LE Battle Creek Agrees to Penalty Over Violation of Michigan Cannabis Retail Laws

*PORTAGE, Michigan* — A Portage-area dispensary owner has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine and temporarily suspended for 14 days after the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) found the company transferred and sold cannabis products from an expired license in violation of state administrative rules.

The agreement stems from a formal complaint filed against LE Battle Creek, Inc., which owns and operates the Doja dispensary in Portage along with a now-closed sister store called Lake Effect on Westnedge Avenue.

"LE Battle Creek agreed to pay a $15,000 fine and accept a 14-day license suspension," according to the consent order released by the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency in late March 2026.

The violation occurred in December when the Doja dispensary at 4203 E Centre Ave. in Portage accepted and sold products that had been transferred to them from the Lake Effect location. At the time, the Lake Effect license had already expired on December 13, and 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," the CRA documents explain.

According to the enforcement documents, the Lake Effect license expired on December 13, 2026, and the CRA sent notification on December 16 prohibiting any product transfers. Despite this, on December 16, Doja Portage accepted a shipment of products from Lake Effect, and some of those products were sold later the same day at the Doja store.

The 14-day suspension of LE Battle Creek's license began on March 30, 2026. Both the Doja Portage location and the company's Watervliet store are currently listed as temporarily closed.

Formal Complaint Filed in February

The enforcement action traces back to a formal complaint that the CRA filed against LE Battle Creek, Inc. on February 2, 2026. At that time, the company was operating the Doja dispensary at 4203 E Centre Ave., Portage, Michigan, with license number AU-R-000261.

The complaint alleged that the company was transferring cannabis products in violation of state administrative rules, specifically regarding transfers from an inactive or expired license.

On March 23, 2026, the CRA and LE Battle Creek signed a Consent Order and Stipulation resolving the matter. The agreement follows findings that LE Battle Creek transferred cannabis products from an expired license, in violation of state administrative rules.

Broader Pattern of Enforcement

This case represents one of several enforcement actions the CRA has taken against cannabis retailers in Michigan who have improperly transferred products from expired licenses. The agency has been increasingly vigilant about compliance with Michigan's cannabis regulatory framework, which requires strict adherence to tracking, inventory management, and licensing requirements.

The Cannashield blog notes that the LE Battle Creek matter has been cited as an example of Michigan CRA's enforcement priorities around expired license violations.

"What happened in the LE Battle Creek matter: Michigan CRA announced a resolved enforcement action after findings that cannabis products were transferred from an expired license," according to industry reporting.

Impact on Local Business

The fine and suspension have immediate operational impacts for LE Battle Creek and its locations in Portage and Watervliet. Both stores are currently listed as temporarily closed, with neither location having an active voicemail box or active contact information.

The Doja dispensary also operates a location in Watervliet, which has been subject to the same temporary closure as part of the company-wide suspension.

WMUK reporter Anna Spidel, who covered the story, noted that the enforcement action highlights the importance of maintaining valid licenses for cannabis retailers in Michigan and the serious consequences of failing to comply with state regulations.

What Michigan Law Requires

Under Michigan's cannabis laws and CRA regulations, retailers must maintain active licenses to operate and transfer products. The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency has established clear rules around:

  • License validity — Retailers must have current, active licenses to conduct business
  • Product transfers — Products can only be transferred between retailers with valid licenses
  • Inventory tracking — All cannabis products must be tracked through the state's METRC monitoring system
  • Compliance inspections — Licensed establishments are subject to regular CRA inspections

Failure to comply with these requirements can result in fines, license suspensions, or even permanent revocation in severe cases.

What Happens Next

The 14-day suspension began on March 30, 2026, and both LE Battle Creek locations remain temporarily closed pending the conclusion of the enforcement period. The company has agreed to the terms of the consent order and is working with the CRA to resolve the matter.

For cannabis retailers in Michigan, this case serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining valid licenses and following state administrative rules. The CRA continues to monitor the industry and take enforcement action against violations.

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