On July 30, a major blow was dealt to Michigan’s illegal cannabis market when detectives from the Michigan State Police (MSP) Marijuana & Tobacco Investigation Section executed a search warrant on a suspected unlicensed grow operation in Lake County. The raid led to the seizure of over 13,400 marijuana plants and hundreds of pounds of dried marijuana flower, all found inside a massive, 17,000-square-foot former manufacturing facility in Baldwin’s Webber Township.
The Michigan State Police shared the news via a post on X (formerly Twitter), noting that several individuals were arrested at the scene. While the names of those involved and the exact location of the facility have not been released, officials confirmed that neither the property nor the people arrested had valid grow licenses issued by the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA)—the body responsible for overseeing legal marijuana operations in the state.
“This is a significant seizure,” MSP said in their post. “The street value of this large seizure is estimated at more than 10 million dollars.”
The facility sat on a 19-acre property and was operating completely outside Michigan’s regulated cannabis framework. Without proper licensing, the operation was producing and potentially distributing marijuana in violation of state law.
Authorities warn that illegal cannabis operations not only undermine the legal market, but also pose serious health risks to consumers. Marijuana from unlicensed facilities is often not subject to the same rigorous testing as licensed products. According to the MSP, cannabis produced in these unregulated settings frequently contains hazardous chemicals, pesticides, mold, and heavy metals—substances that could have dangerous effects on human health.
The case is still under investigation, but officials have stated that once their work is complete, the matter will be handed over to the Michigan Attorney General for potential criminal charges.
Michigan’s legal cannabis framework is designed to protect both consumers and businesses by ensuring that all products are safely grown, tested, and sold under strict compliance standards.
The MSP emphasized that cracking down on unlicensed grow operations is not only about enforcing the law but also about maintaining the integrity of the state’s regulated cannabis industry. As the legal market continues to grow, ensuring that operators follow state guidelines will remain a top priority.
Stay tuned for updates as the investigation progresses and potential charges are announced.
