MICHIGAN—A Michigan dispensary chain is making big moves out west, state regulators suspended a hemp processing license in Lansing for the first time, and one New Buffalo dispensary is still slinging weed despite being ordered to shut down by local officials.
It’s been another weird week in Michigan weed.
Here are seven quick hits to keep you caught up:
STILL OPEN: New Buffalo Township officials revoked the special land use permit for Trap Stars and ordered the dispensary to immediately shut down, but the store is still operating days later. Township officials cited a long list of violations and alleged misconduct. Trap Stars is appealing.
OVER THE LIMIT: State regulators suspended a hemp processing license for the first time after regulators allegedly found three jars of potent concentrates at a Lansing-based Loud Labs—all of which tested well beyond the legal 0.3% THC limit that separates hemp from marijuana in the eyes of the law. The company can still request a formal hearing to fight the license revocation.
WILD WEST: JARS Cannabis, the Michigan-based chain you may recognize from the recent Flock camera saga in Madison Heights, is buying its way into a much bigger footprint out west. The company announced a deal last week to acquire Sonoran Roots and its eight Ponderosa brand dispensaries, which will soon make JARS the largest dispensary chain in Arizona.
HOME RULE: A Lansing columnist has a useful reminder for anyone moving into a dorm this month: Michigan State University is technically a weed-free zone because officials there still follow federal law—not state law. That also means no flower, gummies, carts, and vape pens are allowed in the residence halls regardless of whether you’re a medical marijuana patient.
LOW DOSE: Medical cannabis may be helping older adults manage pain, insomnia, and mood-related symptoms without getting totally blasted. A new study of patients over age 65 found that 91% of patients reported meaningful improvement in their primary symptoms, while the effective doses were typically just a few milligrams per day of THC, CBD, or CBG.
BIG DREAMS: Michael Doherty, the founder of Rehbel Industries, died recently at age 47. Doherty used to run a Lansing clothing label before weed was legalized in Michigan—at which point he bought a warehouse in Lansing and set out to become the Jack Daniel’s of marijuana.
ICYMI: If you missed last week’s newsletter, we opened the ballot for Michigan’s best weed brands. Specifically, we want to know which companies are still curing it properly, stinking up the room, and burning clean. Polls close on Sept. 30. Results will be announced in October.
READ MORE: Two Lansing budtenders picked my weed and it cost me twice as much
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