A new document showing cannabis trends in Michigan is out, with various key observations. Nearly 12 years ago, Michigan legalized medical cannabis to cater to patients with specific health conditions. About a year and a half ago, the state voted to approve adult use of cannabis for any reason.
Cannabis trends in Michigan
A report by the University of Michigan Injury Prevention Center now reveals what happened between the time of legalizing medical cannabis and that of approving its recreational use. The comprehensive report contains everything from cannabis users in the state for both medicinal and recreational purposes to effects of the product such as motor vehicle crashes, criminal justice cases, and emergency department visits.
The report provides a baseline for future studies on the effect of recreational cannabis legalization at state-level since it took effect in late 2018. It also aims to “inform future policies and public health messaging.”
Key observations from the report reveal that one in every nine Michigan residents has used cannabis at least once in the last month. This percentage increased by 60 percent over a 14-year period. It also revealed that one out of 30 pregnant Michigan women reported using cannabis. The percentages were higher among women with the lowest incomes and education levels. The report contains more cannabis-related observations.
In collaboration with state agencies, a multidisciplinary team headed by Kipling Bohnert, Ph.D. and Erin Bonar, Ph.D., both from the University of Michigan Injury Prevention Center, compiled the report.
Uruguay sends 1.5 metric tons of medical cannabis to Europe
Meanwhile, Uruguay-based company Fortmer Life Sciences sent a record-breaking shipment of cannabis flower to Portugal in May. According to documents from the Uruguayan customs, the consignment weighed 1.5 metric tons (3,307 pounds).
This is the largest shipment of cannabis that the company has exported to Portugal in six months. Large shipments from Uruguay could drive other European importers to follow suit, something that would emphasize the growth of the medical cannabis industry worldwide.
The May shipment comprised 1421 kilograms of high-THC cannabis flower, which is much more than the 1000-kilogram single-shipment that Fotmer exported in 2019. According to Uruguayan customs records dated May 19, 2020, the declared value of the shipment was about $2 per gram, inclusive of the costs, insurance, and freight. This can provide a hint at why cannabis is a potential revenue generator.
