July 2023 - NE Leaf

NORTHEAST

THE THE

CONCENTRATES CONCENTRATES

ISSUE ISSUE

From Maryland to Maine, Your Favorite Brands All Along the Northeast

CURALEAF

@curaleaf.usa | flower, vapes & edibles

SELECT

@select.better | premium vapes & edibles

GRASSROOTS

@grassrootscannabisco | high-quality flower & concentrates

B NOBLE

@bnobleo cial | pre-rolls & flower for a cause

FIND.

@find.your.flower | high-quality flower at prices that’ll make you smile

ENDLESS COAST

@drinkendlesscoast | infused beverages

WISELY GRAPE GUAVA #2 + GORILLA BUTTER

LIVE ROSIN BLEND

The combination of Grape Guava #2 and Gorilla Butter is certainly a delight for the senses – coming at you with a berry blast on the nose, followed by a subtle amount of garlic earthiness. The wet, greasy-smooth texture of this hash is wonderfully complemented by the pools of terpenes filling the valleys of the rosin. One inhale will leave you sitting in a pleasant state of being with some cerebral tingling. The flavor will linger on your tongue, in the best of ways, long after exhalation.

@wiselyhash

Review by Brian Sanner @calyxs_and_colas

CONCENTRATES CONCENTRATES

BEST MENU IN MASS

ABOUT THE COVER

This month’s cover is titled “Gone Hashin” and was shot by, Brian Sanner (@calyxs_ and_colas). I had such an amazing time collaborating with Leaf and the wonderful hard working hash makers of Maine as I worked on reviews and photos for this issue. So many memories and terps! The idea for the cover photo was inspired by one of my best friends @highseas207, who has had a lifelong passion for fishing. The fish hook was custom made just for this photo by the talented @snuffglass. There is a delicious glob of @highseas207 Scotty Mints (mixture of Scotty 2 Hotty, Detroit Breath and Butter Mints) rosin adorning the tip of the hook as bait.

PHOTO BY BRIAN SANNER @CALYXS_AND_COLAS

WES ABNEY

Editor’s Note

Thanks for picking up The Concentrates Issue of the Leaf!

Our Concentrates Issue is my favorite of the year for one simple reason: I love dabs!

My first dab was around 2011 – in the century-old boiler room below the now closed Northern Cross Collective Gardens – and I remember feeling the oil touch the red hot nail as the vapor burst into my lungs with the force of a thousand bong hits. The world closed in around me and I felt the reverberation of raw THC as it pulsed through my blood and into my mind, sending me away for the next few hours, humming with a high that was unlike anything else.

ADHDDEAD, REVIEWS

MARK ARCHER, PHOTOS

BOBBY BLACK, DESIGN + FEATURES

JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION

TOM BOWERS, FEATURES

AMANDA DAY, FEATURES

JENN DOE, SALES

EARLY, PRODUCTION

STEVE ELLIOTT, NATIONAL NEWS

GASROOTS, PHOTOS

GILBERT GJERSVIK, FEATURES

MATT JACKSON, FEATURES

BAILEY JONSON, REVIEWS + PHOTOS

DESTINI KINSEY, PHOTOS

MAINE CANNABIS MEDIA, PHOTOS

SARA MILLS-GAINES, SALES

BOBBY NUGGZ, REVIEWS + PHOTOS

LEXI PADUSSIS, SALES + FEATURES

BAXSEN PAINE, FEATURES + PHOTOS

MIKE RICKER, FEATURES

JAKE ROBINSON, SALES + FEATURES

BRIAN SANNER, REVIEWS + PHOTOS

JAMIE VICTOR, DESIGN

DAN VINKOVETSKY, FEATURES

Over the last decade of publishing and working in Cannabis, I have personally seen the concentrate world evolve from homemade Rick Simpson Oil and open-blasted butane hash oil, to highly medicinal mono-cannabinoid extracts and vaporizable concentrates of all kinds, to being the precursor to a new world of edibles, topicals, capsules and more. For our Concentrates Issue we sought out the best examples of the different types of extractions, to share how they affect the body and the science behind the scenes.

“FOR OUR CONCENTRATES ISSUE WE SOUGHT OUT THE BEST EXAMPLES OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF EXTRACTIONS.”

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CONNECT WITH NORTHEAST LEAF

Concentrating Cannabis means exactly what it sounds like: taking a full plant and using a process or solvent to extract the purest essence of it. This makes it incredibly important to only consume high-quality, pesticide-tested concentrates. Quality concentrates have the ability to impart healing values that Cannabis flower alone cannot replicate, delivering a pure flavor and experience that captures the taste and effect of fresh Cannabis in a perfect dab. Look closely and you’ll see that concentrates cover every aspect of Cannabis – every product beyond flower – from medicinal to recreational uses and benefits.

Our comprehensive Concentrates Issue covers the different extraction methods, terminology, ways to consume and much more. So take a dab, flip through this beautiful and informational issue, and learn something new that you can share with someone in need of Cannabis – as both a plant and a medicine. And as always, thanks for reading and sharing the Leaf!

-Wes Abney

ALABAMA DELAYS MEDICAL CANNABIS LICENSING

The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) in June decided to delay the issuing of state licenses for marijuana businesses.

The board cited possible irregularities in the scoring of applicants.

AMCC did not say if it had evidence of wrongdoing. “I know we’re all concerned about it, but it would have been just a catastrophe if the applicants went through their numbers and found an error,” said commission director John McMillan.

"The vote came a few days after the commission awarded 21 licenses to grow, process, distribute, transport and test medical marijuana."

The vote came a few days after the commission awarded 21 licenses to grow, process, distribute, transport and test medical marijuana. Several companies that didn’t get licenses said they weren’t clear on why some firms prevailed.

MAN ARRESTED AFTER ANSWERING DOOR

A Kentucky man was charged with trafficking marijuana after answering the door with drugs in June. Oak Grove Police say they went to the home attempting to serve an arrest warrant and 28-year-old Pedro Gelpi answered the door with a Cannabis blunt behind his ear.

During a search of the home a large amount of marijuana, along with money, was reportedly found. Gelpi was arrested and charged with trafficking marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

MARIJUANA LICENSE REVOKED IN MICHIGAN UNLICENSED CASE

The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency ordered an already suspended marijuana business in Shiawassee County’s Corunna to destroy all of its marijuana products, and then revoked its license.

The CRA in a statement issued in June said inspectors discovered suspected illicit and unlicensed marijuana, in addition to other rules violations. The discoveries happened during an October 2022 site visit to discuss the business’s inoperable camera system.

