Michigan’s cannabis industry is booming, ranking fifth in the nation for production.

But a new study has uncovered an emerging threat: workers are developing job-related asthma, and in some cases, it’s even been fatal. Read on for the story.

Plus: We want to hear your thoughts on why Michigan’s bottle and can returns are on the decline.

Batch of Hamtramck ballots will not be counted (Votebeat Michigan): Thirty-seven Hamtramck absentee ballots from this month’s election won’t be counted after county canvassers deadlocked on whether to accept them, ruling the chain of custody was compromised when three non-election officials entered the sealed clerk’s office on election night. The uncounted ballots could have influenced the mayoral race, which is currently separated by just 11 votes.

Venison donation program sets new annual record (MLive): Michigan’s firearm deer season opened Saturday morning—the first Saturday opener since 2014—as the state’s venison donation program marked a record 560,000 servings donated last year. Hunters Feeding Michigan continues to expand, providing protein to food banks as 1 in 6 Michiganders face food insecurity. Donation sites statewide are open through November and January for hunters who want to contribute their harvest.

Lions fall to Eagles (AP News): The Detroit Lions lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 16–9 on Sunday night. Jared Goff had the worst completion percentage of his career, connecting on just 37.8% of his passes. Detroit looks to rebound when they host the New York Giants this Sunday.

Michigan placed fifth in the nation for overall cannabis production in 2022, according to the World Population Review. (Unsplash)

By Capital News Service

Cannabis—pot, weed or recreational marijuana—is legal in 24 states including Michigan, and about 15% of American adults smoke it.

Michigan placed fifth in the nation for overall cannabis production in 2022, according to the World Population Review.

New research says workers picking, grinding and packaging cannabis are developing workplace-related asthma.

Two workers are known to have died from asthma-related complications, the study said.

Work-related asthma occurs when someone develops new allergies to something in the workplace or when pre-existing asthma is triggered by something in the workplace, said Kenneth Rosenman, a co-author of the study and Michigan State University medical researcher.

“There are a number of allergens and substances capable of causing allergic reactions,” Rosenman said. “The two big ones were the cannabis dust itself or the plant dust and the disinfectants they use.”

A recent report from the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability found that Michigan’s bottle return rate has dropped to just 70%—down 18% since 2019. The dip is notable because historically, Michigan’s 10-cent deposit led to strong returns.

So, today we want to know:

Hit reply and let me know.

Have a question you want me to ask our community? Pass it along. I might feature it in a future newsletter.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with a feature story from Capital News Service. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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