Fellow Michigander,

Michigan’s weed scene isn’t always sunshine and sativa. This week, we’ve got a story about a Detroit filmmaker peeling back the glossy surface to reveal what really happens behind the curtain—while politicians, police, and cannabis companies keep the plot twisting in real time.

So roll one, take a seat, and catch up on what’s buzzing on Michigan’s green scene.

Some films entertain you. Others make you sit in uncomfortable truth.

Kiss My Grass does both.

Detroit native Mary Pryor’s latest documentary strips away the glossy green facade and shows just how steep the climb really is for Black women trying to make it in the weed world. It’s raw, powerful, and easily one of the most important cannabis documentaries ever made in Michigan. 

WHOLESALE HEARTBURN: Michigan lawmakers slapped a new 24% wholesale tax on weed as part of a late-night budget deal, and the industry is losing it. Dispensary owners say prices could jump while smaller grow operations may soon lay off staff or close their doors altogether.

CHINESE CONNECTION: Michigan cops say they’ve uncovered ties between Chinese crime networks and black-market grow ops across the state, according to new reports from MLive.

UP IN SMOKE: Detroit’s Cherry Industries lost its license to do business in Michigan after state regulators uncovered a warehouse full of red flags—including unsanitary conditions, banned chemicals, and thousands of pounds of weed that weren’t logged in the state tracking system.

LUME BOOM: Michigan’s biggest weed company just got bigger. Lume is taking over three old Gage dispensaries in Center Line, Grand Rapids, and Morenci after Gage’s parent company, TerrAscend, pulled out of Michigan. The deal boosts Lume’s footprint to 42 stores statewide.

FARM TO BOWL: October is officially Michigan Agritourism Month, which celebrates the contributions of the food, agriculture, and tourism industries. And sure, that means cider mills, hayrides, and pumpkin patches, but let’s be real: Weed fits the bill too. Cannabis is a crop, after all, and Michiganders are known for cultivating some of the best harvests in the nation.

Most of us just spark up and hope for the best. But cannabis isn’t luck—it’s chemistry. 

This week, Dr. Evan Litinas is breaking down the art of balance: how THC, CBD, and a few lesser-known cannabinoids mix and mingle to shape your buzz. If you’ve ever wondered why one hit can chill you out while another sends you orbiting, let this column be your compass.

Got a question about weed? Send it in here and Dr. Litinas will find you an answer. 

Something new is cooking in Detroit’s cannabis scene.

Cookies and Muha Meds are teaming up on a one-of-a-kind release: a new, cookie-shaped disposable vape pen with a bite-sized cutout that shows exactly how much oil is left inside. 

To kick things off, Muha Meds is hosting a launch party from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10 at its Detroit headquarters (7940 Michigan Ave.). Expect prizes, food trucks, and giveaways—including PS5s, AirPods, TVs, and other goodies for the first 300 customers. 

This one’s not for the stoners. It’s for the suits.

The Exchange is coming to Shelby Township on Oct. 22 and 23, bringing together Michigan’s top cannabis brands, retailers, and vendors for two days of high-speed dealmaking. It’s being billed as the state’s biggest B2B networking event for the cannabis industry—and while the public can’t buy a ticket, what happens here may shape what ends up on dispensary shelves.

Retailers can register for free. Vendors and exhibitors can buy meeting packages. I’ll be wandering the floor in search of stories and free samples. If you see me, flag me down!

Some meals deserve a little ceremony. For me, that meant lighting up a joint of Loud Diesel before demolishing an olive burger last week at Weston’s Kewpee Burger in Lansing.

The burger is a Michigan classic—salty, briny, dripping in history. This weed is a classic, too. Loud Diesel from Loud Flower Farms hits with that heavy diesel funk that old school stoners seem to love. Together, they made for a low-key Lansing afternoon that just felt right.

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.