“When licensees don’t act within the laws and rules that govern the Cannabis industry, we must act swiftly to protect the public,” CRA Director Brian Hanna said.

FLORIDA TO VOTE ON ADULT-USE CANNABIS LEGALIZATION IN 2024

Aconstitutional amendment to legalize the adult use of Cannabis could be on the Florida ballot next year. The proposed amendment is inspiring both support and opposition.

Suncoast NORML Executive Director Chris Cano has issues with the petition, but it already received enough signatures to put it on the 2024 ballot. Cano said if passed, it could benefit businesses more than consumers. The Adult Use of Marijuana initiative would allow the legal sale of Cannabis to anyone over 21 by medical marijuana treatment centers. The proposal is currently being reviewed by the Florida Supreme Court. Once allowed on the 2024 ballot, Floridians can vote to legalize personal use of Cannabis.

normalization

NCAA PANEL RECOMMENDS DROPPING MARIJUANA FROM BANNED DRUGS

MINNESOTA

VETERANS ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN 2024

Thousands of Minnesota veterans will be able to access medical marijuana for the first time in 2024. Veterans receiving care through the VA System have faced some unique challenges, according to Office of Medical Cannabis Director Chris Tholkes.

“Those providers are not allowed to certify their patients for the medical program because of the federal standing of marijuana,” Tholkes said. “So, we are tasked with developing a new way to get veterans into the program.”

2.5

ounces of Cannabis is the new possession limit in Nevada.

D.C. WOMAN BLOCKS NEIGHBOR SMOKING MEDICAL WEED

A D.C. resident just won a private nuisance case to block her neighbor from smoking medical marijuana.

The ruling – in a first-of-its-kind case in the District over Cannabis smoke – may influence other judges and landlords, reports the news website, Axios.

"Veterans receiving care through the VA System have faced some unique challenges, according to Office of Medical Cannabis Director Chris Tholkes."

4

medical marijuana products were recalled in Arizona due to salmonella.

Cleveland Park resident Josefa Ippolito-Shepherd was so bothered by the smoke she sued her nextdoor neighbor, representing herself.

“Cleveland Park resident Josefa Ippolito-Shepherd was so bothered by the smoke she sued her nextdoor neighbor, representing herself.”

A judge ruled last Monday in her favor. The judge ordered Thomas Cackett to stop smoking inside his own home – or anywhere within 25 feet of IppolitoShepherd’s address, The Washington Post reported. Medical and adult marijuana use are legal in D.C.

5

ounces and less convictions would be expunged by the Ohio Adult Use Act.

14

grams and less convictions are eligible for expungement in Louisiana after 90 days.

AN

NCAA panel is calling for the removal of marijuana from the organization's list of banned drugs. The panel suggested that testing should be limited to performance-enhancing substances.

The proposal released in June from the Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports would mark a big change for the NCAA. The organization has been drug testing at championship events since 1986. Committee members recommended halting Cannabis tests at events until a final decision is made this fall.

“Legislation would still have to be introduced and approved by all three NCAA divisions to take effect.”

Legislation would still have to be introduced and approved by all three NCAA divisions to take effect. Administrators in Divisions II and III had asked the committee to study the issue. The recommendation comes as the U.S. is seeing more states allowing medical or adult marijuana use.

states have legalized Cannabis for adult use since 2012.

23 Kansas Citians have had their old weed charges cleared from their records.

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Standing with Giants

Vermonters are passionate about Cannabis. In fact, few states have such a deep and rich connection to the plant – making the story of Lee Stowell all the more meaningful. While Stowell navigated a successful career in finance, she remained a proud, fourth generation Vermonter at heart during her 20-year career on Wall Street. Now a resident of Colchester and mother of six, she became the unlikely hero of an underdog story, ultimately reclaiming a bit of the marijuana industry for Vermont from the clutches of “Big Cannabis.”

How Lee Stowell, a single mother of six, grabbed a seat at the table to keep Vermont’s Cannabis industry local.

GRASSROOTS VERMONT

A BIT OF VT HISTORY

Vermont has a unique history with Cannabis. The plant has long been a staple in the Green Mountain State, grown locally by family farms for generations. It was legalized for medical use in 2004, and in 2018 the state became the first in the country to legalize recreational Cannabis through the legislature, as opposed to ballot initiative. However, while the 2018 legalization bill allowed for the possession and cultivation of Cannabis, it did not include taxed and regulated adult-use retail sales. That all changed when Vermont’s legislature approved commercial sales in 2020 – a bill that Gov. Phil Scott allowed to become law without his signature. Retail sales of Cannabis to adults 21 and older officially kicked off in October 2022.

CORPORATE CANNABIS

Most consumers in adult-use Cannabis states have become familiar with the MSO (multi-state operator) phenomenon. These are corporations that own Cannabis businesses in different states. While some see MSOs as an inevitable aspect of a growing industry as popular and profitable as pot, others view them as “corporate Cannabis” – giant companies cornering the marijuana market and pushing out the small business owner. Still, some consumers are pragmatic regarding MSOs. If they’re providing quality products at reasonable prices, what’s the harm? Even so, there should be a place in the industry for the little guy, right? Local companies that care deeply about the state they serve should have a place at the table too, no? Well, Lee Stowell thought so. And a chance meeting at a conference in Jamaica with fellow Vermonter and Cannabis advocate Chris Walsh got things rolling.

A HARD CAP

One of the many advantages granted to MSOs in Vermont is the inclusion of a vertically integrated license.

These licenses allow businesses to act as cultivators, wholesalers, manufacturers, retailers and testing labs – essentially a full suite of industry licenses. Vermont’s adult-use Cannabis law allows a total of five integrated licenses –one for each registered dispensary as of April 1, 2022. And, as it happened, those registered dispensaries were all owned by MSOs. This capped the total number of integrated licenses in the state at five – entirely dominated by multi-state operators. However, in reality, that number is actually three, as all three MSOs owned all five registered dispensaries.

LOCAL PRIDE

With a hard cap on the number of vertically integrated licenses available statewide and a stronghold on those licenses by MSOs, how could a Vermont-centric business compete? Thanks in large part to Walsh’s local Cannabis connections – forged over years of advocacy and relationship-building within the state’s marijuana community – Walsh presented to Stowell the opportunity to purchase one of those established, MSO-integrated dispensaries. And with it came the remarkably rare, vertically integrated license.

