law
The violation occurred after Lake Effect's license expired on December 13, 2025. The CRA notified the retailer two days later that no product transfers were allowed under Michigan law.
Under Michigan law, a cannabis retailer with an expired or inactive license cannot transfer products to another store.
Despite this notification, Doja Portage accepted a shipment of products from Lake Effect on December 16, 2025, and some of those products were sold later the same day at the Doja store.
At the time, the license for Lake Effect, which is owned and managed by the same company as Doja, had expired.
Consequences for Both Locations
The consent order and stipulation was released by the CRA in late March 2026, ordering LE Battle Creek LLC to pay a $15,000 fine and accept a 14-day license suspension. The suspension began on March 30, 2026.
Doja Portage is listed as temporarily closed, and its listed number does not connect to the store.
Doja also has a location in Watervliet that is also listed as temporarily closed. Neither location currently has an active voicemail box.
Community Impact
The penalties come at a time when cannabis businesses across Michigan are facing increased regulatory scrutiny. The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency has been cracking down on violations throughout the state, with penalties ranging from fines to license suspensions.
A Portage dispensary owner has agreed to a $15,000 fine and temporary license suspension.
The incident highlights the importance of proper compliance with Michigan's cannabis retail regulations, particularly regarding product transfers between licensed and unlicensed establishments.
What Happens Next
The 14-day license suspension will remain in effect until April 13, 2026. After the suspension period ends, LE Battle Creek LLC will need to demonstrate full compliance with state regulations before being able to resume normal operations.
The company has not issued a public statement regarding the penalty, and WMUK was unable to reach a representative for either the Portage or Watervliet locations.
WMUK was unable to reach a representative for either dispensary or its parent company.
Broader Context
This case is one of several recent enforcement actions by the CRA that have caught cannabis retailers attempting to move products between stores with different license statuses. The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency has made clear that proper licensing and transfer protocols must be followed at all times.
The incident also comes as the Michigan cannabis industry faces ongoing debates about the state's 24% wholesale tax, which has prompted multiple legal challenges from industry groups claiming the tax is unconstitutional.