The Ann Arbor Hash Bash is one of the longest running cannabis legalization rallies and has served as a mainstay of Michigan’s cannabis community for five decades. The first Hash Bash took place on the University of Michigan Diag in 1972 as a protest against the Controlled Substances Act, and the countercultural event and serves as a forum for cannabis users and advocates to speak out against injustices and promote sensible policy reforms.
The 2021 Ann Arbor Hash Bash will be returning this year at High Noon on Saturday, April 3rd as an online, variety-show-style production, free to the public, featuring activists and entertainers from around the state and country. You can tune in via Twitch.
This year’s Hash Bash features a broad range of athletes, entertainers, canna-celebrities and politicians. The Hash Bash’s Master of Ceremonies is beloved former Fox News anchor Anqunette “Q” Sarfoh, but you’ll hear some of Michigan’s most prominent voices in cannabis speaking during the sessions too:
- Governor Gretchen Whitmer
- Attorney General Dana Nessel
- Congresswoman Debbie Dingell
- Senator Jeff Irwin
- Hall of Fame football player Calvin Johnson
- Stanley Cup winner Darren McCarty of the Red Wings
- former Detroit Tiger Joel Zumaya
- Basketball great and cannabis entrepreneur Al Harrington
- Michigan musical royalty Laith Al-Saadi
- Longtime Michigan performer Tom Wall
Michigan Cannabis Legend John Sinclair
The event will focus on commemorating accomplishments major and minor but focuses also on the need for federal legalization and repairing the harms inflicted by the drug war. The 2021 Hash Bash Committee is partnering with businesses to make a successful broadcast and benefit two designated Bash charities, the John Sinclair Foundation and the Michigan Cannabis Prisoner Freedom Fund.
There are many decided factors that have contributed to the decision to host Hash Bash virtually this year. Among them are the introduction of Covid-19’s new “Variant of Concern” into Michigan and the fact that it has been identified on U of M’s campus.
“Hash Bash is committed to the advocacy of federal cannabis legalization and to giving cannabis users and patients a voice. We are excited to carry on this tradition with a new and innovative format that our attendees can feel safe attending. For decades we have given cannabis users a voice and an incredible afternoon of entertainment,” said Anqunette Sarfoh, Emcee and medical marijuana patient.
The Hash Bash Livestream will last several hours and begin at the traditional time of High Noon on Saturday, April 3rd. The variety show will include many return speakers including John Sinclair. Entertainment will be provided by notable Michigan musicians such as Laith Al-Saadi and Tom Wall, as well as a performance by cannabis enthusiast and drag queen, Laganja Estranja.
Anquenette Sarfoh of Qulture
In addition to the aforementioned politicians and celebrities, many notable cannabis activists, personalities, and other drug policy reform organizations will be making an appearance. Among them are Decriminalize Nature A2, Rick Thompson and the Social Revolution, Jazz Cabbage Café, Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), The Redemption Foundation, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), West MI Cannabis Guild, Cannabis Caucus of the MI Democratic Party, and more.
“In the interest of public safety, we felt it was our duty to continue, full-steam ahead, with a digital production that can accommodate the needs of the community and continue to educate, activate, protest, and entertain in true keeping with the traditional event.” said longtime organizer, Nick Zettell. “We cannot wait until next year when we can all gather together on the Diag to continue this wonderful tradition safely and confidently.”
For advertising & sponsorship options which start at $420, please contact the Hash Bash Organizing Committee via Nick Zettell at 231-286-7898 or by email
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Brioche French Toast
In spring, a young cannabis aficionado’s thoughts turn to growing legal weed! Here’s an article from our Friends at Prima Clones with some strains to help set you up for success in outdoor growing in Michigan.
It’s not news to Michiganders that growing cannabis outdoors with the fall harvest climate is a challenge. For outdoor cultivators, challenge accepted.
How, then, does one set themselves up for success in outdoor cannabis? First, identify the potential issues. In Michigan, the biggest issues revolve around climate. The early rains, cold nights, and minimal sun exposure in October breed proper conditions for mold growth.
The solution: cannabis genetics designed and selected for Michigan outdoor cultivation.
At Prima Clones we select cultivars for specific properties: yields, terpenes, flowering times, and resistance to mold and pests. Prima Clones has five genetics that have been specifically incorporated into our catalogue for outdoor cannabis cultivation in Michigan: Cherry Punch, THC Bomb, Mai Tai, Peyote Cookies, and Brioche French Toast #4.
