THE EDIBLES ISSUE
A
N D Y O U ' R E T H E R E !
GROW WEST'S FRESH FROZEN FLOWER
HIGH-POTENCY
DISTILLATE
RECHARGEABLE & DISPOSABLE DESIGN
THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE
/
WES ABNEY CEO & FOUNDER
wes@leafmagazines.com
MIKE RICKER OPERATING PARTNER ricker@leafmagazines.com
TOM BOWERS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER tom@leafmagazines.com
DANIEL BERMAN CREATIVE DIRECTOR daniel@leafmagazines.com
EARLY MARYLAND LEAF PUBLISHER early@leafmagazines.com
WYATT EARLY STATE DIRECTOR wyatt@leafmagazines.com (410) 961-8779
KAYL WOHL COPY EDITOR kayl@leafmagazines.com
ABOUT THE COVER
The Edibles Issue has become a glossary for the latest and greatest as well as the mainstays of the edible market in Maryland. It’s exciting to see how the market has progressed year after year. We are blessed to have such a variety of products that continues to expand. Pictured on the cover are Easin' Eddies from Betty’s Eddies, chocolate Discos from Evermore, and THCV chews from Beezle Brands. Check out their reviews and dozens more starting on page 28! PHOTOS & STYLING
CONTRIBUTORS
WES ABNEY, FEATURES
BOBBY BLACK, FEATURES
JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION
DANIEL BERMAN, DESIGN
JESSE JOHNSON, FEATURES
ZACK JOHNSON, PHOTOS
REX HILSINGER, FEATURES
GREG MALCOLM, PHOTOS
TAYLOR MARTIN, FEATURES
BAXSEN PAINE, FEATURES
JESSE RAMIREZ, DESIGN
MIKE RICKER, FEATURES
BRUCE WOLF, PHOTOS
LAURIE WOLF, RECIPES
We are creators of targeted, independent Cannabis journalism. Please email us to discuss advertising in the next issue of Maryland Leaf Magazine. We do not sell stories or coverage. We can offer design services and guidance on promoting your company’s medicinal, recreational, commercial or industrial Cannabis business, product or event within our magazine and on our website, leafmagazines.com. Email wyatt@leafmagazines.com to start advertising with Maryland Leaf!
CONNECT WITH MARYLAND LEAF
WES ABNEY
Editor’s Note
Edibles are the perfect way to put a daze in the holidays. Those yummy, potent gummies and treats will get you higher than Rudolph and deliver a hit of the munchies just in time for second helpings of stuffing and desserts.
I’ve used edibles heavily in the last 18 months as I have stopped drinking alcohol and found myself embracing a new buzz that is so much healthier. Cannabis as a medicine really shines in edible form, where benefits include pain relief, sleep aid, stress and anxiety help, and is certainly safer than alcohol. Too many edibles can be a bad thing, but you won’t die! A bad trip that leads to the ER will likely result in a multi-thousand dollar bill for fluids and a snack — which can easily be acquired at home. But I still hear from people scared to try edibles because of a bad experience or lack of knowledge, so it’s important to remember that what goes up will come down safely when using Cannabis.
Today’s lineup of infused products ranges from drinks to capsules, brownies to gummies, and with literally something for every taste or preference. These products are tested, consistent and deliver expected results every time a consumer or patient turns to an edible for relief. Each time the choice is made to use Cannabis instead of pharmaceuticals like opiates or even Tylenol, the health of the individual goes up, and profits for pharma go down.
America is still one of only two countries that allow pharmaceutical companies to advertise on TV, the other being New Zealand. While we all tune out the stock footage, false promises and warnings against vomiting, diarrhea, blood clots or, in the case of Jardiance for type 2 diabetes, a rash on the perineum, these ads don’t work to sell pharma or convince us to talk to our doctor. But they do constitute 75% of TV marketing revenues as of 2020. When a media company sells a majority of advertising to a small cabal of mega-corporations, those companies control the narrative of the media, which becomes a serious problem when those media companies operate news channels.
“CANNABIS AS A MEDICINE REALLY SHINES IN EDIBLE FORM, WHERE BENEFITS INCLUDE PAIN RELIEF, SLEEP AID, STRESS AND ANXIETY HELP, AND IS CERTAINLY SAFER THAN ALCOHOL.”
This is why we won’t see ads for weed anytime soon on airwaves or messaging from the news about natural health, exercise and psychedelics. Until America is freed from the corrupt yoke of pharma advertising, the chance of getting real health information from a mainstream news source is very low.
When I started the Leaf in 2010, this conflict was obvious to many in the weed industry, who fought to free our plant and offer an alternative medicine source for those suffering. Today we’ve come so far in terms of quality and options of medicines, which is perfectly represented by the Edibles Issue. But even as the weed industry grows, so does the chokehold Big Pharma has on media and politicians. As we close out 2024, I am motivated to fight this corruption and hopeful that the continued awakening of Americans happens with each purchase of natural and delicious Cannabis edibles. Side effects may include munchies, general happiness and a lack of energy to argue about politics on social media. We definitely prefer that to insomnia, headaches and hives, but we’ll live with the cotton mouth.
NORTHWEST LEAF
OREGON LEAF / ALASKA LEAF / MARYLAND LEAF / CALIFORNIA LEAF / NORTHEAST LEAF / UTAH LEAF
MARYLAND LEAF BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH GABRIELLE MITCHELL
“WYLD, IF YOU HEAR ME, I NEED THE HIGHDOSE SOUR APPLES!"
GTELL ME ABOUT HOW YOU GOT INTO SMOKING CANNABIS…
When I was a teenager, I smoked with my sister here and there, obviously. But back in 2019, I herniated a couple of discs in my back and ended up needing surgery in 2020 at the age of 19. For about a year, I was dealing with some pretty serious chronic back pain. My sciatic nerve was completely pressed on one side, and I couldn’t stand for more than a couple of minutes without lightheadedness and shooting pain. I started smoking a lot more during that time because it made the pain of moving around a little bit easier. Everyone started smoking more weed during COVID, and even if I wanted to go out during that time — which no one could — I physically wouldn’t have been able to. This made me realize how badly chronic pain could impact your life, and for over a year I couldn’t even stand in the shower. Getting into weed and smoking a lot during that time eased the chronic pain I was living through until I had surgery.
HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START IN THE INDUSTRY?
I was processing loans for a mortgage company before I came here, and it was fun for a long time, but that industry began to die. It taught me a lot of corporate structure, which was cool, but by the time I was done, I was beyond stressed going to work every day. I looked around, and my friend, who’s a Cannabis influencer, was pushing me to get into the industry. I started right around 4/20 last year, and it’s been amazing.
WHAT IS A SPECIAL MOMENT YOU’VE HAD AT GPW?
There are a lot of really wonderful things about working here, but the overall aspect of learning stands out to me. When I got hired, I didn’t even know what a terpene was and didn’t understand the relationship between THC and terpenes. There were a lot of things that I hadn’t explored yet, and talking with co-workers and customers every day helped me. I love both sides of the industry — medical and recreational — but I’m glad I started working here during medical because it taught me so much about treating issues with Cannabis products and more aspects than just getting high.
