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 nine things you need to know this week:
BAD VAPES: State officials issued a recall on an unidentified number of vaping cartridges that were sold at more than 75 pot shops across Michigan. The recalled cartridges—which may reportedly contain banned chemicals used as insecticides or fungicides—were sold under the “Flight” brand name and include the Grease Monkey, Space Ether, and Bubblegum flavors.
SEEING GREEN: Retail marijuana sales hit another monthly record in Michigan last month, with more than $261 million in sales—most of which was sold on the licensed recreational market. Raw flower was the top seller, followed by vaporizer cartridges and cannabis-infused edibles.
NEW DRINKS INCOMING: California-based Cannabis Quencher is reportedly expanding into Michigan with a new line of 2-ounce, cannabis-infused “shots” that contain 100 mg of THC in flavors like Tropical Mango Agua Fresca, Strawberry Lemonade, and Nighttime Berry and Lime.
NO MORE DRUG TESTS: Michigan has lifted a longstanding ban on hiring some state employees who fail pre-employment drug screens for weed—including office staff and those seeking jobs that don’t require driving, operating heavy machines, or hazardous chemicals.
BLACK MARKET BLUES: Explosive sales and affordable prices on the licensed recreational weed market in Michigan have reportedly caused neighborhood dealers to fall on hard times.
LOVE AT FIRST TOKE: A Waterford couple reportedly scored a $40,000, all-expenses-paid, weed-themed wedding courtesy of The Greenhouse of Walled Lake—complete with pot-infused food for 50 guests, a top-shelf bud bar, and marijuana leaves to throw instead of rice.
CREAM OF THE CROP: Dozens of Michigan cannabis products received rave reviews in this year’s High Times Cannabis Cup. Check out all the winners across 21 categories right here.
GREAT LAKES GROWTH: Michigan-based Grasshopper Farms made big news out west when it announced plans last month to open a 48-acre farm for 3,000 plants in Pueblo, Colorado.
NEW IN MUSKEGON: Exclusive is opening a new cannabis dispensary this weekend on E. Apple Avenue in Muskegon. Special discounts, giveaways, and prizes will be available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on July 28-29—including 50 free ounces for the first 50 customers on both days.
READ MORE: 20 Michigan Dispensaries That Offer Deals for First-Time Customers
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Kyle Kaminski Kyle Kaminski is an award-winning investigative journalist with more than a decade of experience covering news across Michigan. Prior to joining The ‘Gander, Kyle worked as the managing editor at City Pulse in Lansing and as a reporter for the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
