It’s nice living in an environment that is so positive toward cannabis and cannabis users.
Back in the 1990s, there wasn’t a legal cannabis market in Ann Arbor. We didn’t get the chance to purchase cannabis legally until 2008 when the state legalized medical cannabis for people with qualifying conditions approved by a state licensed physician. Nowadays we have full recreational cannabis use in the state and prices have never been lower because the barrier for entry as a business owner is so low. But that isn’t a reality for everyone who lives in other states. Some states have absolutely no laws for medical or recreational cannabis access. Among the states that do, only a few have both medical and recreational cannabis legal for adults over the age of 21. I feel lucky to be in not only Michigan with its cannabis status, but also Ann Arbor where cannabis has been decriminalized since the early 1970s. If you are busted with possession of cannabis in Ann Arbor, or with public use, it’s just a minor infraction that must be paid for as a fine or ticket. While it’s legal to have marijuana in your possession without a medical marijuana card, that wasn’t the case 20 years ago. Back then you’d still only get a ticket for smoking a joint in public on State St. or Liberty St. It’s nice living in an environment that is so positive toward cannabis and cannabis users. I would hate to live in a state that has no laws on the books whatsoever regarding the responsible use of marijuana. Some states are extremely oppressive towards marijuana use and it’s really frustrating when you want the same rights as a drunk who buys liquor legally from a store attached to your local grocery store. I don’t want to be treated like a criminal, but thankfully that won’t happen in Ann Arbor, Michigan.