Eat, Drink, Rub 5 cannabis-infused products we tried and loved By and as told to Lynda Wheatley Progress, thy name is marijuana. Despite what for any other industry would be serious stumbling blocks — major disruptions in global supply chain management due to the pandemic and, uh, the not-soconvenient refusal of some governments to legalize sale of cannabis — has hardly registered as a hiccup for the world’s legal marijuana market. According to a market analysis report released last month by Grandview Research, a U.S.- and India-based market research firm that serves Fortune 500 companies and academic institutions around the globe, legal marijuana is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world: In 2020, it was valued at $24.6 billion — and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 14.3 percent between 2021 and 2028. Although progressive policies and indigenous-cultivation startups in places like Australia, the U.K., Germany, Israel, Croatia, Poland, Columbia, and the Netherlands are contributing to the global growth, the region driving it hardest and fastest is North America, with a 2020 revenue share of 91.1 percent. With so much money and potential in this here continent’s hills, cannabis-related startups, research and development, and manufacturing sectors are flourishing — and users are reaping the benefits. Long gone are the days of needle-sized joints of shake, or funky-tasting brownies containing indeterminate loads of THC (or other mystery substances). Tech, government, and assorted weed-business visionaries have come together at this moment in history to deliver a breadth of reliably measured and seriously tasty (and even some tasteless) cannabis products, crafted to deliver specific kinds of highs. Equally reliably, Northern Express is sharing picks for five locally sold recreational products some of our staff and associates have tried and favored enough to buy again. In no particular order:
Lume Cannabis Co. Move Gummies
“As a 40-something mom of two energetic kids under age six, with a demanding professional job, I tend to avoid indica strains, which are more for relaxation and better sleep. I don’t really have a problem slowing down; I do have a problem finding enough energy to rev up to clean my house, work in the yard, play with my kids, prep meals for the week, etc. I’ve bought these Move [sativa strain] gummies several times, in several flavors, and I have loved them all. They lift my mood and feel motivating — like everything is more fun (even the Groundhog Day repetition of “Mom, watch me! Mom, watch this! Mom, now look!”). Exercise and, specifically, yoga feel extra good. I’m more patient and engaged with my kids but not spacey or slow like you get after a couple glasses of wine, and not agitated or jittery like I get with too much coffee. One drawback: These are said to give you focus, but I don’t find that so. When I take one, I do feel like the hamster wheel in my brain slows down, and I’m able to be much more present and enjoying the moment I’m in, but the idea-germination and mojo to move and play tends to dominate, so I can’t imagine sitting down to write an article or study, for instance. But again, that could be just me. Last thing: All flavors I’ve tried taste exceptionally good — not “weedy” at all — so even though they come in a childproof tin, I keep them in a locked box in my closet. I believe if a kid got a hold of these gummies, they would eat more than one.” A single tin of 20 gummies containing 5mg THC each, $22. Purchased at Lume in Honor. www.lume.com.
10 • april 19, 2021 • Northern Express Weekly
KIVA Confections Terra Peppermint Pattie Bites Detroit Fudge Company Barracuda Bar “I like to think of myself as a bit of ganga guru, and in the edibles department, I’d pretty much recommend anything made by Kiva. If I had to pick one, I’d probably go with their Peppermint Pattie Bites. They’re only one gram of sugar each, but the [milk] chocolate is actually really good, and the peppermint doesn’t taste fake. They also have no aftertaste, which I think is usually a big ask for any chocolate-cannabis edibles, and not all manufacturers nail it. Actually, another one that really does chocolate well is Detroit Fudge Company — their [Dark Chocolate] Barracuda Bar [made with 65 percent high-quality Belgian chocolate] is insanely rich and smooth and something I would eat even if it didn’t have THC in it. I’m going to pack a bar to make grown-up S’mores on a backpacking trip some friends and I are planning this summer. What I love most about the Peppermint Bites, though, is the chill vibe they give me. They’re actually my Sunday morning ritual. Just one gives a good body and brain buzz but in a really mellow way. They’re perfect for relaxing with some music, a cup of tea or coffee, and thinking about the week ahead without getting me anxious about all I have to get done at work. The best part is that there’s no afternoon hangover, so I sleep great and am clear and ready to roll Monday morning. I recommend them over a Bloody Mary any day.” Terra Peppermint Pattie bites, $20 per tin of 20 5mg pieces, purchased at Dunegrass, Manistee. dunegrass.co. Detroit Fudge Company Dark Chocolate Barracuda Bar, currently on sale for $15.90, for a single hybrid-strain bar of 20 5mg pieces, available at Riverside Provisioning, Grayling or Kalkaska. www.rsmeds.com
