THE NEW GILDED AGE (Part 2)
THE NEW GILDED AGE (Part 2)
Harvest Time Continues in the Bay Area and Beyond
Posted In: Culture, , From Issue 919 By: Jason Dean
16th September, 2021 0
As Bay County nears its third year in the recreational cannabis industry, the initial smoke of uncertainty has matured into an aromatic blend of dank, rich green tax revenue that has benefited those municipalities whose clear-headed vision looked beyond prevailing societal stigmas. The Ugly Duckling (weed) has blossomed into the mature Swan (flower), suggesting cultural enlightenment in the treatment of cannabis as a commodity.
Today, in the midst of uncertainty in so many areas of life, the state of the cannabis industry in Bay County is strong. Even Downtown Bay City finally inhaled, and no less than three dispensaries now operate within a two-block radius of Washington and Center Ave. Shops have opened on Cass Avenue (Consume Cannabis), and other areas, but the Euclid Avenue and Wilder Road corridors continue to be Bay City’s Silk Road equivalent when it comes to dispensaries. (The final act to seal this distinction would seem to be the sale of the long-vacant Michigan State Police post to a local cannabis company.)
Dispensaries are developing different personalities -- from waiting room to showroom -- and it will be interesting to see who becomes the alpha in the fledgling industry. There’s (a) the clinical, medical office vibe, (b) the relaxed office rec room vibe, (c) the gallery / museum, and those that fall somewhere between. The great thing is that there is room for all types to suit the varied shopping preferences of the consumer. Many of the dispensaries on this list are Michigan-owned, and some are one-shop local owners.
Bangor Township Supervisor Glenn Rowley points out that the area is attracting a lot of investment in grow and processing facilities as well. “In the next calendar year, we will be approving a cannabis micro-grow facility,” he says. A micro-grow facility is a self-contained operation that houses the grow and processing facilities as well as serving as the retail location.
Cannabis Tasting Room Boutiques don’t seem that far-fetched, after all.
Bay Area Meds •
2245 S Huron Rd, Kawkawlin
(989) 778-1776
Hours: 12-8pm, Thurs - Mon.
Med only
Accepts Debit, VISA, MC, Discover; no ATM onsite.
Opened Nov. 2019. Rewards program; Regular deals (BOGO, quantity specials).
Canna Bay
1321 N. Sherman Ave, Bay City
(989) 402-9011
Med / Rec
Six Colo. locations, one Mich. location. Opened Jan. 2021.
Consume Cannabis
901 Cass Ave, Bay City
(989) 623-9600
Med / Rec
Hours: 10am – 8pm every day
Opened July 28, 2021
Consumer Club Loyalty Program: Receive text messages with deals before they go live on the website. Consumer Club members get 1 point for every pre-tax dollar spent, points that count toward future purchases.
Other MI locations: Alma, Harrisville, Ionia, Lapeer, and Quincy
HQ: Chicago
“We want every consumer to have a better understanding of cannabis and the effects it will have on their body. Education is at the heart of everything we do. We start by making sure our staff has a full understanding of the cannabis laws, products, and consumption methods. Our staff want you to find the cannabis product that is perfect for your needs.”
Dank on Arrival
3650 Patterson Rd, Bay City
(989) 778-1461
Med / Rec
Cash only; ATM onsite
Diamond Cannabis Company
816 Washington Ave., Bay City
(989) 778-2269
Med / Rec
Dispo
3843 N Euclid Ave, Bay City
(989) 671-9333
Med / Rec
Cash only; ATM onsite
Bay City location opened Jan. 2020. Rewards program and 1st-timer specials for all clients. disposhops.com/
Elite Wellness
3389 S. Huron Rd, #3, Bay City
(989) 439-1711
Hours: 9am - 8pm every day
Essence Provisioning Center
759 E Pinconning Rd, Pinconning
(989) 879-4000
Med / Rec
Cash only; ATM onsite
Local owner, one location, opened Mar. 2020. Rewards program and 1st-timer specials for all clients. essencemichigan.com/
Fire Creek
3895 N Euclid Ave, Ste C, Bay City
(989) 439-1311
Med / Rec
Opened Nov. 2020
Cash only; ATM onsite
Green Pharm
200 S Euclid Ave, Bay City
(989) 316-2833
Open 9am - 8pm every day
Med / Rec
Cash only; ATM onsite
Offers delivery within a 15-mile radius; $50 min.
