Bud & Mary’s blazes new trails for Michigan’s cannabis industry—with science

From studying Alzheimer’s disease to pioneering cleaner, safer weed, Bud & Mary’s is working to set new standards in Michigan’s cannabis industry with science-led innovation.

MICHIGAN—Have you met Bud and Mary?

Michigan stoners might recognize the name from its flagship dispensary in Portage, just south of Kalamazoo. Maybe you’ve popped in to pick up a pre-roll or stumbled upon some Bud & Mary’s products on the shelves at your local pot shop. The bright-red branding is hard to miss.

The company is growing and slinging dope across Michigan and three other states. But behind every bag of Bud & Mary’s weed sold, there’s a whole other side to the business—and it’s all about researching and pushing the powerful potential of cannabis to its scientific limit.

Dr. Duncan Mackie, the director of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics at Bud & Mary’s, is the mastermind behind a laboratory that is quietly revolutionizing how stoners use weed, from finding new ways to battle Alzheimer’s disease to simply getting some better sleep.

“It’s the bigger picture,” Mackie told The MichiGanja Report. “We’re not just growing plants; it’s about the possibilities. Our work today could lead to real breakthrough treatments for people.”

Research and Development 

For Mackie and his team of researchers, cannabis isn’t just about getting high—it’s about getting answers. And as the first company in the country to receive a cannabis research license for clinical trials, every bag of weed the company sells puts them one step closer to finding them.

“There are a lot of companies out there that have shuttered their research and development programs. It’s one of the first things to get cut. But at Bud & Mary’s, it’s always been a huge focus,” Mackie said. “Our cannabis sales help to fund this cannabis research, and, at the end of the day, it’s all going to lead to better cannabis products for everyday cannabis consumers.”

Among Bud & Mary’s latest research initiatives:

• Cannabis for Alzheimer’s: Bud & Mary’s is preparing to launch clinical trials to study which cannabinoids could be most effective for reducing brain inflammation associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Mackie said the research could also help lay the groundwork for additional cannabis-based treatments for other neurodegenerative disorders. 
• Sweet Dreams: Mackie and his team are also actively studying the effects of a new, patented, cannabis-based gel that can be rubbed on the gums—particularly for older adults who don’t want to smoke or vape, or wait around an hour for edibles to take effect. 
• TheMyx: It’s not (yet) available in Michigan, but Mackie says his research and development team has now perfected a new quick-dissolving THC powder that can be added to any food or beverage without affecting the look, taste, or carbonation. 

Mackie said his parents were “Boulder hippies” who liked weed and raised him to have the same respect for its medicinal properties. And even though medical marijuana is legal across most of the country, he still thinks the industry has a ways to go in unlocking its true potential.

Michiganders who want to help can simply shop at the dispensary in Portage—because science. Every bag of weed, pre-rolled joint, vape pen, cartridge, or concentrate helps fund it.

“When somebody buys a Bud & Mary’s product, the proceeds from that sale, a portion of them, go directly into funding real research,” Mackie said. “I don’t think a lot of people get that connection. All of our customers are playing a direct role in funding the research in this lab.”

Testing the Testing Labs

In partnership with the University of Colorado Boulder, Bud & Mary’s is also working to ensure that cannabis testing laboratories across the country are on top of their game—and accurate.

As part of Bud & Mary’s “LABeL Research Project,” Mackie and his team independently purchased and tested more than 300 retail cannabis products to compare labeled potency claims against their own test results. And the study revealed widespread discrepancies.

“We want people to know what they’re buying. I think the industry understands this can be a problem, and it’s something that we should all be trying to fix and make better together,” Mackie said. “This is probably the most thorough secret shopper program that anybody has ever done.”

Mackie said the findings—which are pending publication in a peer-reviewed journal—suggest systematic inconsistencies between state-licensed testing labs and highlight the need for standardized testing requirements, which has been a hot-button issue in the state of Michigan.

“By applying rigorous scientific methods and working with leading academic institutions, we are building the data necessary to inform regulatory decisions, guide industry standards, and develop the future of cannabis-based therapeutics,” Mackie told The MichiGanja Report.

The Bottom Line

As Bud & Mary’s pushes the boundaries of cannabis science, Mackie and his team are working to enhance the therapeutic potential of marijuana, as well as aiming to set new industry standards for product safety and effectiveness. And as the industry evolves, Michiganders should keep an eye on Bud & Mary’s. They’re not just part of the industry; they’re redefining it.

READ MORE: 9 quick hits of cannabis news from across Michigan

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