Detroit recently made the consumption of recreational marijuana legal in 2018, but medical marijuana has been legal since 2008.
Today, you can order just about any category of cannabis products in the state of Michigan — including delta 8 and delta 9 THC, CBD, and any of the naturally occurring cannabinoids.
This article will explore CBD, its importance as a supplement, and some of the best ways to source it in Detroit.
CBD (cannabidiol) is legal, yes, but it’s governed somewhat differently than marijuana.
CBD can be derived from either marijuana or industrial hemp. Prior to 2018, CBD made from marijuana plants was still regulated like marijuana. Now, any CBD product that contains less than 0.3% THC — as required by the 2018 Farm Bill will be regulated separately.
CBD grown from industrial hemp is regulated by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. This organization provides licenses for people growing hemp and manufacturing hemp-derived products.
CBD edibles can only be made by licensed processors, using products sold by licensed growers, who follow a strict protocol to ensure that the THC content remains at less than 0.3%.
The FDA has not yet approved CBD’s safety profile, so it cannot yet be sold in drinks or foods.
Medical marijuana has been legal in the state of Michigan for over ten years, but the introduction of legalized recreational cannabis use is something new. This new change happened in 2018 when a number of states began to open the doors to legalized, government-regulated cannabis use.
People using marijuana for medical purposes will need to register for a medical marijuana card. This will cost them about $40. Patients over 18 can apply on their own; patients underage must have a designated caretaker apply for them. The benefit of applying for a medical license is that you can order larger quantities of marijuana and can grow more plants at home.
To successfully receive a license, patients must be diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition. Minors will have to be evaluated by a board-certified doctor.
Altogether, they’ll need a Physician’s Certification form, some valid government-issued ID, a Michigan voter registration, and proof of residency to create a patient account and register for their card.
Even though it’s legal, you must abide by the legal limits of possession. Possession of between 2.5-5 ounces is a misdemeanor charge that can cost $500.
Selling marijuana without a license can result in a jail sentence ranging from 4 years (for small-scale sellers, under 5 kg) to 15 years (large-scale distributors selling more than 45 kg).
You can cultivate up to 12 marijuana plants at home, as long as they are enclosed and locked away so that they cannot be seen by the public. If you cultivate more than 200 marijuana plants, you may also be jailed for up to 15 years.
Marijuana is relatively cheap in Detroit, ranging from $9-10 per gram.
Delta 8 THC remains within a legal loophole in Detroit. This works because delta 8 THC is remarkably similar to delta 9 THC yet can be made from hemp.
Since marijuana is already legal in this state, it’s unlikely that delta 8 THC will ever become illegal in the state of Michigan. The reason many people prefer delta 8 to conventional marijuana products is that the effects of this cannabinoid are much more laid-back and relaxed. It’s far less likely to lead to side effects like paranoia or anxiety — yet offers all the same benefits as delta 9 THC.
Learn more about the legal status of delta 8 THC.
These are some of the best dispensaries that you’ll find in Detroit.
Unfortunately, the number of dispensaries has dropped drastically since marijuana was fully legalized. In 2014, there were more than 250 dispensaries, now there are only around 60. The problem is that obtaining a dispensary license in Detroit is very expensive and is hard to get approved. There are a lot of stipulations on where the shop is located, what products they can sell, how they document their inventory, etc.
Located on the Far East Side of Detroit, this female-owned dispensary is a great place run by two sisters. The place offers clearly labeled strains and smoking devices with great staff who are happy to help you out.
If you’re up for a trip down 8 Mile, you’ll find Chronic Releaf, a great place to find a good selection of different edibles and chronic products.
This dispensary helped to solidify the hard-earned reputation that Detroit has as a tough city when, last year, police raided the place and arrested all the staff and customers under the assumption that the whole joint (pun intended) was operating illegally. It turns out that it wasn’t, which was great for the publicity of this 8-Mile dispensary.
This humble-looking dispensary has only been operating for a short period, but in that time it’s earned a solid reputation as a great dispensary. One of its perks is its online ordering system.
This dispensary is another relatively new dispensary that’s managed to woo customers with its top-notch products, fantastic store art, and convenient Northeast Side location.
If you’ve never used CBD before, you might be wondering whether or not it gets you high. For many years, cannabis has been associated with a heady buzz and a profound change in consciousness. Nobody really considered the possibility that cannabis could be used without getting the user high.
Research and development regarding CBD have changed this belief completely.
Since researchers have begun isolating the different cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, they have discovered that each one has a unique effect on the body. The THC cannabinoids are most potent in terms of causing intoxication.
CBD, on the other hand, is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid. It’s able to enter your brain and provide many of the same benefits of THC without causing you to get high.
For the most part, even a full-spectrum CBD tincture won’t get you high. While these full-spectrum tinctures do contain trace amounts of THC, generally, the amount is so small that it won’t cause intoxication. More on this below.
What’s more, CBD actually seems to exert some effects that decrease the intoxication of THC. CBD seems to balance out the effects of THC, reducing anxiety, intoxication, racing thoughts, and other sensations typically associated with the high of marijuana.
As the CBD industry continues to grow, more and more people are learning about the different products available. One of the most important distinctions to be aware of is the difference between full-spectrum extracts and CBD isolate.
As the name implies, CBD isolate is an isolated version of the compound. This is its pure, unadulterated form. CBD isolate is a white crystal.
Some tinctures and oils are made using CBD isolate. These are not full-spectrum extracts and therefore won’t be intoxicating since they’ll contain no additional ingredients besides the carrier oil or solvents and the CBD.
Full-spectrum extracts are a different game entirely. These extracts are made to include all of the different cannabinoids found in the hemp plant. This may include trace amounts of THC.
However, full-spectrum extracts made from hemp plants will include no more than 0.3% THC. Since a hemp plant requires a total THC concentration of less than 0.3% to be legally considered hemp, any extract made from such a plant will contain an equal or lesser amount of THC.
Many people prefer to use full-spectrum extracts because the benefits seem to be more pronounced. Nature intended cannabis and hemp to be used as an entire package, not with its individual components extracted and used separately. As such, you may experience a greater effect when using a full-spectrum extract.
It’s important that you remain cautious when purchasing a full-spectrum extract, though. If you live in a state or country where CBD is legal, but THC is not, you may get in trouble for importing a full spectrum extract.
CBD has recently been legalized in Detroit, Michigan, and can be easily purchased at dispensaries throughout the state. Since marijuana is legal for recreational and medicinal use, users can also grow their own plants at home.
Detroit might have a reputation as a hard city, but it’s becoming easier and easier to score quality cannabis at the legal dispensaries in the city. If you’re looking for an abundance of pot shops, check out the area around 8 Mile.
As for what you’re picking, remember to make the right choice between CBD isolate or a full-spectrum extract. It’s all legal in Detroit, but you’ll want to get the most bang for your buck.