Michigan has “become, in a lot of ways, sort of a central location for illicit operations, because the penalties for illicit activity are so low here.”

By Ben Solis, Michigan Advance

Four marijuana-related bills were up for consideration before a House panel on Thursday, with one aiming to upend rules on the legal amount of regulated marijuana a person is allowed to possess, both in plant and concentrate form.

Members of the House Regulatory Reform Committee discussed but did not amend or advance House Bill House 5104, Bill 5105, House Bill 5106 and House Bill 5107.

Derek Sova, a policy and legislative assistant for the Cannabis Regulatory Agency, told the committee previously that Michigan’s legal marijuana industry faced several challenges, and that two of those big hurdles were large illicit grow operations and the agency’s inability to go after bad actors because their licenses had expired.

The series of bills before the committee would address those concerns.

House Bill 5105 and House Bill 5107 are sponsored by state Reps. Pauline Wendzel (R-Watervliet) and Mike Hoadley (R-Au Gres), respectively. The bills would in tandem create new penalties for cultivating, delivering and processing black market marijuana, but also change the amount of marijuana a person is legally allowed to possess in plant and concentrate form.

The bills are tie-barred together, meaning both would have to jointly clear the Legislature and be signed by the governor to become law.

Under Wendzel’s bill, a person would be guilty of a misdemeanor if they possess between 10 and 25 kilograms, or between 50 and 100 plants, or between one and 2.5 kilograms of marijuana concentrate. The penalty would change to up to one year in jail or a $20,000 fine, or both.

Keeping between 25 and 125 kilograms, or between 100 and 500 plants, or between 2.5 and 12.5 kilograms of marijuana concentrate would become a felony punishable by two years in prison or a $500,000 fine, or both.

It would also be a felony offense to:

• Keep between 125 and 250 kilograms, or between 500 and 1,000 plants, or between 12.5 and 25 kilograms. That could net a person four years in prison or a $2 million fine or both; and
• Keep 250 kilograms or more, or 1,000 plants or more, or 25 kilograms or more of marijuana concentrate. The punishment there would be up to 10 years in prison or a $10 million fine, or both.

Sponsored by state Rep. Kristian Grant (D-Grand Rapids), House Bill 5104 would allow the Cannabis Regulatory Agency to sanction a person even if they are no longer a licensee or if they are no longer operating a marijuana facility.

At present, the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act holds that the expiration of a state-issued license terminates the authority of the agency to impose sanctions. The bill from Grant would retain that position but would add that the authority to impose sanctions would continue if there was already a pending action against a former licensee or facility operator.

House Bill 5106, sponsored by state Rep. Jerry Neyer (R-Shepherd), would amend the state’s Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act to similarly address disciplinary action on recreational licenses. The bill would let the agency summarily suspend a license if the licensee’s conduct poses a risk to the health, safety or welfare of the public.

Much like House Bill 5104, Neyer’s legislation would also give the agency authority to take disciplinary action against a person who no longer holds a license or if their license has recently expired.

The risks that could lead to license suspension or discipline, as outlined in the bill, include possessing marijuana from a source that cannot be determined, keeping marijuana stashes obtained in violation of the act, obstructing an agency investigation, and failing to provide the agency with required records.

Neyer’s bill affects growers, processors, retailers, microbusinesses, safety compliance facilities and secure transporters.

State Rep. Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing) said they were concerned about upticks in enforcement given that some industry folk were previously on the negative end of marijuana enforcement when it was illegal in Michigan. She questioned whether it was right to increase enforcement when the state was actively beginning to tax marijuana sales at a higher rate, which some have warned will ultimately push consumers to the black market.

Sova said that the point of the package was to support the licensed industry, as much as possible, especially those following the rules.

“That’s the purpose of giving us the greater enforcement authority over the bad actors in the licensed space who are cheating, who are undermining the folks who are trying to do it the right way,” Sova said. “This has been an issue, I believe, in communities where you’ve had a lot of these large illicit outdoor growers. You’re talking sometimes thousands or tens of thousands of plants that, the way the statutes are set up right now, there’s really no disincentive to continue doing that.”

Sova added that Michigan has “become, in a lot of ways, sort of a central location for illicit operations, because the penalties for illicit activity are so low here.”

State Rep. Joseph Aragona (R-Clinton Township), the committee’s chair, said he agreed with Dievendorf.

“The 24 percent tax was difficult,” he said. “We obviously did not want to do in the House, but this could definitely help those legal growers who are going to be paying it, because, if I’m mistaken, the black market won’t be paying that tax.”

Sova said that was certainly the intention of the pending legislation.

Hoadley also testified along with Iosco County Prosecutor Jim Bacarella and Branch County Prosecutor Zach Stempien, both of whom supported the legislation and expressed concern for those working in the industry. Some of that concern had to deal with the exploitation of migrant workers or foreign nationals, which were issues brought up by the prosecutors during testimony.

This story was first published by Michigan Advance.

Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.

The horror genre and weed culture have crossed paths plenty of times, giving birth to a quirky (and often laced with humor) subgenre known as stoner horror. But not all of these productions hit the mark as hard as the great masterpiece Cabin In the Woods (2011), the hilarious This Is The End (2013), or even the pretty–decent Idle Hands (1999). Some have earned the label of the “worst stoner horror flicks” thanks to their ridiculous plots, low-budget special effects, and questionable acting.

Among the most notorious examples are Evil Bong (2006), Bong of the Dead (2011), and Pot Zombies (2005). While these films lack solid execution, they’ve managed to gain cult status among B-movie horror fans thanks to their over-the-top, often comical approach.

So, are they worth watching? Maybe, maybe not, but one thing’s for sure: when a film goes from bad to downright terrible, it can still make for some pretty good entertainment.

