Once the better known as the beating heart of the American automobile industry, in recent years Michigan has become a center for technological innovation, and a haven for midwestern weed lovers.
In fact, with low rents, an abundance of cheap land, and of course the resurgent city of Detroit, this charming, progressive state has much to offer anyone looking to get involved in the cannabis industry.
Sounds pretty good so far? Then keep reading to get the lowdown on all things marijuana in Michigan.
Is it legal to buy marijuana seeds in Michigan?
First things first, the good news is that cannabis is 100% legal in Michigan for both medical and recreational use. This began in 2008 when the Michigan Compassionate Care Initiative passed by a decisive 63% of the vote, making marijuana available via prescription for medicinal purposes.
A decade later, the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act passed by 56% of the vote, allowing Michigan-based cannabis enthusiasts to enjoy their weed without fear of legal repercussions. Or should that be repercussions? (No, definitely not, sorry!)
You'll need to apply for a license if you want to grow weed on a commercial scale, but for personal use the only conditions are that you refrain from carrying too much marijuana when you're out in public, and keep your total stash within certain limits. This equates to no more than 2.5 ounces of weed on your person, and a maximum of 10 ounces kept at home.
Additionally, the law also requires that the bulk of your supply of the good stuff (specifically anything over 2.5 ounces) is kept in a secure container. Reasonable enough, right?
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Is it legal to grow weed in Michigan?
You'll be pleased to learn that, yes, it is legal to grow weed in Michigan. In fact, at 12 plants, the total amount you're allowed to grow is considerably more generous than in other states which have also legalized marijuana such as California, where weed lovers are only permitted 6 plants, or Oregon, which only allows 4.
Those planning to set up a commercial weed growing enterprise in Michigan will need to apply for a Marijuana Growing Operation license. Approval is subject to meeting criteria which includes a criminal background check.
You might also need to apply for one or more of several other applicable licenses depending on how you intend on operating your business, details of which are available from the State of Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency.
As is the case in other states which have legalized cannabis, you'll need to be over 21 years age if you want to grow weed for either personal or commercial purposes. Also, growing cannabis plants outside is still prohibited in Michigan, although if you don't have room indoors you could set up a grow tent.
Can you buy marijuana seeds in Michigan?
Happily, yes. You can buy marijuana seeds at many weed dispensaries, head shops, and specialist seed retailers across the state. As you would expect this is concentrated in the cities, especially Detroit. For the broadest possible selection, however, you can't beat looking online.
How do you buy marijuana seeds in Michigan?
It's simple, really. Either go online (which we recommend), or visit your friendly local cannabis business to find out what's available. In the past, local community groups have been known to organise informal seed swap events. These sound like a great opportunity to make use of any surplus seeds, so ask around or look online to find out if there are any similar events happening soon.
Top 5 best Michigan outdoor strains
As a northern state, Michigan is perhaps a little less sunny than other weed-friendly states such as California or Colorado. However, as you'll probably be growing your plants indoors the local climate won't actually have much bearing on which varieties will work best.
Instead, pick a strain which will grow happily indoors, and will respond well to growing techniques such as SOG (Sea of Green) and SCROG (Screen of Green).
A few weed varieties we would recommend to anyone planning on growing weed in Michigan include:
1. White Widow
A winner of multiple awards and frequently included in the High Times all-time top 25 classic weed strains, White Widow boasts fulsome, resin-rich buds which deliver a strong, satisfying hit. This is due to its formidable lineage as an expertly developed cross breed of Brazilian strain Landrace Sativa and a world-renowned Indica hybrid mother plant.
First developed in the Netherlands back in the 1990s, White Widow is particularly suitable for Michigan-based weed growers as it will positively flourish indoors. Indoor plants will grow to a meter in height, and should flower in around 9 to 10 weeks. Experienced growers might even be able to harvest in as little as 8 weeks if they are able to successfully utilize careful cultivation techniques.
Yields are also highly respectable, being between 550 and 650 grams per plant. This makes White Widow a superb choice for commercial growers looking to maximize their crop, although home growers also enjoy being able to harvest an ample quantity of weed from just a few plants.
2. Northern Lights
Created in Seattle, Washington in the 1980s and further refined in the Netherlands from 1985 onwards, Northern Lights is arguably the most recognised weed variety available. It's no wonder that this true legend has stood the test of time, as it fulfils pretty much everything you could want from a strong weed strain.
