ANN ARBOR – Michigan cannabis dispensaries are absorbing six-figure losses as a wave of break-ins continues across Southeast Michigan, forcing retailers to invest heavily in reinforced storefronts, AI-driven surveillance systems and vault-level inventory controls.

At least 75 break-ins were reported across Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties from early 2024 through early 2025, according to investigative reporting by Metro Times. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, 22 cannabis businesses were burglarized in the Detroit area, including 16 inside city limits.

The full statewide total for 2025 is not yet available. The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) has not yet published its official 2025 annual Break-In Report, which compiles thefts that licensed operators are required to report within 24 hours. Until that report is released, current figures rely on court records, law enforcement statements and media investigations.

What those reports show is clear: the financial impact is significant.

Six-Figure Hits, Organized Crews

In one Detroit case reported by CBS News Detroit, thieves stole an estimated $100,000 worth of cannabis products from Jazz Cannabis Club. Owner George Brikho described the aftermath bluntly.

“Financially, it does take a toll on us,” Brikho said.
“They were literally cleaning out my store… as much product they could.”

In another case tied to an organized burglary ring, roughly 24 pounds of cannabis valued at more than $115,000 was allegedly stolen from a Macomb County dispensary. A separate defendant in a multi-location case was ordered to pay $60,000 in restitution tied to cannabis retail thefts.

Law enforcement officials say many incidents appear connected.

“I tend to believe it’s a smaller group of people doing a majority of these locations,” Detroit Police organized crime commander Anthony O’Rourke told Metro Times.

Unlike traditional retail robberies, many of these crimes target high-value product rather than just cash. Flower, vape cartridges and concentrates are compact, expensive and easily resold on illicit markets.

For operators, the threat is operational, not theoretical.

Insurance Costs Add A Second Blow

The financial damage does not stop with stolen product or broken storefronts.

Repeated incidents are contributing to rising insurance premiums and tighter underwriting requirements. Cannabis retailers already pay higher-than-average premiums compared to traditional retail due to federal banking restrictions and perceived risk. A theft history can increase deductibles or require upgraded security before policies are renewed.

For an industry already dealing with price compression, oversupply and tax pressure, insurance inflation compounds the impact of every burglary.

A single successful break-in can wipe out months of margin. Higher premiums can eat into what remains.

Security Spending Becomes Mandatory

In response, cannabis operators are investing heavily in physical and technological defenses.

Security integrators report increased demand from dispensaries seeking hardened protection.

“We’re not just installing cameras and access control,” a representative from Myers Security wrote in a published article detailing cannabis facility buildouts. “One of the most overlooked partnerships… is your security integrator.”

Dispensaries are deploying layered defense systems that include:

  • Reinforced steel doors and frames

  • Security-laminated or ballistic glass

  • Roll-down metal shutters

  • Concrete bollards to prevent vehicle ramming

  • Glass-break and vibration detection sensors

The objective is simple: slow forced entry and make smash-and-grab tactics more difficult.

AI Surveillance And Vault-Level Controls

Technology upgrades are also expanding beyond traditional security cameras.

Modern systems now include:

  • 24/7 HD surveillance with remote monitoring

  • AI-powered analytics that detect loitering or unusual behavior

  • Real-time mobile alerts

  • Integrated alarm systems with monitored dispatch

Some retailers are adding vault-grade protections such as biometric access controls, time-delay safes and reinforced inventory cages to ensure that even if intruders enter the building, bulk product remains protected.

These systems are designed to buy time — triggering alarms early and limiting access to high-value inventory.

The cost is not insignificant. A full security retrofit can run into tens of thousands of dollars depending on facility size and configuration. For multi-location operators, the expense multiplies quickly.

But operators increasingly view security investment as a survival requirement rather than an optional upgrade.

A Growing Line Item On Cannabis Balance Sheets

Until the CRA releases its 2025 Break-In Report, the total statewide number of incidents — and cumulative dollar losses — remains uncertain.

What is documented shows a clear pattern concentrated in Southeast Michigan, with organized crews responsible for multiple locations and product losses reaching six figures in some cases.

For retailers, the impact is layered:

  • Direct product theft

  • Structural repair costs

  • Business interruption losses

  • Rising insurance premiums

  • Capital investment in hardened security

Crime is no longer just a public safety concern for Michigan’s cannabis industry.

It is a growing and recurring line item on retail balance sheets.

And as long as cannabis remains a high-value, federally restricted product category, dispensaries are likely to remain attractive targets — making advanced security and risk management central to operating in Michigan’s competitive cannabis market.