That’s because there’s plenty of confusion about using cannabis in Michigan. Just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s a free for all as to when and where you can consume it.

So we’re going to lay out the dos and don’ts for you by answering some very basic questions.

Where Can I Use Cannabis?

Under the Michigan state law, the only place you can smoke down is in a private residence. So that means in your home or in your friend’s place as long as they’re cool with it. Despite your Cheech and Chong fantasies, enjoying a doobie in your car is not legal.

It is also illegal to use cannabis in any public place. So if you enjoy lighting one up after a cappuccino on a coffeeshop patio, think again. And don’t even carry it into areas frequented by kids – such as schools. Seriously. Don’t.

Finally, any places that are under federal jurisdiction (like airports, government buildings, federally subsidized housing) have deemed use or even possession of cannabis illegal.

Can I Grow Cannabis in My Garden?

There are all kinds of benefits to cultivating marijuana outdoors despite Michigan’s short growing season. Along with the benefits though, there are rules. The plants can’t be visible to your neighbors or walkers-by from ground level or a permanent structure.

You also can’t just plop the plants down among your daisies, dianthus, and dahlias. It must be grown in a stationary structure enclosed on all sides by any material (i.e. wooden slats or chain-link fencing) that keeps folks out. And the structure needs to be anchored or attached to the ground in some way.

But wait, there’s more.

To stay lawful, you’ll also need to install locks or other security devices that will restrict access to only you and whoever else you recognize as trustworthy enough not to steal your harvest. And speaking of harvest, once it comes time to do so, all drying, trimming, curing, and, if applicable, packaging must also be done inside the structure.

What Are the Rules for Indoor Cultivation?

There are similar rules for indoor cultivation in Michigan. You must be at least 21 years old, and are permitted no more than 12 plants. The plants must be grown in an enclosed, secure area that is not accessible by the public and not visible from outside your property.

Like the outdoor cultivation, the area must be locked and secured.

If you’re a renter, it IS legal to grow marijuana both indoors and outdoors. But you’ll need to clear it with the property management first. If you don’t, a disagreeable landlord can make your life a living hell.

Can I Lose My Job for Marijuana Use?

Yep. There are even legislators trying to outlaw fake urine (yeah, it’s a thing) available in certain tobacco and vape shops.

Of course, whether you’ll get in trouble depends on where you work. For instance, working at a cannabis marketing agency is far less likely to cause you problems than, say, working at a hospital where you’ll be tested.

This also applies to medical marijuana use. Because as of now, employers aren’t required to accommodate either medical or recreational marijuana use in Michigan. Thus, they have the freedom to terminate employment even when the use occurred off the clock and the employee has a valid medical marijuana card. Which is rough.

So be sure you understand your employer’s position on cannabis.

Cannabis Use In Michigan Comes with Rules

Hopefully you now have a full grasp on cannabis use in Michigan and what you can’t do without facing possible penalties. So be cool, y’all.

And for more comprehensive reads on what’s happening in the world of cannabis, keep checking back with our blog.

The post Using Cannabis in Michigan (A Refresher) appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.

In fact, Michigan cannabis sales are on the rise during quarantine. And the success of recreational marijuana operations are blowing open like the blossoming plants and trees outside your window right now.

Yep. Unlike so many other industries, the cannabis industry has largely been left unscathed by COVID-19.

And that’s some good news at a time when we REALLY need it.

Why Michigan Cannabis Sales Are on the Rise During Quarantine

You’d think the obvious answer would be that the pandemic-induced anxiety has driven sales. And that’s likely a factor. The general “not-knowingness” of things has sparked anxiety for a lot of folks.

“It’s fair to say that during any crisis people use intoxicants more than normal,” said Rick Thompson, owner of Michigan Cannabis Business Development Group.

Of the state’s overall sales since legal adult-use marijuana sales began, recreational pot sales in the nine weeks since March 9th account for over half of them.

But Thompson also feels the increase in sales stands as a “testament to the strength of the industry.” And many experts believe it’s more likely the result of the natural growth of the industry here in Michigan.

New Retailers Opening

While tens of thousands of business throughout the state were forced to cease or vastly limit operations during the past nine weeks, the number of recreational marijuana retailers in Michigan actually grew from 61 on March 2nd to 104 on May 12th.

That may seem odd, given that the first stay-at-home order was issued on March 23rd and prohibited non-essential businesses to continue operation.

But despite the fact that fewer than 5% of businesses were considered essential, the cannabis industry quickly jumped through the necessary hoops to ensure theirs was.

The decision to continue with recreational marijuana sales was largely due to its ties with medical marijuana sales – since the majority of adult use retailers were located in medical provisioning centers.

With that in mind, medical and recreational facilities were permitted to continue operation as along as employees kept six-foot distances and all sales were completed through curbside service or home delivery. And for an industry that’s had to surmount Herculean obstacles to get where it is, that would be child’s play.

Special Holidays

Of course, it probably doesn’t blow your mind to find out that the largest increase in sales during quarantine occurred during the week of April 13-19th. Cannabis connoisseurs weren’t going a let a little thing like a pandemic curb their 4/20 celebration of the leaf. (Plus, it also just happened to be the week that the $1200 stimulus checks starting showing up in mailboxes and bank accounts.)

Sales before Mother’s Day weekend were also on the rise though. While mothers have been a growing demographic in the industry for some time, their being home with kids 24/7 right now has likely made things challenging.

As such, dispensaries were offering all sorts of cannabis treats and goodies to provide relief for this demographic. The Greenhouse in Walled Lake even created Mother’s Day Marijuana Quarantine Kits that sold far beyond their wildest expectations.

We Are Not out of the Woods

While it’s good news that Michigan cannabis sales are on the rise during quarantine, it could be long time before we return to something even close to resembling normal.

But Thompson believes that,“once social distancing is lifted and industry returns to normal, the recreational industry will rise like a cork from the bottom of a bathtub faster than any other industry would recover.”

And we’re inclined to agree.

In the meantime, keep checking back with us for the latest (and even greatest) on what’s happening with the cannabis industry during COVID-19.

The post Michigan Cannabis Sales Are on the Rise During Quarantine appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.