“Grassroots Vermont is going back to its roots, away from being owned by an MSO and being owned by me and my Vermont partners, we are the only non-MSO integrated license holder,” Stowell points out. “We are very excited to work with all our fellow Vermonters. ‘Made in Vermont’ means Made with Integrity.”

Now able to fully service all of the Cannabis needs for her fellow Vermonters, Stowell – who owns a house on Mallets Bay where her great-grandmother bought land in the 1930s – feels an undeniable sense of pride.

A BRIGHT, GREEN FUTURE

In addition to the remarkable accomplishment of reclaiming a significant piece of the state’s Cannabis industry for Vermont, Stowell’s Grassroots also boasts acclaimed cultivator Devon Faulker – widely considered to be one of the country’s top growers for the last two decades thanks to his renowned organic, small-batch grows.

And, perhaps the cherry on top of the incredible story, Ben Cohen – co-founder of Vermont’s own Ben and Jerry’s – took notice of what Stowell had accomplished and was eager to be part of the Green Mountain State venture. Cohen will make his entry into the Cannabis space with his own adult-use brand called B3 (Ben’s Best Blends) out of Grassroots.

Stowell has big plans for Grassroots. In addition to continuing to serve the state’s medical patients – an aspect of the business she remains deeply dedicated to – Stowell hopes to partner with other Vermont-based companies to launch new Cannabis brands through Grassroots’ integrated license, perhaps becoming something of a marijuana industry incubator. Grassroots and Stowell are certainly easy to root for and Vermonters have taken notice of the plucky underdog helping to keep the state’s Cannabis industry local.

GRASSROOTSVERMONT.COM

@GRASSROOTSVERMONT

Ben and Jerry’s Ben Cohen launched his adult-use Cannabis brand, B3 (Ben’s Best Blends) in collaboration with Grassroots.

“Stowell’s Grassroots also boasts acclaimed cultivator Devon Faulker – widely considered to be one of the country’s top growers for the last two decades thanks to his renowned organic, smallbatch grows.”

Melts Mission Hill HASHMAKER PROFILE

Mission Hill Melts is a Maine-based duo cranking out some serious heat via their small-batch solventless concentrates. While Adam and Hana have been working together since 2020, Adam started the brand back in 2015 out of an apartment in the Mission Hill district of Boston.

The operation mostly focused on flower-pressed hash until 2017, when a friend’s work at 710 Labs exposed Adam to the wonderful world of water hash.

He decided to freeze his entire harvest for washing, went out and got all the equipment, and the rest was history. From that moment on, finding the most flavorful terps to press became a pure obsession.

After years of making hash edibles in college, Hana reconnected with Adam and became one half of Mission Hill Melts in 2020. Her first job was running water lines to fill up the reservoir before wash days, but she started squishing shortly after as the brand continued to grow. “I started squishing to take some work off Adam’s already very full plate and really loved the process, so I commandeered the job for myself and now squish the majority of rosin we process,” she mentions.

Despite moving towards their own single-source garden very soon, Adam and Hana have built their business working with a select few high-end Cannabis farms in Maine – turning their incredible resin into even more spectacular full-melt hash and rosin.

Aloha Apothecary is not only one of the first cultivators they worked with, but also one that produces many of the recently-hyped cultivars this couple offers in dabbable form. Some notable genetics from this garden include

Blue Durian, Bahama Bussdown and POG Juice 2.0. Elm Cultivation follows right in line, presenting unique options for both hash and flower like Bahama Berry and Paradiso. Another is Cold River Cultivation, whose Guava Icee ended up being their Legends of Hashish and Ego Clash Invitational entries for 2022.

“Last year, Cold River trusted us with his entire outdoor crop and it was one of our favorite collaborations of the year,” Adam shares. “With a major focus on regenerative farming practices and living soil, Cold River’s sungrown Cannabis produced some extremely delicious rosin. Some of our favorites were the Guava Icee, Watermelon Z and Sour Garlic Cookies.”

Adam and Hana have built their business working with a select few high-end Cannabis farms in Maine – turning their incredible resin into even more spectacular full-melt hash and rosin.

Personally, some of my favorite hash I’ve consumed comes from this team – which also frequently features gear from Masonic and pheno-hunting work of MTSFarms out of Pennsylvania. One of my can’t-miss strains has got to be the StrawGreaseWilly – a cross of Strawberries & Cream, Grease Monkey and Wilson – with all the right funky-fruit notes. If I was stranded on a deserted island and only got to choose one terp to bring with me, this just might be my pick.

Miles Wilder

In 2019, the University of Michigan conducted a study spanning 15 states on the usage of medical Cannabis. An overwhelming majority of patients (65 percent) cited chronic pain as the reason for medicating.

“You become a different person,” 35-year-old Miles Wilder said, recalling a period of suffering following a motorcycle accident in 2011.

riginally from Colorado, Miles (they/them) spent their early 20s enjoying a high desert climate that could tempt riders to a year-round pursuit of the roads. “I was really pushing the limits and hanging out with other riders who embodied that lifestyle,” they said.

It wasn’t until an icy spill on a side street in Lafayette, Colorado took them off the bike and left them battling a back injury, that everything changed.

“For about 18 months, there was just blinding pain every day,” Miles said. “I have so much empathy for people who have chronic pain. It completely warps your brain.”

Prior to the crash, Miles had graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a degree in music education. They had chosen to follow their passion in hopes of joining their parents as teachers of music. And they succeeded – working at an elementary school while simultaneously writing and producing their first album, “Strange Lullabies.”

“I fought through [the pain], but I’m also sure it held me back from doing more during that period of my life,” they said, citing a difficulty to get into a creative headspace.

“It made a difference in how many shows I was able to book and play, and it was a big detriment to the other work I was doing to stay afloat.”

Thankfully, their parents’ inclination towards alternative and non-allopathic medicine primed Miles’ openness to Cannabis as a pain management tool.

“I grew up with hippie parents,” they said. “So it was just Kush and maybe some Ibuprofen. [Cannabis] allowed me to focus on something besides the pain, and that’s when I really began to view it as medicine. It really balanced me out.”

These days, the peace Miles finds through vapor inhalation of Cannabis is akin to the peace they found growing up on the Eastern Plains of Colorado.

Starting before they can remember, Miles was taught music, almost like a language. At the age of four, Miles was

taught to play the piano. At age 9, they added the French horn to the mix. Their musical dexterity has since extended to a variety of instruments including bass guitar, keyboard, cornet (think trumpet), voice, a Looper and a variety of Foley – a reproduction of everyday sound effects.