Northern Lights plants produce sublime, sticky buds which smell and taste just like weed should, delivering a potent, finely balanced high which is both relaxing and sweetly euphoric. This is reflected in the fact that Northern Lights has been awarded first prize at the High Times Cannabis cup three times.
A pure Indica strain, Northern Lights has an impressive THC content of around 18%, and if cultivated with care and skill can be harvested within 8 weeks. It responds well to SOG (Sea of Green) and SCROG (Screen of Green) techniques, making it an ideal choice for Michigan-based growers who keep their crops indoors. Expect the yield of your indoor crop to be around 500 grams per m2.
3. OG Kush
A popular option for both home and commercial growers all over the world, OG Kush was first cultivated in Florida way back in the 1990s when a team of weed breeders crossed a Californian strain with a Kush plant they had imported from Amsterdam.
Native to Afghanistan, Northern Pakistan and North-Western India, the original Kush plant is actually an Indica landrace species of cannabis. Essentially, this means that it is a naturally occurring plant, so marijuana doesn't get any more authentic than this!
That's not to say that OG Kush is an unrefined choice, as it is known for its fragrant, sweet-tasting and sticky buds. It offers a mellow, mildly euphoric high, although as a strong strain with a THC content of around 20% it is perhaps best enjoyed in moderation.
Michigan-based growers with an indoor setup will appreciate the compact nature of OG Kush plants as it will help them to maximise their available growing space. Flowering times are between 8 and 9 weeks, meaning that it is possible to harvest indoor crops within 12 to 16 weeks from planting. Indoor yields of around 425 to 475 grams per m2 can be achieved with the help of basic growing techniques.
4. Gorilla Glue
An underrated strain which is gaining popularity across America, the aptly-named Gorilla Glue has much to recommend it. Created by blending the Chem's Sister, Sour Double, and Chocolate Diesel strains in a 50/50 Indica/Sativa mix, this finely balanced hybrid has been designed to reflect the latest trends in cannabis breeding.
This amounts to a highly potent weed which boasts sticky, pungent buds which are positively loaded with resin, and a powerful THC content of an impressive 26%! This results in a highly enjoyable high which is ideal for those nights when you just want to party, although it goes without saying that a weed strain of this potency needs to be treated with a certain amount of respect.
Being a little more susceptible to mold than other weed varieties, Gorilla Glue is probably most content in an indoor growing environment. Plants are very manageable, growing to around 1.3 meters in height, and yields of up to 550 grams per m2 are achievable with the aid of SOG (Sea of Green) and SCROG (Screen of Green) techniques. Expect your plants to flower in around 7 to 8 weeks.
5. Chocolope
A treat for the taste buds as well as the mind, as the name suggests Chocolope is blessed with delicious chocolatey tastes and aromas. This is thanks to a lineage which includes the OG Chocolate Thai weed strain alongside Cannalope Haze in a 95% Sativa mix.
In addition to its impeccable flavor credentials, Chocolope delivers an exceptional high, with smokers reporting feelings of elation and contentment. Take care, however, as excessive smoking has been known to lead to mild hallucinations and feelings of unease and paranoia.
Plants can be ready to harvest in around 8 or 9 weeks, and due to its long vegetative phase and hardy nature Chocolope has a strong resilience to the nutrient and watering mistakes novice growers tend to make from time to time.
Together with its impressive indoor yields of up to 600 grams per m2, this makes Chocolope the ideal choice for Michigan-based growers looking to get the absolute most from a relatively small number of plants. That said, as a luxury strain it is also a superb option for commercial cultivation.
Is there anything else you need to know?
This article is intended as a broad introduction to all things cannabis in Michigan as opposed to a comprehensive guide. So of course you're going to need to do your own research to fill in the details depending on what you're planning to accomplish, and to account for any recent policy changes.
Certainly if you intend to set up a commercial growing enterprise it is essential to contact the local authorities to make sure that you are fully up to speed with all your legal obligations. After all, laws are always open to interpretation, so it's important to have a clear grasp of current local government policy.
If you rent your home, you'll need to check that your landlord is comfortable with you growing weed on their property. It's only polite for one thing, and if you were to establish a cannabis crop without prior approval they would be within their rights to evict you.
In general, however, Michigan is extremely supportive of marijuana entrepreneurs. There's never been a better time to get involved, so dive in and start growing with some of the greatest feminized seeds or autoflower seeds!