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Some things just go better together. After months of staring at dismal gray skies, many of us are more than ready to get outside and enjoy some green — in all its various forms. This is the premise inspiring two companies to cater to nature lovers who want to learn about and experience weed in the great outdoors.

Whether you’re planning a quick escape or looking to go full bore on a 4/20 celebration, here are a few ideas for your next high-minded outing.

The Inside Track

, a medical and recreational cannabis retailer with stores in Beulah, Big Rapids, Cadillac, Gaylord, Manistee, and Marquette, distinguishes itself by offering guidance to people who want to explore some of Michigan’s many spectacular spots or what Dunegrass refers to as “a higher latitude.”

“We see ourselves as northern Michigan’s cannabis outfitter,” says Rebecca Herd, marketing coordinator at Dunegrass. “We offer the products that you find in a dispensary, but we also help you find your Up North adventure.”

Consuming cannabis in public places and smoking where prohibited are still illegal in Michigan. (It’s up to individual property owners whether consumption is allowed in a rented space.) Dunegrass directs travelers to weed-friendly lodging around each of its six provisioning centers.

“We’re in a recreational state, and we help guide those in a responsible manner to visit these places,” Herd says.

Dunegrass also taps its staff for ideas on where to go and what to do. “We realize you’re making your trip north for a reason, so allow us to show you the cool places to hike rather than just the typical, run-of- the-mill areas.”

According to Herd, Marquette and Cadillac have been the two most asked-about areas — Cadillac because it’s a place where people can “take a break from driving,” and Marquette for the “majestic-ness of Lake Superior and the Black Rocks.” Indeed, Dunegrass’ Marquette location is a mere 11-minute drive from , where the Black Rocks formation is found.

For more information, call or stop by one of Dunegrass’ dispensaries, send a direct message through social media, or visit .

Green Acres

There are typically two types of people touring in Paw Paw: enthusiasts excited to see what an outdoor cannabis grow looks like, and the nosy-neighbor types who want a peek over the fence. But the beautiful thing, according to Grasshopper CEO Will Bowden, is that both walk away with the same sentiment.

“They all say, ‘Wow, it’s a farm,’” he says. “And they always comment on how amazing their interactions with the team were. They find a very welcoming and very knowledgeable environment.”

A single-season outdoor grow operation, Grasshopper Farms sits on roughly 160 acres and cultivates more than 4,500 sun-grown plants from 30 different strains. Farm tours take place Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (They sometimes host people traveling from out of town after hours and on the weekends.)

“We always recommend visiting during August and September, which is the best time to see the plants outside,” Bowden says. Tours are open to everyone and are currently free of charge. Bowden describes Grasshopper as an educational experience: “We walk [visitors] around; we show them processes. The only things we don’t do right now are sell product on property and taste product on property.”

There are plans for Grasshopper to provide another kind of experience in the future.

“Maybe someday we will have a retail license but not for the purpose of having a provisioning center,” Bowden says. “More for the vineyard tour experience, so when you’re leaving the property, you can buy a hat, buy a shirt, buy some flower.”

For more info, visit .

This story is part of the April 2023 issue of ������ϲ�ͼ������. Read more in our Digital Edition.