7 quick hits of cannabis news from across Michigan

By Kyle Kaminski

April 20, 2026

MICHIGAN—The joints keep burning, and the news keeps coming.

Here’s what you need to know:

BUCKEYE CRACKDOWN: Ohio lawmakers are cracking down on Michigan weed runs, with a new law that makes it illegal for Ohio residents to possess cannabis purchased out of state. Dispensaries near the border could see sales take a hit as a result.

BORDER BUST: Michigan weed doesn’t travel well in Indiana, either. A driver there was reportedly hit with a felony after cops found nearly 250 grams from a Michigan dispensary.

RESEARCH GAP: Michiganders are smoking more weed than ever, but an outdated federal law is still blocking researchers from studying the long-term impact of the high-potency products sold in dispensaries—leaving major questions about health effects unanswered.

UP NORTH CUTS: The impact of Michigan’s new 24% wholesale cannabis tax is starting to show, with Higher Love reportedly laying off dozens of workers across its Upper Peninsula dispensaries and industry leaders warning more cuts could be on the way.

TAX TRICKLE: State regulators tracked another month of rising cannabis sales in March. But at the same time, the average price has been climbing—suggesting the state’s new 24% wholesale tax on weed may be slowly making its way to customers at the checkout counter.

BUDS TO BUST: One of Southeast Michigan’s most recognizable weed brands—Leaf and Bud—is reportedly unraveling, with the company now down to just one store as its owner shifts his focus overseas after a recent stint serving as President Donald Trump’s envoy to Iraq.

CLASS IN SESSION: Baker College is offering six new online cannabis certification programs this summer, covering everything from cultivation techniques to retail sales.

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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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