Your guide to the best cannabis for Michigan summers

Steve Neavling
A budtender shows off some Mi Loud flower from the deli at Supergood Detroit.

Summer is approaching, and there’s no better time to stock up on fresh, flavorful cannabis.

Whether you’re planning a long day at the lake, heading to a music festival, or just trying to stay cool indoors, the right strain can help you make the most of Michigan’s short but vibrant warm season.

With hundreds upon hundreds of strains available in Michigan, you should have no trouble finding the right one for the summer.

The ideal summer weed should match the energy of the season. It should be uplifting and social, with fruity, citrusy, or minty flavor profiles that keep you alert, social, and relaxed.

Some strains are better for daytime adventures. Others help you wind down after hours in the sun. And a few are perfect for passing around at a cookout or bonfire.

After sampling more than 200 strains from dozens of cultivators in the past year, I landed on a short list of standouts that feel just right for this beautiful time of the year.

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For morning bike rides and other early adventures: Peels by Michigrown is a citrus-forward hybrid that is energetic and uplifting. A cross between Tangerine Skunk and Dosidos, the lemon terpenes are refreshing, and I found the high to be perfect for staying focused and motivated without the heart-in-a-vice feeling that often comes with energetic strains. Whether you’re taking the bike out for a ride or going on a road trip, Peels is the perfect strain for feeling light, upbeat, and adventurous.
Steve Neavling

For morning bike rides and other early adventures:

Peels by Michigrown is a citrus-forward hybrid that is energetic and uplifting. A cross between Tangerine Skunk and Dosidos, the lemon terpenes are refreshing, and I found the high to be perfect for staying focused and motivated without the heart-in-a-vice feeling that often comes with energetic strains.

Whether you’re taking the bike out for a ride or going on a road trip, Peels is the perfect strain for feeling light, upbeat, and adventurous.

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For staying energized during a hot day: Despite its sophomoric imagery and high price tag, Super Dope is legit. Its Lemon Popperz, a cross of Lemon Tree and Gelato #41, is a perfect summer strain for staying charged and ready to move, without feeling over-amped. The aroma bursts with fruity citrus and vanilla. This is the kind of strain that pairs well with long, active days, whether you’re swimming, biking, walking the city, or just running errands in the heat. The high is upbeat and focused, making it a solid choice for staying engaged and enjoying the sun.
Steve Neavling

For staying energized during a hot day:

Despite its sophomoric imagery and high price tag, Super Dope is legit. Its Lemon Popperz, a cross of Lemon Tree and Gelato #41, is a perfect summer strain for staying charged and ready to move, without feeling over-amped. The aroma bursts with fruity citrus and vanilla.

This is the kind of strain that pairs well with long, active days, whether you’re swimming, biking, walking the city, or just running errands in the heat. The high is upbeat and focused, making it a solid choice for staying engaged and enjoying the sun.

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For a backyard barbecue: Sun Cake by Freshy Fine is a fruit-heavy hybrid that balances relaxation with an upbeat mood. A cross of Sunset Sherbet and Wedding Cake, this strain practically screams summer. The high is smooth and euphoric, offering comfort without the couch lock. It’s perfect for grilling with friends as the sun sets. If you’re after a chill summer day, this is a great strain.
Steve Neavling

For a backyard barbecue:

Sun Cake by Freshy Fine is a fruit-heavy hybrid that balances relaxation with an upbeat mood. A cross of Sunset Sherbet and Wedding Cake, this strain practically screams summer.

The high is smooth and euphoric, offering comfort without the couch lock. It’s perfect for grilling with friends as the sun sets.
If you’re after a chill summer day, this is a great strain.

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For staying cool on the hottest days: Watermelon Zkittlez by Pro Gro is a sweet, fruity hybrid that hits like a splash of cold water on a long, hot day. A cross of Zkittlez and Watermelon, the aroma blends grape candy and fresh watermelon. The high starts with a bright, euphoric lift before settling into a mellow, body-focused calm. It’s refreshing and euphoric and just might be the ideal strain to stay cool.
Steve Neavling

For staying cool on the hottest days:

Watermelon Zkittlez by Pro Gro is a sweet, fruity hybrid that hits like a splash of cold water on a long, hot day. A cross of Zkittlez and Watermelon, the aroma blends grape candy and fresh watermelon.

The high starts with a bright, euphoric lift before settling into a mellow, body-focused calm. It’s refreshing and euphoric and just might be the ideal strain to stay cool.

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For concerts, outdoor movies, and social nights: Electric Peanut Butter Cookie by Peninsula Gardens is a balanced hybrid with a citrusy, nutty, and floral aroma. The high is upbeat, euphoric, and cerebral. More than most strains I’ve tried, this heightens my senses, making concerts and social gatherings more vibrant and captivating. It’s perfect for staying present without zoning out.
Steve Neavling

For concerts, outdoor movies, and social nights:

Electric Peanut Butter Cookie by Peninsula Gardens is a balanced hybrid with a citrusy, nutty, and floral aroma. The high is upbeat, euphoric, and cerebral.

More than most strains I’ve tried, this heightens my senses, making concerts and social gatherings more vibrant and captivating. It’s perfect for staying present without zoning out.

