Michigan Eliminates Marijuana Drug Testing for Select New Hires

Beginning October 1, Michigan is making a change to its employee drug testing policies. They will no longer include marijuana as part of pre-employment screenings for certain government employees. This shift in policy follows a unanimous vote by members of the Michigan Civil Service Commission.

One of the primary motivations for altering the state's drug testing policy was the prior legalization of recreational cannabis use within Michigan. The decision to amend the policy was made after a meeting on July 12 this year, following a call for public input from the personnel director regarding updates to pre-employment marijuana testing.

It's important to note that people working in law enforcement, operating vehicles, providing healthcare services, or working with prisoners will continue to undergo cannabis testing as part of their pre-employment screening.

Currently, the state tests for substances classified as Schedule 1 or 2, which include marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and phencyclidine.

Positions that will continue to screen for marijuana during the pre-employment hiring process include those that:

Approximately 200 applicants who tested positive for marijuana during their state job applications will no longer be subject to testing for these positions beginning on October 1. According to the state, those individuals can contact the civil service department to request the removal of their sanctions, after which they will become eligible for state employment.

Drug testing for positions designated for testing is a standard practice, which includes random testing and is conducted on a regular basis. The upcoming policy change will not affect the current testing schedule says state officials.

April 20 will be here before you know it and for thousands of cannabis users, it's a day of celebration. Marijuana culture will be celebrated as medicine, food, fuel, and more on 4/20 with events and gatherings.

When you think of cannabis, Colorado and California may come to mind. But the Great Lakes State of Michigan has several dispensaries and facilities. In June 2022, sales of recreational marijuana totaled nearly $166 million in Michigan, compared with $107 million a year prior. There are cities in Michigan that allow recreational marijuana facilities. Some of those places include Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Detroit, Ferndale, Grand Rapids, and more. While others only allow medical marijuana facilities such as Bangor Township, Hazel Park, Jackson, and others.

From condos and hotels to resorts and cabins. Michigan offers plenty of options if you’re looking for cannabis-friendly places to stay. Some hosts offer marijuana-friendly hotels and places to stay, cannabis-related events, activities, adventures, and cannabis-friendly accommodations for guests. There are also online services like Hibnb and Bud and Breakfast, that let property owners rent their spaces to traveling marijuana connoisseurs looking for a place to stay.

Here are “420-friendly” places to stay in Michigan.

They coin themselves as Detroit’s first "Bud & Breakfast." The Copper House Detroit is Black and queer-owned space that offers lodging and multipurpose event space for adults. Beyond cozy accommodations, the 420-friendly space features educational events and more throughout the year which includes, 'Smokes & Jokes,' 'Blunt Rolling 101,' 'Lifted Fitness,' and 'Smokes & Strokes,' (painting),  and more.

This place to stay is not too far from Saugatuck, Douglas, and Fennville.  Art Farm Fennville offers cannabis-friendly 'Farm 2Fork' events throughout the summer and fall. The events feature marijuana-inspired menus with live music, dinner parties, and more. They also host private events such as weddings and birthday parties.

Located in Central Lake, this space can be rented through Airbnb. It's a two-bedroom, two-level apartment that can host up to four people and is conveniently located next to Torch Cannabis Co. Guests 21 years or older staying at Bed, Bud & Boat by Torch Cannabis can receive 10 percent off all purchases when staying there.

According to the Cannabis Creek Cabins Facebook page, each night's stay comes with a cannabis package. The cabin is in Luther with cabin and tent sites available. There are also events held throughout the year for cannabis users including 'Gals Ganja Getaway.'

Celebrity Bud & Breakfast is a private lower level of a home located in Niles. They offer complimentary cannabis when guests arrive. Being just minutes from Notre Dame, guests will be provided with a ride to the stadium for football games.

Located in Hastings, Stargazer Firefly Studio is a one bedroom and one bath space at Victoria's Garden Farm. Their Airbnb page describes its space as a LGBTQ+ and BIPOC safe zone and 420-friendly. They are 45 minutes from Grand Rapids, 1 hour from Lansing, and 40 minutes from Kalamazoo.

They're currently booking for its opening weekend on May 5. This space is a rustic campground located in Kalkaska near Traverse City, Gaylord, Petoskey, Cadillac, and Roscommon. Haven has 33 campsites spread over 10 acres. A unique feature of Haven is that each campsite is named after a Michigan tree. They are bud-friendly, dog friendly, and veteran owned.

For adults over the age of 21, Manistee Farm CannaVentures Bud & Breakfast includes lodging and fully equipped camper sites in the Manistee Forest. Located in Luther, they offer medical marijuana advice, care, and a variety of products. The area has kayaking as well as ORV trails and hiking. On their premises guests can enjoy their Blacklight Barn which features air hockey, poker as well as jigsaw puzzles and painting.