GREEN POINT WELLNESS
LINTHICUM
823A ELKRIDGE LANDING RD
LINTHICUM HEIGHTS
GPWELLNESS.COM
@GPWELLNESS (410) 553-7171 9
abrielle got her start in Cannabis like any of us, smoking with her siblings before it turned into a lifestyle. She had surgery to correct two herniated disks in 2020 at age 19 and used Cannabis before and after the surgery to mitigate pain and discomfort. Finding her footing in the industry with a shop like Green Point Wellness has opened a world of knowledge and possibilities that brighten her world and make her excited to come to work every day. Inspiring stories like hers create and reignite the passion for the plant we all hold deep inside. Be sure to stop and say hey to Gabrielle when you’re in Linthicum!
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE STONER MOVIE? I do! My only weed-related tattoo is a reference to my favorite stoner movie, “Dazed and Confused.” My dad showed it to me in high school because he grew up in Texas in the ’70s, had an older sister who was a senior while he was a freshman, and the main character’s first name is Mitch and our last name is Mitchell. It is literally about him. So I have a “party at the moontower” tattoo.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE EDIBLES TO KEEP ON HAND? My go-to is the black cherry 40mg gummies from HiCOLOR and their RSO gummies. The sativa RSO gummies from HiCOLOR are so, so good. Also Wyld’s Sour Apple gummies, which are only in 10 mg right now, but I am waiting for Wyld to make that flavor in higher dosages. Wyld, if you hear me, I need the high-dose sour apples!
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE CONCERT YOU’VE EVER BEEN TO… An upcoming concert, because I already know it’s going to be my favorite. I’m going to see Taylor Swift in a few weeks with my mom in Vancouver. I know people go back and forth on loving and hating Taylor Swift, but I love her. I’ve seen her a few times, but this will be the last night of her tour, and this is my Super Bowl.
MAGGIE’S AND LIBERTY CANNABIS are OGs in the Cannabis industry, so their combined brand power makes perfect sense for this store’s success. Liberty kept the roots of this store alive while making it their own. Located just off the avenue in Hampden, it’s a perfect spot for a dispensary nestled between Baltimore County and Baltimore City. You can still expect to find impressive paintings from local artists, both on display and for sale in-store. Elements like this give the store a homey feel — somewhere people can feel comfortable and confident about who t hey’re buying Cannabis from. 3317 KESWICK RD, BALTIMORE, MD | (443) 873-6974 | MON-SAT. 10AM-8PM, SUN. 11AM-8PM | LIBERTYCANNABIS.COM |
SETTING AND VIBE
There is a certain warmth and feeling when entering this store that creates an environment of inclusivity. The employees all appear to be genuinely stoked to be working there and are interested in interacting with the patients and adult-use customers they serve. A big smile on the other side of the counter is something that tends to make my day when visiting dispensaries. I was met with that smile and a crew of employees who all introduced themselves to me and other customers as they came in to make a purchase.
FLOWER
Liberty Baltimore offers all the newest strains from Strane and Garcia Hand Picked. There is no shortage of Cannabis from the rest of the Maryland grows, with consistently priced and hand-selected strains for the whole spectrum of Cannabis smokers. Keep an eye on the specials tab on their menu for discounted prices on flower, pre-rolls and eighths. I often find that the strains with specials are the ones I was going to buy anyway, so why not save some money where it’s possible?
CONCENTRATES
One unique feature this store offers as a concentrate special is a “build-your-own baller jar” deal. You can get 25% off your purchase when you buy 4 grams of concentrate at a time, making it easy to stock up on your favorite concentrate or spread it out with some variety and taste the rainbow. They also regularly carry pre-made 3.5-gram baller jars from SunMed Labs, which are already a ton of bang for your buck.
EDIBLES
"WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF POTENCIES AND FLAVORS, THERE IS A QUALITY PRODUCT AVAILABLE TO FIT INTO ANYONE’S REGIMEN."
Liberty Baltimore's diverse edible menu caters to the needs of patients while keeping the best emerging products consistently available. You can find edibles designed to help with sleep, gastrointestinal issues, pain management, anxiety and many other ailments. They also have high-dose edibles for those days and nights where 10 mg isn’t gonna cut it. With a wide variety of potencies and flavors, there is a quality product available to fit into anyone’s regimen.
This strain is a cross between Cherry OG (Thai Afghani x Lost Coast OG) and I Smell Lemons. The citrusy lemon smell dominates the flavor profile, making it the perfect strain for citrus chasers like myself. On the exhale, the gassy part of the profile makes itself known with lingering citrus notes, making their way into the mix. After smoking a joint, I felt calm but energized and ready for a productive workday. Wake and bakes just got even more epic with Lemon Maraschino! 25.26% THC | 2.86% TOTAL TERPENES
REVIEW ED: STRANE LEMON MARASCHINO
Days Of Days Of
Alchemist
ben o'brien
"THE OTHER DAY, I yawned and sneezed,” he said. “So I wrote in my joke songs notes folder, ‘yawn, sneeze, burp,’ and my goal now is to write a song like that.” These joke songs, or “silly songs” as Ben refers to them, have been his main creative focus recently. After spending more than 10 years playing in his former band Foggy May and other groups around the Baltimore area, he feels the transition to working as a solo performer is seamless and enjoys the challenges that come with it.
“I’ve had to step up as a writer,” he said. “I’ve only been playing open mics so far. It’s just me strumming simple chords and singing lyrics that I really believe in — really lyrically driven stuff.”
Ben’s passion for being a musician came when he was young. The 28-year-old Westminster native had a neighbor who would take him to shows at different clubs around the city, like the Ottobar, and hosted the bands at her house. One night, she had a few touring bands play at her house party, and Ben said watching those bands play, along with later playing “Guitar Hero,” are what inspired him to pick up a guitar and pursue music. From there, he would meet his future bandmates through school and from playing recreational basketball in Westminster.
Growing up, Ben said he struggled with anxiety. While exercising gave him some relief, he said he discovered Cannabis in the summer before his senior year of high school, and after smoking for the first time, he admits it changed his consciousness.
it was a sense of adventure,” he said, adding that he got his medical card in 2018.
When writing his songs, Ben says they almost always start with the topic, whether it’s stepping into a funny situation or thinking of an imaginary encounter. One of his favorite songs he’s put out is called “Ex,” which is a fictional take on the possibility of seeing an ex-partner out in public with the added challenge of starting each line of lyrics with a word that begins with “ex.”
In the basement of his childhood home, Ben sits at a keyboard and starts working out a new song. He says he hasn’t started writing lyrics for it yet but is intent on using a recent experience to help guide his songwriting.
CANNABIS FOR A BETTER LIFE
“I feel like with me writing these songs recently, I’ve been more receptive to the world and people in general,” he said. “I hear someone say something and I put it into my blender, and it makes it into one of my songs.”
“Obviously,you don’tneedto smokemarijuana tohavethatkind ofself-audit,but Ithinkithelpsme bemoresensitive. Ithinkittakes awayabitof myego.”
“Discovering this thing really brought a sense of calm, and even if it wasn’t always a sense of calm,
Ben said he prefers smoking a hybrid strain of dry flower that’s split right down the middle in terms of where the effect leans. While he can’t recall any strain in particular that stands out as a favorite, he said when he’s working on a song and takes a break to smoke, the song goes in a different direction when he revisits it later on.
“You might hear some people say, ‘Sleep on it.’ I say, ‘Smoke on it,’” he said. “Cannabis definitely grants you a slightly different perspective.”
Cannabis also brings him an element of introspectiveness, describing his nightly session as a “self-audit.”
“I think about different things that happened that day — some things I’m proud of or things I could do better — and I try to do better the next day,” he said. “Obviously, you don’t need to smoke marijuana to have that kind of self-audit, but I think it helps me be more sensitive. I think it takes away a bit of my ego.”
In addition to writing original songs, Ben also creates “mash-up poems,” which are different lines he’s written that don’t have or necessarily need music to accompany them. He takes two topics the audience wouldn’t normally associate with each other and uses the whole poem to marry the two topics. A few examples of these poems include various Disney villains attending the Olympic Games or a fictional account of Bob Marley going to a Planet Fitness.
“I try to create something every day, whether it’s one line lyrically or a new lick on guitar. That’s how I judge me being productive,” he said. “It’s not always about how much money I can make but how much I get out of me and into the world today.”
Ben said he intends to release an EP of some of his silly songs in the near future while enlisting a few friends to collaborate with him and eventually put together a live band to perform these songs beyond an open mic setting. He describes the EP as having a country music vibe that some would liken to a “concussed Charley Crockett,” based on the nature of the songs.
“I heard Tim Dillon once say, ‘Do what makes you feel most alive,’” he said. “When I’m putting the chords together and I come up with the lines, I feel like that’s what I’m supposed to be doing.”
Family Owned and Operated in Hagerstown MD
John Perkins & Tyler Lycklama
JP jumped on the torch in 2004 and hasn’t stopped yet! I still remember him back in the day slanging glass pipes in the parking lot at Mount Baker in Washington state, taking breaks between powder runs. To this day he still holds a season pass.
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS, and he still calls the beautiful Pacific Northwest home. When he’s not in the studio, he’s out with his sons exploring and enjoying their favorite pastimes.
Whether it’s fishing, camping, hiking, BMX riding Baker or just having a campfire, his boys are always his first priority.
His brand, @pizzalglass on Instagram, is well known in the contemporary glass art industry. Currently, he works out of his private studio in Bellingham, Washington, alongside Tyler Lycklama (aka @lickalama), with whom he recently collaborated on a piece featured in this article. Over the years, he’s had the opportunity to work with some of the most innovative artists in the world. He’s also known for his extensive time with the Mothership Glass team, where he honed his shaping skills and helped develop systems for creating some of the most iconic designs in the functional glass art world.
“Art is what you make of it,” says JP about the future of borosilicate glass art. “I try to focus on colorways that excite me, but I always start with a solid functional design. We see ups and downs in our industry just like any other. I always push forward in my craft and aim to innovate instead of recreate.”
This piece highlights JP’s stellar shaping and his ability to make a creative yet symmetrical design, utilizing the standout gold-fumed sections made by Tyler. When you get two artists together that complement each other’s skills, you end up with something stunning. This marvel stands 9 inches tall and comes in a custom Pelican case with a matching slide and spinner carb cap.
@PIZZALGLASS
@LICKLAMA
"Perkins is also known for his extensive time with the Mothership team where he honed his shaping skills and helped to develop systems for creating some of the most well known designs in the functional glass art world."
Purple Obea Live Resin Cake Badder
PURPLE OBEAH from Evermore Cannabis Company’s live resin cake badder line is a tremendous medley of vociferous fruit bouquets and this month’s extract feature! Evermore has long made a name for itself in the concentrate world but has outdone itself with its rendition of the Purple Obeah genetic.
oneof my personal favorite flowers to smoke, the Purple Obeah is a vigorously fruity, heavy-hitting delight expressed and extrapolated in live resin form. As with all concentrates, the goodness intensifies through the extraction process, but with the Purple Obeah genetic, this concept is taken to new heights. A full tropical forest of delights awaits the noses of connoisseurs across the state, featuring mango, pineapple, grape, melons, plums, kiwi and tropical florals.
The fruity bouquet with floral undertones is an exceptionally refined profile for the most discerning palates. Mouth-watering aromas and flavors are not overshadowed by a typical heavy-hitting “indica” effect. The heavy myrcene and limonene combo, tempered by linalool and caryophyllene, is a classic example of a sedative profile packed with bursting, fruity nuance. Pain and sleep patients will adore this profile, but so will all lovers of concentrates. An iconic high with tremendous terpenes is all a Cannabis lover needs at the end of the day.
At the end of the day, all anyone really needs is some of Evermore’s Purple Obeah live resin cake badder. The toke incorporates all the fruity and floral elements that morph and mingle on the inhale and the exhale, filling the room with its presence.
The Evermore team has done well to take one of their most exquisite flowers and bring it across the finish line into a very well-preserved, dare I say, pristine, product. Purple Obeah dabs should be a Maryland standard in the Cannabis industry and could represent one of the best-tasting Cannabis genetics in the country.
A full tropical forest of delights awaits the noses of featuringconnoisseurs... mango, pineapple, grape, melons, plums, kiwi and florals.tropical
CAKE BUTTA CAKE BUTTA CAKE BUTTA
CULTIVATED BY FADE CO. X MIND RIGHT EXOTICS
bakery notes — are among the more abstract and desirable aromatic profiles in Cannabis.
Fade Co. x Mind Right Exotics encapsulates the cake house of aroma with their Cake Butta genetic, which smells and smokes like a blueberry cobbler — sweet and fruity while retaining a deep tone of gas that sharpens the Cannabis profile. In addition to the wondrous olfactory sensation of opening a fresh bag, there’s the brilliant awe that comes from a stunning visual appeal of the Cannabis plant. These plants offer some of the most beautiful flowers in nature, not just the most delicious to smoke. Cake Butta is a striking representation of this beauty, with robust calyxes, glistening trichomes, vibrant multi-colored hues and excellent preservation.
This visual stunner owes its exceptional preservation, frum cut to consumer, to the meticulous talents of the Fade Co. team. Cake Butta is a delicious and aromatically enticing cultivar, backed by team of dedicated professionals. It rightfully claims its place as one of Maryland’s top indica-hybrid profiles, offering a rich profile of limonene, linalool, myrcene and caryophyllene that coalesce into the fruity, cakey, gassy delight known as Cake Butta. thefadecompany.com |
“...a fantastically cakey representation of some of the tastier flower Maryland has to offer.”
