Elevated in the Midwest: A Texas Girl’s Journey Through Michigan’s Budding Cannabis Scene
Touchdown in the Great Lakes State
Stepping off the plane in Detroit in the middle of August, I was surprised by how cool the air was. As a Texas girl used to scorching summer heat, the change was refreshing and set the tone for what would be a week unlike any other. I was here for a few reasons and Michigan’s Flower Expo was first on the list. But as with all good plans, mine was about to change.
I’d planned to catch a ride to Lansing the next morning with a friend, but a well-timed text shifted everything. “There’s no way we’re missing the Flowers After Dark party tonight,” she said. With a few hours to spare, I found the cheapest rental car I could on Turo, hopped in, and hit the road.
An Unforgettable Night at Flowers After Dark
The drive from Detroit to Lansing was quiet, the landscape dotted with colorful leaves, a far cry from Texas highways. As I pulled up to the party, I didn’t fully know what to expect, but the moment I stepped inside, I realized this wasn’t just any afterparty. It was something special. Hosted by the heavyweights, Bloom, Lost Farm, and Kinship Cannabis Co., Flowers After Dark wasn’t about networking and small talk; it was a full consumption experience unlike anything I’d ever been to.
Kinship Cannabis had just run out of pre-rolls when I arrived, but in true Michigan fashion, they hand-rolled one for me on-site. That’s one thing I’ll say about the Midwest - the hospitality is real. Joint in hand, I made my way through the crowd, catching up with familiar faces and mingling with new ones. That’s when I ran into Brittney Cornwell from Vuber, who quickly turned an already great evening into an unforgettable one. Brittney didn’t just gift me a cart, she hooked me up with the perfect companion for it: the Vuber Pulse. It’s been a constant in my stash ever since, and the care she put into curating the cart for me was just another example of how genuine the cannabis community feels in Michigan.
The energy in the room was palpable. Everyone was here to celebrate cannabis, not just as a product but as a culture and a movement. One of my first stops was Bloom’s dab bar. I had yet to experience a dab, but that changed quickly. The whole setup was so inviting, guests were being gifted disposable pens, though by the time I got there, they had run out. I wasn’t disappointed for long because my first dab experience was unforgettable. It hit me like a wave, in the best possible way, and set the tone for the rest of the evening.
The highlight of the night, though, was my guided tour through Lost Farm’s Live Resin gummies. I didn’t just sample the product; I got an in-depth breakdown of the flavor profiles and the thought that went into each gummy. They weren’t just handing out freebies, they were sharing their process and their passion. Before I left, they gifted me a 20-serving bag to take home, and I couldn’t have been more grateful. This party wasn’t just a warm-up for the Flower Expo, it was an experience all its own, one that left me elevated in more ways than one.
Soaking in the Vibes at the Flower Expo
After an incredible night, I decided to stay in Lansing rather than drive back, wanting to be fully present for the Flower Expo the next morning. Waking up still buzzing from the night before, I was excited for what was to come. The sun was out in full force, and Lansing greeted me with an unusually warm day. With most of the Flower Expo venue outdoors, you definitely felt the heat, but thankfully, the indoor space provided seats and a much-needed break from the sun.
Inside, the real excitement was happening at the Higher Breed on-site dispensary. When I arrived early, the process ran so smoothly that I was able to walk right up and pick up my order almost immediately. Everything at the dispensary was just $3, which made trying new products incredibly tempting. But as the day wore on, more and more orders were placed, and the lines started to stretch. By the end of the second day, the wait times felt never-ending. Still, the Higher Breed team did an amazing job. They kept the energy high and made the pick-up process a delight, even when the line seemed to wrap around the venue. I was thrilled when it was finally my turn, and I couldn’t help but appreciate how well they handled the rush.
Inside the expo, the vibe was just as lively. It felt more like a cannabis festival than an industry conference, with booths packed with eager attendees, vendors, and experts sharing knowledge and products. The on-site dispensary was a brilliant touch, making it easy to sample products from the vendors, and the $3 price point meant you could try just about everything that caught your eye.
One of my favorite conversations was with a representative from Rise. She walked me through their Advanced Strength Cannabis Cream, a topical with a 2:1:1 ratio of THC, THCA, and CBD. It was a perfect example of how cannabis is more than just recreational, it’s medicinal. She shared stories of how caregivers use the cream to help those they love, and the sincerity in her voice made the conversation feel more like a heartfelt exchange than a sales pitch.
After making the rounds and learning all I could, I found a bean bag chair near the stage, sat back, and lit up a joint. The speakers shared insights into the future of cannabis, with a focus on where the Midwest fits into the national landscape. I was struck by how Michigan’s cannabis scene has both a deep sense of community and a forward-thinking approach to the industry. It was educational, sure, but it was also fun, relaxed, and full of good vibes.
A Lasting Impression and Future Adventures
The Flower Expo, like the Flowers After Dark party, left a lasting impression. Michigan’s cannabis community is alive with passion and innovation, and while my time there felt all too short, it was enough to convince me that this won’t be my last trip. In fact, I’ve already marked my calendar for 2025, when the Flower Expo heads to Greenfield, MA, before returning to Michigan. If this year was any indication, both events will be can’t-miss experiences.
As I made my way back to Detroit, the memories of my time in Michigan lingered like the high from a good joint, warm, lasting, and full of possibility. This trip wasn’t just about learning, it was about connecting, exploring, and witnessing firsthand the spirit of a community that truly loves and understands the power of cannabis. Michigan, I’ll be back soon.