Fellow Michigander,

This week’s newsletter starts with a bombshell: State regulators have finally shut down Viridis Labs—once the biggest (and most controversial) marijuana testing company in Michigan. And its ex-cop founders have been totally banned from the state’s cannabis industry for life.

Keep scrolling for more news on record summer sales, a cheeky “Back to Campus” raffle, and a stoner’s-eye view from Ann Arbor just in time for Michigan football’s season opener.

The biggest villains in Michigan cannabis testing have finally been taken off the board. 

After years of recalls, lawsuits, and finger-pointing, state regulators have yanked the licenses from Viridis Laboratories and banned its founders from the marijuana industry for life. 

For an industry that’s been plagued by lab shopping and sketchy test results, this week’s top story feels like a real turning point for consumers who just want to know what they’re buying.

HIGH RANKINGS: A new survey shows Michigan ranks 13th in the nation for cannabis use, with about 21% of adults reporting they lit up in 2023. The surprise chart-topper? Vermont.

SUMMER SURGE: Despite dozens of Michigan cannabis companies going under this year, monthly weed sales jumped 5.2% in July to nearly $275 million. The uptick was reportedly fueled by bargain-basement prices ($62 an ounce on average) and Up North summer tourism.

FINE TIME: State officials slapped dozens of Michigan dispensaries with various regulatory violations in July, with retailers reportedly facing five-digit fines for things like untagged products, missing surveillance footage, and failing to notify the state of break-ins and ownership changes. All of the businesses have admitted fault and have since promised to clean up their act.

BALLOT BATTLE: For the third time in five years, Niles Township voters will decide whether to allow more adult-use marijuana businesses to operate in their community. Two proposals on the Nov. 4 ballot could reportedly repeal the township’s zoning rules or ban dispensaries entirely, putting 29 pending businesses—and an estimated $1.6 million in tax revenue—at risk.

SCAMMED & SLAMMED: A shuttered Michigan cannabis law firm is reportedly on the hook for more than $540,000 after falling for a scam. After years of litigation, a judge ruled that Howell attorney Denise Pollicella must repay her bank after routing hundreds of thousands of dollars through her firm’s account as part of a phony deal that ultimately funneled the cash to Nigeria.

SLOW-HIO: Michigan’s recreational cannabis market is still outpacing Ohio in both scale and affordability. New reports show Ohio’s adult-use sales are projected to hit only about $1 billion this year, compared to more than $3 billion that’s expected to be sold this year in Michigan.

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Cannabis is legal in Michigan and it’s part of daily life for millions of people—but too many folks still feel the need to hide it. From doctors to family to coworkers, the old taboo still lingers.

That’s why this week, Dr. Litinas is digging into why the stigma around cannabis remains so powerful, how it hurts patients, and what it will take to finally move the conversation forward.

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

Royal Oak’s Arts, Beats & Eats is returning for Labor Day weekend, and once again, the Michigan cannabis industry has a big seat at the table. House of Dank is back this year with its festival-within-a-festival, bringing Dankway and Dankland to downtown for the third straight year.

Think of it as a stoner playground tucked inside Royal Oak’s biggest summer festival—a spot to actually buy and consume cannabis legally while the rest of the party hums along outside.

Expect to see booths from a ton of Michigan brands (like Breeze, Pressure Pack, MKX, Hyman, North Coast, and more), plus live DJs, wild entertainment (including fire breathers), neon lights, and enough glowing clouds and balloons to make the whole scene feel like a stoner daydream.

House of Dank is also rolling out the third installment of its High Ride Giveaway again this year, where one lucky stoner will drive off in a brand-new 2025 Chevy Equinox EV. 

I’ll probably swing through Dankland at some point in between street tacos and shawarma wraps, so if you catch me vibing under the LED clouds, come say what’s up.

Heading back to campus this fall? Ascend Cannabis wants to make sure Michigan’s college students are fully prepared for this semester—or at least for the next couple of weeks.

At their East Lansing and Ann Arbor locations, Ascend is raffling off a “Back to Campus Backpack” stuffed with more essentials than most dorm rooms can handle: an ounce of flower, 10 pre-rolls, four packs of gummies, three vapes, plus some accessories and swag. Just stop by the store to enter—no purchase necessary. Entries are open through the end of August.

Sometimes the setting for this section picks itself. With Michigan football’s season opener set for this weekend, I found myself wandering past the Big House while I was in Ann Arbor last week and figured it was the perfect spot to crack open a fresh two-pack from Tip Top Crop. 

Call it early tailgating. 

The strain of choice? Cap Junky. 

Bright and floral, this strain is loaded with creamy dessert vibes and fruit notes that land somewhere between raspberries and tropical punch. It’s classic Tip Top Crop: clean, connoisseur-grade weed grown by folks who care as much about flavor as potency.

And with the recent news of a true freshman set to start at quarterback on Saturday, this joint felt like the perfect pregame—bold, electric, and guaranteed to keep the crowd buzzing.

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. 

Last week, we asked folks on Facebook to share the best deal they’ve scored on weed. The responses didn’t disappoint. Even with prices at rock-bottom, some of you are digging deeper.

From ounces that cost less than a frozen pizza to some stoners who are now weighing their ounces by the pound, these stories say it all. Check out a few of my favorite answers below—and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to join in on the conversation. 

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.