BEVERAGES
Evermore Cannabis Company
Yuzu Blood Orange and Dark Berry Tall
Elevated Seltzer
As someone who likes to eat healthy when I can, I love seeing a beverage that has no added sugar. These flavors remind me of La Croix, with the ever-so-slight hint of Cannabis oil blended in nicely. The Yuzu Blood Orange is a citrus explosion, and the Dark Berry has a naturally sweet flavor. Both went down smoothly and are a great healthy alternative to alcohol. After about half an hour, I felt a tingly sensation slide over me, which transformed into a relaxed, euphoric state. 5mg THC per can @evermorebrands | evermorecompany.com
Sunnies Watermelon & Pineapple Socials
Joining the wave of healthconscious Cannabis beverages is Socials from our good friends at SunMed Labs. With 10 mg of fastacting THC per can, it only takes one to get you into that sweet spot. Gone are the days of people shaming other people for not “just having a drink.” Now we have an option to drink a healthy alternative while still catching a nice buzz. Both of these flavors had me picking up the can quickly and going back for more. 10mg THC per can @sunmed.growers sunmedgrowers.com/ our-products
Vibations
Lemon Lime Drink Packets
For a quick and easy on-the-go Cannabis drink, Vibations is bringing the heat with these lemonlime drink packets. They are fast-acting and loaded with electrolytes and THCV to promote energy with a kick. Some days move a million miles per hour, as I’m sure anyone in the Cannabis industry can attest, but these help me focus and slow down a little bit without making me groggy. 10mg THC 5mg THCV per can @vibationscannabis vibationscannabis.com
CHOCOLATES + BAKED GOODS
These caramels are also individually wrapped, which is really needed for a product like this. Imagine going to grab a caramel and finding an oozing pile that has melted into one piece in your car. The flavor on these is incredible, tasting like freshly made espresso blending seamlessly with the sweet, sugary caramel. I took these throughout the day for the energy kick from the espresso and sativa blend used in the edibles. 10mg THC per caramel 10 per package | verano.com/brand/encore | @veranobrands
These truffles are shaped like Rolos chocolates but are filled with sweet raspberry cream instead of caramel. Their uniformity is impressive, and each piece is wrapped individually inside the Mylar to protect them. As a lover of truffles, I could not stop eating these until I realized I was 50 mg deep. After an hour, I felt a sleepy feeling come over me, putting me in a relaxed and happy state for the evening. 10mg THC per truffle | 10 per package @sunmed.growers | sunmedgrowers.com/our-products
Full Melt
Original
Caramels
One aspect I always love about caramel candy is its soft, chewy consistency, but that really is just my personal preference. These are soft as can be, proving extremely easy to chew and melt away as you eat them. The flavor of Cannabis is well hidden, making these very tasty and an addition to my list of edibles to keep around the house. The ability to add these to different desserts also gives them a unique aspect. 10mg per caramel 10 per package pharmacann.com/ brands/full-melt
These caramels are also individually wrapped, which is really needed for this. Imagine going to grab a caramel and finding an oozing pile that has one piece in your car. The flavor on these is incredible, tasting like freshly blending seamlessly with the sweet, sugary caramel. I took these throughout 10mg THC
Encore Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Macro Edibles
We love to see the macro-dose products packing a whopping 40 mg of THC in each chocolate. The packaging of this product line is professional, and if they were sitting in your grandma’s candy bowl, you wouldn’t notice a difference. Each little square is individually wrapped and scored in the middle, allowing you to break or bite them into 20 mg pieces. I never found myself needing more than one of these chocolates, even on the most painful or uncomfortable nights. 40mg THC per chocolate | 10 per package verano.com/brand/encore | @veranobrands
Encore Espresso Sativa Caramels
Sunnies White Chocolate Raspberry Truffles
for a product like has melted into freshly made espresso throughout the day for the THC per caramel
Evermore Cannabis Company
White & Dark Chocolate Discos I always enjoy these products the most this time of year, around the holidays. The White Chocolate Discos have little pieces of crushed candy canes in them and are made with full-extract Cannabis oil for a real punch. Both varieties are made with Felchlin chocolate which has been one of Switzerland’s foremost chocolate producers for centuries. Quality input is something that Evermore clearly understands, and these chocolates reflect that. 10mg THC per Chocolate 10 per package | @evermorebrands evermorecompany.com
Bubby’s Baked Full Spectrum Snickerdoodle Bites
One of Maryland’s longest and strongest baked goods offerings is a blessing to have regularly available. The flavor of these is truly unreal, tasting like a soft and chewy, freshbaked snickerdoodle cookie or muffin bite. The smell coming off of them almost reminds me of cheesecake, and the sweet, soft cinnamon flavor is making me hungry just typing this review. I only need one of these due to the power of the full-spectrum oil, but they taste so good I almost always eat two. 10mg THC per bite 5 per package
@bubbysbaked | bubbysbaked.com
Hedy Dark Chocolate Drops
Classic dark chocolate is great because you can eat it straight up, and it’s delicious. Or you can melt it down and incorporate it into other things. Chocolate-dipped strawberries? Drizzle on your ice cream? The possibilities are endless, and they are also scored in the middle for those looking for 5 mg at a time. Keep in mind, if you melt it down, you are a little less likely to have an exact milligram dosage since you’ll likely be dipping something in it or drizzling it onto something. 10mg per Drop | 10 per package @hedyedibles | hedyedibles.com
GUMMIES
People have been loving the Oria gummies and I can see why — packed with a ton of flavor and a strong punch in such a small package. They are vegan, gluten-free, all-natural and made with a blend of live resin and distillate. The flavor is exotic and tropical, reminding me of a fresh smoothie on the islands. After two gummies, I was bouncing around the house, cleaning up and on an energetic kick. 10mg THC per gummy + Terpenes | 10 per package @airobrands | airobrands.com/collections/gummies
HiCOLOR 1:1:1 and 1:5 Gummies
The flavor of both of these sugar-coated gummies was the first thing that made me fall in love with them, but the effects were quick to follow. The Raspberry Lemonade proved to be the perfect daytime gummy for me, while the Sour Cherry eased an end-of-day anxiety. These gummies are gluten-free, vegan and non-GMO, making them accessible and edible for almost anyone. Raspberry Lemonade - 10mg CBG, 10mg CBD, and 10mg THC per gummy | Sour Cherry - 10mg THC and 50mg CBD per gummy | 10 in each package | @vireohealth vireohealth.com/hicolor
Beboe Remedy Blend Golden Peach & Cloud 9 Blend Sparkling Pear Gummies
I found these two blends to be the perfect mixture when put together. With 5 mg of THC each, in addition to the 5 mg of CBG and 10 mg of CBD separately, one of each gummy put me at 10 mg of THC, 10 mg of CBD and 5 mg of CBG for a true mind-and-body relaxation experience. My stomach, limbs and body felt calm as a wave of peaceful relaxation slipped over me. Remedy Blend - 5mg THC and 10mg CBD per gummy | Cloud 9 Blend - 5mg THC and 5mg CBG per gummy | 20 per package | @beboefamily | beboe.com
