Voters in Michigan legalized marijuana for recreational use a year ago. Sale of legal weed to buyers over 21 years old will start this Sunday. However, there are limitations to where the products are available and will be sold.
Marijuana is not for selling in Metro Detroit. Some cities in Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland counties have either decided not to allow selling of marijuana, are creating ordinances for its legal sale, or are in the process of deciding who will get the retail shop licenses.
Where You Can Buy Marijuana in Michigan Now (As of 12-11-2019)
There are three shops with legal retail licenses in Ann Arbor City, which start selling marijuana on December 1. These are:
- Michigan Arbor Wellness – 321 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor MI 48104
- Greenstone Provisions – 338 S. Ashley St., Ann Arbor MI 48104
- Exclusive Brands – 3820 Varsity Drive, Ann Arbor MI 48108
- Elite Wellness – 9423 N. Dort Highway, Mt. Morris MI 48458
- White River Wellness – 194 N Charles St, White Cloud MI 49349
- The Barn – 3491 E. Bristol Rd Bldg, Burton MI 48529
- Ann Arbor Healing – 3720 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor MI 48104
- Lit Provisioning Centers/Lume Cannabis Co. – 600 West 7th Street, Evart MI 49631
- Green Peak Innovations/Skymint – 1958 South Industrial Highway Suite A and B, Ann Arbor MI 48104
- Michigan Supply and Provisions – 1096 E. Main St Suite A, Morenci MI 49256
Why is Recreational Marijuana Not Available throughout Michigan?
- Application for license to sell legal marijuana began only on November 1.
Michigan only started accepting applications for business licenses on November 1. So far, only 18 licenses to sell legal marijuana have been granted. Six retail shops, three processors, six growers, one testing lab, one secure transporter, and one event organizer were the recipients of the licenses.
Currently, there are 63 pre-qualified business applications. These businesses are being inspected by the state before they are given their license to sell recreational marijuana.
- Some communities pose resistance to the selling of legal recreational marijuana.
More than 1,400 of the 1,771 communities in Michigan claim that they do not want marijuana retail centers in their locality. Only 24 municipalities have approved ordinances that allow marijuana retailers. Licenses to sell are still in the process in these cities and towns.
The city of Detroit has 40 licensed medical marijuana dispensaries existing. However, it still has not crafted an ordinance that will govern recreational marijuana retailers. Application and issuance for recreational marijuana licenses are put on hold until January 31 next year.
- Unresolved political issues affect legal marijuana businesses.
Unresolved political issues are affecting recreational marijuana businesses in some communities, such as Warren and Pontiac. These communities intend to permit medical and recreational marijuana businesses. However, what’s stopping them is that there are still no agreements on how these businesses will operate.
The Mayor in Warren vetoed ordinances passed by the City Council that concern marijuana businesses. Business operators whose applications got rejected have sued. These issues are hampering the entry and establishment of legal recreational marijuana businesses in these localities.
How Much Recreational Marijuana Can You Have?
You can legally carry up to 2.5 ounces of recreational marijuana with you. You can have up to 10 ounces at home. You can carry 2.5 ounces of recreational marijuana in your car, but you cannot use it while driving. Your car passengers also cannot use it while you are in the car. You should keep recreational marijuana in a safe container or bag. Better yet, keep it in your car’s glove box or trunk.
What Variety of Recreational Marijuana Can You Buy
Do not expect that everything will be available in the market on its first run. Growers and processors are allowed by the state to transfer 50% of their stocks from the medical market to the recreational market. Marijuana retail shops can transfer 50% of their medical marijuana stocks that have been on their shelves for 30 days or more.
Do not expect to find much of marijuana flowers and vapes infused with marijuana. Sales of marijuana-infused vapes have been put on hold until it is proven that they do not contain Vitamin E acetate. Vitamin E acetate has been linked to lung diseases in more than 2,000 people.
Marijuana edibles in the form of gummies and mints will be available.
The price range of marijuana products are as follows (these are simply examples, every retailer will have their own prices):
- Marijuana Flowers – $10 to $15 per gram
- Pre-rolled Joints – $6 to $12
- Concentrates – $10 to $40 for 0.5 gram
- Gummies, Mints, and Candy Bars – $15 to $25
Where Can You Use Marijuana?
You are forbidden to smoke marijuana outdoors and when driving. You can freely smoke in the comforts of your own home or the home of friends and families. You cannot also smoke marijuana in public places such as restaurants. Employers can still fire you or refuse to hire you, though, for using marijuana. They can even implement pre-employment and random drug tests on their employees.
If you have questions on the legalities on the use of recreational marijuana in Michigan, The medical marijuana attorneys at The Clark Law Office can help you. If you use recreational marijuana or you plan to sell them, a lawyer can help you avoid any problems with the law.
