It’s that time of year again to ditch the flip-flops, grab a hoodie, and stock up on some good weed. 

Fall has arrived in Michigan, and there’s nothing like getting into the season with cannabis-infused apple cider, football-themed flower, or live hash rosin that tastes like autumn. 

Whether you’re sitting around a bonfire, watching the Lions, or going to a Halloween party, cannabis can be a fun part of the ritual. 

What really gives cannabis its autumn character are terpenes, which are aromatic compounds in marijuana that create the flavors and smells associated with different strains. Terpenes also shape the high and influence whether it’s relaxing, uplifting, or somewhere in between.

Some terpenes are perfect for autumn. Caryophyllene, myrcene, and humulene tend to enhance relaxation, which is ideal for fall activities like tailgating, bonfires, and day-drinking pumpkin ales.  

Pinene’s effects are more uplifting and energizing, making it a good buzz for hiking, apple picking, or visiting a haunted house.

These terpenes are also reminiscent of fall. Caryophyllene is often associated with peppery, spicy, and clove aromas, while myrcene tends to be musky, earthy, or herbal.

Pinene has a pine forest scent and can be earthy, woody, and slightly sweet, and Humulene, which is found in hops, adds a woody, herbal flavor. 

Lucky for us, Michigan’s saturated market means dispensary shelves are loaded with an abundance of choices at plummeting prices. 

So where do you start? I pulled together 10 products that feel like fall or enhance the season. 

Sparkling Sweet Apple Cider by Armada Cannabis Co.

This delicious cider is back for the season after winning first place in the Best in Grass competition this year for best infused beverage. Sparkling Sweet Apple Cider contains 20mg of THC and is made with real fruit. Crack one of these open and pair it with a cider mill donut. 

Edibles by Hey Captain!

Leave it up to Hey Captain! to come up with a perfect cannabis-infused snack for the fall. The Lansing-based brand is known for its unique lineup of edibles, which includes freeze-dried candies and ice cream bites. Hey Captain! will soon roll out their latest creation – Huckleberry Maple sticks and hot honey sticks. I sampled them, and they’re a delicious, fast-acting way to enjoy fall activities. Each stick contains 40 mg of THC, and because of the brand’s proprietary processes, the taste of cannabis is virtually nonexistent. Also coming soon are two new flavors of freeze-dried ice cream that are perfect for the fall – salted caramel latte and butter pecan. 

Ricci by Michigrown

Earthy spice, pine, and a smooth herbal flavor make Ricci by Michigrown a good choice for the fall. With a unique lineage – Thai/Afghani x Forum Cut x Undisclosed – this strain packs a punch, delivering an uplifting, cerebral high that relaxes the body and sharpens focus. The effects make it ideal for outdoor activities or even a night in for some fall TV. Michigrown has a large, constantly revolving list of well-grown strains.  

Hash Bee OG by the Hive

There’s a lot of buzz around the Hive in Hazel Park, and for good reasons. The small, woman-owned dispensary grows some of the best flower in Michigan, and none screams “fall” more than Hash Bee OG, an indica-dominant hybrid that crosses Hash Plant and Face Off OG. With an earthy, spicy aroma and notes of pine, Hash Bee OG smells like fall in a jar. 

Lantz by Hytek

One of the most talked about strains in Michigan right now, Hytek’s Lantz is a cross of Ridgeline Runtz and Green Lantern. With a creamy tart lime flavor on the front end, Lantz tastes like fall on the back end, with a pungent layer of sharp forest pine. The strain by Hytek, a popular cultivator in Detroit, dominated this year’s Zalympix for best overall flower and best tasting flower. If you dab, Lantz is also available in live rosin, and it’s incredibly layered and aromatic. Three of the top four terpenes in Lantz are just right for fall – linalool, caryophyllene, and myrcene. 

Maize & Bluebelts by Premier Cannabis Farms

For many Michiganders, Saturdays in the fall revolve around college football. Premier Cannabis Farms has two well-grown flower strains that will satisfy Michigan and Michigan State fans. Both are potent but relaxing strains, making either one a great choice for kickoff. Maize and Blue Belts is a fruity cross of Oregon Blueberry and Rainbow Belts, and 517 Spartan OG is a potent combination of 517 Headband and Private Reserve. 

Jared Goff by Eastside Alchemy

Speaking of football, we can’t omit the good old Lions. Eastside Alchemy, a small crew with a ton of experience in solventless extraction, produced a strain of live hash rosin called “Jared Goff,” a tribute to the Lions quarterback. A cross of Peyton Manning and Melted Strawberries, this strain is just right for tailgating or watching the game at a bar. And Eastside Alchemy’s glass-tipped vapes make it easy for you to discreetly take the rosin with you. 

Tear Gas #9 by Favrd

With Halloween a month away, it’s time to find some creepy cannabis. One of my favorites is Tear Gas #9, a foul, heavy-hitting strain by Favrd that is often sold in ghoulish packaging. As soon as you crack open the jar, your senses are assaulted by a gnarly aroma of diesel, burned tires, and skunk. A combination of Skunk Piss and Sherb Cake, this flower packs a serious punch and goes straight to the head and body. 

Purple Drank by Exotic Matter

With the days getting shorter and the temperatures dropping, sometimes you just want to get away and forget everything. Exotic Matter, one of Michigan’s best small-scale cultivators, has you covered with their Purple Drank rosin, a flavorful strain that takes its name from a numbing concoction of cough syrup, soda, and candy. Like the sedate effects of the drink, Purple Drank rosin produces a smooth high that settles into a relaxed, full-body calm.   

Wojo live rosin vapes

If you’re heading out to explore a haunted house, down beers at an Oktoberfest, or go apple picking, you’ll want a strain that is uplifting and energizing. And since you’re leaving the house, sometimes the most convenient option is a disposable vape, despite the environmental impact. Wojo has mastered live rosin in a disposable vape. They’re reliable, flavorful, and smooth. For energizing effects, my favorite Wojo strains are Roasted Lemons, Pink Pineapples, Strawberry Candy, Strawberry Guava, Strawpicana and the Juice Man.