National Cherry Festival & Cannabis in Traverse City

Can I use cannabis at the Cherry Festival?

No. Michigan does not authorize public consumption, and the festival grounds, downtown streets, beaches and parks are all public. Vehicles are out too, parked or moving. The only place for use is private property where the owner allows it, such as a rental that permits it. Plan around that before you buy, not after.

About the festival

The National Cherry Festival is held every year in early July, downtown and around Grand Traverse Bay. Expect parades, live music, art and craft vendors, a cherry pie eating contest and a lot of cherry-themed food. Dates change year to year, so check the official festival site, and book lodging early because festival week fills up.

Where you can and cannot use cannabis

Not allowed:

• Festival grounds, streets and sidewalks
• Beaches and parks
• Any vehicle, moving or parked
• Hotels that prohibit it, and many do. Check the policy or call before you buy.

Allowed:

• Private property where the owner or host permits it, such as a home or a rental whose listing says so

If your lodging does not allow it, that is your answer. Do not use it on the balcony, in the car or on the street.

Getting to Olswell Traverse City

The store is on East Front Street, downtown, so it fits around festival plans. The Olswell Traverse City store page has hours and directions, and the driving guide covers routes and the parking picture.

Festival weeks are busy: expect slower traffic, tight parking and a fuller shop. The calmer way to do it is to order ahead on the Traverse City live menu and pick up in store. You pay cash at pickup, and there is an ATM on-site. Orders are held until the end of the business day, so a morning order still works if you pick up in the evening. Olswell does not deliver. Inventory rotates, so check the live menu for what is in stock.

What to know about the deals

First-time customers get 25% off their first visit. Traverse City's Happy Hour takes 20% off the whole shop on Monday 5-9 PM and Thursday 9AM-1PM. Weekly deals change, so check the live menu rather than relying on an old price. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID showing you are 21 or older, plus cash.

Planning festival week

1. Book lodging first. If you want to use cannabis at all, find a place that allows it in writing.
2. Order ahead. Skip the festival-day rush and pick up on a quieter day.
3. Plan your rides. Never drive after using cannabis. Use rideshare or stay within walking distance of downtown.
4. Buy only what you will use in Michigan. Cannabis must not cross state lines.
5. Keep it simple on festival days. Parades, crowds and heat are more fun with a clear head, so save any use for later, at your lodging, once you are done for the day.

Beyond the festival

Traverse City is a lot more than one week. Grand Traverse Bay has kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing and fishing, and the trails range from easy beach walks to longer inland routes. Do not use cannabis before swimming, boating or hiking.

The region is wine country, with tasting rooms on the Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas. Do the tasting rooms on their own day, with a designated driver or a ride, and keep them separate from cannabis. Do not mix alcohol and cannabis, and do not drive after either.

What to ask the counter

If you are new to cannabis, tell the team and say what you want: smoking, vaping or something you eat. Ask for the lowest-strength option and wait before you take more. Edibles can take an hour or two to arrive, which catches visitors out. Cartridges and pre-rolls are easy to pack, and gummies are discreet, but all of them need patience. The first-time visitor guide for Traverse City walks through the whole visit.

Your next step

Order on the Olswell Traverse City live menu and pick up in store before festival week gets busy.

Olswell Traverse City store page Traverse City cannabis tourism guide Where you can and cannot consume in Michigan Michigan cannabis tourism guide

For adults 21 and older only. Must present valid government-issued photo ID. Please consume responsibly.

Michigan recreational purchase limits: up to 2.5 ounces per transaction, with no more than 15 grams of it as concentrate.

Sources: Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency