Michigan may be best known as one of the Great Lakes states, but that could change soon.
Why? Because Michigan is quickly building a reputation as one the hemp-friendliest places in the Midwest. The state has surprisingly progressive hemp and cannabis laws.
So...is CBD flower legal in Michigan?
The short answer is yes!
In this article we’ll be diving deep into every facet of this topic. Here’s an outline:
- Michigan hemp laws
- Is hemp legal in Michigan?
- Is hemp flower legal in Michigan?
- What is CBD hemp flower?
- Where to buy CBD flower in Michigan
- High-quality hemp flower: what to look for
- How to use legal hemp flower
- Summing things up
Michigan hemp laws
On November 6th, 2008, the state of Michigan passed an important milestone: it implemented a Compassionate Care Initiative that made medical marijuana legal for chronically ill patients.
10 years later, in 2018, recreational cannabis became legal for Michigan adults 21 years and older.
Other cannabis-friendly laws were passed in 2018, too. That year saw the passage of the state’s first Industrial Hemp Program, which made properly licensed hemp legal to grow and sell throughout the state of Michigan.
Under Michigan’s Hemp ‘Pilot’ Program and the Industrial Hemp Research & Development Act (Public Act 641), it’s fully legal to grow hemp in Michigan.
In addition to legalizing hemp, the Pilot Program makes provisions for plenty of hemp-related research. Universities and Michigan’s Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) can now grow hemp for research purposes.
All in all, the Industrial Hemp Research & Development Act legalized:
- Hemp cultivation
- Hemp processing
- Hemp-related marketing
- Hemp retail and wholesale sales
The act went into effect on January 15, 2019 — and since then, Michigan’s hemp industry has been booming.
But the industry’s current legal status isn’t without limitations. Those who want to be involved have to apply, qualify, and pay related licensing fees to the MDARD.
Hemp farmers face extra barriers: they have to submit their crops to MDARD for testing to ensure everything stays under 0.3% THC. Under the 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills as well as Michigan’s Hemp Program, a crop’s THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) levels cannot exceed 0.3%.
Hemp that tests in at over 0.3% THC by dry weight can’t be sold — it gets destroyed on the spot!
Thankfully the MDARD has been pushing the USDA to develop a different option, one that allows hemp farms to sell ‘hot’ (higher THC) hemp flower in other markets. This way farmers wouldn't lose thousands of dollars due to the destruction of their crops. Only time will tell if pressure from the MDARD and other state agencies compels the USDA to loosen their hemp testing regulations.
Is hemp legal in Michigan?
Yes, hemp is legal in Michigan! Just as long as it stays under 0.3% THC, hemp flower is completely legal and can be freely bought and sold.
According to MDARD director Gary McDowell, hemp farmers have been doing well so far. “With the inaugural year of growing hemp for the first time in decades under our belt, Michigan is focused on taking the next steps with this emerging crop.”
More than 3,600 acres of outdoor hemp and 400,000 square feet of indoor hemp was grown in hemp’s first legal year, and hemp grew in 58 of Michigan’s 83 counties. We’d say the plant is off to a great start!
Is CBD hemp flower legal in Michigan?
Yes, CBD flower is completely legal to buy and use in Michigan.
And since marijuana became legal before hemp did, Michiganders don’t even have to worry about the inconvenience so many other states do — the visual similarity between hemp and marijuana.
In other words, marijuana buds (which are illegal in several states) look, feel, and smell just like hemp buds. States that legalize hemp without first legalizing MMJ often run into law enforcement problems, since cops can’t tell whether the bud in question is legal or illegal!
Thankfully, this isn’t a problem in Michigan, since both high-THC cannabis and low-THC cannabis (i.e, hemp) are legal.
What is CBD hemp flower?
Let’s step back a little bit.
We’ve talked a lot about hemp flower and its legality...but what is it, exactly?
Hemp is a plant in the Cannabis Sativa plant family. Basically, it’s ‘marijuana’s’ non-psychoactive brother. Hemp is characterized by its large stalk, big fan leaves, resinous flowers (a.k.a buds), and small sugar leaves.
Hemp’s buds are one of nature’s greatest miracles: they’re rich in CBD, CBG, CBN, and over one hundred other cannabinoids. They’re also loaded with terpenes and flavonoids. 400 health-promoting compounds in total — CBD is just the start.
Hemp flower is most often added into pre-rolled CBD joints, packed in a pipe to smoke, or infused into oil because of its large concentrations of CBD.
Where to buy CBD flower in Michigan
Since hemp flower in Michigan is legal, you’ll find options everywhere: at a local store, gas station, or another type of storefront. If you’d rather save yourself an errand and some time, you can buy CBD flower online through a hemp flower dispensary.
Unfortunately, however, not all hemp flower is created equal.
The very best place to buy hemp flower is from a local hemp farmer. That way you can see the crop for yourself, get to know your source, and support local agriculture.
Each hemp strain will have a certain smell, look, set of tasting notes, parent strains, and unique qualities that contribute to its effects.
Regardless of where you get your hemp flower from, try get as much intel about the strain and its origins as possible. Try reading a blog post or two that gives the scoop on the best hemp strains and what makes them so special.
High-quality hemp flower: what to look for
So, you’ve decided to look for organic hemp flower online. Great!
Now that you’ve learned about the different types of strains available to you, it’s time to strategize. But first, you’ll need some tips about identifying the ‘cream on the crop’ CBD buds.
How to use legal hemp flower
The most common way to consume CBD flower is to smoke or vaporize it.
Obviously, anything you put into your lungs should be completely free of pesticides and other harmful chemicals, so this is yet another reason to ensure you’re using only top-quality buds. Hemp flower that’s certified organic is even better.
Summing things up
Is CBD hemp flower legal in Michigan?
In case you haven’t noticed yet, the answer is a resounding yes!
Hemp flower is legal to grow, legal to buy, and legal to enjoy in the great state of Michigan.
So far the state’s had big success with its Industrial Hemp Program — and the best is yet to come.
Farmers and businesses alike have flourished from Michigan’s revamped hemp industry. Will you join them by enjoying the pro-health, pro-relaxation benefits of smokeable hemp?