Cherry Punch
Cherry Punch is one of our favorite cultivators at the moment. It finishes in 56 days with excellent structure, vigorous growth, mold/pest resistance, and insane bag appeal. She’s a cross of Cherry AK-47 and Purple Punch, both legends in their own right. Allele Genetics hunted and provided this cut to our catalogue and you won’t be disappointed if you decide to place her outside.
Mai Tai
Mai Tai was bred by Jungle Boys and is an outstanding cross of Sunset Sherbet and Purple Punch. She finishes in 60 days, has an ideal structure, great vigor, and the bag appeal of the purps.
THC Bomb from Bomb Seeds, is a potent hybrid that we pheno-hunted specifically for the Michigan outdoor climate.
THC Bomb
She grows remarkably quickly, finishes in 56 days, and has a potency of over 25% THC when grown and harvested correctly. An outdoor cultivators dream girl.
Peyote Cookies
Peyote Cookies is another in-house pheno hunted selection dedicated to the Michigan outdoor cultivator. Bred by Barney’s Farm, this selection has insane bag appeal, is mold resistant and yields heavily. Prima Clone’s loves the purps and she is our #1 choice for outdoor cultivar of the year.
Brioche French Toast #4 is a 303 Seeds x Prima Clones exclusive that brings the Haze back to 2021. This sativa hybrid finishes quickly, has an open growth structure, and is non-market exposed – meaning you can build a brand on this lady. A cross of Maui French Toast and THC Bomb, she has a remarkable level of CBN (1.2%) and will quickly yield you an incredible harvest of truly unique flower.
No matter your choice of medium or cultivation style, the cultivars above will provide you the strongest chance of crushing your outdoor cannabis yields in 2021. From Prima Clones, we wish you the greatest success in 2021 and beyond!
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Michigan Cannabis Industry Association Summer Meeting via @greenstarmi
This Thursday (March 11) from 12:30-2 PM PM, mLive will be hosting an online event is intended for current industry leaders and business owners, as well as those wishing to be thought leaders in the cannabis trade:
The forum will be hosted on Zoom by Eric Hultgren, MLive director of social media and content, and Gus Burns, a statewide political reporter who focused on cannabis coverage since last year. The pair hosted a similar forum in October 2020.
The panel will lead off with Andrew Brisbo, director of Michigan’s Marijuana Regulatory Agency. Business and political leaders will present their perspectives and insights, and they will be available for questions for networking after the panels. These people are:
- Matt Abbo, a partner and co-founder of DA Advisory Group
- Chris Jackson, a former political candidate in Pontiac and partner with the Sticky cannabis brand
- Ryan Lafferty, Chief Operations Officer at Kush Development Group
- James E. Tate Jr., a Detroit City Council member since 2009
- Jamie Cooper, founder and managing director of Sensi Connects, a networking organization focused on the cannabis industry
- Javier Hasse, a reporter on cannabis, hemp, CBD and pyschedelics for the Spanish language news site El Planteo. He also serves as managing director for Benzinga Cannabis.
- John Darwin, president of Unity Rd., a cannabis dispensary franchise
Sponsors for the event include DA Advisory Group, Unity Rd., Michigan Cannabis Lawyers, Hyman, Sensi Connects, the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association and Sparrow Consulting.
The series of panel discussions will cover accessibility and equity in the cannabis market, how to pitch your business to investors, securing assets and challenges associated with accounting, banking and payment.
There will also be 30 minutes for networking after the panels.
You can register for the event here for $15.
photo credit: Michigan Cannabis Industry Association Summer Meeting via @greenstarmi
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In the Lansing City Pulse, Kyle Kaminski has a nice review of Edgewood Wellness in Lansing which has designs on being one of the planet’s largest cannabis dispensaries:
Edgewood Wellness bills itself as the biggest marijuana dispensary east of the Mississippi River. And at about 19,000 square feet, it might just be the second largest pot shop on earth. Planet 13, a store in Las Vegas, still holds the “world’s largest” title — at least for now.
Inside a former gymnasium tucked off Edgewood Boulevard near Celebration Cinema, much of Edgewood Wellness remains under renovation as its owners chart plans for an expansive new sales floor, an upstairs smoking lounge and a stoner “museum” of sorts featuring local artists.
Expect that news to be unveiled later this year. In the meantime, however, big plans haven’t stalled big progress. The southside shop became the latest dispensary in Lansing last month to be licensed for both medical and recreational sales.
Head over to the City Pulse for a list of the author’s favorite products.
