Fellow Michigander,

This week’s newsletter starts with a simple question: if we’re supposed to be skipping booze this month in recognition of Dry January, then what are we supposed to be drinking instead? 

To help answer that question, I rounded up a big list of Michigan-made cannabis-infused beverages that finally feel like a real alternative—with no two-day hangovers to boot.

I also have some news on Michigan’s new wholesale weed tax, a high-end product review for anyone looking for some special-occasion weed, a dispensary choosing to eat costs instead of passing them along, and a giveaway that’s actually worth your time.

Scroll on. There’s a lot packed in here.

Skipping booze this month? California Michigan sober has never tasted better.

To help Michiganders get through the doldrums of Dry January, I put together a roundup of my favorite cannabis-infused beverages. They’re fast-acting, alcohol-free, and genuinely tasty—regardless of whether you’re doing Dry January or just looking to sip instead of smoke.

PANIC BUYING: Michigan dispensaries tracked an increase in customers ahead of the New Year—namely from shoppers who had feared prices would immediately climb as a result of the state’s new 24% wholesale tax on weed that officially took effect on Jan. 1. 

LAYOFF LANDS: C3 Industries is reportedly shutting down its Webberville grow operation, cutting more than 60 workers, and Higher Love is laying off about 60 employees in the Upper Peninsula. Industry leaders, including officials at C3, have pointed blame at the state’s new wholesale tax, which is expected to dent profit margins in an already-competitive market.

TAX FIGHT: A judge has OK’d a legal challenge to Michigan’s new wholesale weed tax, keeping alive industry claims that the newly implemented tax violates the spirit of voter-approved cannabis laws. The tax will stay in place as the lawsuit continues with a hearing on Jan. 13.

VIBES FOR VETS: Wayne State University is recruiting Michigan veterans with PTSD for a new, state-funded clinical trial studying whether using cannabis can actually make a difference. It’s called the Warrior C.A.R.E. program. Applications can be submitted online—right here.

FRESH PICKS: Detroit Metro Times is kicking the new year off the right way—with a new, no-nonsense guide to the best weed and live rosin on the shelves at Michigan dispensaries.

FIND OUT: A member of a crew that ripped off multiple Michigan dispensaries is reportedly heading to prison after getting busted with stolen weed and a very clear paper trail.

VOTER ALERT: Serenity Hope Sallak, a Democratic candidate who is running for a seat in the state Senate, voiced her support for Michigan’s 24% wholesale tax in a recent interview with Midland Daily News—though she thinks the state should “cap” cannabis taxes from here on out.

We’re more than just weed. I also cover state and national politics and The ‘Gander is your go-to source for local Michigan news. Just like the MichiGanja Report, you can get it all delivered straight to your inbox every week—for free. Click here to sign up. We’ll handle the rest. 

Every once in a while, I like to buy weed the way some people buy a fancy bottle of bourbon—not because it’s practical, but because it’s a treat. Something special. Something that reminds me what cannabis can be when it’s grown with care instead of cranked out for volume.

For my latest Michigan-grown product review, I did exactly that by splurging on two ultra-premium strains from a Lansing-based grower that’s leaning hard into old-school genetics, hands-on cultivation, and true top-shelf quality. At $120 for a half-ounce, this is not everyday weed. But after smoking it, I’m convinced it’s exactly the kind of splurge that still makes sense.

This week, I want to give a major shoutout to Greenhouse of Walled Lake—and not because they’ve got some flashy new strain on the shelves or some gimmicky new promotion. They’re getting this week’s nod because they’re actually keeping their customers top of mind.

With Michigan’s new wholesale cannabis tax taking effect this month, most dispensaries are expected to raise their prices just to stay afloat. But Greenhouse is taking the opposite approach: freezing their shelf prices and absorbing the impact of the new tax themselves.

The storewide price freeze will last through January. And in a market where price pressure is already squeezing everyone, that’s an intentional move to choose people over profits. Bravo.

Here’s a rare one: a dispensary giveaway with no purchase required and a prize that’s actually worth flexing to your friends. It’s called the Final Round Giveaway. And five Michiganders are going to walk away with some free goodies courtesy of Tyson 2.0 and Common Citizen.

The headline item? A boxing glove-shaped hand pipe signed by Mike Tyson himself. Other prizes include a product bundle, a branded box with tiger artwork, a lighter, and a metal ashtray.

To enter, just submit your email address online. If you want to boost your odds, though, stocking up on Tyson 2.0 products through Jan. 12 can earn you some extra entries. Participating dispensaries include LIV, Xplore, Pure Lapeer, Cannavista, LaCannaville, and Nirvana. 

Some smoke sessions hit harder because of where they are—like last week when I sparked up this Zyrup joint from Growing Pains inside the game room at my parents’ house. It’s the same room where I used to spend countless hours as a kid, mostly just being bad at pool.

I’m still bad at pool. But it’s still one of my favorite places to kick back when I make it home. Back then, weed was very much not allowed here. But these days, my parents have softened up—probably because I’ve managed to turn cannabis into a full-blown career.

Zyrup was the perfect fit for this kind of moment. Sweet bubblegum and candy on the inhale, a little gas on the exhale, and a Gelato x Zkittlez high that settles you into that relaxed, slightly couch-locked headspace where nothing feels urgent and nothing needs to be. 

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.