Court Found Bliss Corporate Destroyed Protected Wetlands

A judge ruled the company illegally cleared 15.9 acres of wetlands to build a marijuana farm in Michigan.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Financial Crime

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a dark, stagnant marshland landscape, evoking the environmental impact of unauthorized commercial land development.
A Michigan judge ruled Bliss Corporate Inc. violated environmental laws by illegally clearing 15.9 acres of protected wetlands to develop a facility in Sherman Township. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Bliss Corporate Inc. was found guilty of violating state environmental law by destroying 15.9 acres of protected wetlands in Sherman Township. The company had clearcut, dredged, and filled the land to establish a marijuana farm.

Why it matters

The ruling underscores the enforcement of environmental protections against commercial developers in Michigan. The company proceeded with construction despite multiple official notices and cease-and-desist orders issued over several years.

The Michigan state government filed a lawsuit against Bliss Corporate Inc. in Ingham County during August 2025. A court hearing to establish final civil penalties and injunctive relief is scheduled for November 24, 2026.

The players

Bliss Corporate Inc.

This is the corporate entity found guilty of violating the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act during the development of its marijuana farm.

Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

This state agency is responsible for overseeing the protection of natural resources and investigated the unauthorized wetland destruction.

The details

Bliss Corporate Inc. ignored violation notices and cease-and-desist directions provided by state regulators between 2022 and 2024. The firm continued development of the marijuana farm in Sherman Township despite the ongoing investigation by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

Timeline

  1. The destruction of protected wetlands began in the fall of 2022.

  2. State regulators launched an investigation into the site in December 2022.

  3. The company received violation notices between 2022 and 2024.

  4. The state filed a lawsuit against the firm in August 2025.

  5. A hearing regarding civil penalties is set for November 24, 2026.

Legal Context

This case follows a pattern of state-level litigation aimed at enforcing the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act against commercial encroachment. Recent judicial trends in the state have prioritized protecting sensitive ecosystems from industrial development.

This judgment reinforces the regulatory authority of the state to protect public land from private commercial developers. Residents in the area benefit from the preservation of local wetlands which serve as vital components of the ecosystem.

The takeaway

This case illustrates the legal consequences for developers who ignore environmental warnings while pursuing commercial projects. Companies operating in ecologically sensitive areas must adhere to state mandates to avoid significant litigation and court-ordered remediation.

What happens next

The court will convene on November 24, 2026, to determine the specific civil penalties and injunctive relief required of the company.

Further reading

Find more updates regarding legal proceedings in the state at Financial Crime.

Source note: This article includes information reported by ABC 12 WJRT-TV.

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Should businesses that knowingly violate environmental protection laws face maximum civil penalties?