Here’s your list (watch out! Spoilers ahead).

Ranked from best to worst: 10 weed-infused horror movies

10 – Bong of the Living Dead (2017)

This horror-comedy follows a group of stoner friends who see their dream of surviving a zombie apocalypse come true. At first, it seems exciting, but they soon realize the apocalypse isn’t nearly as fun as they imagined.

The movie blends classic stoner humor with a heavy dose of zombie gore. With subtle recalls to Shaun of the Dead, it works as a parody of the zombie genre made on a shoestring budget, but standing out for its creativity and style.

9 – The Tripper (2006)

Directed by David Arquette and starring Courteney Cox (Friends), this film mixes horror with political satire. A group of young people head to a music festival in the woods, only to be hunted by a serial killer obsessed with Ronald Reagan. Serving as a critique of 1980s conservative politics, the movie stands out for its bloody, offbeat approach.

8 – Trim Season (2024)

In this horror thriller, a group of seasonal workers venture onto a remote weed farm in California, only to discover something far more sinister lurking among the plants. The film blends rural horror with a critique of labor exploitation.

7 – Hansel & Gretel Get Baked (2013)

This horror-comedy puts a modern twist on the classic tale of Hansel and Gretel. When Gretel discovers a powerful strain called Black Forest, she and her brother find themselves embroiled in a bloody adventure involving a modern-day witch, played by Lara Flynn Boyle (Twin Peaks). With irreverent humor and horror effects, this film is a bizarre and modern take on the classic.

6 – Evil Bong (2006)

A horror-comedy starring cannabis icon Tommy Chong, where a group of friends buys a mysterious bong that turns out to be possessed. After lighting up, they are transported to a hellish dimension where they must fight for their lives. The film is part of a series known for its absurd humor: its sequel, Evil Bong 420, has an even lower rating: a whooping 2.6/10 on IMDb.

5 – 4/20 Massacre (2018)

Five girlfriends decide to spend April 20th (4/20) camping in a national park, where they come across an illegal grow operation and are forced to fight to survive against a killer maniac. This film blends slasher horror with weed culture, offering both scares and references to stoner icons.

4 – Halloweed (2016)

Two brothers, one of them famous for being the son of a serial killer, move to a new town to escape their past. However, murder follows the family as they try to enjoy a quiet, pot-fueled life.

3 – Star Leaf (2015)

In this science fiction film, a group of friends discovers an alien cannabis plant in the forest that can connect humans to other dimensions. However, smoking from it attracts the attention of extraterrestrial forces.

2 – Bong of the Dead (2011)

Not to be confused with Bong of the Living Dead, in this low-budget horror comedy, two stoner friends survive a zombie apocalypse using weed as their primary defense tool. It’s an irreverent, low-budget take that parodies the zombie genre.

1 – Pot Zombies (2005)

In this cult horror film, people who smoke contaminated pot turn into bloodthirsty zombies. It’s a low-budget production with a B-movie aesthetic that has become a classic within the stoner horror subgenre.

Acclaimed cannabis journalist and documentarian Veronica “Vee” Castillo has released the first installment of her series The Traveling Cannabis Writer’s Guide to America’s Hidden Gems.  Part 1 of the series, dubbed The 30,000-Foot View, is an impactful collection of notes from the road bringing together more than six years of on-the-ground reporting from across the United States, and highlighting the voices, businesses, and cultural movements often overlooked by mainstream media coverage.

Castillo has built a reputation as one of the most trusted grassroots storytellers in cannabis media. Through 200+ published articles across more than 20 publications, she has documented the cannabis movement not from behind a desk, but face-to-face with craft cultivators, equity entrepreneurs, reform advocates, and plant medicine practitioners operating within the legacy of prohibition. From small farming towns to inner-city collectives, Castillo’s work places community and lived experience at the center of the cannabis narrative.

About the Book

Part memoir, part documentary journalism, and part social history, The 30,000-Foot View explores:

• The origins of a journey — Castillo’s decision to leave her home in Ohio in 2018 and travel the country to learn about plant medicine after cannabis helped her overcome debilitating migraines.
• Women shaping cannabis innovation — Insightful profiles of women—primarily Black, Brown, and Latina entrepreneurs—building purpose-driven brands in a system not built for them.
• Culture and connection — A rare look at cannabis’ cultural roots across Puerto Rico, Florida, Chicago, and beyond, where food, music, tradition, and plant medicine intersect.
• Advocacy on tour — Behind-the-scenes documentation of educational, business, and policy tours that connected grassroots operators and advanced equity conversations nationwide.
• The economics of survival — A frank examination of taxes, regulation, and the true cost of building an equitable cannabis industry under ongoing systemic pressure.

A Record of Cannabis Progress, as Shared by the People in It

With state-level drug policy reforms sweeping the country and consolidation reshaping the cannabis business landscape, Castillo believes it is urgent to preserve the legacy of the movement before it becomes distorted.

“Corporate cannabis didn’t build this industry,” Castillo writes. “Communities did. Healers did. Freedom fighters did. Farmers did. People harmed by the War on Drugs did. These are their stories, and they deserve permanence.”

In contrast to most cannabis industry analysis available in book form, Castillo’s work is lived, personal, and fiercely human. She brings readers into farms, family kitchens, hemp mansions, trap-adjacent clinics, cross-country tour vans, and policy meetings alike. The 30,000 Foot View is a historical archive in motion and a rallying call for equity-centered growth in cannabis. 

Availability

The 30,000 Foot View is now available on Kindle. For media inquiries, partnership opportunities, and speaking engagements, please reach out to: Veetravelingvegcannawriter@gmail.com