“One of my goals as an artist is to give people a sense of possibility,” said Miles, recalling a series of live shows featuring a staple gun played through a delay and looper. “I’ll take an everyday object and play that in front of [the audience]. In the beginning, they’ll laugh. But by the end, that thing becomes part of a layered piece of music that brings people to tears.”

In 2020, Miles moved to Medford, Massachusetts with hopes of showcasing their eclectic musical talents to the East Coast. However, the pandemic left Miles and their partner Mandy scrambling for work. Despite taking on a variety of odd jobs, returning to their purpose never strayed far from Miles’ mind. A stint as an ax-throwing coach in Everett? Well, that was just music to their ears.

“I cracked multiple handles in the course of training,” they laughed. “So I took two hatchet handles – they’re odd-shaped – and started using them as found-sound instruments. With a looper and a couple of effect pedals, I can really make them more than they are.”

Miles’ multiplicity often means bouncing between a variety of musical disciplines – from playing Modern American Circus shows with Circus 617, Contact-Improv dance and yoga flows, to hosting live singer-songwriter performances. Miles has also produced three albums, each of which are hosted on Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal. Miles can also be found on Instagram and YouTube, @MilesWilderMusic.

“I tend to hesitate around the question of genre because it doesn’t serve me very well,” said Miles, who will be playing the Midway Cafe in Jamaica Plain on July 31. “Over the years, I’ve done a lot of experimental music. I’ve played in country bands. I’ve played some funk bass. I’ve even been in a pirate band.”

No matter the melody, connection is what Miles seeks.

“I think there are fundamental experiences that we all have as humans,” they said. “As an artist, I try to give the audience a vehicle in the shape of my art that allows them to access those feelings.”

Cannabis, Miles said, helps bridge the communication gap that exists within themselves and relay that funk to the crowd.

“I used to be really strict about not [medicating] before going on stage because I worried about getting distracted,” said Miles, noting a strict preference for strains like Chemdog and Durban Poison. “But a small amount [of Cannabis] on a daily basis makes what I am doing easier. It slows things down for me internally. And that really has become clear to me in my 30s.”

@MILESWILDERMUSIC (IG & YOUTUBE)

Albums available on Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal

“One of my goals as an artist is to give people a sense of possibility.”

BEACH BOYZ

BEACH BOYZ

his is where the story begins,” said Omar Herrera, founder and sole proprietor of Beach Boyz Budz and the Rockaway Beach Ocean Grown Club. He had just picked me up at the Rockaway Beach Pier on Jamaica Bay in New York City. I had taken the 45-minute trip from Manhattan on a ferry filled with young beachgoers ready to hit the sand on one of the first nice days of summer.

Until the end of last year, many that got off would make a stop at Omar’s converted school bus, brightly decorated in Rastafarian colors, to purchase Cannabis. “We were parked here by the ferry every day, nine to nine, that was the schedule,” said Omar. “And the people just loved us. The ferry crowd would come out and the first thing they would do is stop at the truck and they would buy our art and we would share our Cannabis with them.”

It was this loophole of selling art and gifting Cannabis that Omar hoped would keep him out of trouble. It didn’t.

In December 2022, the police descended on Omar’s truck and he was arrested. “It was like a fucking SWAT team, like 15 cars,” he recalled. “They wanted to make an example out of me. Absolutely. They made my life a living hell but I’m still here.”

The story received a tremendous amount of publicity, including from the New York Post, which gave coverage to the fact that Omar was facing felony possession and distribution charges. A few months later in April 2023, the charges were reduced to disorderly conduct –but as part of the deal, he had to give up his truck. Omar did not, however, give up his dream. It just had to be re-imagined.

“As soon as I was arrested, the following day I was back at it – I didn’t stop. I couldn’t afford to stop,” said Omar. “The arrest really impacted my home a lot – you’re all over the news, you’re all over social media, people are talking about you – this is a small town, everybody knows me. And the people that didn’t know me before, after the stories in the papers came out, they knew who I was. I didn’t have to advertise that I was a source to get Cannabis, [the media] did it for me!”

Luckily, Omar also knew of an empty shipping container sitting on a side street that was available to rent – the perfect place to set up shop again. It also didn’t hurt that it was located right next to a popular local microbrewery. “The location reminds me a little bit of Williamsburg because you have the old factories and warehouses,” he explained.

“Over here it’s a little bit more discreet. But we got to do things a little bit different this time.”

This time around, instead of selling art and gifting Cannabis, Omar’s latest venture – Rockaway Beach Ocean Grown Club – is based on a membership model.

Walk past the picnic tables set up on the sidewalk, and one of the first things you see on a glass counter as you enter the refurbished container is their membership contract.

A Stoner Owner is a Cannabis business owner who has a relationship with the plant. We want to buy and smoke Cannabis from companies that care about their products, employees and the plant. You wouldn’t buy food from a restaurant where the cooks don’t eat in the kitchen, so why buy corporate weed grown by a company only concerned with profits? Stoner Owner approval means a company cares, and we love weed grown with care. Let’s retake our culture and reshape a stigma by honoring those who grow, process and sell the best Cannabis possible.

BUDZ BUDZ

“As soon as they come in I make them sign up,” said Omar. “I need to see their ID, 21 and over only.” Twenty-five dollars a year grants you entry to the club and Omar said there are now over 100 members. The contract makes clear that the only thing for sale at the club is a product he is marketing called Grower’s Grinds, a coffee grounds-based nutrient for Cannabis plants.

“In practice, the club provides a safe and legal space for Cannabis enthusiasts to connect and engage with like-minded individuals fostering a supportive community,” said Omar. “The neighbors are happy that something’s going on with the shipping container, because it’s been just sitting here empty for years. I’m still midway in construction but summer is here, not waiting for me, so I have to be up and going up – I have to be here every day now.”

During my time with Omar sitting at a picnic bench in front of his club, I saw people drive by shouting cheerful greetings in our direction and one police car cruise by uneventfully – all the while members swung by to hang out.

The Beach Boyz Budz brand name that launched Omar’s magic school bus will be coming back “when the time is right,” said Omar. “Now the timing is just easing back into what we left. People are happy that we’re here, people that followed us for the bus. We have loyal members.”

Omar is on the front lines of Cannabis legalization, pushing the boundaries of the movement like a man on a mission. In a befitting alignment of the stars, his birthday is on April 20. And having been born on 420 only furthers belief in his destiny.

