7 quick hits of cannabis news from across Michigan

Photo Illustration

By Kyle Kaminski

January 6, 2026

MICHIGAN—New year, same weed drama.

Between panic buying ahead of a new statewide wholesale tax, layoffs hitting the Upper Peninsula, and a court fight that’s still far from over, 2026 is already coming in hot.

Here are seven quick hits of Michigan cannabis news to get you caught up:

PANIC BUYING: Michigan dispensaries tracked an increase in customers ahead of the New Year—namely from shoppers who had feared prices would immediately climb as a result of the state’s new 24% wholesale tax on weed that officially took effect on Jan. 1.

LAYOFF LANDS: C3 Industries is reportedly shutting down its Webberville grow operation, cutting more than 60 workers, and Higher Love is laying off about 60 employees in the Upper Peninsula. Industry leaders, including officials at C3, have pointed blame at the state’s new wholesale tax, which is expected to dent profit margins in an already-competitive market.

TAX FIGHT: A judge has OK’d a legal challenge to Michigan’s new wholesale weed tax, keeping alive industry claims that the newly implemented tax violates the spirit of voter-approved cannabis laws. The tax will stay in place as the lawsuit continues with a hearing on Jan. 13.

VIBES FOR VETS: Wayne State University is recruiting Michigan veterans with PTSD for a new, state-funded clinical trial studying whether using cannabis can actually make a difference. It’s called the Warrior C.A.R.E. program. Applications can be submitted online—right here.

FRESH PICKS: Detroit Metro Times is kicking the new year off the right way—with a new, no-nonsense guide to the best weed and live rosin on the shelves at Michigan dispensaries.

FIND OUT: A member of a crew that ripped off multiple Michigan dispensaries is reportedly heading to prison after getting busted with stolen weed and a very clear paper trail.

VOTER ALERT: Serenity Hope Sallak, a Democratic candidate who is running for a seat in the state Senate, voiced her support for Michigan’s 24% wholesale tax in a recent interview with Midland Daily News—though she thinks the state should “cap” cannabis taxes from here on out.

Want more cannabis news delivered right to your inbox? Click here to sign up for The MichiGanja Report—our free weekly newsletter about all things marijuana.

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.

View all posts

CATEGORIES: CANNABIS

Support Our Cause

Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for Michiganders and our future.

Since day one, our goal here at The 'Gander has always been to empower people across the state with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Michigan families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.