Michigan weed dispensary braces for first day of legal use

NILES, Mich. – Thursday is the first day of business for the first recreational marijuana dispensary in Michiana.

Michigan is now one of 11 states where cannabis is legal in both medicinal and recreational use.

Employees at Releaf in Niles put on the finishing touches all day long Wednesday, in preparation for the big day.

The store opened in October when only medicinal use was allowed.

Its doors will open at 10 a.m.

For Michiganders looking to make a purchase, you might want to get there a little early, because it's likely there will be long lines.

Releaf store manager Nick Ghezzi said the dispensary is excited to handle the increasing business.

“We’re expecting just a rush of people,” Ghezzi said. “We’ve had calls, people asking what time they can start camping out, so with that we’re expecting quite a bit. We don’t know what entirely to expect, but we’ve seen Ann Arbor and Chicago, so we see that there (are) long lines out there.”

The store added that however many competitors may open up as the industry becomes more common, they’re just happy for being there first.

While cannabis consumption will be legal for those 21 and up in Michigan, it remains illegal in Indiana.