Sunnies
Skywalker
OG Root Beer Float Live Resin Gummies
Opening this bag of gummies releases a strong scent of soda-like butterscotch root beer goodness. Each gummy is gumdrop-shaped and coated with a granular layer of sugar. I was pleasantly greeted by a classic root beer flavor and usually take two of these gummies to reach my sweet spot. 10mg THC per gummy | 10 per package @sunmed.growers | sunmedgrowers.com/our-products
Incredibles Gummies
The Sour Blue Razzberry gummies from Incredibles have a sour, sugary coating on the outside, while the traditional gummies do not. Ten milligrams of THC, CBD and CBG can go a long way toward a comfortable outcome while eating edibles. The variations of flavors and potencies from Incredibles make the journey a little easier to navigate. My favorite combination is the strawberry lemonade-flavored gummies, from the taste to the effects. Blue Razzberry was my second favorite flavor-wise, but all of them are delicious, including the Greener Apple. Greener Apple - 10mg THC per gummy | Strawberry Lemahhhnade10mg CBD and 10mg THC per gummy | Sour Blue Razzberry - 10mg THC and 10mg CBG per gummy | 10 in each package @iloveincredibles | iloveincredibles.com
Airo Oria Bahama Breeze Mango & Melon Gummies
GUMMIES
Wyld Sour Apple Sativa Enhanced Gummies
The packaging on Wyld gummies is as beautiful as it is informative. The colorful floral designs and the green color scheme get your mind right in the sour apple mood. There are QR codes inside the package which take you to a page with more information about the company and its products. Consistencywise, these gummies have a classic soft mouthfeel and are easy to bite through, and the flavor of Cannabis is well masked. About an hour after eating one gummy, I had a pristine boost of energy and a positive mindset on the day. 10mg THC per gummy 10 per package | @wyldcanna | wyldcanna.com
Betty’s Eddies Pineapple Orange Easin Eddies
I can’t say there has ever been a flavor of Betty’s Eddies I didn't like, but these are up there on my list of favorites. The soft taffy consistency, paired with the exotic citrus fruit flavor, makes these a home run product. They contain THC, CBG, THCV, chamomile, passionflower, and natural fruits and veggies to fully embody the intention behind this edible. As a fullspectrum product, the effects were noticeable pretty quickly after eating a chew. 10mg THC, 5mg CBG, and 2.5mg CBDV per gummy | 10 per package @bettyseddiesofficial | bettyseddies.com
One-to-1 products tend to make my brain feel good, and I always try to keep some ratios in my inventory. Sometimes THC on its own can be a little overwhelming, but I always feel good mixing in a little CBD to cut out any potential anxiety that could form. Both of these have a sweet and citrusy blend of strawberry and lemon-lime flavors.10mg THC and 10mg CBD per gummy | 10 per package @wanabrands | wanabrands.com
matter. 1:4 Sour Apple Gummy Bites
These little gumdrop-shaped gummies are perfect for the holidays, offering variations of flavors and cannabinoid ratios. The sour green apple flavor is on point and does a solid job of masking the Cannabis flavor. I found myself reaching for these during especially anxious or stressful days to take the edge off. The high level of CBD in each gummy is perfect for those looking for a heavier concentration. 10mg THC and 40mg CBD per gummy | 10 per package pharmacann.com/brands/matter
Passionfruit
Sativa Gummies
The flavors Sweet Talk keeps in rotation always get me excited to try them, from the amazing smell when opening the container to the texture and taste. Passionfruit is my favorite fruit, and the sour, citrusy blend with guava takes these to the next level. The Orange Peach is a close second favorite, but I really enjoy combining the two for a guavapassionfruit-orange-peach smoothie. Two gummies were my sweet spot for a clean buzz and burst of energy. 10mg THC per gummy 10 per package | @sweettalkedibles sweettalkedibles.com
Sweet Talk Orange Peach and Guava
Wana Strawberry Lime and Strawberry Lemonade 1:1 Chews
Betty’s Eddies Raspberry Creme Bedtime Betty’s
Another killer blend out of Betty’s Eddies kitchen, the Raspberry Creme aroma and flavor of these chews stay true to their name. Intended for evening use, I found that taking these an hour before bed put me in the right mental headspace to drift off into dreamland. The heavier concentration of CBD helps eliminate my end-of-day anxiety and makes the effects of the edible feel smooth and natural. 10mg THC, 5mg CBN, and 20mg CBD per gummy 10 per package @bettyseddiesofficial | bettyseddies.com
Beezle Brands Tangerine THCV Chews
One of the strongest benefits of THCV products is their ability to reduce appetite, which could be particularly useful for an edible product. Achieving the same high without the perpetual munchies? Count me in. I noticed a lesser urge to destroy my pantry when eating these compared to other edibles. The effects were long-lasting and provided a smooth ride from start to finish. 10mg THC per gummy | 10 per package | @beezlebrands_md | beezlebrands.com
Strane Dragon Fruit Live Resin Gummies
These live resin gummies are strain-specific, and this batch of dragon fruit chews was infused with Jokerz Candy live resin. This difference in infusion creates a unique flavor combination of sweet fruits and a seemingly natural Cannabis flavor. I used these for sleep, finding two to be the sweet spot for me to get a solid eight hours of rest. 10mg THC per gummy | 10 per package | @thisisstrane | thisisstrane.com
Bits Yuzu Zone 1:1
Bits from Verano are a great tool to have in any Cannabis user’s toolkit. Being able to add 5 mg of THC and CBG throughout the day is what I sometimes need when I don’t want to commit to another 10 mg. The citrusy yuzu flavor is perfect for after a meal, and the CBG helped to settle my stomach during uncomfortable days. 5mg THC and 5mg CBG per bit | 20 per package @bitsdomore | bits.verano.com
The Essence Bonsai Berry Nectar Gummies
Nectar Gummies are infused with cured live resin, and the strain for this batch was Str8 Lemonade. The flavor reflects that infusion with a mix of berry and lemony citrus on the palate. These little hexagons are packed with power, and I rarely found myself needing to go back for a second gummy. After about 45 minutes I felt a wave of pure energy come over me, putting me in a creative mindset that lasted for hours. 10mg THC per gummy | 10 per package @veranobrands | verano.com/brand/the-essence
GUMMIES
JAMS Mixed Berry Indica and Ruby Red Grapefruit Sativa Jellies
I have always loved the camo packaging of JAMS Jellies, with each flavor featuring a different color scheme. The sweet gummies taste just like the fruits in their names, plus they have a nice bite to them. I ate two of the Mixed Berry Indica Jellies before a Ravens game and felt a strong effect that lasted throughout the entire game. THC is a wonderful replacement for alcohol in settings like these, and you wake up feeling a lot better the next morning! 10mg THC per gummy | 10 per package | @_hellojams | hellojams.com
Wyld Huckleberry Hybrid Enhanced Gummies
Being made with real fruit makes the flavor of these gummies unique and undeniably delicious. There is only the slightest taste of Cannabis on the back end, which is reassuring in the effect it aims to deliver. Consistency is key with edibles, as it is all foods we eat, and I’ve come to expect reliable potency and flavor across all of Wyld’s variations.10mg THC per gummy | 10 per package @wyldcanna | wyldcanna.com
