One-hitters

WEED

Black-owned cannabis company Viola launches ‘Grandma’s Kitchen’ edibles

By Lee DeV ito

VIOLA BRANDS, THE cannabis company co-founded by former NBA player Al Harrington, has launched a new line of edibles inspired by his late grandmother.

The “Grandma’s Kitchen” products are now available in Michigan at Puff Cannabis locations in Hamtramck, Madison Heights, and Utica.

The company was founded in 2011, named after Harrington’s grandmother, who used cannabis to treat her glaucoma.

“Prior to her passing, Grandma Viola was only able to medicate through various infused foods and we wanted to bring to market a product that would allow everyone to enjoy our premium products,” the company said in a statement. “Our Vegan and Gluten Free Chef inspired treats are made with plant-based ingredients and a precise dose of THC to provide a consistent high. The non-GMO treats are naturally flavored with no chemical ingredients to fit any diet and provide the perfect balance, not too sweet and not too tart.”

The company adds, “Since we wanted to bring these products to market in honor of Grandma Viola, we started with four flavors that reminded us of her.”

Those include “Auntie’s Punch,” a sativa hybrid based on fruit punch (“No family gathering at Grandma’s was complete without a big pitcher of auntie’s punch,” the company says); “Uptown Espresso,” a caffeinated coffee-flavored sativa (“Every morning for Grandma was started with a hot cup of coffee with just a bit of sugar”) “Paradise Island,” an indica hybrid (“One of Al’s fondest memories with Grandma was their trip to the islands”); and “Big Apple Dreaming,” a strong indica that tastes like green apples (“Grandma was known all around for her apple pie”).

The 10mg gummies are shaped like Viola’s logo and come in plastic tubes that include additional guidance on how to use them. For example, “Auntie’s Punch” says it’s for “good times,” while “Big Apple Dreaming” says it’s for “lights out” — the powerful gummies can be used to induce sleep.

The company will celebrate a launch party at the Puff Cannabis Madison Heights location (2 Ajax Dr., Madison Heights puffcannabiscompany.com) on Friday, Dec. 16 with an in-store activation and a live DJ.

Viola also says it plans to launch the products in Arizona, California, and Colorado early next year.

COURTESY PHOTO

You can get a free jar of joints for donating winter coats for kids

MICHIGAN DISPENSARY CHAIN

Puff Cannabis is giving out free joints for a good cause.

The company will give a jar of its “Baby Jeeter” pre-rolls to customers who donate coats and jackets for children ages 3 to 12 as part of its “Jackets for Joints” campaign.

All of the chain’s locations are participating in the promotion, including its Madison Heights, Hamtramck, and Utica stores. The campaign runs through Sunday, Dec. 18 while supplies last.

“I recognize that due to the times we live in, many children throughout the state of Michigan need warm jackets and coats and our ‘Jackets for Joints’ program will come to the aid of many of those little ones,” Puff Cannabis founder Justin Elias said in a statement. “I hope we can collect and give away thousands of warm jackets and coats this winter in order to keep our children warm.”

The donated coats and jackets will be donated to local churches and other community organizations, the company says.

Puff Cannabis says it donated more than 1,700 Thanksgiving turkeys during a recent promotion.

re r t e t u cannaco.com.

—Lee DeVito

The Reef drops ‘Reefopoly’ promotion

CANNABIS PROVISIONING CENTER The Reef is hosting the most interesting game of monopoly we’ll probably ever play.

“Reefopoly,” as they’re calling it, gives you the chance to win $100,000 cash, a Caribbean cruise for two, or (more importantly) free weed for life.

Technically it’s an ounce of free weed every month for the next 20 years, so not exactly “for life,” but still, we’ll take it.

To play Reefopoly, you have to buy The Reef brands Cheap $#it or Blooominati to receive a scratch-off game piece with a code that you enter online. You’ll have to collect several game pieces to win the lifetime supply of weed, but instant prizes like preroll packs and an eighth of flower are also available.

Reefopoly is active for the next six months at The Reef’s Detroit and Muskegon locations. It was inspired by the McDonald’s Monopoly promotion.

“The Reef Cannabis Dispensary has been front and center in the industry from the beginning and we feel this fun game where we give our existing and new customers a way to win once-in-a-lifetime prizes is appropriate and will be a lot of fun,” Reef general manager Chris Campbell said in a press release. “And with The Reef reimbursing the ‘state and doctor visit fees’ for existing and new patients, everyone can join in the fun! Each time McDonald’s, the leaders in the burger industry, do this promotion, they are very successful.”

Proceeds from Reefopoly will be donated to children’s charities in Detroit in Muskegon. More info is at reefopoly.com.

—R andiah C am ille G reen