From historic protests to hidden fairy doors, Wacky Weed Tours is a cannabis-fueled celebration of all things Ann Arbor.
In this article:
🌿 A highly unique tour
🌿 Exploring Ann Arbor
🌿 Dispensaries and beyond
🌿 Ann Arbor’s place in cannabis history
🌿 From flower to fungi
🌿 Wacky Weed Tours details at a glance
🌿 What to know about cannabis in Michigan
There are lots of ways to get to know a city. You can hop on a bus tour, hire a private guide, or simply meander from place to place. But my personal favorite? Tooling around in the back of a smoke-shrouded pedicab blasting Bob Marley. That’s what more than 1,500 people (and counting) have done as part of Wacky Weed Tours of Ann Arbor, an…uplifting…way to see the sites.
Led by Sarah O’Leary, a veteran marketing executive and founder of the company behind Gal Pals Gummies, Wacky Weed Tours is part history lesson, part city tour, and part shopping excursion. The experience introduces visitors to a side of Ann Arbor, MI, that goes well beyond its reputation as a kickass college town. Along the way, Sarah highlights the many ways that this progressive city has embraced alternative thinking for generations.
I recently boarded the Wacky Weed Tours pedicab, and those couple of hours with Sarah were a highlight of my time in Ann Arbor. I learned, laughed, coughed, and met some of the coolest people in town.
A Highly Unique Tour
Instead of packing participants into a bus or van, Wacky Weed Tours guests hop aboard an open-air motorized pedicab operated by Boober Tours, a local company beloved by the community. Boober’s owner, Kevin Spangler, does the driving, taking Sarah and her passengers for a ride that’s just as delightful for cannabis newbies as it is for connoisseurs.
In fact, approachability is a major part of the tour’s appeal, especially for travelers who come from places where cannabis still carries a significant stigma. Sarah told me about one woman from Indiana who was so accustomed to worrying about getting caught that she instinctively tossed a joint away when she spotted a police officer nearby.
As many as 10 participants per tour rendezvous at The Jungle House, a charming, locally owned dispensary on South Ashley Street. The extremely knowledgeable owners and budtenders happily direct guests to products that will create the perfect vibe for the tour. After a quick get-to-know-you sesh, the group sets off to see Ann Arbor. “I’ve had people from every background, every demographic, everyone,” Sarah shared with me. “And before the first stop, they’re all friends.”
Exploring Ann Arbor
Cannabis might be the hook, but sightseeing is definitely the melody—along with Bob Marley. While Kevin navigates the city, Sarah offers an entertaining commentary of history, local recommendations, and personal stories. “We’re usually jamming to major reggae in the back of this trailer,” she says.
Tours typically head through downtown and the University of Michigan area, but the exact stops and duration of the experience vary from group to group. Sarah eagerly points out some of the city’s best-known landmarks, as well as attractions visitors might otherwise overlook. On my tour, for example, after we walked around Nickels Arcade, a shopping plaza that’s more than a century old, Sarah took me to one of her favorite “fairy doors.” I would never have noticed this miniature diorama built into the wall of the Michgan Theater, but once Sarah enlightened me, I started noticing more and more of them all over Ann Arbor.
Between stops, Sarah’s stories about the local music scene, architecture, businesses, and people kept me hanging on her every word. While she is originally from Chicago, IL, her deep passion for Ann Arbor is unmistakeable—and hopefully contagious. “My main goal with the tour is to convince all riders that they need to come live in Ann Arbor,” she joked. “I love being here that much.”
Dispensaries and Beyond
Depending on the route, participants may stop at one or several dispensaries, where they’ll meet staff, learn about the products, and enjoy a comfortable, judgement-free shopping experience. One of my favorite parts of the tour was visiting Midnight Green, a dispensary just off campus. We chatted with the store owner, a University of Michigan alum and former Green Beret whose passion for serving his customers was as intoxicating as the products on the shelf.
We also popped into Bongz & Thongz, a head shop that sells elaborate glass pipes, smoking accessories, and Sarah’s Gal Pals Gummies.
