6 quick hits of cannabis news from across Michigan

By Kyle Kaminski

June 2, 2025

MICHIGAN — From courtrooms to grow rooms, there’s no shortage of action in Michigan’s cannabis scene. And as always, The MichiGanja Report is keeping tabs on it all.

Here are the stories sparking conversations this week:

HAPPY DAZE AHEAD: A beloved restaurant in Niles is moving to Indiana—clearing the way for a new Happy Daze dispensary to take its place. Owner Silvio Martino said the building’s proximity to the border sparked dozens of offers, including some “good enough to retire on.”

TRUMPED UP CHARGES: A Michigan man and longtime green card holder spent nearly two months behind bars after federal immigration officials detained him over a years-old marijuana possession charge—despite being legally married to a US citizen and raising three kids in Ypsilanti. The kicker? He and his wife voted for President Donald Trump, who made immigration enforcement a key part of his campaign and policy agenda, The Independent reports.

TAWAS TAKEDOWN: Police reportedly uncovered more than 5,000 marijuana plants—worth over $5 million—at an illegal growing facility in Iosco County. Four Chinese nationals now face felony charges, with authorities linking the operation to an international crime ring.

MOLD PATROL: Up to 30% of Michigan weed initially fails safety testing, but most of it gets zapped, retested, and sold anyway—with no label letting you know it was ever moldy. Despite industry pushback, state regulators are still refusing to require transparency, MLive reports.

NEW LOOK: Lume has rolled out a new floor plan in Big Rapids—ditching one-on-one consults in favor of a more open, bud bar-style setup. The move aims to speed up shopping, show off more products, and give customers more freedom to browse (and sniff) at their own pace.

OKINAWA OFFENSE: A Marine Corps spouse from Michigan received a two-year prison sentence with hard labor—suspended for three years—after smuggling liquid cannabis to Japan in toy boxes. Japanese authorities said the woman, who bought the cartridges in Michigan, avoided prison time by showing remorse and having no prior record, Stars and Stripes reports.

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Author

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.

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CATEGORIES: CANNABIS

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