What is a dispensary? It's a store with a state license to sell cannabis to adults and registered medical patients. In Michigan, the Cannabis Regulatory Agency licenses and regulates these stores, and every package is sealed and labeled under state rules. Here's who can shop, what to bring and what a visit looks like.
What is a dispensary?
A dispensary, sometimes called a marijuana dispensary, is a licensed retail store for cannabis. Its products are tested and labeled, its staff check ID before every sale, and its budtenders explain products and help you find a fit for your experience level. Unlike an unlicensed seller, it gives you a label showing what's inside and which lab tested it.
Michigan's terms: provisioning centers and adult-use retailers
Michigan uses two names: a provisioning center sells to registered medical marijuana patients, and an adult-use store is licensed as a marijuana retailer. In everyday talk, both are dispensaries.
| Adult-use store | Medical provisioning center | |
|---|---|---|
| Who can buy | Adults 21 and older | Registered patients, who can register on their own at 18 |
| What to bring | Valid government-issued photo ID | Registry card plus photo ID |
| Purchase limit | 2.5 ounces per transaction, no more than 15 grams of it as concentrate | 2.5 ounces a day and 10 ounces a month |
Who can buy, and what to bring
Every visit, carry government-issued photo ID, like a driver's license, a state ID card or a passport, because Michigan stores check ID before every sale. Patients also bring their registry card. At High Society, you'll check in with our security and front desk team. Thinking about a medical card? Here's how Michigan's medical card process works.
Are dispensaries legal? State licensing versus federal law
Yes, under Michigan law. Voters legalized adult-use cannabis for people 21 and older in 2018, the state licenses each store, and local governments can ban or limit cannabis businesses, so stores exist only where local government allows them.
Federal law differs. As of October 2026, adult-use marijuana is still a Schedule I controlled substance federally. An April 2026 federal regulation moved only state-licensed medical marijuana and marijuana medicines approved by the FDA to Schedule III. That gap is why you should never carry cannabis across state lines.
How a visit works
A visit to High Society follows a simple path:
- Check in with security and the front desk, and show your ID.
- A budtender calls you from the waiting area and helps you choose.
- Your order goes to our order preparation team.
- A staff member calls your name, takes payment and reviews the order with you.
You can also order online for in-store or curbside pickup, and we'll text you when a curbside order is ready. Our step-by-step first-visit guide covers each stage.
Payment: why cash matters
Federal law still considers adult-use marijuana sales illegal, so banks that serve cannabis businesses face extra federal reporting steps, and each bank decides whether that's worth the risk. That's why payment options differ from store to store and some stores keep an ATM on site. Do dispensaries take debit? Some do and some don't, so ask first. Cash works at High Society, and the other payment options vary by store.
What dispensaries sell
Expect flower, pre-rolls, vape cartridges, concentrates, edibles, tinctures, topicals and accessories. Every cannabis product's label carries Michigan's universal THC symbol and its THC and CBD content. Our stores offer flower, pre-rolls, concentrates, vape pens, edibles and more, and selection varies by store, so browse your store's menu to see what's available today.
A first-visit checklist
- A valid photo ID, plus your registry card if you're a patient
- Cash, since other payment options vary by store
- A budget and a few questions for your budtender
- A sober ride home if you plan to use cannabis soon
- A locked spot at home, away from children and pets
While you're there, ask about The Society, our free loyalty program, which you can join in store or online.
Finding a licensed dispensary in Michigan
Stick with licensed stores, whose packages list the testing lab and test date; our tips on choosing a dispensary go further.
High Society has eight Michigan stores, in Big Rapids, Birch Run, Charlotte, East Lansing, Lenox, Mount Pleasant, New Buffalo and Saline. Find yours on our dispensary locations page, and see our FAQ for quick answers. Recreational shopping is for adults 21 and older; enjoy your purchase responsibly and keep it in Michigan.