“I’m going to continue to do my part in the Cannabis industry and to get licensed. That’s my ultimate goal,” said Omar. “It’s not easy for us, and when I say ‘US’ – I mean minorities. It’s just how it is, you know? And I’m not going to be pushed away. Politicians want to go up against me, no problem. I’ve been fighting all my life. This is nothing new. Now I’m more of an activist. I feel like that’s what I need to do because there’s other people just like me that need a voice. I want to get my story out.”

And will he ever get another bus? “I would love to have another bus,” said Omar, “but that bus is going to be a promotional tool. It’s not going to be what it was, it’s never going to be what it was and I’m OK with that. I accepted that. I’m in a new chapter.”

“The club provides a safe and legal space for Cannabis enthusiasts to connect and engage with like-minded individuals fostering a supportive community.”

-Founder Omar Herrera

FOLLOW @GROWERS_GRINDS

Making smoking concentrates convenient and customizable

THE CARTA 2 | FOCUS V

LATELY, I haven’t been leaving the house without my handy CARTA 2 – an electronic rig from Focus V dreamt up to help hash heads “dab smarter.”

Seriously, I think I may use this device more than my own cell phone.

The thing absolutely rips – with a larger atomizer than the classic model and a 360° heating element for optimized airflow, they say “the CARTA hits hardaaa.” Even with more power, the design is sleeker than ever before. She fits right in my car’s cup holder or coat pocket and comes in an adorable mini backpack that is both portable and stylish.

Besides being thoughtfully crafted for onthe-go usage, the amount of personalization

the CARTA 2 provides is perhaps its most significant differentiator. Some of my personal favorite features are the ability to upload custom screensavers and change the LED color to match my mood or the vibe of the sesh I’m at. Here at HQ, we obviously like to keep our device on-brand – glowing green with the lil’ Leaf Nation logo as our screensaver. A whole slew of more fire features certainly makes it easy to customize your own concentrates experience with the CARTA 2. Originally available in black and clear, Focus V recently dropped four fresh colorways: Grape, Midnight, Mint and Forest, as well as new Chromatix glass tops attachments and a limited run of custom branded Tuff Tethers with matching Zach Harrison carb caps.

AN OLED DISPLAY SCREEN showcases all the quick stats you need to see and tactile buttons on the base make for quick time and temp adjustments in between hits or users, or even mid dab. If you want to go digital, there’s the mobile app that makes it possible to fully control the device from your phone – changing the temperature or hit duration, saving color presets and LED light shows for different sesh vibes, or even heating up your dab – all from across the room and with the press of a button.

“We created the piece so that it could be yours,” explains JR, the brand’s Director of Product Development. “Choose your colorway, upload a custom screensaver, or mix and match accessories. We wanted to push the E-Rig space and innovate in personalization and individuality to help destigmatize dabbing. With our device, you can turn the LED light pink, put the temp down low, and heat up a dab for your grandma from your phone. It makes the whole process not only more personal, but more accessible to people who might not try dabbing off of a rig – which can seem scary with the torch, or overwhelming because it requires a lot of accessories and ongoing costs like filling up butane.”

Beyond building a device that functions effortlessly and looks sexy doing it, I’m all about being part of the Focus family because I love what they’re doing to bring the concentrates community together. The founders all have a legacy background in the Cannabis industry, currently operating with a “small but nimble” team that is incredibly passionate about hash, based out in LA with an East Coast hub in NYC as well.

Sam, the company’s CEO, goes on to tell me how, “Eight years ago, I started Rosin Tech – one of the first companies to pioneer solventless hash extraction equipment. That evolved into Rosin Tech Labs, which is now one of the leading hash companies in California. We have always championed hash-making at all levels and continue to push this passion through our products like the CARTA 2 and the network of industry functions you can always find our team at.”

The brand has been a part of international events from Spannabis in Barcelona to Hall of Flowers and Legends of Hashish in California, and collaborated with other industry leaders like Blazy Susan, Mystic Timber, and SakiBomb. A popping Discord channel creates a community for users to connect virtually, while tracking technology and social features through the app allow you to keep a count of device hits –and see how much your friends are seshing, too.

There’s even an international leaderboard of app users where you can upload your dab count and become a world champion. Finally … someone has made smoking concentrates a sport.

Thank you, team CARTA.

“WE WANTED TO PUSH THE E-RIG SPACE AND INNOVATE IN PERSONALIZATION AND INDIVIDUALITY TO HELP DESTIGMATIZE DABBING,” EXPLAINS JR, DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AT FOCUS V.

TROPICANA TROPICANA

New Amsterdam

Cannabis was founded in 2020 by a group of legacy NYC growers, some of whom have been clandestinely cultivating in Brooklyn for over 25 years.

With the combination of old-school experience and modern technology, the crew cuts no corners and uses the absolute best methods and materials to create the finest quality flower possible. All of their buds are LED grown, hand trimmed and freeze dried – looking and smelling exactly as they did when harvested, with all terpenes preserved and gland heads intact.

The cultivar of Tropicana Cookies grown by New Amsterdam Cannabis is the “MTN Trop” cut bred by Harry Palms of Bloom Seed Co. during his time at Oni Seeds. It’s a cross of Girl Scout Cookies forum cut and Tangie, and notably won the sativa category at the IC 420 Grower Cup in 2019 when it debuted. Trop Cookies quickly became a favorite for concentrate makers due to the unique tropical citrus scent and flavor of the essential oils.

The Tropicana Cookies flowers are almost a neon green, with dark purple highlights and bright orange hairs. Dominant terpenes include caryophyllene, limonene and humulene, giving these nugs a ton of tangerine scents and flavors with earthy and peppery notes on the back end. Think orange-scented house cleaner or citrus candy with a sweet cookie undertone. The effects come on quickly and an initial feeling of euphoria settles into an energetic and alert buzz that’s perfect for daytime activities. Prolonged use will definitely lead to hunger and dry mouth, so keep some snacks and water around. Patients suffering from ADHD, depression or just plain writer’s block will benefit from the uplifting and creative vibes – so if you’re looking for a stress reliever that will put you in a positive mood, search no further than Tropicana Cookies.

newamsterdamcannabis.co

@newamsterdamcanna

COOKIES

COOKIES

CULTIVATED BY NEW AMSTERDAM CANNABIS

“THE EFFECTS COME ON QUICKLY AND AN INITIAL FEELING OF EUPHORIA SETTLES INTO AN ENERGETIC AND ALERT BUZZ THAT’S PERFECT FOR DAYTIME ACTIVITIES.”

