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Michiganders will have the opportunity in November to make our state the 10th in the nation to legalize recreational marijuana. (Polls show a majority in the state support the measure. However, polls have proven themselves untrustworthy, from time to time.) The state would generate revenue from taxes on the sale of pot. The current proposal calls for a 10 percent excise tag on top of the six percent state sales tax. That would place Michigan on the low end of the marijuana tax rate scale. We culled the tax stats from all the pot-legal states. It is interesting to see how other states have handled the taxable aspect of recreational pot. MORE
► Michigan's tax on marijuana would be among lowest in nation

Big projects tackle big topics: national guns and state infrastructure

We've taken a deep-dive look at a pair of important issues this week. Our Michigan Beyond series turned its attention to the concerning status of Michigan's roadways, water systems and broadband connections. On Thursday, we published the latest from the national series Guns: An American Conversation. Both are hot-button issues during one of the most important non-presidential election years in recent memory. We encourage you to peruse this approachable and highly readable content. It is quality journalism at its finest. MORE
► Lack of high-speed internet leaving rural communities behind
► Empathy, understanding and guns in the age of social media

This hidden trail is one of the best hikes in Michigan

If you haven't found this amazing trail on your own, it's okay. Michigan has more than 12,500 miles of state-designated trails and we don't expect you to find every lovely path by yourself. This one, though, really is worth checking out ASAP. After all, Michigan travel expert Emily Bingham calls the Empire Bluff Trail in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore one of her very favorite hiking spots. That's high praise. Plus, any excuse to visit Sleeping Bear is a good one. MORE
► 12 mind-blowing spots in Sleeping Bear Dunes
► 25 of Michigan's best-loved trails, ranked

It's gonna be hot, Hot, HOT this weekend!

We certainly hope you are one of the lucky ones this weekend to find yourself at a waterpark or beach or anywhere you can get a modicum of relief from the scorching heat about to descend upon Michigan. Chief meteorologist Mark Torregrossa is doing his best to get us prepared. And get this, he's forecasting that Alpena could reach triple digits Saturday. That's unpleasant even to type. MORE
► Excessive heat watch issued, first since July 2012
► 11 ways to beat the heat this weekend at Electric Forest

You can own this unique Michigan mushroom house

Do you need a change from your routine life and normal house? Or maybe you want to surprise your family with a unique Up North retreat? One of the beloved Earl Young mushroom houses is on the market and it could be your new permanent residence or summer vacation home. Located blocks from downtown Charlevoix, this one-of-a-kind treasure is listed for $824,000. But before you pawn off all your earthly possessions to purchase this gem, you should take a look at these photos. And once you do purchase it, invite us over for a weekend trip, won't you? MORE
► The most unusual place in each of Michigan's 83 counties