Regarding the consumption lounge addition, Edgewood Wellness shares:
Cannabis consumers worldwide have always loved Amsterdam-style coffeeshops. A warm, inviting place, where people can buy a spliff or edible, hang out with friends, listen to some good music, and order an espresso, fresh-squeezed juice, or treat to snack on. That safe space is coming to Lansing, Michigan with Edgewood Cannabis Lounge!!! Our lounge will feature room for community meetings, a VIP room for special events, live entertainment, and be open for just relaxing and chilling. Our parking lot will be open to local food trucks on-site to supplement any of your munchies and cravings that our future commercial kitchen does not provide.
Scheduled for opening late summer/fall 2021 COVID and regulations permitting!
Check out Edgewood Wellness at edgewoodcannabis.com. See all the Lansing & mid-Michigan recreational marijuana dispensaries on our map!
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The Detroit Metro Times has a nice feature on Anqunette Sarfoh — popularly known around here as Q. She’s started a series of “tea parties” to help people understand cannabinoids and medical marijuana better:
Q is the former Fox 2 news anchor who gave it up to pursue business related to medical marijuana. She and her husband Richard Sarfoh were co-owners of the Botaniq provisioning center in Detroit. That enterprise has been sold to a new owner, and now Q is rolling out a new line of medical products featuring the cannabinoids CBD, CBG, Delta-8-THC 9 (which is different from the Delta-9-THC that is more widely known), THCV, and others.
Due to the pandemic, the tea parties are online for now, and feature discussions with Q and Cathleen Graham, a longtime cannabis nurse. Among the issues discussed is how to best use cannabis products to achieve the best outcomes. The Qulture Tea Parties take place on the last Thursday of the month, and a new series of Self-Care Sundays on the first Sunday of each month starts March 7. The first month is focused on multiple sclerosis awareness (which Q was diagnosed with, and credits cannabis for helping her manage) and autoimmune diseases.
Sarfoh says it’s difficult to talk candidly about the subject matter on social media.
“Within an hour I try to have a dialog about a health or wellness issue that cannabis can sometimes help with, how to use it safely effectively,” she says. “We can’t talk about things on Facebook, or they’ll take us down. The tea parties are a chance to get questions answered by a medical professional. There is an open dialog with medical professionals; we want people to feel comfortable.”
You can sign up for them through a link in the events section on Q’s website Qultureclub.com. The site also features the line of products that Q has developed, including tinctures, gummies, bath bombs, pain rubs, a roll on, and a pet tincture. The products won’t be available to order through the website for another several days, but in the meantime there are 16 dispensaries across the state where Qulture Kits with can be purchased. It includes a grinder, a chillum (sort of a pipe), some edibles, CBD tea, and other samples.
Beyond the products, Q is trying to advance understanding and knowledge about cannabinoids, with a particular focus on THCV and Delta-8 THC. Delta-8 is attracting interest because it has sedative properties and less of the typical Delta-9 buzz. THCV seems to be helpful with metabolic conditions such as diabetes and high cholesterol.
“We’re trying to get folks at Wayne State University to study it,” Sarfoh says.
More from the Metro Times. & you can watch her latest Qulture Tea Party right here with the password “cmu%1$ya”.
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Nationally known ex-cannabis prisoner Michael Thompson of Flint will appear on today’s Jazz Cabbage Café podcast at 4 PM:
Michigan citizens have followed Michael Thompson’s story for a year, including celebrity calls for his release, an impassioned letter from Attorney General Dana Nessel and a granting of clemency from Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Michael was released in January and has since spoken out about deplorable conditions within Michigan’s prison system. Thompson is expected to address those concerns during the interview.
Also expected is an update on Michael Thompson’s recent home purchase, made possible by a Go Fund Me account which garnered more than $270,000 from a staggering 8,400 individual donors. Cannabis companies from across Michigan have contributed directly to the fund, to Mr. Thompson himself or to The Redemption Foundation. The Foundation is the creation of Ryan Basore, a Lansing-area native who served more than two years in federal prison on cannabis charges. The Foundation assists those cannabis prisoners still incarcerated and any recently released parolees.
“I believe Michael Thompson’s release is just the start of a new wave of criminal justice reform in Michigan,” Basore said. “He is determined to help change the system, and he has broad support. There are more than 1200 cannabis prisoners in Michigan alone.” Basore will join the Jazz Cabbage broadcast, as will Mike McCurdy (Chair of the Cannabis Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party), the regular Jazz Cabbage crew and a few select guests.
The Redemption Foundation, Cannabis Caucus, the Last Prisoner Project and other state and national organizations helped bring about Mr. Thompson’s clemency. The story has been continuously reported on by Jazz Cabbage. Podcast hosts Jamie Lowell (The Botanical Company, Cannabis Caucus, Michigan ASA, Redemption Foundation Advisor) and Rick Thompson (NORML of Michigan, Cannabis Caucus, Redemption Foundation Advisor, Michigan Cannabis Business Development Group), as well as Basore and McCurdy, were at the prison when Michael Thompson was released at 4am.