DAB VOCAB' DAB VOCAB'

Concent Extracts explained.

FRESH FROZEN

The process of freezing Cannabis plant material right after harvesting it, typically with dry ice, to preserve trichomes for concentrate extraction.

ICE WATER HASH

Made when trichomes are separated from fresh frozen plant material using nothing but ice, water and filter bags. Also referred to as bubble hash, it is usually dabbed but can also be mixed with flower and smoked.

FULL MELT

The highest grade of ice water hash, usually rated at five or six stars. Fully melts and leaves very little to no residue or char on the banger.

STAR SYSTEM

What stars are we talking about here, you say? Ice water hash is rated on a scale of one to six stars based on quality and meltability, with one being the lowest quality and six being the highest.

FLAG OF HASH

Pressing out water hash using parchment paper into a flag shape in order to dab it off a nail.

TRADITIONAL HASHISH

Produced for centuries in countries such as Morocco, Afghanistan, Nepal and India, traditional hashish is made by either separating the trichomes from a live plant with one's hands (charas) or by agitating dried, cured plant material over a screen (dry-sift), then compressing the collected resin to form a solid brick or ball of concentrate that is typically brown in color.

Six star bubble hash that’s been washed and cured using a unique process that preserves resin. It has a consistency similar to soft fudge and can be cut with a knife.

LIVE ROSIN

Solventless hash oil made by using water and ice to agitate the trichomes off of the fresh frozen plant material, which is then placed into a rosin press that uses heat and pressure to extract the rosin.

FRESH PRESS

Rosin that goes directly from the parchment paper it was pressed onto and into the jar. Tends to have a glassy, stretchy consistency like taffy.

COLD CURE

Fresh-pressed rosin that has been stored in a jar, cured at low temperatures, and agitated until it has more of a batter-like consistency.

FULL SPECTRUM EXTRACTS

Includes all compounds of the Cannabis plant such as cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids, rather than isolating just one specific compound.

WAX

An umbrella term used to describe concentrates that appear soft and waxy in appearance. Typically extracted using butane or hydrocarbon solvents, and comes in a variety of forms referred to as butter/badder, honeycomb, crumble, sugar and more.

BHO

Butane Hash Oil, or a form of concentrates extracted using butane, and available in various consistencies. Excess butane is purged using a vacuum oven.

DISTILLATE

An extract made with a distillation process that separates all materials and compounds from one specific cannabinoid, often THC. Can be used to dab or vaporize, but is most often found in edibles, topicals, vape cartridges and other products.

DIAMONDS

Cannabinoids which have been purified and isolated to form crystalline solids that look like diamonds.

FECO

Full Extract Cannabis Oil. A dark, tar-like extract made by soaking plant matter in a solvent – typically grain alcohol. Often used for severe pain relief. Sometimes referred to as Phoenix Tears or Rick Simpson Oil (RSO), after the Canadian engineer and Cannabis advocate who helped popularize its medical use to treat tumors and other cancers.

SHATTER

Named for its glass-like consistency that tends to crack or shatter when broken, typically gold or amber in color.

HASH

HOLE

Also referred to as a “donut,” hash holes are rolled with a snake of hash rosin surrounded by flower. As the flower and rosin burn together it creates a perfect ring of hash resembling a donut, with bubbling rosin in the hole.

JAM

Bubble hash that has been pressed and heated until the microcrystals of THCa separate from the terps in the rosin, creating a jam-like consistency with small chunks of crystals.

EXTRACTION

The process of removing the resin from fresh frozen plant material to make a concentrate.

SOLVENT

Extraction methods can use solvents, such as butane or CO2, to create products like BHO or CO2 extracts.

SOLVENTLESS

Extraction methods not dependent on solvents can use techniques involving ice and water, or heat and pressure, to remove oils. This is used to create products like rosin or traditional hashish.

SQUISHING

Also called “pressing,” this is the process of using a rosin press to apply heat and pressure in order to “squish” live rosin out of the plant material.

RESIN

A sticky substance found in trichomes that can be collected or extracted from the plant to make various forms of concentrates.

MICRON SCREEN

A series of mesh screens that allow trichomes to fall through to each successive screen while

HEAD STASH

Your personal, private reserve stash of those extra special or rare terps you don’t want to share. “My roommate better not have smoked that jar from my head stash while I wasn’t home.”

HEADIE

A piece of glass you’re proud to pull up to the sesh with. “Hey man, can I take a dab of this fire off your new headie?”

GLOB

A dab of epic-sized proportions. “I need a giant glob after the day I’ve had.”

710

The dab version of 420. And if you haven’t gotten it yet, “710” spells “OIL” upside down and backwards. “What event are we pulling up to for 7/10 this year?”

WOOK

A hippie who likes to take a lot of dabs and hang out at music festivals to see jam bands. “Wow, there sure were a lot of wooks on lot at the Grateful Dead show last night.”

DAB RIG

A water pipe that is used to inhale Cannabis concentrates.

E-RIG

A device that electronically heats a nail for dabbing rather than using a torch. Learn more about Focus V, one of the innovators in eRig technology, in this month’s issue or at LeafMagazines.com

NAIL

An attachment that connects to the downstem of a rig, like a bowl in a bong, to hold and heat up the concentrate.

BANGER

A bucket-shaped attachment on a rig to dab concentrates off of, made in a variety of materials, sizes and designs.

QUARTZ

A common material used to make bangers that can withstand high temperatures for longer periods of time, making it the most common and ideal material for taking dabs off of.

TERP SLURPER

A style of quartz banger with a dish attached to the bottom, invented by glass legend JP Toro. When a concentrate is heated up and melts, holes in the bottom of the banger allow oil to seep out into the dish, enhancing flavor and minimizing waste.

CARB CAP

A device that seals around the banger to help regulate the amount and direction of air going to the nail on a dab rig.

DABBER

A tool that is used to scoop up dabs and place them on a banger.

DAB MAT

A mat made of non-stick material that is placed underneath a rig when dabbing to protect the glass and keep it in place.

TERP PEARL

Small balls that spin around the bottom of the banger while dabbing to distribute the concentrate and heat evenly.

TORCH

A device filled with butane that is used to heat the nail of a dab rig to high temperatures.

ISO

Referred to simply as “iso,” isopropyl alcohol is great for getting sticky resin off surfaces and is used to disinfect and clean dab tools and rigs between uses.

