Fellow Michigander,

The holiday season has arrived and so has our annual MichiGanja holiday gift guide. This edition was built by actually testing the products—instead of relying on dispensary marketing hype or whatever your cousin’s budtender told him last week.

Whether you’re hunting for stocking stuffers, big-ticket splurges, or just trying not to embarrass yourself with a last-minute gift from the bargain shelf, this year’s guide has you covered.

And that’s just the start. Keep scrolling for my latest product review, a feel-good holiday event in Walled Lake, a fresh Deal of the Week, and scenic smoking destination in the Capital City.

Sit down, spark up, and let’s get into it.

I tried a bunch of Michigan cannabis products so you don’t waste your money on bad gifts.

It’s this week’s top story. 

TAX TANGLE: A judge has refused to pause Michigan’s new 24% wholesale tax on cannabis, officially clearing the way for it to kick in on Jan. 1. But industry leaders are still fighting back in court and their lawyers say an appeal is coming, meaning any tax money the state collects next year could end up sitting in escrow for months until the litigation is resolved.

JOB MARKET JOLT: Michigan’s recreational cannabis industry has reportedly become the single biggest driver for private-sector job growth in the state, with cannabis companies now responsible for more than half of all new jobs created in Michigan from 2018 to 2024. 

PTSD RELIEF: Wayne State University reportedly received nearly $20 million to study whether cannabis can help veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

STONED PET ALERT: Michigan veterinarians say they’re seeing more pets accidentally getting high, usually after scarfing down edibles or whatever was left on the coffee table after a sesh. Most recover within a day, but vets warn THC can still send pets into scary, intoxicated states.

UNION UPGRADE: Michigan’s biggest private-sector union—UFCW Local 951, which represents cannabis industry workers across the state—has picked its newest president. Courtney Phillips is the first woman to ever lead the 31,000-member union.

TOWNSHIP SAYS NO: A tiny border community near Indiana will lose out on about $60,000 a year in tax revenue after Gilead Township officials rejected plans for an 80-acre grow operation.

UP NORTH BUZZKILL: Iron Mountain officials voted to stop issuing new licenses for cannabis grow operations, locking in its two existing cultivation sites as the only ones allowed to operate. Leaders say oversupply, shuttered facilities, and a few odor complaints made it an easy call.

HOLIDAY PICKS: Detroit Metro Times rolled out another new cannabis gift guide for the holiday season, highlighting everything from half-ounce jars to new THC drinks and live rosin. 

My friends are always asking what I’m smoking. And right now, it’s been the same four strains on repeat helping me stay warm, sane, and upright through the doldrums of December. 

Take a peek inside my personal stash in this week’s product review.

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

If there’s one thing The Greenhouse of Walled Lake will never do, it’s miss an excuse to throw a holiday party. Halloween? They’re in. 420? Obviously. And now, as the snow starts piling up, they’re back with something genuinely wholesome: A Very Greenhouse Christmas.

This year, The Greenhouse is teaming up with several cannabis brands to donate $30,000 worth of Christmas presents for local families who could use a little extra joy this season.

It all goes down the morning of Sunday, Dec. 21, inside the Treehouse Building at 105 Liberty St. in Walled Lake, where families can pick up a free, age-appropriate gift for kids from newborns to teenagers. Families must apply by Friday, Dec. 12. Those selected will be notified the week of Dec. 16 with their pickup time.

If you needed a reminder that Michigan’s cannabis scene still has a big heart behind all the hustle, then here it is—wrapped, tagged, and delivered with a visit from Santa. 

Lume is going full Willy Wonka this month. And yes, the prize is weed.

Hidden inside select one-ounce bags of Chem de la Chem is a Golden Ticket. And if you happen to pull one, you’ll walk away with a free ounce of flower—no strings attached.

There’s one ticket per store, which means a lot of chances for Michiganders to hit the stoner jackpot this year. All you have to do is pick up a Chem de la Chem ounce, cross your fingers, and find out whether you’re Charlie Bucket or just another Augustus Gloop.

There’s a spot near the Frandor shopping center in Lansing that I jokingly call Mount Frandor.

It’s an old sled hill that recently turned into a park with trails and a couple waterscapes. And while it’s not exactly wilderness-level solitude, it’s a shockingly peaceful place for a walk.

I took a lap out there last week with a Freshy Fine disposable vape. The hits were clean, the air was quiet, and the whole place felt like premium real estate for anyone who likes a little quiet with their THC. A few pulls in, the GG4 did what GG4 does best: softened the edges, slowed the noise, and turned an empty park into a surprisingly good spot to get a little perspective.

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.