6 quick hits of cannabis news from across Michigan

By Kyle Kaminski

January 20, 2026

MICHIGAN—Another week, another pile of cannabis headlines.

Here’s what you might’ve missed:

MARKET SLIP: State data shows adult-use cannabis sales dipped about 3% in 2025, down roughly $100 million from 2024, officially marking an end to a six-year growth streak. The number of active cannabis business licenses also ticked downward for the first time.

LEGAL LIMBO: The legal fight over Michigan’s 24% wholesale weed tax is moving—but slowly. A state appeals court reportedly refused to fast-track the case, sending the lawsuit back to the Court of Claims. That means a drawn-out court battle could stretch on for several months.

ROCKY ROAD: Some Michigan cannabis businesses are cautiously optimistic about weed being rescheduled at the federal level, which could help ease taxes. But until that happens, many are reportedly bracing for a year defined by consolidation, cutbacks, and survival mode.

LAB CHECK: Michigan lawmakers are weighing a plan to create a state-run cannabis reference lab to help standardize testing across the industry. Supporters say it would curb “lab shopping,” where growers bounce between labs until they get the most favorable results—accurate or not.

CHANGES AT FLURESH: Fluresh’s parent company, Tend.Harvest.Cultivate., is reportedly scaling back its Grand Rapids dispensary to curbside-only and laying off 25 workers. Company leaders say the move will allow them to refocus on its cultivation as retail margins shrink.

BAN BACKLASH: Niles Township is facing a lawsuit after voters banned dispensaries just months after opening the door to them. At least one cannabis company, Haze, already invested and is now suing, arguing officials failed to provide a legally required way to contest the ban.

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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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