CONCENTRATES

MARIJUANTAUK GARDENS

CAP JUNKY FULL MELT

70-149U BUBBLE HASH

WASHED BY SANTAHASH

This six-star full-melt bubble hash hailing from the Empire State rivals any full melt on the market nationally. Full stop. Hand washed by Santa himself, using craft batches of Cap Junky flower cultivated in New York by the homies at Marijuantauk – these potent, properly-grown buds are selected from proven breeder cuts for their trichome coverage (aka being great washers).

The Cap Junky terps and dab classically smooth and astringent, with a peppery note on the backend. Now completely sold out, this first-wash, full-melt was the epitome of a full-send from the farmers on the East Coast.

@marijuantaukgardens | @santahash

Review by Jake Robinson @jetworknyc

DOMINICAN HASHERY

ZZ4 ROSIN & 120U SOUR DRY SIFT

This New York local producer gets a huge shout out and thank you from the bottom of my heart. Believe it or not, the dude behind Dominican Hashery blessed me with the very first submission for the 2023 Concentrates Issue … and it didn’t disappoint. In fact, the extremely small-batch nature of this producer’s work – cultivated and processed himself – is a cut above most concentrates nationwide. I tasted two different offerings – a ZZ4 rosin and a 120u Sour dry sift – that were so exclusive there was less than an ounce produced. Both were so seductively sour in their profile that I can't describe the full force of the Lemonhead-like pucker you get on inhale and exhale.

@dominicanhashery | Review by Jake Robinson @jetworknyc

THE MECHANIC FARM

GRAPE WAVES FRESH FROZEN HASH ROSIN

WASHED BY SANTAHASH

Gifted to me in June outside the House of Higher, this Grape Waves hash rosin stands tall in the solventless scene. Birthed from a harmony of Point Break and Grape Cream Cake genetics, it’s a nationwide hitter cultivated by The Mechanic Farm and expertly washed by Santa Hash. Waves of deep grape and velvety cream form an enticing aroma, underpinned by earthy pine and spiked with spicy tropical terps from Point Break. This isn’t just rosin – it’s a connoisseur’s delight, an impeccable demonstration of cultivation and extraction artistry. The Grape Waves rosin is plant-to-product harmony at its peak. Ride the wave … and savor the craft. @the_mechanics_farmny | @santahash

Review by Jake Robinson @jetworknyc

CANNAMOJI RSO-INFUSED EDIBLES

Established in 2009, NYC’s CannaMoji Edibles is a women-led enterprise that has been crafting edibles with strain-specific RSO for over 13 years. CannaMoji's focus is on serving the plant, the people and the patients, and this small-batch independent producer takes pride in their in-house process from start to finish. The dedicated two-person team self-extracts oil for their strain-specific gummies, controlling every step of production. They source top-tier and strain-specific Cannabis from reliable, local, small-batch growers to develop personalized THC and CBD edibles. Infused with powerful whole plant medicine, they stand out thanks to the life-changing medical benefits and potent psychoactive effects of RSO. Their assortment includes gummies, tinctures, brownies, lemonades and capsules – and there's seemingly nothing they can't create next.

Review by Jake Robinson @jetworknyc

NATURE’S HERITAGE

ETHOS CHEM LIVE RESIN DISPOSABLE VAPE PEN

Nature’s Heritage have made quite a name for themselves in Massachusetts and Maryland with their connoisseur quality flower and concentrates. Their newest arrival is strain specific live resin vape pens that are portable, compact and rechargeable. We tried the Ethos Chem – a cross between Colorado Chem and OG Kush – that packs the flavor, aroma and potency of these two stalwart strains into one exceptional vaping experience. Taste the classic chem-kush-diesel fuel on your palate, then sit back and enjoy the relaxing ride away from the gas station. 82.54% Total Cannabinoids

79.87% THC | 1.28% CBG @naturesheritagecannabisco

Review by Dan Vinkovetsky @dannydankoHT Photo Courtesy Nature’s Heritage

CONCENTRATES

HAZY HILL FARMS

BANANA BREAD

X DOLE WHIP HASH ROSIN

With more than a decade's presence in Maine's medical scene, Hazy Hill Farms has earned its recognition and rightly so. Upon opening their Banana Bread & Dole Whip high-terp blend hash rosin, I was struck by a tidal wave of ripe banana terpenes – akin to one of Donkey Kong's infamous banana barrels. The immediate burst of banana is complemented by a creamy, smooth vanilla undertone, creating a delightful profile that leans heavily towards banana bread with a subtle nod to Dole Whip on the finish. The high commences instantly, targeting the head before it morphs into a fullbody buzz – perfect for sinking comfortably into a bean bag chair. @hazyhillfarm_official

Review by ADHDDEAD @ADHDDEAD

NATIVE RELIEF

ROTTEN BANANAS HASH ROSIN

In the rich tapestry of Maine’s Cannabis landscape, Burny Terps is carving his own path and is a name to keep an eye on. His exceptional Feijoa live hash rosin – an indoor, organic, no-till product – is an aromatic journey into funky fruitiness. Perfect for late afternoon tranquility, it weaves a flavor story of robust guava and a hint of gas, before ending on a sweet note of strawberry. The experience begins with a light euphoria and mild eye pressure, evolving into a pleasant, uplifted state and comfortable body high. Experiencing Feijoa is like skateboarding into a serene sunset across from a strawberry farm that still has some lingering hints of a recent barbecue wafting through the air. @burnyterps

Review by ADHDDEAD @ADHDDEAD

Rotten Bananas is a funk-filled blend of GMO and (Double Banana Fuel x Meat Breath) – creating a fragrance that fills the air with herbal, earthy and ripe banana tones. With its texture and color reminiscent of caramel covered flan, it's hard not to dip right in. As soon as the essence of this blend hits your taste buds, you start to pick up on some heavier garlic and woodsy tones. Its high comes flushing to the face and eyes as you exhale, resulting in an elevating frontal lobe pinch that transforms into an elated state of mind. @nativerelief

Review by Brian Sanner @calyxs_and_colas

HELIOS HASH

ZEST^3 AND RAINBOW BELTZ HASH ROSIN (ZKITTLEZ X MOONBOW #75)

Helios has swiftly moved from local recognition to international renown after winning at "Ego Clash" in 2021 – a true achievement from the farm’s first commercial harvest. Helios is at heart firmly rooted in sustainable and regenerative practices, emphasizing sungrown outdoor plants. They are dedicated resin farmers and their harvest focuses solely on extraction for the highest quality concentrate. One of their standout offerings is the Rainbow Beltz rosin – an exceptional product that starts with a powerful, cheesy and gassy punch, then effortlessly evolves into a potent Zkittlez finish. It's a testament to Helios' dedication to quality, craft and consistency in their concentrates. @Helios_Hash

