Welcome to The Straight Dope, our new weekly series that explores the best cannabis products in Michigan.
As Michigan’s cannabis industry matures, few brands manage to balance innovation, quality, and affordability quite like Michigrown.
From its Muskegon grow facility, the company is proving that premium flower can still stand out in a saturated market.
With 15,000 square feet of grow space, Michigrown is a major cultivator that is growing some of the best flower in the state. The buds are dense, pungent, well-trimmed, and coated in a frosty layer of glistening trichomes.
Since its first sale on April 20, 2021, Michigrown has sold more than 100 strains and is constantly developing exceptional new crosses.
“Because of all the technology that has been developed and the new feeding, the capability of almost everybody to grow good weed has become substantially easier,” Michigrown COO Tyler Hall, who took over cultivation in November 2023, tells Metro Times. “That being said, there is still a substantial difference between good weed and great weed, but without a little education, it’s not as clear and apparent to the average consumer.”
Hall, 32, has been a part of the weed industry since he was a teenager in West Michigan. For him, growing premier cannabis is more than a job — it’s a labor of love.
Before Hall ended up at Michigrown, he worked as a cultivation consultant for growers in states such as Colorado, Arizona, California, and Alaska. His expertise has won him awards.
“We’re legacy guys,” Hall says. “We care about the crop first and maintaining the integrity of the craft. Everything is about quality. We are very selective. We really shifted the quality and freshness standards.”
Hall has been a critical part of Michigrown’s success. Before his arrival last year, the quality of the company’s flower suffered in the midst of an internal dispute that left Michigrown without one of its knowledgeable growers.
Now, Michigrown is once again one of the top cultivators in Michigan, producing consistently unique, potent, and flavorful flower.
“We’ve been tweaking everything,” Hall says. “What I care about is that people are very happy when they open the jar. Quality is always the focal point when I grow. I’m always striving to improve.”
Once again hitting a stride, Michigrown is on pace to sell 6,500 pounds this year — “double what it ever was,” Hall says.
“We’re doing better month to month,” Hall says.
Despite the top-tier quality, the prices are relatively low, ranging from $25 to $30 an eighth and $5 to $10 a preroll, depending on where you get it. The ounces vary in price from roughly $140 to $200.
At those prices, it’s difficult to find weed this good.
Michigrown’s cultivation facility is high-tech, clean, and well-organized. There are five flower rooms (where the plants begin to grow buds), and two veg rooms (where the plants begin to grow), with at least six strains in each room.
That kind of output is why Michigrown is able to offer a large variety of flower.
The plants are in a controlled environment with technology to monitor and control lighting, temperature, and CO2. The floors, walls, and equipment are spotless, reducing risks of contamination or pests.
All of the flower is hand-trimmed, which is important to minimize damage to the trichomes and maintain the characteristic structure of the plant.
When the flower is ready, a machine sorts the buds by size to ensure every jar has similarly sized flower. Only large and medium-sized buds are used.
The flower is packaged in classy, minimalist jars that set it apart from the bold, flashy designs of other brands.
Smaller buds are sold as Bodega, a sister brand that offers even better prices. If you’re on a budget, this is a great way to indulge in premium cannabis.
The company also operates a dispensary called Bodega in Muskegon, which offers hundreds of products, from flower and pre-rolls to live rosin and edibles. The dispensary is contemporary and well-organized, and the staff is friendly and helpful.
With one of the largest genetic libraries in the Midwest, Michigrown houses a whopping 281 strains. Creating new strains is one of Hall’s passions. And he’s unwilling to take any shortcuts.
“We just cracked 800 seeds, and 30 to 50 will be selected from this,” Hall says. “It takes nine to 12 months to isolate the right strains. We’re very selective.”
For Hall, premium marijuana is all about the terpenes, which contribute to the aroma, flavor, and effects. Terpenes work alongside cannabinoids to enhance or modify the effects of THC, CBD, and other compounds. For instance, a strain high in myrcene may enhance relaxation, while limonene may promote an uplifting feeling.
Printed on Michigrown’s bottles is, “Terpene rich cannabis flower.”
Too many cannabis consumers are obsessed with high THC content, while ignoring the more nuanced, complex, and robust effects of terpenes, Hall says. Because of that, many growers focus on THC at the expense of terpenes.
“The reality is, when someone is chasing a THC percentage, they think that is going to get them the highest for the best bang for their buck,” Hall says. “Those high THC strains have been bred and selected specifically for the high THC percentage. When you make those kinds of selective choices, you are losing a lot of other content. That other content is what contributes to that complexity.”
The focus on terpenes is why Michigrown’s flower is so pungent, flagrant, and satisfying.
When it comes to prerolls, Michigrown does not compromise on quality, like many cultivators. I opened up one of the joints, and it was stuffed with sticky, high-quality flower and did not include shake or trim.
Each preroll is one gram, and Michigrown makes an average of 3,000 of them a day.
I found Michigrown prerolls for just $5 at King of Budz in Detroit, which had five of the company’s strains — Runtz, Frieza, Gelatti, Super Nova, and Hypnostank.
Michigrown’s jars of flower aren’t hard to find. Many dispensaries in metro Detroit carry them, including Quality Roots in Hamtramck, Berkley, and Madison Heights; GreenCare in River Rouge; 420 Dank in Detroit; King of Budz in Detroit and Ferndale; Green Buddha in Ferndale; Good Vibes Cannabis in Ecorse; NOXX Cannabis in Pleasant Ridge; Love Cannabis in Detroit; and Dreams Canna in Southfield (among many others). Check Weedmaps for more locations.
