Fellow Michigander,

Michigan’s weed scene never hits the brakes. In just the past week we’ve seen a duct tape kidnapping, new late-night drive-thrus, and some seriously bad vape carts. Keep reading for the full scoop—plus some advice that could make (or break) your next trip to the dispensary. 

Walking into a dispensary for the first time can feel overwhelming. 

Budtenders are there to help, but there are still a few rookie mistakes worth avoiding.

This week, I’m breaking down the seven things you should never say in a Michigan dispensary to help make your next visit smoother—and way less awkward.

HIGH-STAKES HEIST: A cannabis processing facility in Hazel Park turned into a crime scene after armed men reportedly kidnapped a security guard, duct taped him, and rammed their car into the side of the building. Police chased a U-Haul loaded with stolen product into Detroit and arrested two men with about 40 vape cartridges. At least four other suspects are still on the lam.

BAD CARTS: More than 26,000 Motor City Cannacarts and RIPZ vapes are being yanked off shelves at Michigan dispensaries after state regulators found they contained MCT oil, a diluting agent that has been banned in vape products since last year. Anyone who bought the recalled vapes should return or safely dispose of the cartridges—and definitely not smoke them.

LATE-NIGHT TOKES: A newly amended city ordinance in Muskegon now allows dispensary drive-thrus to stay open until 2 a.m. That’s two hours later than the previous midnight cutoff. 

TAG TROUBLE: Exclusive in Coldwater got slapped with a $15,500 fine after state regulators reportedly found untagged pre-rolls, gummies, and tinctures behind the counter. The enforcement action was part of a broader sweep that fined 25 cannabis businesses more than $160,000 this summer. Exclusive remains open and licensed, with staff retraining now in place.

NEW PUFFALO: New Buffalo Township is tightening its marijuana zoning ordinances—namely by hiking fines and adding new restrictions on signage and advertising following months of complaints about traffic, safety, and what some call the town’s new identity as “New Puffalo.” 

EXIT WOUNDS: Oversupply on the cannabis market is claiming more casualties. At least 37 companies have reportedly failed to renew their licenses so far this year as prices continue to plunge. For many, the math just doesn’t add up in the nation’s cheapest weed market.

SCHOOL ZONE SHAKEUP: City officials in Ann Arbor are rethinking local ordinances that require dispensaries to be a certain distance from schools after one would-be cannabis business was recently blocked from setting up shop near Doughty Montessori School.

When it comes to budget cannabis, Redemption Cannabis is in a league of its own. 

You’ll never pay more than $100 for an ounce, yet the bud is consistently fresh, terpene-rich, and flavorful—proving that you don’t have to break the bank to smoke good weed.

For this week’s product review, I’m breaking down why Redemption is among Michigan’s best budget brands with a spotlight on two of its standout strains, GoodFella and Stanky Leg.

Got a Michigan cannabis product worth reviewing? Let me know and I’ll check it out.

Flower Expo is taking over Detroit Shipping Co. on Aug. 27-28. And if you’re looking to rub elbows with the movers, shakers, and budtenders who keep this industry lit, this is the spot.

Day Two (12-9 p.m. on Aug. 28) is the real draw—with hundreds of budtenders from across the state hanging out, smoking, eating good food, and swapping stories about the plant we all love. I’ll be there all day long pretending to network, so if you see me, come say hi.

Tickets aren’t cheap. But if you’re serious about being in the mix, Flower Expo seems like the place where the state’s cannabis industry shows up to flex, connect, and get noticed.

Lake Effect in Portage has already made a name for itself as one of Michigan’s only 24-hour dispensaries. But their Sunday discount really makes this place stand out in a crowded market.

Every Sunday, Lake Effect runs “Pick Your Deal Sunday,” a mashup of their weekly promos that lets you choose whichever one you want. Whether it’s 25% off edibles from Monday, 25% off top-shelf weed from Tuesday, or 20% off infused pre-rolls from Thursday, you get to pick.

The only rule: one deal per visit. Otherwise, it’s Sunday Funday—and the menu is wide open.

What pairs better with Saturday afternoon football than a hash-infused joint?

This live rosin donut from Uplyfted Cannabis Co. is stuffed with 1.2g of weed and 0.3g of hash rosin—which is enough to smack even the most experienced stoner straight in the face.

The Lions ended up losing to the Dolphins, but there were enough bright spots on the field to keep me optimistic for the season ahead. And honestly, with this enormous joint in my hand for the whole first quarter, the vibes stayed pretty high regardless of the scoreboard. Big flavor, big effects, and—just like the Lions’ defense this year—way stronger than you might expect.

Got your own MichiGanja in the Wild moment to share? Send in your best Michigan-made cannabis product pics out in the world for a chance to be featured in next week’s edition. 

Do you or your company want to support The MichiGanja Report’s mission and showcase your products or services to an engaged audience of more than 15,000 cannabis enthusiasts at the same time? Contact advertise@couriernewsroom.com for more information.

Stay safe out there ‘Ganders. Recreational cannabis is only for use by individuals 21 years of age or older. Keep out of reach of children. It is illegal to drive a motor vehicle under the influence of marijuana. Contact the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.