9 quick hits of cannabis news from across Michigan

MICHIGAN—Cannabis is a big deal in Michigan—and there’s never a shortage of newsworthy headlines from the industry as the state inches closer to becoming the nation’s weed capital.

Here are nine things you need to know this week:

LOCK UP THE GUMMIES: Health professionals and school officials are reportedly searching for new ways to stop kids from unintentionally eating marijuana-infused edibles after state data revealed a “worrisome and concerning” spike in cannabis toxicity among Michigan children.

RECALL ALERT: More than 1,000 infused pre-rolled joints made by the Hazel Park-based cannabis producer Flavor Galaxy have reportedly been recalled from Michigan dispensaries following improper safety testing procedures. They were sold between Nov. 25, 2023, and May 6, 2024, at dispensaries like Olswell Cannabis Co. and Herbology, among others. 

RACE TO THE BOTTOM: Michigan dispensaries reportedly sold about 9% more weed in April than March but brought in 3.5% less cash as prices (and profit margins) remain low statewide. Still, overall cannabis sales in Michigan are reportedly up by about 21% over the last year. 

TEST OF TIME: The country’s largest drug testing lab reportedly found that nearly 7% of work-related drug tests in Michigan showed a positive for one or more drugs—a rate that far exceeds the national average and has been buoyed by the legalization of recreational weed. At the same time, fewer employers are reportedly considering the tests as a barrier to employment. 

CANNABIS IN THE COMMUNITY: With more than $277 million in tax revenue collected from the sale of recreational marijuana in Michigan last year, local municipalities are reportedly billing the industry as a significant economic contributor—particularly for smaller, rural communities.

WEED SCIENCE: Researchers at Michigan State University think President Joe Biden’s administration’s move to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I to a less tightly regulated Schedule III drug will enable more clinical trials to study the medical uses of weed, which would be especially beneficial for cancer patients and those who struggle with pain management. 

SOUTHERN COMPETITION: Only about 2% of the cities and townships in Ohio have opted not to allow recreational cannabis sales in their jurisdiction, which is in stark contrast to Michigan, where about 1,300 of the state’s 1,773 municipalities (or 73%) have reportedly banned sales. 

NEW IN WAYLAND: The business partners who opened the first cannabis dispensary in Middleville are reportedly planning to open another pot shop called The Gas Station in the city of Wayland. The new dispensary (located at 1124 W. Superior St.) is set to open in June. 

COMING SOON TO BERKLEY: A new Oakland County dispensary called Seven Point is set to open in August, and it’s reportedly intended to be a place “where cannabis and music intersect”—namely by doubling as a record store with new vinyl albums and turntables for sale.

READ MORE: 6 brands making the best cannabis concentrates in Michigan

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