Fellow Michigander,

Great news for your wallet, terrible news for the industry: Ounces are going for $60, dispensary menus are stacked, and it’s never been easier—or cheaper—to score some quality marijuana.

But these deals come at a cost. This week, we’re unpacking the chaotic, oversaturated state of Michigan’s cannabis business and what it means for the future of our dispensaries.

Keep scrolling for the full story, plus your weekly news roundup, a closer look at some new edibles on the market, and some tips on how to avoid buying shitty weed this summer. 

Michigan’s cannabis market is essentially busting at the seams with more than 3 million plants in production and enough product sitting around to supply two states. This week’s top story explains how we got here—and why $60 ounces might not be enough to save the industry.

THE NAUGHTY LIST: Michigan reportedly led the country in cannabis-related regulatory violations last year, with 928 infractions—more than a third of the national total. Fines topped $3.7 million and Cresco Labs was among the biggest offenders, according to Cannabiz Media.

BORDER BACKLASH: Some Michiganders in border towns like Coldwater and Menominee say their communities are being overrun by dispensaries catering to out-of-state shoppers, Bridge Michigan reports. Some argue the weed business is changing the character of their towns, even as officials defend the economic boost from tax revenue and revitalized storefronts.

LEGAL LOOPHOLE: Michigan’s conflicting laws are creating wildly different outcomes for similar crimes and the state Supreme Court has declined to intervene, MLive reports. One person is facing prison under an old felony law for possessing 85 pounds of weed, while another person growing 1,100 plants got off with a misdemeanor under a newer state cannabis law.

GOODBYE GUMMIES: A Lansing-based cannabis brand is shaking up Michigan’s edible market with freeze-dried candies and ice cream bites that dissolve on your tongue and hit fast.

WEED PRANK: Pranksters reportedly uploaded a series of marijuana photos to the Taylor Police Department’s Google listing—briefly making it look like the cops had gone into the weed business. In a social post, the department later clarified that it wasn’t hacked and that random images of weed “do not reflect the values or mission of the Taylor Police Department.”

PUBLIC PAINT: Voting is now open for NOXX Cannabis’ mural contest, where locals will choose a design to take over a 430-square-foot wall along Woodward Avenue in Detroit. The winner gets $1,000 and their work seen by 100,000 people a week, Detroit Metro Times reports.

Prices are dropping, menus are stacked, and every dispensary seems to be running a clearance sale. Inexperienced buyers might be tempted to grab the cheapest ounce and call it a win. But not every “deal” is a good one and some bargain bud is better left on the shelf.

Here’s how to tell:

Check the packaging. Some budtenders say cannabis can hold up for a full year on the shelf. But if the harvest date is more than six months ago, I say proceed with caution.

Inspect the bud. Old but decent weed still smells good, feels slightly sticky, and holds its shape. Bad weed is dusty, dull, and might smell like hay—or worse. 

Ask your budtender. They’ll usually give it to you straight, especially if you’re new and curious. They also know how long that jar’s been sitting there. If they hesitate, take the hint.

THC and mushrooms? Sure. Why not?

Gelato is the latest brand to jump on the functional mushroom bandwagon with a lineup of THC-infused gummies designed to target specific effects like sleep, focus, and pain relief.

They’re called “Functional Gummies” and each 10mg edible is boosted with trendy mushroom strains like lion’s mane, reishi, cordyceps, and chaga. You’ve probably seen these same fungi popping up in different energy drinks, lattes, and overpriced “biohacking” powders. But now, thanks to the cannabis wizards over at Gelato, they’re available in your weed gummies, too.

I tried the “Night” one with reishi mushroom extract, and to be fair, it worked. Not in a knock-you-out-cold kind of way, but enough to make me stop scrolling and fall asleep without thinking too hard about it. The flavor? Pretty decent. The vibe? Definitely functional.

If you’re a believer in mushrooms as medicine, this might be your new go-to. If you’re a skeptic like me, it’s still worth a try—especially when they’re as cheap as $14 at PUFF Cannabis.

Need a midweek pick-me-up? Olswell Cannabis in Adrian just rolled out a new “Night Owl” special: 10% off all concentrates and 20% off everything else from 5-9 p.m. every Thursday.

It’s not the biggest discount you’ll ever find, but it hits right when you need it. Whether you’re re-upping on live resin or just want to grab a few pre-rolls without blowing your weekend stash budget, this one’s worth swooping in for. Just get there early before the good stuff is gone.

This week’s featured photo comes to you from a warm, summer Sunday in Grand Haven, where I watched boats cruise in off Lake Michigan while puffing down a fat joint from Flower of Life.

This Michigan-based brand is rooted in sustainability, craftsmanship, and all the right hippie vibes. Their Purple Haze is a dreamy sort of sativa—a cross of Purple Punch and Agent Orange—with citrus and lavender notes that paired perfectly with the lakeside breeze.

The effects? Uplifting, creative, and just spaced-out enough to lose track of time without losing your footing. Flower of Life also gets some major bonus points for listing the terpene profile (predominantly limonene and linalool) on the label of every pre-rolled joint they produce.

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.