Ann Arbor’s Place in Cannabis History
Every tour hits the University of Michigan Diag, a grassy gathering spot on campus. There, Sarah shares the story of John Sinclair, a poet, activist, and counterculture figure who was sentenced to 10 years in prison following a marijuana conviction in 1969. Sinclair’s case became a rallying point for activists, culminating in a 1971 benefit concert featuring John Lennon, Stevie Wonder, and other high-profile celebrities.
The activism surrounding Sinclair helped inspire Hash Bash, which has been a signature annual event in Ann Arbor since 1972. While smoking anything (including tobacco) is technically illegal on any college campus, rumor has it that the aroma wafting through the air during Hash Bash indicates otherwise.
From Flower to Fungi
As Ann Arbor’s attitude about mood-altering substances has evolved, so has Wacky Weed Tours. In 2020, the city council voted to treat psychedelic mushrooms among the lowest law-enforcement priorities, a policy that made these mind-bending fungi a much more visible part of the city’s alternative wellness culture.
“I don’t think we’ve had a tour since we decriminalized where someone hasn’t asked us where to get mushrooms,” Sarah shared.
And while you can find psilocybin products in stores throughout town, the market isn’t regulated, so it’s important to fully trust your source. Hence the last stop on the tour: Sublime Shrooms, located right next door to The Jungle House. After climbing the stairs to the second-floor shop, I was amazed at the variety of products on the menu and thoroughly impressed with the knowledgable staff.
From there, I said goodbye to Sarah and Kevin and headed to the greasy spoon diner down the block. I’ve been a longtime fan of Ann Arbor, but I left Wacky Weed Tours with a better understanding the city’s history, a newfound appreciation for its layered personality, and a long list of places I want to go back to again and again.
I can’t promise that your Wacky Weed Tours experience with Sarah will convince you to move here, but I can pretty much guarantee you’ll want to plan another visit ASAP.
Details at a Glance: Wacky Weed Tours of Ann Arbor
Ready to experience Wacky Weed Tours of Ann Arbor for yourself? Here’s everything you need to know.
**Remember: Tour routes, store visits, schedules, and prices are subject to change, so confirm any important points before you book.**
Wacky Weed Tours of Ann Arbor
📍 Begins and ends at The Jungle House, 3338 S. Ashley Street
🎟️ $25 per person—free repeat trips for life!
⏱️ Roughly two hours, give or take
🔞 Open to guests 21+ only
♿ Inquire about specific conditions that can and cannot be accommodated.
🗓️ Reserve your tour online.
What to Know About Cannabis in Michigan
Michiganders voted to legalize recreational cannabis in 2018, making the state one of the most established regulated markets in the country. The program is overseen by the state Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA), and the laws are fairly straightforward. Here’s what you need to know before you travel.
You must be 21 or older to purchase and consume. Adults 21 and up can legally purchase and possess recreational cannabis in Michigan. You don’t need to be a Michigan resident or have a medical cannabis card to shop at a licensed adult-use dispensary. Just bring a valid government-issued ID.
Credit cards are not accepted. Since cannabis is not (yet) federally legal, dispensaries in Michigan do not accept credit cards. Most dispensaries take cash and debit cards and/or have an ATM on site.
Know the limits. Adults can possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis outside the home, with no more than 15 grams of that amount in the form of cannabis concentrate. Michigan retailers are also prohibited from selling more than 2.5 ounces, including no more than 15 grams of concentrate, in a single transaction.
Public consumption is not allowed. While Michigan prohibits consuming cannabis in public, private property owners can choose to allow it or not. Be a respectful traveler, and always check the rules before sparking up.
Don’t drive after consuming. Driving under the influence of cannabis is illegal in Michigan, including operating cars, boats, and off-road recreational vehicles.
Don’t cross state lines with it. Cannabis remains illegal under federal law, so bringing your Michigan purchases across state lines could get you in trouble.
Cannabis use is not legal at the airport. Cannabis use is prohibited in areas under federal jurisdiction, including airports.
What are your favorite spots in Ann Arbor, MI? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