Watermelon Do Drops Focus 1:1:1
Do Drops took home an award in the 2024 Maryland Leaf Bowl for their Starfruit Pride gummies, and these are right up there with the winner. Between the THC and THCV, we have almost 20 mg of THC per gummy, along with some CBG, which everyone can get on board with. The flavor of these, like most Do Drops, is extremely on point with sweet notes of watermelon. I found myself only needing one gummy to get into a comfortable and focused mindset. 10mg THC 10mg CBG, and 10mg THCV per bit | 20 per package | @libertycannabis libertycannabis.com/our-brands/do-drops/
Wyld Boysenberry 1:1:1
Indica Enhanced Gummies
Nighttime gummies are incredibly handy for me, but finding the right one can be a real challenge. We all respond differently to various cannabinoids and terpenes, so the importance of finding your blend can be immense. I find that certain ones can be a little bit overwhelming, but these gummies from Wyld have that nice dose of CBD in the mix with CBN and THC. For me, this creates the exact level of relaxation I aim to achieve. 10mg THC, CBD, and CBN per gummy | 10 per package @wyldcanna | wyldcanna.com
matter. 1:1 Kiwi Strawberry and Limoncello Gummies
Gummies with a 1-1 ratio have been a long-time favorite of mine due to how CBD and THC can balance each other out. The CBD seems to give me relaxation and mental clarity, while the THC sets in from behind the eyes and relaxes my body entirely. The Limoncello gummies contain CBG and THC, which I find to be the best preparation for not having an upset stomach. The flavors of both of these gummies were exotic and fruity, with an easy-to-chew consistency that almost melts in your mouth. 10mg THC and 10mg CBG per gummy | 10 per package | pharmacann.com/brands/matter
GUMMIES
Beezle Brands Peach and Raspberry
Solventless Rosin Chews
The care and diligence that go into Beezle’s products are continuously impressive. Their attention to detail ensures everything that comes out of their lab is impeccable. These strain-specific rosin gummies are made with The Soap live rosin, which is worth a smoke if you’ve never experienced it. Each 10-pack of gummies is carefully sealed in a small plastic bag inside the Mylar to keep them clean and presentable. The flavor of these gummies is natural and not overwhelming, and after two chews, I was in a euphoric, cheerful state. 10mg THC per gummy | 10 per package @beezlebrands_md | beezlebrands.com
Hedy Cinnamon
Poached Pear 4:1 Chews
Admittedly as a flavor blend we don’t hear often, these flavors play off each other and blend quite nicely. I have used CBG for a long time to combat stomach issues, whether it’s preparing for a potentially upset stomach or remedying one that is already a problem. These gummies definitely helped with some of my GI issues that can arise when eating unhealthy foods that upset my stomach and microbiome. 20mg CBG and 10mg THC per chew | 10 per package @hedyedibles | hedyedibles.com
Wana Classic and Quick Chews
Watermelon, Blueberry, Mango
Italian Lemon Cream, Orchard Peach and Island Punch
Wana has been a favorite of the medical market in Maryland and many other states for years. Their product is consistent, from the texture and flavor of the gummies to the high you learn to expect. I am usually not a huge fan of peach-flavored gummies, but these Orchard Peach chews tasted like fresh peaches. The Mango was a close second on the favorites list, but really, all of these flavors packed quality flavor and a strong buzz to match. 10mg THC per gummy | 10 per package @wanabrands | wanabrands.com
Curio Wellness
Good Day
Citrus Honey Chews
We all have those days where we want the ever-soslightest buzz to keep the vibe high throughout a long day. That’s when I turn to Good Day, although I usually double the dosage to two gummies to suit my personal preference. The flavor of these is outstanding, almost melting in your mouth like a little dab of honey. As the seasons changed, I got a little sick and turned to these to keep me on my feet and active. 1mg THC | 1mg CBD 4mg THCV per chew | 10 per package | @curiowellnessbrand | curiowellness.com
JAMS Sour Green Apple Hybrid and Sour Strawberry Lemonade Sativa Fast-Acting Jellies
As part of the busy workday, it’s important to find products that blend well with the type of energy you’re seeking. For me, these Sour Strawberry Lemonade gummies kick in quickly and give a clean high that is good for a day of writing or computer work. The Sour Green Apple is a hybrid but did not make me feel groggy either. At 5 mg a piece, I usually take one of each for good measure and begin to feel relaxation slip over me. 5mg THC per gummy | 20 per package | @_hellojams| hellojams.com
Fan-faves, ramped up.
Find discreet, on-the-go relief one puff at a time in classic strains.
Check out our featured strains.
H
I Hybrid
Find Roll One™ vapes at Star Buds in Baltimore. Open Everyday, 9am - 9pm www.starbuds.us/maryland
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Headband
Sativa Acapulco Gold
GUMMIES
Curio Wellness Lemon Lime Terpene Infused Chews
If you have experimented with terpenes and dialed in the ones that sit best with how you want to feel, terpene-infused chews are the wave. Gone are the days of shopping based solely on THC percentages; the movement is shifting toward finding your ideal terpene profile. With these chews, Curio makes it easy to focus on a specific terpene. I took these during the day due to their moderate THC content, which keeps the effects balanced with a consistently uplifting mood after taking them. 5mg THC + Pinene and Beta-Caryophyllene | 10 per package | @curiowellnessbrand curiowellness.com
Wana Midnight Berry and Dream Berry Chews
Wana’s “Optimals” Midnight Berry and Dream Berry line is designed to attempt to target sleep issues and put them to bed. These gummies are dark and easy to tell apart from your daytime gummies, and the flavor is reminiscent of cranberries and sweet stone fruits. CBD, THC, CBG and CBN combine to create the perfect storm, inducing an overt sense of sleepiness about an hour after taking two chews. I have always felt confident in their ability to keep me asleep throughout the night. Midnight Berry - 10mg CBD | 2mg CBN | 2mg CBG | 2mg THC per chew. Dream Berry - 20mg CBD | 5mg CBN | 5mg CBG | 10mg THC per chew 10 per package | @wanabrands | wanabrands.com
Beboe Huckleberry and Blood Orange Gummies
Beboe describes their gummies as “socially dosed,” so you can enjoy your day or evening without losing your cool. At 5 mg of THC, you can eat as many as you prefer to get your desired dose, but 5 mg can also be a nice way to spend your day without an overwhelming feeling of edible high hitting you repeatedly. The flavor of these is top-tier, making it hard to stop at just one. Plus, the resealable bag makes these easy to travel with and store. 5mg THC per gummy | 20 per package | @beboefamily | beboe.com
Evermore Cannabis Company
Wild Cherriezzz Discos
I had to do a double take when reading the testing information on this package, but 50 mg of CBD in each gummy is correct! I love to see products loaded with CBD and a healthy dose of THC and CBN to match. These will be my new go-to for sleep products. That initial heavy dose of CBD smooths out all the wrinkles in my brain, and then the THC and CBN can go to work, putting me to sleep for the night. 10mg THC | 50mg CBD | 10mg CBN per Gummy 10 per package | @evermorebrands evermorecompany.com
grass Baltimore Crush Gummies