“It was a profound moment to watch, as Mr. Thompson walked out of prison into the arms of his daughter,” Lowell reflected. “It was equally intense when he addressed the media before leaving about the urgent need to help others who remain in compromised conditions within the prison.” Thompson served 25 years “unjustly and inappropriately incarcerated,” Lowell added.
The show broadcasts at 4:00pm EST on Tuesday, March 2. Mr. Thompson’s segment is scheduled to begin at approx. 4:30pm. Media can submit questions in advance or participate in the dialog by emailing 4mrick@gmail.com before 3pm on March 2 or joining in the chat during the live broadcast. Other inquiries, please call 586 350-8943 prior to the show.
Tune into the Jazz Cabbage Cafe on Facebook or through their website!
photo: Michael Thompson with grandson Michael Thompson III via mtfree.2021 on Instagram
Here’s a video of Michael’s recent release from prison:
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Bridge Michigan has an excellent in-depth feature exploring the impact of recreational marijuana on small communities in Michigan that have embraced legal cannabis:
“We’ll see anywhere from 450 to 800 people a day,” said Kyle Miller of Meds Cafe, as locals and customers from Lansing to Grand Rapids pulled in for curbside pickup of their favorite stash.
Lowell City Manager Michael Burns said he is high on what marijuana can do for this town, a quiet place of about 4,100 people on the Grand River some 15 miles east of Grand Rapids. Lowell boasts two recreational marijuana shops, where cannabis flower goes for upwards of $50 per one-eighth ounce, and has given approval for two more shops, two growing operations and three microprocessor marijuana businesses.
Burn views this burgeoning industry as a community cash register.
“I think the tax revenue for the city could be significant,” he said. “I am hoping I can add another full-time police officer. I am hoping there is more for roads.”
…Kalkaska Village President Harley Wales told Bridge that revenue from marijuana is bringing optimism to a town that some now jokingly call Kal-Hash-Ka.
The village of 2,000 people has three retail pot shops — all sharing the same parking lot — with approval for up to five more shops licensed for adult recreational as well as for medical marijuana, which was first approved in Michigan in 2008.
According to Wales, an industrial park in the community now has 15 licensed marijuana supply businesses, 11 already in operation. He said the largest grower employs about a 100 workers, at wages that start at about $15 an hour.
…Bridge Michigan interviewed officials, store owners and residents in three communities that have fallen hard for pot — Lowell, Webberville and Kalkaska. Their reviews are mostly positive, both in the boost to local budgets, and jobs provided by retail and grow operations. As for a feared spike in crime or drug abuse, local education and law enforcement officials say there is no early evidence of that.
According to Michigan’s Department of the Treasury, the excise tax brought in $31 million in fiscal 2019-2020 — which left just $11 million to be divided among local and county governments, schools and roads.
But tax revenue is expected to jump in the coming years. The Senate Fiscal Agency projects about $1.5 billion in sales, producing $154 million excise tax revenue, in fiscal year 2022-23. Fifteen percent of that means roughly $23 million for local communities. Getting a slice of that pie may not turn heads in bigger cities like Grand Rapids, but for a small town like Lowell, with a general fund budget of $3.2 million, a boost of several hundred-thousand dollars is significant.
There’s lots more to read over at Bridge & you can see all of Michigan’s 162 (and counting) recreational dispensaries on our map!
image courtesy Pincanna Kalkaska on Instagram
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We’ve been watching the meteoric rise in the number of recreational marijuana provisioning centers in Michigan, and it turns out we’re not alone! Dana Marshall of 103.3 WKFR Kalamazoo/Battle Creek did the math & found out that the number of recreational marijuana dispensaries in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo are very high:
It’s no surprise that Ann Arbor has the most recreational dispensaries in the state. The home of U of M has a long history with the hippie lettuce. But Battle Creek and Kalamazoo?
Cities with the Most Recreational Weed Dispensaries in Michigan
- Ann Arbor – 19
- Battle Creek – 11
- Kalamazoo – 9
- Bay City – 9
- Adrian – 7
It’s important to note the drastic population difference. Battle Creek is the 32nd largest Michigan city with a little over 53,000 residents. Yet, they have the 2nd most dispensaries. Kalamazoo City is the 17th largest city with just over 76,000 residents. Just for reference, Ann Arbor is the 5th largest city in Michigan with 120,735 residents.