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For social summer nights: 710 Labs may be known for its live rosin, but their flower deserves more attention. The Colorado-based company only uses colas for their flower, and it shows. The SB36 buds are large and covered in thick trichomes, and the flavor is delicious — a sweet combination of orange, Starburst candy, and funk. This cross between Starburst OG and ’97 KC36 keeps me chatty, relaxed, and energized, perfect for long summer nights with music, friends, and maybe a bonfire.
Steve Neavling

For social summer nights:

710 Labs may be known for its live rosin, but their flower deserves more attention. The Colorado-based company only uses colas for their flower, and it shows. The SB36 buds are large and covered in thick trichomes, and the flavor is delicious — a sweet combination of orange, Starburst candy, and funk.

This cross between Starburst OG and ’97 KC36 keeps me chatty, relaxed, and energized, perfect for long summer nights with music, friends, and maybe a bonfire.

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For slow, sunny days with no plans: Forgive the name, but Suga Tits by Favrd is one of my go-tos when time doesn’t matter. A cross of Halle Berry and Obama Runtz, this strain is soothing and cozy, making it an ideal choice for relaxing. It’s also delicious, with strong notes of berries and vanilla. A solid choice for lounging outside, catching up with a friend, or putting on a record and letting the afternoon drift by.
Steve Neavling

For slow, sunny days with no plans:

Forgive the name, but Suga Tits by Favrd is one of my go-tos when time doesn’t matter. A cross of Halle Berry and Obama Runtz, this strain is soothing and cozy, making it an ideal choice for relaxing.

It’s also delicious, with strong notes of berries and vanilla. A solid choice for lounging outside, catching up with a friend, or putting on a record and letting the afternoon drift by.

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Some of Wojo’s flavorful, energizing strains for the summer: One of the fastest-growing ways to consume cannabis is by dabbing or vaping live rosin, a high-quality, solventless concentrate known for its purity, potency, and robust flavor profile. Some of the best live rosin I’ve come across is produced by Wojo, a Pinconning-based company founded by a group of friends committed to providing clean, top-tier cannabis. Tangerine Limousine is an uplifting combination of Malibu Marshal and Tropic Driver, and the crisp flavor is champagne, creamy orange, tangerine, and grapefruit. The Juice Man is an energizing strain that bursts with a citrus flavor and a hint of papaya. It’s an ideal choice for a daytime high. Sundae Driver is one of Wojo’s best-selling strains, and for good reason. With a creamy grape flavor, this strain provides a soothing, but uplifting and clear-headed high. Strawberry Candy is another delicious, uplifting strain from Wojo. A combination of Orange Skittlez and Strawberry Guava. The sativa-dominant strain has a fruity, candy-like flavor.
Steve Neavling

Some of Wojo’s flavorful, energizing strains for the summer:

One of the fastest-growing ways to consume cannabis is by dabbing or vaping live rosin, a high-quality, solventless concentrate known for its purity, potency, and robust flavor profile. Some of the best live rosin I’ve come across is produced by Wojo, a Pinconning-based company founded by a group of friends committed to providing clean, top-tier cannabis.

Tangerine Limousine is an uplifting combination of Malibu Marshal and Tropic Driver, and the crisp flavor is champagne, creamy orange, tangerine, and grapefruit.

The Juice Man is an energizing strain that bursts with a citrus flavor and a hint of papaya. It’s an ideal choice for a daytime high.

Sundae Driver is one of Wojo’s best-selling strains, and for good reason. With a creamy grape flavor, this strain provides a soothing, but uplifting and clear-headed high.

Strawberry Candy is another delicious, uplifting strain from Wojo. A combination of Orange Skittlez and Strawberry Guava. The sativa-dominant strain has a fruity, candy-like flavor.

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binske, a Colorado-based brand that first arrived in Michigan in March, also offers high-quality live rosin. This summer, I will be breaking out their Lemonberry Parfait, a potent, balanced, and almost psychedelic strain. The aroma is a complex mix of raspberry frosting and sugared lemons with an earthy, herbal undertone. It’s a great choice for doing something creative or immersing yourself in music or an outdoor movie.An increasing number of cannabis businesses are producing live rosin. For some summer sun, I also recommend Mandarin Zkittlez by Information Entropy, Space Guavaz by Eastside Alchemy and Tip Top Crop, Sour Tangie Persy Sauce by 710 Labs, Pierene by MiLoud, and Awesomesauce by Peachy Hash & Co.
Steve Neavling

binske, a Colorado-based brand that first arrived in Michigan in March, also offers high-quality live rosin. This summer, I will be breaking out their Lemonberry Parfait, a potent, balanced, and almost psychedelic strain. The aroma is a complex mix of raspberry frosting and sugared lemons with an earthy, herbal undertone.

It’s a great choice for doing something creative or immersing yourself in music or an outdoor movie.

An increasing number of cannabis businesses are producing live rosin. For some summer sun, I also recommend Mandarin Zkittlez by Information Entropy, Space Guavaz by Eastside Alchemy and Tip Top Crop, Sour Tangie Persy Sauce by 710 Labs, Pierene by MiLoud, and Awesomesauce by Peachy Hash & Co.

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 Michigan summers don’t last long, so don’t take the time for granted. The right strain can brighten your day, whether you’re heading to a festival, strolling the Detroit RiverWalk, or hanging out on your patio. Make the best of it. And don’t forget the sunscreen. If you want us to sample your cannabis products, send us an email at steve@metrointhed.com.
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Michigan summers don’t last long, so don’t take the time for granted. The right strain can brighten your day, whether you’re heading to a festival, strolling the Detroit RiverWalk, or hanging out on your patio.

Make the best of it. And don’t forget the sunscreen.

If you want us to sample your cannabis products, send us an email at [email protected].

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