These large, thin, hexagonal gummies create an amazing orange smell that emanates from the canister. I found myself wanting to stack them as soon as I saw them, before popping a few in my mouth to try them out. After two gummies, I felt a creative wave wash over me and wanted to make art, get outside and enjoy the day. The texture and flavor both had me wanting to eat more, but the effects already rang true from the first two gummies. 10mg THC per gummy | 10 per package | @cultaig culta.com/about-us/our-brands
GUMMIES
grass Berry Gummies
When I want a good night’s sleep, I tend to turn to CBN for a high that makes me sleepy and helps keep me asleep throughout the night. Twenty milligrams of CBN is a higher concentration than I see among most nighttime edibles, so I had confidence in this gummy’s ability to knock me out. I took one to start but ended up finding one and a half was my sweet spot for the perfect night’s sleep. Get out there and experiment so you can find the right ratio and concentration of cannabinoids that help you do the same! 10mg THC and 20mg CBN per gummy | 10 per package @cultaig | culta.com/about-us/our-brands
Hedy Sour Citrus Chews Hedy has been steadily increasing in popularity and constantly dialing in their products to meet the needs of consumers and patients. These Sour Citrus gummies smell like limonene and have a strong sour citrus flavor. After two gummies, I was in a comfortable, relaxed, but alert mood that made for a smoothly flowing workday. 10mg THC per chew | 10 per package | @hedyedibles hedyedibles.com
Evermore Cannabis Company Blueberry Discos Sours
Unlike any of the Discos I have seen before, the sours have a light, granular sugary coating on the outside. This added texture is appreciated, and the sour flavor pairs nicely with the sweet gummy. Made with live resin, these have a nice natural Cannabis flavor that is not overpowering. I usually find myself needing only one of these gummies to get to a comfortable state. 10mg THC per Gummy | 10 per package @evermorebrands | evermorecompany.com
matter. Cherry Cola and Watermelon Gummy Bites
Straight-up THC and juicy flavors make these gummies truly pop — could they possibly be my favorite new movie snack? Eating one of these teleported me mentally to the movie theater with a Cherry Coke in hand. The watermelon flavor reminded me of Sour Patch Kids gummies, even furthering the nostalgia. These, like all matter. gummies, use Quick+ technology, which for me proved to have a faster onset while still being long-lasting. 10mg THC per gummy 10 per package | pharmacann.com/brands/matter
Wana High Dose
Blood Orange Sativa and Raspberry Limeade Indica Chews For the medical market only for now, these 40 mg chews quadruple the amount of THC in the highest-dose pieces available to the recreational market. With over 400 mg per package, these are perfect for my vacations, putting a lot of power in a small package. The Raspberry Limeade Chews taste like a Slurpee and gave me a restful night’s sleep on several occasions. The Blood Orange still gave me a strong high but felt a bit more uplifting and energizing. 40mg THC per gummy 10 per package | @wanabrands wanabrands.com
Saga of the Scythians
Like some Iron Age version of the Hells Angels, the fearsome nomads known as the Scythians drank, fought and conquered their way across ancient Eurasia. They also happen to be one of the earliest cultures on Earth to incorporate Cannabis into their practical and spiritual lives.
WHO WERE THE SCYTHIANS?
The Scythians (sai·thee·uhns) were an Iranic tribe of nomadic equestrian warriors who lived in the Eurasian Steppes (a region of grasslands across Central Asia) from around 800 to 300 B.C.E. Much about the Scythian people remains a mystery: since they didn’t have a written language, most of what we know about them comes from the writings of Greek historians — most notably the so-called “father of history,” Herodotus. From such accounts, along with archaeological evidence, anthropologists have been able to piece together a picture of Scythian culture.
WARRIORS, WOMEN, & WINE
For one thing, we know that they revered horses and were among the earliest civilizations to master the art of riding. Horses played a role in all aspects of Scythian life — be it for travel, herding, hunting or battle — and they equipped their steeds with ornate saddles, harnesses and armor. They reportedly even slept with and were buried with them; equine skeletons have been found alongside human remains in excavations of their sacred burial mounds, called “kurgans.” They were so closely associated with horses, in fact, that it’s believed the Greek myth of the centaur (a half-man, half-horse creature) was inspired by Scythian horsemen.
As for their appearance, we know they wore elaborately decorated clothing and armor, including tall pointed hats, tunics and various bracelets and plates made of gold and copper. We also know that they were heavily tattooed and that they would use the tattooed skin of their dead as a form of human leather.
By all accounts, the Scythians were fearsome warriors. Centuries before Attila’s Huns or Genghis Khan’s Mongol hordes, it was the Scythian cavalry who terrorized Eurasia — conquering other tribes like the Thracians and the Cimmerians. (Fantasy fans will recognize Cimmerians as the tribe of Conan the Barbar ian… in fact, the villains in the classic 1982 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger are rumored to be partly based on the Scythians.)
Though they used a wide array of armaments (including spears, maces, battle axes and swords), their primary weapon was a short, composite, double-curved bow, which they shot with great accuracy even while riding. They were so renowned for their archery skills that Athenians allegedly employed Scythian slaves and conscripts as a primitive police force. In fact, it’s theorized that the name “Scythia” itself may come from the ancient Indo-European word skuza, meaning “archer.”
And unlike the Greeks and Romans, it wasn’t just the Scythian men who were warriors — their women were apparently
just as fierce. According to Herodotus, these female warriors, who were “causing the Greeks to feel awe, fear and respect,” were none other than the Amazons — the fabled tribe of man-haters from which the superhero Wonder Woman arises — who he claimed had assimilated and interbred with the Scythians after failing to
In addition to their wild appearance and fighting females, there was another reason the West considered the Scythians barbarians: unlike the “civilized” Greeks, who mixed their wine with water, Scythians drank theirs straight up and to excess.
“To drink wine is the mark of a civilized man,” noted French historian Francois Hartog in “The World of the Scythians” (Rolle, 1980), “but to drink wine undiluted is the mark of a savage and represents a transgression.”
There’s another intoxicant, however, that they revered more than wine, and that was Cannabis.
Recreation of the Scythian Ice Maiden/Altai Lady tomb at the Anokhin Museum in Pazyryk, Siberia.
Tattooed skin leather from the Pazyryk excavation.
Scythian mounted archer.
Amazon archer.
HERODOTUS, HEMP, & HOTBOXING
Wild Cannabis plants were undoubtedly plentiful across the Central Asian steppe by 10,000 B.C., so it should come as little surprise to learn that the Scythians were among the earliest cultures to utilize it. In fact, it’s believed that the name “Cannabis” actually originated from the Scythian word kanab — which, after its introduction to the Greeks became kannabis, then Cannabis in Latin. It’s also believed that the Proto-Germanic word for the plant, hanapiz — which later evolved into the Old Saxon hanap, then “hemp” — originated from Kanab.