More from WKFR & dig into Michigan’s recreational cannabis dispos right here!
photo courtesy Common Citizen Battle Creek / @commoncitizenry on Instagram
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The Michigan Marijuana Report says that Gage Cannabis Co. will host the grand opening of its Kalamazoo store & second COOKIES provisioning center in Michigan tomorrow (Saturday, Feb 27):
COOKIES, an international cannabis lifestyle brand founded by rapper and entrepreneur Berner, opened its first Detroit location in January 2020. Gage is COOKIES’ exclusive partner in the state and operates the only COOKIES stores in the Midwest.
Located at 2712 Portage Street, COOKIES’ Kalamazoo storefront is Gage’s seventh retail location in Michigan. It will carry the entire family of COOKIES offerings, including COOKIES, Lemonnade, Runtz, Powerzzzup Genetics, Minntz and Grandiflora product lines. The newest provisioning center extends access to quality cannabis products to customers throughout Western Michigan and regions bordering Lake Michigan, including Chicago, Ill. and South Bend, Ind. Throughout grand opening weekend, there will be raffles and promotional giveaways, and comedian and YouTube personality, Carlos Davis will be visiting the storefront. COOKIES in Kalamazoo will open at 9 a.m. ET and for curbside pick-up only.
The 3,000 sq. ft. retail location will create 30 new employment opportunities in Kalamazoo and is open to both medical and adult-use consumers. To further support neighboring communities, Gage has launched a nearly $1 million social equity program in the past year that will award grants up to $50,000 to cannabis entrepreneurs in 19 social equity cities designated by the Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency.
“The Midwest is an important part of COOKIES’ overall expansion plan, and our partnership with Gage Cannabis has been integral,” said Berner, CEO of COOKIES. “We’ve seen tremendous demand from cannabis consumers in Michigan and the surrounding areas and look forward to continuing to serve them as our partnership grows with this second location.”
More from the Michigan Marijuana Report & visit the Cookies Kalamazoo website. See all the Kalamazoo & southwest Michigan rec dispensaries on the MCT!
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MRA Subcommittee Chairwoman Cimone Casson
The Green Market Report says that the Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency has announced proposed changes to the state’s cannabis laws and regulations aimed at improving access to capital for people of color seeking to break into the cannabis market:
…this initiative also seeks to address other hurdles commonly faced by minorities in the marijuana industry. These obstacles include overwhelmingly bureaucratic application processes, prohibitive licensing fees and wait times, and the outsized impact of the War on Drugs for communities of color. Should the changes be implemented, Michigan would boast the most progressive social equity program in the nation, thanks in large part to the MRA’s Racial Equity Advisory Workgroup (formed in July 2020).
Cimone Casson is a Workgroup member, owner of cannabis insurance brokerage firm Cannas Capital, Michigan Chapter President for Minorities 4 Medical Marijuana, and the driving force behind another initiative that is poised to push Michigan to the forefront of social equity. Casson’s objective is to create a local stock exchange, the Michigan Marijuana Market, that focuses on raising capital for minorities in local communities impacted by the War on Drugs. The crowdfunding platform, to be housed and supported on the MRA’s website, would serve as a portal for local marijuana investors and businesses located in impacted areas. Though the MRA would operate the Michigan Marijuana Market, a broker-dealer would have oversight over the project and assets would be held by a state-chartered custodial bank. The MMM would be a solely intrastate investment system targeted towards minority-owned and capitalized businesses.
As the Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency’s Subcommittee Chairwoman, Cimone Casson is working with director Andrew Brisbo to develop the Michigan Marijuana Market as a means not only of assisting local minority-owned businesses in gaining access to capital but providing a pathway for minorities to build wealth and strengthen their local economies. “We must provide a consensus pathway to rebuild communities and offer a viable entry for minorities into this market,” Casson says. “Local stock exchanges have historically boosted the likelihood of success for locally-owned businesses, which are critical to a community’s economic, social, and political vitality.”
Social equity is always top of mind for Casson whether in regards to her own business, Canna Capital, or her work in the regulatory environment. The MMM involves leveraging existing Michigan state laws such as the M.I.L.E. Act (Michigan Invests Locally Exemption), which allows small businesses to raise capital by reaching out to Michigan residents to invest in their companies, and the M.I.M. Act (Michigan Investment Market Act), which regulates a class of intrastate broker-dealers and facilitates intrastate securities transactions among individuals. Still, as the MMM proposal will almost certainly require funding for administrative costs, additional legislative changes will be necessary in order to launch and maintain the initiative.
More from the Green Market Report & read more about Michigan’s social equity efforts on the MCT.
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