Mich. owner; 4 locations (Bay City, Detroit, Kalkaska, Traverse City). 1st timers receive penny pre-roll with purchase; rewards program for med patients. Greenpharm420.com
Hashish Boyz
305 N Euclid Ave, Bay City
(989) 439-1972
Med / Rec
ATM onsite
Curbside & Delivery
High Level Health Marijuana Dispensary
327 S Main St, Vassar
(989) 882-9101
Med / Rec
Cash only; ATM onsite
Company based in Colo.; operates three shops in Mich. (Vassar, Omer, East Tawas); Vassar location opened November 2019. Specials for 1st-time med patients; rewards program for all clients. highlevelhealth.com
Lume
208 Center Ave, Bay City
(989) 259-1307
3446 State St, Saginaw
(989) 252-7530
Nature’s Holiday
3620 S Huron Rd, Bay City
(989) 402-1519
Hours: 10am - 8pm every day
Med / Rec
Curbside pickup available.
Accepts cash; no ATM. Uses Paytender, which links to a bank account for no-fee transactions.
Local owner; one location. Discount for 1st timers and veterans; rewards program for all clients. naturesholiday.org/
Nature’s Medicines Dispensary
3480 E North Union Rd, Bay City
(989) 301-9718
Med / Rec
Cash only; ATM onsite
Based in Ariz., operates ships in Mich., Ariz., and four other states
1st timers receive a discount of 10% (rec) or 15% (med); rewards program for all clients. Wear your Nature’s Medicines T-shirt into the shop on Tuesdays and receive 10% off your order. naturesmedicines.com/d/
Oz
3967 N Euclid Ave, Bay City
(989) 671-9999
Med/ Rec
Cash only; ATM onsite
Based in MI, one location. 1st timer discount for all clients.
Premier Provisioning Center
664 State Rd, Vassar
(989) 882-9006
1023 E. Caro Rd, Caro
(989) 882-0420
Puff Cannabis Company
1680 Marquette Ave, Bay City
(989) 778-1144
Med / Rec
Hours: 9am - 8pm every day
Cash only; ATM onsite
Local owner, three locations (Bay City, Traverse City, Hamtramck), with shops scheduled to open in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Ann Arbor. Daily specials. Bay City location opened for medical July 2019 and recreational Jan. 2020.
Rair Systems
3772 Wilder Rd.
9 am - 8 pm every day
Opened Sept. 2020
Delivery available; no min., 30% off first delivery order
Other MI locations: Muskegon, Big Rapids; Lowell opening Fall 2021
Based in Jackson, MI
"At Rair Co., we understand that an exceptional product starts with an extraordinary process. Our aeroponic growing process ensures the cleanest cannabis and a consistently high-quality experience.”
ReLeaf Center
144 W Broad St, Chesaning
Med / Rec
Cash only; ATM onsite
Company based in Niles, MI; operates shops in Niles, Lapeer, and Chesaning. Chesaning location opened summer 2018. Specials for 1st timers, rewards program for all clients, random specials. thereleafcenters.com/
Remedii
3557 Wilder Rd, Bay City
(989) 778-1348
Cash only; ATM onsite
Owned by Pharmaco Inc.
Shango
3976 Wilder Rd, Bay City
(989) 778-1114
Med / Rec
Cash only; ATM onsite
Skymint
4330 Wilder Rd, Bay City
(989) 272-1745
300 Center Ave, Bay City
(989) 318-4888
Med / Rec
Curbside service with reduced in-store capacity; ATM onsite
Currently operates 11 locations in MI. Bay City Wilder location opened in July 2019; Center Ave location opened in 2021. Rewards program for all clients. skymint.com
The Station
302 E Huron Ave, Vassar
(989) 882-9298
Med / Rec
Cash only; ATM onsite
Penny prerolls for 1st-time med patients.
Uncle Bud’s Provisioning Center
11 S Huron Rd, Linwood
Med only
Cash only; ATM onsite
Local owner, one location with two other Bay City locations opening soon; 1st-timers receive a nickel preroll with purchase; rewards program for all clients.