Remember when your weed came from a buddy who grew it in his basement and couldn’t stop talking about it? This week, I found a Michigan brand that’s bringing that feeling back. And it’s some of the best weed I’ve smoked all year.

Plus, cannabis advocates graded the candidates, weed executives keep cutting checks to John James, a township is building a new hall with weed licensing money, a border town dispensary got a bomb threat, and House of Dank wants to see your Halloween costume.

Grab a lighter and keep scrolling. 

Most commercial weed in Michigan is fed bottled nutrients on a strict schedule.

The plants at Hill Street get water. That’s it.

The small grow in Vassar harvested its first crop this spring and is already one of the most talked-about names in Michigan. That’s because the owner still responds to every Reddit comment himself—oh, and it’s some of the most distinctive weed on the market.

So, I bought three ounces, invited myself over, and learned the story of a rare Jamaican landrace that’s been kept alive since the 1980s and holds the whole operation together.

The hype is real. Just don’t ask him to grow Runtz.

REPORT CARD DAY: The Michigan Cannabis Community Coalition is scoring candidates on their approach to cannabis policy ahead of the midterm elections. Democratic US Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and attorney general candidate Eli Savit scored high marks. But their Republican opponents never turned in their homework and flunked the class altogether.

CASH CROP: Michigan cannabis executives keep sending money to Republican gubernatorial candidate John James. New disclosures show cannabis business owners raised another $62,000 for James at O Cigar Bar in Lake Orion and $85,000 more at Ocean Prime in Troy.

HALL PASS: Vassar Township is using its extra cash from cannabis licensing to help build its new township hall. Trustees voted unanimously this month to move $200,000 from the township’s marijuana license renewal fund, which has now piled up to more than $710,000.

SHOWER THOUGHTS: A Michigan mom is calling for new warning labels on cannabis products after her 19-year-old daughter was hospitalized twice with suspected cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), a medical condition that’s reportedly linked to heavy, long-term marijuana use, can cause severe vomiting, and is oddly relieved by long, hot showers.

SHARK WEEK: Yet another cannabis business conference is headed to Michigan. Power Connections Cannabis is coming to the VIBE Credit Union Showplace in Novi on Nov. 20 with more than 500 attendees expected, plus a keynote speech from Shark Tank’s Daymond John.

ALL CLEAR: Police evacuated a Jars Cannabis store in New Buffalo Township this month after a bomb threat. A K-9 unit searched the store but didn’t find anything except a whole lot of weed.

WEST COAST BIAS: High Times just dropped its official “strains of the month” for October, and it’s clear that whoever wrote this list hasn’t spent much time in Michigan. Of the 10 picks, I’ve only ever spotted two on Michigan dispensary shelves: Hash Burger and Maui Wowie.

ICYMI: If you missed last week’s newsletter, I put together the official stoner’s guide to Michigan’s 2026 election, from the governor’s race to six local pot shop fights on the ballot. Absentee voting is underway. Early voting runs through Nov. 1. Election Day is Nov. 3. 

Last week, I asked a simple question: Are you high right now?

About 68% of you said yes. The other 32% said no.

That’s a little more than I expected for a random Wednesday afternoon. But I’m not judging.

This week, let’s get a little more serious.

I usually try to keep politics out of this section. But Election Day is less than a week away, and this year’s race for US Senate is too important to ignore. It’s one of the most competitive races in the country, and it could help decide which party controls the Senate.

So, I’m curious:

Have you made your pick?

Not voting isn’t an option. Make a plan by Nov. 3. I’ll have the results next week.

If you have the courage to go to the dispensary in full costume, you deserve a trophy.

And this year, House of Dank is handing them out.

Every House of Dank store in Michigan is hosting a “Chronic Costume Contest” on Saturday, Oct. 31. Just show up in costume and buy something to enter. Along with the trophy, the winner at each location will take home a goodie basket full of weed, plus bragging rights.

It’s a simple idea, but I’m a fan. The barrier to entry is about as low as it gets, considering you were probably going to buy weed this weekend anyway. And even if you don’t win, this contest is bound to create some of the most entertaining checkout lines in Michigan.

I just hope House of Dank does something fun with all the security footage.

The biggest rivalry in Michigan sports is coming up on Nov. 7.

And $60 worth of weed could get you in the door.

Spend $60 or more through Nov. 1 at LIV Cannabis, and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a pair of tickets to the Michigan vs. Michigan State game. The giveaway is part of the Highly Loyal Club program—so it also counts at Cannavista, Fuel420, Pure Lapeer, and Xplore.

I’ll be honest: I’m a Sunday football guy and I probably won’t watch this game. But if you’re a fan who needs to restock this week anyway, you might as well take a shot at the tickets.

This might be the third or fourth time I’ve brought this section to a movie theater.

I guess I’m a movie buff now.

This time, it was a Sunday matinee of “You Can See Everything” at my favorite theater in Lansing. I don’t want to spoil anything, so let’s just say it’s a wild ride. I was entertained the entire time, and it’s easy to see why it’s sitting at a near-perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The joints, unfortunately, didn’t get the same review from me.

These are “Tiki Torch” infused pre-rolls from Candela, about 1.2 grams apiece, with names like “Midnight Luau” and “Zombie” that don’t trace back to any genetics I recognize. 

The label doesn’t offer much help, either. My wife grabbed them on sale somewhere between Chicago and Lansing, and they’ve been riding around in my glovebox ever since.

The flavor leaned sugary and artificial. The smoke was also harsher than I’d like. And that’s been my experience with most infused joints: Brands put so much effort into what gets sprinkled on the outside of the joint that the flower on the inside tends to get shortchanged.

To be fair, Candela is a decent brand. These particular joints just aren’t for me.

Stay safe out there ‘Ganders. Remember that recreational cannabis is only legal in Michigan for ages 21 and up—and it’s NEVER OK to get high and drive.