Scythians wove hemp fiber into textiles and braided it into lariats and lassoes, which they used for herding and in warfare (which may also explain why Wonder Woman wields a “magic lasso”). Aside from its fiber, evidence suggests that they also incorporated Cannabis into their religious ceremonies — most notably their funeral rites. In Book IV of his 5th-century B.C.E. work “The Histories,” Herodotus explains that after a Scythian died, their loved ones would spend 40 days honoring them with feasts (during which the deceased was reportedly eaten!). At the end of this celebration period, they would engage in a purification ritual that essentially entailed hotboxing a teepee:
“They make a booth by fixing in the ground three sticks inclined towards one another, and stretching around them woollen felts, which they arrange so as to fit as close as possible: inside the booth a dish is placed upon the ground, into which they put a number of red-hot stones, and then add some hemp-seed. … Immediately it smokes and gives out such a vapour as no Grecian vapour-bath can exceed; the Scyths, delighted, shout for joy...”
Since seeds obviously don’t produce the kind of euphoric vapor that Herodotus describes, historians generally agree that it was likely Cannabis flowers that they were burning and that the seeds were simply what was left at the end. And remarkably, archaeologists have since found evidence to back up Herodotus’ tale.
ARCHEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE
In 1929, archaeologists discovered 14 Scythian burial mounds dating from the 5th to the 3rd century B.C.E. in a region along the border between Siberia and Kazakhstan known as Pazyryk. Upon later excavation of these frozen kurgans, they uncovered embalmed, heavily tattooed corpses and skins from the permafrost (including the so-called Ice Maiden or “Altai Lady”), as well as textiles, garments, furniture, riding gear, jewelry and pelts. Most tellingly, though, they found a wooden “hexapod” tent frame alongside copper censers (incense burners) containing charred stones, as well as a fur bag containing fossilized Cannabis seeds — direct evidence of the purification ritual described by Herodotus.
It’s believed that the name “Cannabis” actually originated from the Scythian word “kanab” — which, after its introduction to the Greeks became “kannabis,” then “Cannabis” in Latin.
More recently, in 2013, another kurgan was discovered in the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains, 30 miles east of Stavropol in southern Russia — a 2,400-year-old site dubbed Sengileevskoe-2. After a month of excavating the burial chamber, Russian archaeologist Andrey Belinski and his team uncovered a stone box containing an astonishing seven pounds of solid gold relics, including jewelry, three thimble-sized cups and two ornate bucket-shaped vessels. Upon examination, Belinski noticed patches of sticky black residue inside the vessels. After sending them to Stavropol’s crime lab for analysis, the test results came back positive for both Cannabis and opium. These findings, along with other evidence suggesting that some form of roof or pavilion once covered the site, led scholars to believe that Sengileevskoe-2 “may have been the location of an intense ritual.”
“We now know the purpose was preparation of opium or a narcotic substance for sacred rites,” attested Professor Askold Ivantchik, director of the Centre for Comparative Studies of Ancient Civilizations at the Russian Academy of Sciences. “That Belinski detected the use of these substances is another proof the objects have cultic character.”
Having found no evidence of charring, however, Belinski ruled out the infamous smoke-bath ceremony. Instead, he surmised that the drugs were likely mixed into a drink that was consumed from the vessels, and therefore rather than a purification ritual, it may have been a ritual to communicate with the dead or the divine.
HAOMA GATHERERS
So what was this potent pot-laced potable they were drinking, you may ask? As it happens, there are accounts of just such a beverage used during that period — haoma, aka soma
According to ancient texts, haoma/soma can refer to either a plant or an intoxicating drink made from that plant — both of which were considered sacred to the Vedic and Zoroastrian religions. Precisely what that intoxicating plant is has been the subject of speculation and debate for centuries. In George W. Brown’s 1890 book “Researches in Oriental History,” haoma is described as “...an intoxicating beverage, prepared from the green stalks of the moon-plant ... Cannabis Indica, or Indian hemp ... was tasted by the priests on sacrificial occasions, whilst hymns were sung in its praise. Its action was that of hashish. It produced intoxication and stimulation of the senses, which were taken for inspiration.”
The hypothesis that haoma contained Cannabis is bolstered by evidence uncovered by another Russian archaeologist named Victor Sarianidi, who found traces of Cannabis, ephedra and opium while excavating a site devoted to the preparation of haoma at the Bactria Margiana Archeological Complex near the Hindu Kush region of northern Iran and Afghanistan.
But other than the vessels discovered at Sengileevskoe-2, is there any other evidence that the Scythians drank haoma? Indeed — at the tomb of the Persian king Darius the Great at Persepolis in Iran, which dates to 490 B.C.E., the inscription carved in Old Persian cuneiform refers explicitly to “haoma-drinking Scythians.”
“The Scythian relationship with Haoma was indeed close — so much so that they were widely known as the ‘Haoma-Gatherers,’” Cannabis historian Chris Bennett explains in his 2010 book “Cannabis and the Soma Solution.” “Referring to the Scythians under their Persian name of the ‘Sakas,’ [Iranian author] Guive Mirfendereski notes that the Scythians of eastern Central Asia are called ‘Homa Saka’ and ‘haumavarka’ (Haoma-gatherers).”
Some scholars have even suggested that the name haoma itself may be a variation of the Chinese word hú-má, meaning “Scythian hemp.”
UP IN SMOKE
History paints a frightening yet fascinating picture of Scythian society: tribes of tattooed cannibals galloping across the steppes, guzzling wine, hotboxing weed and conquering any who opposed them like some sort of Iron Age Hells Angels. But alas, these historic hemp-smoking horsemen eventually succumbed to the ravages of their time — first diminished dramatically by the Sarmatians in the 3rd century B.C.E., then finished off by the Goths in the 3rd century C.E. Nevertheless, their enduring influence on both Asian and European cultures, as well as their connection to Cannabis, remains undeniable.
For our podcast & more Cannabis history content visit worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology.
Golden vessel unearthed from the kurgan at the Sengileevskoe-2 site.
Relief of Scythian tributaries at Darius the Great’s tomb.
ANDREY BELINSKI
THERE’S NOT A DAMN THING WRONG WITH SOCKS.
Hell, life without them just wouldn’t be as cozy.
In fact, I can’t say there’s a more soothing sensation than pulling up a brand spankin’ new pair of cotton fluffiness over the feet. It’s a reward for those soldiers, a way of thanking them for taking a pounding and being the trusted vehicles that get you from point P to point Q.
Did you know that your feet are among the heaviest producers of sweat in the body, and socks are there to soak all that up and prevent the scent of cheese from settling into your shoes? I know what you’re thinking: the smell of cheese in your shoes is not gouda. So, you better brie ready to head to Monterrey, Jack.
Awkward silence.
Anyway, we’ve become spoiled. Because socks are now a commodity we take for granted. What was once a true luxury of the bourgeoisie has become mass-produced and a commonplace afterthought found on the discount aisle at Marshalls. And getting them as a gift almost feels like a scam.
But you can’t blame grandma — her purpose is to keep you clothed and well-souped. After all, her grandmother probably grew up around the Great Depression, so being able to provide comfort for her brood is her way of expressing love.
And socks have become cool, with graphic prints of eclectic patterns and weed symbols. In fact, socks are a great way to make a statement. And that statement is that you are so fucking fashionable that when it comes to dressing, no stone is unturnt.
“And if they think my socks are dope, wait until they get a look at my underwear.”
Now, it should be noted that getting socked in the face sucks. Unless It’s with a bag of weed that smells gouda.
