6 Quick Hits of Cannabis News From Across Michigan

MICHIGAN—Cannabis is a pretty big deal in Michigan—and there’s never a shortage of newsworthy headlines from the industry as the state inches closer to becoming the nation’s weed capital.

Here are six things you need to know this week:

RAIN OR SHINE: Cold and rainy weather didn’t stop thousands of people (this writer included) from converging on the University of Michigan on Saturday for the 52nd annual Hash Bash. The event has been more of a celebration than a protest since recreational weed was legalized in Michigan, but activists still called for federal legalization with the creed: “No Toker Left Behind.”

THE IRON IS HOT: Greenpharm, the second pot shop to open in the Upper Peninsula city of Iron River, celebrated a ribbon cutting ceremony last week at the old Beef-a-Roo building. Since the store is located only about 10 miles from the border of Wisconsin, where recreational pot is still illegal, officials there expect a significant number of their customers will be cheeseheads.

JUSTICE INCOMING: Attorney General Dana Nessel has issued warrants for 12 people allegedly tied to a string of break-ins at about 20 pot shops across Michigan last summer. Most of the suspects are set to be charged with safe breaking, operating a criminal enterprise and breaking and entering a building—a combination of felonies that could carry life sentences.

VILLAGE GOES GREEN: Developers are breaking ground this month on the first (and likely the only) dispensary to open in the small village of Sanford, reports the Midland Daily News. Signage on the Meridian Road site suggests that “Sanford Dispo” will open its doors in the fall–and that means the village will likely rake in more than $50,000 in new taxes next year.

COURT IS IN SESSION: This month, 3,500 lucky Michiganders will have a chance to sample and critique some of the best locally grown cannabis in the state as official judges in the annual High Times Cannabis Cup competition. Judging kits (packed with loads of different products across 21 different categories) will be available to buy at dozens of dispensaries on April 15. 

DAYTIME SMOKERS REJOICE: Lemonnade, the first pot shop in Michigan focused exclusively on lively, energetic, sativa-leaning cannabis products, celebrated its grand opening in Centerline last week. The new store (24729 Sherwood Ave.) is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

READ MORE: California Brand Expands to Michigan With ‘Good Old-Fashioned’ Weed

This information originally appeared in The MichiGanja Report, a free newsletter from The ‘Gander about all things cannabis, written by ‘Gander Political Correspondent Kyle Kaminski. Click here to subscribe, and we’ll send the next edition straight to your inbox.