Welcome to the cannabis party, Michigan! Today, the state of Michigan became the first state in the Midwest to legalize rec-use cannabis. Following last month’s vote on Prop 1, Michiganders who are 21+ can now grow up to 12 plants in their private residence, carry up to 2.5 ounces on their person and keep up to 10 oz. in non-public places. It remains illegal to consume cannabis or cannabis-derived products in public in Michigan.

While retail in the Great Lakes State remains months away as officials work to finalize regulations for cannabis dispensaries and retail sites, the state’s being as proactive as possible with medical marijuana. Just last week, MMLG covered how the state’s working to ensure a steady supply of medical cannabis through the legalization shift, what with the anticipation of “glaucoma” cases surging for out-of-staters and Michiganders alike.

Michigan Legalizing Cannabis Means New Opportunity in Midwest

Michigan’s the 10th state and 11th jurisdiction (District of Columbia and whatnot) to legalize adult-use recreational cannabis. As the first state in the Midwest to go completely legal, Michigan’s right there with Massachusetts at the forefront of cannabis east of the Mississippi. While Massachusetts just opened its first retail stores last month, Michigan hopes to get that ball rolling by some point in 2019, it could take until 2020, but 2019 is the target. And Michigan officials would be wise to get the lead out as it were, what with Illinois looking to make a big splash in the recreational cannabis scene before too long. In either case, Michigan has the great potential to not only get an economic leg up on other Midwestern and East Coast states, but it also stands to serve as a blueprint for states such as Illinois, New Jersey and New York to emulate.

Michigan legalizing cannabis also means (obviously) new business opportunities in what will now become the second-most populous state with rec-use cannabis on the books. Those new business opportunities present jobs and steady paychecks to a state that for the better part of four decades has seen per household incomes sink as jobs have gone to other states or overseas. While time will tell what the true measure of success is for Michigan’s legalizing of cannabis, more jobs and revenue never hurts.

Have questions about cannabis licensing, compliance or investment opportunities in Michigan? Let’s chat: Instagram, Facebook, Email, or 310.449.4528