News Photo by Crystal Nelson Bud Tender Brendan Hart fills a recreational marijuana order on Thursday at Meds Cafe, 2352 U.S.-23 S. in Rogers Township.

ROGERS CITY — Recreational marijuana can now be purchased at Meds Cafe, 2352 U.S.-23 in Rogers Township.

Owner Scott Schroeder said the business received its license Dec. 27 and began selling recreational marijuana on Tuesday. Meds Cafe was the first medical marijuana facility in Northeast Michigan and is now the first to sell recreational marijuana.

Michigan voters legalized marijuana for recreational use in November 2018.

Schroeder said customers who are 21 and older are required to show a valid ID before gaining entry.

Medical marijuana patients, whom the shop served before it received its recreational marijuana license, will be given priority treatment, he said.

“Inside, the difference in stock is that we have to keep the stock totally separate,” he said. “So half of our store is dedicated to the recreational market and the other half of the store is dedicated to the medical side. We did add another cash register, so now we have three cash registers.”

Since the business began selling recreational marijuana on Tuesday, Schroeder said, it sees approximately two customers purchasing recreational marijuana for every one medical marijuana customer.

Schroeder said the store has already run out of edibles, but there is more stock on order. In the meantime, customers can purchase pre-rolled joints or the marijuana bud.

Cannabidiol products, more commonly referred to as CBD, can also be purchased at the store.

Schroeder said that, because recreational marijuana stock is not yet available, the state is allowing Meds Cafe to transfer 50% of its medical marijuana stock to be used for recreational sales.

In order to make the stock last, Schroeder says he and his partner limit purchases beyond state’s 2.5-ounce limit.

Meds Cafe originally opened for business as a medical marijuana provisioning center last April. Schroeder said its customer base is “huge” — spanning the whole state — and officials have even started fielding calls from Wisconsin.

“We’re definitely busy, there’s no doubt about it, but we didn’t go on a media blitz to get a bunch of people in line or anything,” he said. “But our sales have definitely increased exponentially, and we’re excited to see what the future brings.”

In addition to the business in Rogers Township, Schroeder said there are plans to open businesses in Kent County and Manistee. There are also plans in the works for a grow operation, where Schroder plans to grow up to 500 marijuana plants.

Crystal Nelson can be reached at 989-358-5687 or cnelson@thealpenanews.com.