6 quick hits of cannabis news from across Michigan

By Kyle Kaminski

April 13, 2026

MICHIGAN—It’s been another busy week in the weed world.

Here are the headlines you might have missed:

POTHOLE POLITICS: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is kicking off the final road construction season of her administration but part of her road funding plan still hinges on revenue from Michigan’s 24% wholesale cannabis tax. That’s the same tax now facing legal challenges from the industry, which argues it’s unconstitutional and is contributing to layoffs and closures across the state.

ON THE CASE: Genesee County Sheriff and gubernatorial candidate Chris Swanson is continuing to make headlines for his push to repeal the state’s wholesale cannabis tax. And according to a new poll, Michiganders are overwhelmingly on board with the idea.

ROAD TRIP: If you’re looking for an excuse to get out of town this spring, a new roundup from the Detroit Metro Times highlights a dozen Michigan dispensaries that are actually worth the drive—including in Ann Arbor, Bay City, Burton, Niles, Kalamazoo, and Grand Rapids.

ENERGY SQUEEZE: Michigan’s cannabis industry isn’t immune from global oil disruptions, with rising fuel prices expected to drive up the cost of indoor cultivation, production and transportation across the state as fallout from President Donald Trump’s war with Iran.

GREEN JOBS: April is officially Career Exploration and Awareness Month in Michigan—a reminder that the state is pushing more residents toward degrees, certifications, and skilled trades. That includes cannabis, where the industry now supports nearly 41,000 jobs statewide.

POST-HARVEST PROBLEMS: In case you missed last week’s MichiGanja Report, I took readers inside Growing Pains in Paw Paw to show where things go sideways for a lot of Michigan weed brands. The problem isn’t during cultivation. It’s what happens after the harvest, when rushing, rough handling, and shelf time start stripping away flavor, aroma, and quality.

Want more Michigan cannabis news, product picks, and culture? 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.

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CATEGORIES: CANNABIS

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