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 eight things you need to know this week:
MICHIGANDERS ON TV: Actor-turned-pot-farmer Jim Belushi will feature three Michigan cannabis companies—Highway Horticulture, Sunset Coast Provisions, and Green Stem Provisioning—on an episode of Growing Belushi at 9 p.m. tonight on Discovery Plus.
GREAT GANJA OUTDOORS: With the spring’s arrival, more Michiganders are again enjoying their ganja in the great outdoors. If you’re looking for new places to go, Hour Detroit has a new a story about weed-friendly outdoor destinations. They’re all worth a visit.
QUID PRO WOES: Rick Johnson—a former Republican Michigan House speaker-turned cannabis regulator—admitted to taking more than $110,000 in bribes in exchange for cannabis business licenses during his time as chairman of the state’s licensing board, from 2017 to 2019. Three other defendants were also charged with paying bribes in the scheme.
NO GREEN IN GAYLORD: Gaylord city leaders voted last week to reject a proposal for a new cannabis-friendly golf outing this summer. Officials were reportedly most concerned by a request from organizers that would’ve allowed participants to smoke weed while playing.
SMOKE DOWN IN DETROIT: The third annual 420 Music Fest—on April 29—will be the first event in Detroit that’s fully licensed for on-site cannabis consumption. Find details here.
PENDING LEGISLATION: State lawmakers are mulling over new legislation that would reduce the minimum age required to work in the state’s cannabis industry—from 21 to 19. The move could help more Michiganders get jobs and help more companies retain staff.
READY TO GROW: Industry experts told Northern Express this week that Michigan’s friendly attitude toward cannabis could attract more tourists to the state. The biggest hurdle? Lingering stigma attached to marijuana—particularly among conservative residents.
DEALS FOR DAYS: Michigan pot shops are going all out for 420 this year—including a chance to win a year’s supply of weed. The Detroit Free Press has a big list of the state’s best deals.
READ MORE: This Country Singer Wants More Michiganders to ‘Wake N’ Bake’
This article originally appeared in The MichiGanja Report, a free monthly newsletter from The ‘Gander about all things cannabis, written by political correspondent Kyle Kaminski. Click here to subscribe, and we’ll send the next edition straight to your inbox.
Politics
VIDEO: How Michigan public schools survived the pandemic
https://www.tiktok.com/@gandernewsroom/video/7357799499571531050
What to know about Trump’s legal issues
Over the past year, former president Donald Trump has become the center of not one, not two, not three, but four criminal investigations, at both...
Michigan lawmakers look to break (another) state funding record for public schools
Democratic lawmakers are hashing out plans to bring state funding for Michigan’s public schools to another new, all-time high—and ensure teachers...
Local News
Lawyers for Nassar assault survivors have reached $100M deal with Justice Department, AP source says
The US Justice Department has agreed to pay approximately $100 million to settle claims with about 100 people who say they were sexually assaulted...
More Michigan teens could soon take driver’s ed in their own schools
Privatization of driver’s education means that only 38 Michigan high schools offer affordable in-school driving classes for students. New grants...