Cannabis Tourism in Michigan
If you’ve lived in Michigan for a bit, you are probably aware that Pure Michigan, our state’s travel agency, promotes visiting our state all year long and shows all that’s wonderful about this pleasant peninsula in every season. You might also notice that despite promoting a variety of vices—gambling, beer, wine and distilled spirits—Pure Michigan doesn’t talk about cannabis tourism though despite it being an attraction for many people.
We’ll blame the lack of federal legalization for that oversight. But, the lack of promotion from Pure Michigan doesn’t mean people don’t travel for cannabis.
There are a significant number of people who travel to Michigan from nearby prohibition states like Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin for cannabis and Illinoisans pop up to Michigan to save money on cannabis taxes which are quite high there. Reports from state border stores tell us that 60 percent of customers come from out of state.
Cannabis tourism is alive and well in many communities in Michigan. And while you can’t buy legal recreational cannabis in Detroit (it’s medical only), you’ll find around 500 cannabis retailers across the state.
Cannabis Tourism Across America
Cannabis tourism is thriving across the U.S. Some states, especially Colorado, have been able to capitalize on cannabis tourism with consumption spaces, consumption bus tours, and cannabis-friendly lodging.
A Quinnipiac University study commissioned by the Colorado Tourism Office revealed that one of two tourists visiting Colorado said their decision to visit was motivated by the state’s progressive cannabis laws.
MMGY Travel Intelligence produced a significant report regarding cannabis tourism in 2020 via a survey of 1500 American leisure travelers and found that 29 percent of “active leisure travelers” are interested in cannabis, and 18 percent of all Americans are interested in cannabis activities. Further, 28 percent of all Americans are interested in cannabis and would like to visit Michigan within two years.
Visiting a dispensary is the cannabis-related activity respondents found most motivational when associated with leisure travel, followed by trying infused edibles or drinks, experiencing a spa treatment with a CBD product, and sampling cannabis in a safe environment. It’s interesting to note that ⅔ of the respondents have consumed cannabis at some point—some within a week of the survey, others more than a year ago.
According to the report, adults interested in cannabis-related activities on vacation are significantly more likely than the typical leisure traveler to describe themselves as a foodie, beach bum or outdoor adventurer. In addition, they are more likely to be interested in live music, music festivals, wine, craft beer or sports.
Michigo a state cannabis tourism entity conducted research about what adults are looking for in a cannabis experience. A majority of people, regardless of age, are looking for lodging that welcomes cannabis consumption as well as dispensary visits and cannabis events.
What’s most challenging for cannabis tourists is finding a place to consume and what to do with the cannabis you don’t consume while here.
Where Can’t You Consume Cannabis in Michigan?
In public where anyone can see you smoking
In your car or driving or sitting in a vehicle on any Michigan roadway.
In a boat on a Michigan waterway.
On private property where cannabis is expressly prohibited
In most hotel/motel rooms or on hotel property
Around the campfire at the Michigan State Park or on a State Park beach or trail
Here’s something we found interesting—you can consume in a Michigan State Park, but not in public view. So you can hotbox in your tent or camper, but don’t light up around the campfire or on the beach.
Until more properties (hotels, motels and resorts) allow cannabis consumption, travelers will be challenged to find a place to consume.
“We have yet to see a community fully embrace cannabis; it’s still often held at arm’s length,” Andrew McFarlane from Michigan Cannabis Trail and Michigo said.
This disconnect is apparent where Michigan’s cannabis stores are most densely located and how they’re not embraced or even recognized by visitor’s bureaus or Chamber of Commerces.
“There are certainly a large group of people who still think that cannabis is a bad thing—and until they’re no longer in leadership positions, we’ll always have roadblocks,” Andrew said.
Cannabis Events and Lounges
For people traveling in Michigan who are looking for options for a cannabis consumption space, you’ll have to look carefully and plan accordingly. Finding a place to stay that is cool with cannabis is the first step—Michigan Cannabis Trail and Bud and Breakfast websites offer some options. There’s at least one consumption lounge open in Michigan—Kalkushka in Northwestern Michigan’s most cannabis-friendly town of Kalkaska.
Organized cannabis events are popping up across Michigan. These licensed events allow consumption and have sales in the same place—usually with live music and other cannabis-centric activities. Look for them in Ypsi and Manistee—where you can also find WellFlower shops.
One last thing to keep in mind if you’re visiting Michigan—taking cannabis across state lines is illegal whether you’re traveling by car or air.