I was very excited to sample five strains. This was my experience:
Face Meltz
My favorite of the strains I tried, Face Meltz is an indica-dominant hybrid that combines the genetics of Face Off OG and Grimace OG.
The big, dense buds have an impeccable structure and are gleaming with trichomes.
The pungent aroma is a funky medley of lemon, pine, and fuel — the hallmark bouquet of OG Kush strains. And this has one of the most intense aromas of any OG strain I’ve ever experienced.
The body-melting high was like riding a dopamine wave. It was potent, tension-dissolving, and euphoric. One minute I was intensely focused, only to forget what I was doing a minute later. It was like a full-body hug that I didn’t know I needed.
This strain is perfect for relaxing at home in the evening.
Face Meltz has the lowest THC content of all the strains I tried — 25.9% — which is further proof that terpene-rich weed can create a far more pleasurable experience than super high THC content. While THC is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, the experience of consuming marijuana is far more nuanced, and that’s where terpenes come in.
Terpenes interact with cannabinoids like THC and CBD to influence how marijuana affects your body and mind. This interaction is known as the “entourage effect,” where terpenes and cannabinoids work together to create a more complex and tailored experience.
Myrcene, which is known for its sedative effects, is typically the abundant terpene in OG strains, followed by limonene (mood-boosting), and caryophyllene (anti-anxiety).
This strain was a face-melting knockout.
Frieza
Frieza is a potent, flavorful combination of Gelato #41 and Jealousy #4, two strains known for their rich terpene profiles.
The buds are lush, colorful, and resinous, with bright green leaves, deep purple hues, and fiery orange pistils. While the buds are smaller than most of the Michigrown flower I tried, they pack one hell of a punch.
This strain delivers a unique flavor experience, balancing fruity sweetness and creamy vanilla with sour lemon and woody undertones.
Frieza is another well-balanced hybrid that delivers a blissful, euphoric, and relaxing high. Take a toke of this before hanging out with friends or embarking on a creative adventure.
But be careful. This is not a strain for beginners.
The THC content is 31.8%. Based on the strain’s lineage, the terpene profile is likely dominated by caryophyllene, which is said to promote relaxation and ease stress.
Hubba Bubba
Hubba Bubba is a powerful, flavorful blend of Gelato #41 x Jealousy #9, which is similar to Frieza, but the flavor profiles and highs are different.
The sticky, pungent buds are purple and dripping with shimmering trichomes.
It has a rich, well-balanced aroma that is both sweet and earthy, with hints of lavender and pine.
The high is where this strain truly shines. While not quite as potent as Frieza, it’s uplifting, tranquil, and carefree — a trifecta of comfort. It was also euphoric and inspired creativity.
The THC content is 30%. The dominant terpene is likely caryophyllene.
Banana Hammock
One of my favorite deeply relaxing strains, Banana Hammock is an indica-leaning hybrid made from a cross of Banana OG and Sprinklez.
The perfectly manicured buds are dense and resinous, with bronze pistils and excellent bag appeal.
What sets Banana Hammock apart is its captivating flavor profile: It’s pungent and smells like banana bread with a hint of vanilla.
The taste is fruity and creamy.
The effects are remarkably calming, melting away stress and tension. It’s perfect for unwinding after a long day, listening to music, or mindlessly scrolling through social media.
But don’t let its relaxing effects fool you. The high is robust and can send you to another planet.
The THC content is 27.2%. Based on this strain’s parents, Banana Hammock is likely rich in limonene and caryophyllene.
Runtz
One of the most popular strains in Michigan’s cannabis market, Runtz is a seductive cross between Zkittlez and Gelato and was named Leafly’s Strain of the Year in 2020.
Michigrown really hits the mark on this strain.
The nugs are coated in a frosty layer of glistening trichomes, giving the purple and green leaves and orange pistils a frosty, luminous appearance.
The flower exudes an intensely fruity aroma, reminiscent of a bag of sugary candy with the same name.
With its creamy, fruity undertones, Runtz offers a dessert-like experience that's both smooth and satisfying to smoke.
Runtz is an evenly balanced hybrid. The high is initially uplifting, euphoric, and focused, followed by a more relaxing body high, but not couch lock. Known for its mood-boosting properties, this strain can turn a rough day into a joyful one.
The THC content is 32.1%. Caryophyllene is the dominant terpene, followed by limonene and myrcene.
The straight dope
With a committed and passionate grow team and the resources to deliver high-quality flower, Michigrown is set up to continue harvesting top-tier cannabis for a long time, and it will be fun to see what they come up with next.
The company is already looking for more space to expand.
“We’re at the point where we don’t have enough weed to sell,” Hall says.
For Hall and the Michigrown team, it’s not just about producing cannabis; it’s about fostering an elevated experience. By focusing on the nuanced interplay of terpenes and cannabinoids, they’re educating the market on the complexities of cannabis and shifting the focus from THC percentages to a more holistic appreciation of the plant.
Michigrown’s affordability also makes its premium products accessible to a broader range of consumers, ensuring that quality doesn’t come at a prohibitive price. Whether it’s through their flagship jars, budget-friendly Bodega brand, or terpene-rich flower, the company’s focus is on delivering exceptional value.
As Michigrown continues to expand its genetic library and refine its techniques, it’s clear they’re not just growing cannabis; they’re cultivating a legacy. With a foundation built on integrity and a passion for the craft, Michigrown is setting the bar for what cannabis in Michigan can — and should — be.
“We want the absolute best product in the market, and that takes a lot of time and energy,” Hall says. “If a harvest is grown and doesn’t come out right, it’s not Michigrown. It has to be profound and an elite product to be Michigrown.”
If you want us to sample your cannabis products, send us an email at [email protected].
