9 quick hits of cannabis news from across Michigan

MICHIGAN—Cannabis is a 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:

ONE MAN’S TRASH: State regulators are reminding pot shops across Michigan to properly dispose of their marijuana—and lock up the garbage cans outside of their buildings—following multiple reports of people dumpster diving for cannabis products outside of dispensaries. 

HIGH TIMES: A record-setting $3 billion worth of cannabis sold across Michigan in 2023 has generated a grand total of about $458 million in new taxes for the state—including more than $274 million that will reportedly go on to support local governments, schools, and roads. 

LOW PRICES: An abundance of cannabis in Michigan has caused retail prices to plummet from a high of more than $500 per ounce to only about $80 last January. Recent reports from Ganjapreneur show that averages have since increased slightly to about $90 an ounce.

NEW STANDARDS: State regulators are planning to build their own weed testing laboratory following complaints about flawed test results—specifically for THC potency—at private labs. Industry leaders have welcomed the move and billed it as a “game-changer” for the market.

MANDATORY T-BREAK: Former World Junior champion swimmer and current University of Michigan Student Wyatt Davis has reportedly accepted a three-month period of ineligibility after he failed a drug test for cannabis use during the US National Championships last summer. 

NEW SHOP: Another new dispensary is officially open for business in the Upper Peninsula. High Profile is located at 100 W. Cloverland Drive in Ironwood—and it reportedly marks C3 Industries’ 11th dispensary in Michigan and the 22nd High Profile location to open nationwide. 

BAD BUSINESS: A Tuscola County dispensary is facing a $212,000 state fine after regulators reportedly found a black garbage bag containing nearly 20 pounds of untagged weed in its attic. 

BANK ON IT: The Michigan Chamber of Commerce has reportedly thrown its support behind the ongoing push for federal cannabis banking reform—arguing that access to banking services could help reduce the risk of theft and fraud that stem from the industry’s reliance on cash. 

ROLL & ROCK: The organizers of Michigan’s Cannabash music festival are reportedly gearing up to open an outdoor concert venue in Baldwin this spring, which they believe will be the first music venue in the country to offer both alcohol and cannabis sales and on-site consumption. 

READ MORE: Reader’s choice: 8 best weed vapes in Michigan

Want more cannabis news delivered right to your inbox?

Click here to sign up for The MichiGanja Report—a free, twice-a-month newsletter about all things marijuana from The ‘Gander.