Bay County Cannabis – Is It Legal & Where To Buy 2025

Is Cannabis Cultivation Legal in Bay County?

The use of recreational marijuana and medical marijuana in Bay County is legal, pursuant to the laws enacted by the Michigan legislature. Bay County conforms to the state marijuana laws such as the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act of 2008 which covers the medical marijuana program and registration of qualifying patients and the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act of 2018 (MRTMA) which regulates the possession of adult-use marijuana among the residents.

A licensed marijuana grower or marijuana microbusiness may cultivate, sell, or transfer marijuana to other marijuana establishments. A Class A marijuana grower can cultivate up to 100 marijuana plants; a Class B marijuana grower can cultivate up to 500 marijuana plants; and lastly, a Class C marijuana grower can cultivate up to 2,000 marijuana plants. Meanwhile, a marijuana microbusiness is authorized to cultivate not more than 150 marijuana plants, process and package marijuana, and sell or transfer marijuana to 21-year-old individuals.

Marijuana establishments, such as a grower, must be located away from an exclusive area used for residential purposes. Their facilities must not be within 1,000 feet of a private or public school offering kindergarten or grades 1 to 12. The municipality may adopt an ordinance that decreases the distance requirement.

Michigan residents may grow up to 12 marijuana plants for personal use, provided that the number of plants possessed and processed in the same premises does not exceed 12. They may possess, store, and process not more than 10 ounces of cannabis in their homes. Qualifying patients and caregivers may also cultivate up to 12 marijuana plants in a locked and enclosed facility.

Is Cannabis Manufacturing Legal in Bay County?

Yes. Cannabis manufacturing is done by licensed marijuana processors. They are authorized to acquire marijuana from other marijuana establishments, process and package marijuana, and sell or transfer marijuana products to other marijuana establishments. Marijuana establishments shall not cultivate, process, sell, or display marijuana products in areas easily visible from a public place without using optical aids such as binoculars or aircraft.

Processing marijuana includes separating or preparing parts of a marijuana plant, compounding, blending, extracting, infusing, or making marijuana or marijuana-infused products. Cannabis manufacturing shall comply with health standards set to warrant the safe preparation of marijuana-infused products and avoid using harmful pesticides.

Marijuana products must be appropriately packaged and labeled with accurate information about the ingredients and amount of marijuana. No marijuana processor can manufacture edible marijuana-infused candy in packages or shapes that may attract children or are confusingly similar to commercially sold candy.

The marijuana processor shall send a representative sample of their products to a marijuana safety compliance facility for testing. The latter shall test the marijuana products for levels of THC, potency, and presence of contaminants.

Is Cannabis Retail Legal in Bay County?

Yes. Marijuana retailers are authorized to sell or transfer marijuana products to other marijuana establishments and individuals aged 21. It shall be unlawful for retailers to sell their products to minors under 21. Adults may possess, use, process, or consume up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana, but not exceeding 15 grams of marijuana is in the form of marijuana concentrates. They may possess and store up to 10 ounces of processed marijuana in their homes for personal use and no more than 12 marijuana plants are possessed or processed on the premises at once. Recreational users may even gift or transfer marijuana or marijuana concentrates, limited to the allowed amount, to another person 21 years of age or older, as long as it is not advertised to the public.

People under 21 cannot possess, consume, grow, or sell marijuana. Consuming marijuana in a public place is not allowed in the state. Moreover, recreational users may not possess or consume marijuana in public or private schools, school buses, or correctional facilities.

Marijuana retailers may also sell medical marijuana to qualifying patients and designated primary caregivers in an amount not exceeding 2.5 ounces of usable marijuana and usable marihuana equivalents. To determine marijuana equivalency, 1 ounce of usable marijuana is:

• 16 oz. of marijuana-infused product - solid form
• 36 fluid oz. of marijuana-infused product - liquid form
• 7 grams of marijuana-infused product - gaseous form

Marijuana edibles such as cookies, cakes, brownies, or other foods or drinks infused with marijuana are legal in Bay County. Residents can smoke marijuana in joints, blunts, or bongs. They can also use electronic vaporizing devices such as e-cigarettes or vape pens to consume marijuana. Retailers cannot sell marijuana edibles in shapes or packages that may attract children or are similarly situated with commercially sold candy. Marijuana products sold by retailers must be in opaque, resealable, child-resistant packaging.

Is Cannabis Delivery Legal in Bay County?

Yes. Marijuana retailers may deliver their products to adults who are 21, qualifying patients, and designated primary caregivers right to their doorstep. Recreational users shall provide information that they meet the age requirement. Meanwhile, qualifying patients and caregivers shall show proof they are registered with the Michigan Medical Marijuana Program (MMMP).

How to Get Medical Marijuana Card in Bay County

The Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) manages the distribution of adult-use marijuana and the MMMP. The CRA issues registry identification cards to qualifying patients and primary caregivers to legally receive medical marijuana.

To obtain one, the patient must have a written certification from his physician to receive medical marijuana. He must have had a bona fide physician-patient relationship with the latter. The physician shall have a full assessment of the patient’s medical history. In his professional opinion, the patient shall most likely receive therapeutic or palliative benefits from using medical marijuana to alleviate or treat the patient’s debilitating medical conditions or symptoms.

Debilitating medical conditions include:

• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
• Hepatitis C
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Crohn's disease
• Agitation of Alzheimer's disease
• Nail patella, or
• The treatment of the above-mentioned conditions
• Chronic or debilitating medical disease or its treatment that results to
  • Severe nausea
  • Cachexia or wasting syndrome
  • Severe and chronic pain
  • Seizures (including but not limited to those resembling epilepsy)
  • Severe and persistent muscle spasms (including but not limited to those resembling multiple sclerosis.

The patient may apply for a registry ID online or by mail:

• Online Application
• Paper Application
• Paper Application for Minors

Bay County Health Department

1200 Washington Avenue Bay City, Michigan 48708

Voice: (989) 895-4009

Fax: (989) 895-4014

Michigan Medical Marijuana Program

Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

Cannabis Regulatory Agency

P.O. Box 30083

Lansing, MI 48909

Phone Number: 517-284-8599

Email: CRA-MMMPINFO@michigan.gov

How Has Cannabis Legalization Impacted the Economy of Bay County?

The MRTMA imposed a 10% excise tax on the sales price for each marijuana product sold or transferred by marijuana retailers and marijuana microbusinesses to consumers. The Department of Treasury shall be responsible for administering the methods for tax payment and tax collection.

According to CRA’s July 2023 Monthly Report, the total product sales from adult-use establishments garnered nearly $271 million, with marijuana flowers selling the most at more than $126 million. On the other hand, the medical marijuana program generated over $6 million in medical marijuana product sales. Similarly, marijuana flowers sold the highest at more than $2.8 million.

The Effects of Cannabis Legalization on Crime Rates in Bay County

Recreational use of cannabis was made legal under the MRTMA in 2018. Since then, Michigan adult residents can purchase marijuana products from local marijuana retailers.

According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office made 132 driving under the influence (DUI) arrests in 2017 alone. Then in 2019 and 2020, the authorities recorded 156 and 126 DUI arrests, respectively.

Regarding the illegal possession of marijuana in Bay County, 40 arrests were reported in 2017. However, no arrest was made in 2019 and 2020. Meanwhile, no arrest was reported for the unlawful sale/manufacturing of cannabis from 2017 to 2020.