Weed, also known as marijuana or cannabis, is a psychoactive drug from the Cannabis plant that has been consumed for centuries for both recreational and medicinal purposes. In 2018, Michigan became the first state in the Midwest to legalize weed for recreational use, following the approval of Proposal 1 by the voters.
Since then, weed enthusiasts have been able to legally possess, transport, grow, and consume weed in the state, subject to some restrictions and regulations. But which city in Michigan is smoking more weed than anywhere else in the state? And what are the implications of this trend for the state’s economy, society, and culture?
The Weed Capital of Michigan
According to a recent report by the online platform Weedmaps, which provides information and reviews on cannabis products, retailers, and delivery services, the city of Ann Arbor is the weed capital of Michigan. The report analyzed the data from Weedmaps’ users in Michigan from January to March 2023, and found that Ann Arbor had the highest number of searches, orders, and deliveries of weed products in the state.
Ann Arbor also had the highest average order value, spending $95.68 per order, compared to the state average of $77.24. The report also revealed that the most popular weed products in Ann Arbor were flower, edibles, and concentrates.
Ann Arbor’s status as the weed capital of Michigan is not surprising, considering that the city has a long history of cannabis activism and culture. Ann Arbor was one of the first cities in the country to decriminalize weed in 1972, imposing only a $5 fine for possession of up to two ounces.
The city is also home to the annual Hash Bash, a pro-cannabis rally and festival that attracts thousands of weed enthusiasts every year. Moreover, Ann Arbor has a large student population, as it hosts the University of Michigan, one of the top public universities in the nation. Students are known to be more likely to use weed than other age groups, according to national surveys.
The Benefits and Challenges of Weed Tourism
Ann Arbor’s prominence as a weed destination has also boosted the city’s tourism industry, as more visitors flock to the city to enjoy its cannabis offerings. According to the Ann Arbor Convention and Visitors Bureau, the city saw a 12% increase in hotel occupancy and a 15% increase in tourism spending in 2022, compared to 2019. The bureau attributed part of this growth to the legalization of weed and the availability of weed-related activities and events in the city.
However, weed tourism also poses some challenges and risks for the city and the state. One of the main issues is the lack of regulation and enforcement of weed consumption in public places, which is still illegal under state law. Many weed tourists may not be aware of this rule, or may choose to ignore it, and smoke weed in parks, streets, or other public spaces.
This could create nuisance, health, and safety problems for the residents and the authorities. Another issue is the potential impact of weed tourism on the environment, as more visitors may generate more waste, pollution, and carbon emissions. Weed cultivation and processing also require a lot of water, energy, and land, which could strain the state’s natural resources.
Conclusion
Weed legalization in Michigan has created a new and lucrative market for weed products and services, and Ann Arbor has emerged as the weed capital of the state, attracting more weed consumers and tourists than any other city. This has brought economic, social, and cultural benefits to the city, as well as some challenges and risks.
As weed tourism continues to grow in Michigan, the state and the city will need to balance the interests and needs of the weed industry, the weed tourists, and the local communities, and ensure that weed consumption is done responsibly, safely, and sustainably.