Review by Jake Robinson @jetworknyc

HELIOS HASH

RAINBOW BELTZ CARTRIDGE

Helios Hash has also recently enhanced their cartridge tech nology and the improvements are evident. Not only do they offer an impressive range of flavors from one of the indus try's premier hash producers, but their revamped cartridges also deliver consistently robust hits – perfect for those seeking portability. They produce sizable clouds, making them ideal for on-the-go use. Their Rainbow Beltz has the unmistakable Z terps I crave, while being a heavy hitter that’s perfect for a late afternoon couch-lock gaming session. Having tried a few flavors, I’d suggest you watch out for their standouts Zest and Vision as well. @Helios_Hash

Review by ADHDDEAD @adhddead

STRAW GUAVA X EXPIRATION DATE

CONCENTRATES

MONKEY JONES

STRAW POP HASH ROSIN

WASHED AND PRESSED

BY SEYMOURTERPS

HARVEST FAMILY CANNABIS CO.

WEDDING CAKE HASH ROSIN

Nestled in Southern Maine, Harvest Family Cannabis Co. emerges as a hidden gem –tirelessly crafting impressive quality hash rosin during the overnight shift. This unassuming, family-run operation may fly under the radar, but those fortunate enough to scoop are rewarded. We tried their Wedding Cake hash rosin – a mouthwatering testament to the still-popular strain. Upon cracking open the jar, fumes of soft vanilla cream envelope the senses. After dabbing, the creamy vanilla notes are followed by moist cake batter and finish with the taste sweet buttercream icing. The high provided a warm embrace that spread behind my cheeks – bypassing the eyes and lulling me into cheerful, cozy daze.

@harvestfamilycannabis

Review by ADHDEAD @ADHDDEAD

When I opened this jar, it felt like an angry baker threw an overripe strawberry scone at my head. Dabbing this lemonade colored, waxy hash rosin unleashes the taste of freshly cut farm grown strawberries that are baked into a warm dough, with just a hint of grape candy on the back end. A great mid-day strain balancing delicious flavor and a potent high, this hash has me jonesing to try more Monkey Jones.

Review by ADHDEAD @ADHDDEAD

UPWARD ORGANICS

LEMON ICE 73-159U HASH ROSIN

(GREASE MONKEY X AMNESIA) X GOJI #5

Grown by Maine’s first net-zero Cannabis business, this 100% sungrown and solar-powered Lemon Ice hash rosin was a heater. The school bus yellow, greasy-wet cold cure rosin immediately tasted like charred lemon peel cooked over pine cones, finished off with a beautiful mix of sweet and tart goji berry. This uplifting strain was fast acting and had some real impressive flavors, especially at lower temperatures. My friends at Southern Maine Apothecary put me onto their stuff last year and they are now a brand I keep my eye out for on medical menus. @upwardorganics

Review by ADHDDEAD @adhddead

CONCRETE CULTIVATION

SPEAK NO EVIL LIVE HASH ROSIN

UNCLE MONKEY (MR. TEEN X DUAL OG) & LICKABLE WALLPAPER (FORBIDDEN TERPZ X ZEASIDE TAFFY)

You know that beautiful, scrunched up, stink face people make when they smell something they love … but weren’t ready for? That is exactly what I witnessed from everyone I shared this jar of Speak No Evil with. Concrete Cultivation is a small home-grow operation that is known for fire flowers and is finally getting into the hash game. Their nose for unique

COLD ROOM DRIP

ROTTEN GRAPES LIVE ROSIN

Cold Room Drips’s Rotten Grapes packaging appropriately features a grape standing atop a battered bunch of other grapes holding a baseball bat. That was a pretty good representation of my senses when I opened the jar, as my nasal cavity felt like it had been assaulted by an angry grape. The rosin has an impressive overripe exhale that smoothes out into a sweet (but not too sweet) grape juice concentrate finish. This lip-smacking mix not only tasted spectacular, but provided a quick onset, full-body high that left me in a daydreaming daze. @coldroomdripp

Review by ADHDDEAD @adhddead

flavors and terp profiles extends into their latest endeavor, and now we all get to benefit. Upon twisting the lid, you’ll be met with notes of rising bread in a paint thinner can, with a slightly fruity back end. The pale, chalky, cookie dough-like hash produces chemical creme flavors on the exhale, with a lingering mouth coat of pine and gentle sweet fruit. The high is balanced, pleasant and leans a bit more into the body. A great starting point, I’m looking forward to seeing what they come up with next. @kindfarms_reserve @concrete_cultivator | Review by ADHDDEAD @adhddead

EXCLUSIVE CULTIVARS FROM CALIFORNIA’S CANNABIS CAPITAL

SEEDS: FEMINIZED, REGULAR, AUTOFLOWER, PHOTOPERIOD THC AND CBD

CLONES: STRAIN LICENSE AGREEMENTS AVAILABLE FROM OUR 2022 UNPRECEDENTED 10K PLANT PHENOTYPE MEGA-HUNTS!

ONLINE SEED SALES NOW AVAILABLE, ORDER NOW BEFORE WE’RE SOLD OUT!

CONCENTRATES

BEWELL PURPLE DIESEL LIVE RESIN

SEAWEED CO.

SOUR AMNESIA HAZE

DIAMONDS & SAUCE

I stopped by Seaweed Co. in South Portland, Maine to grab some terps from their extensive concentrate menu. Their slogan is “quality Maine extracts” – and that is exactly what I received. Sour Amnesia Haze is an old-school, sativa-dominant cross of Sour Diesel and Amnesia Haze bred by HortiLab Seeds, and this concentrate was produced inhouse. Upon cracking the jar, I was greeted by a giant boulder of a diamond which took up the entire circumference of the jar in a delicious-looking sauce. She absolutely reeked of limes and lemon Pledge, plus a side of gassy muskiness. Distinctive of its Haze lineage, this diamonds and sauce duo really delivered for me as a big fan of this flavor profile.

@seaweedco.me

TIER 401

MAC

CHERRY BREATH ROSIN

Tier 401 is one of the most popular cultivators in Rhode Island and has been a staple in our headstash for quite a while. They pheno-hunt all of their genetics and they’re working with some very unique resin profiles to create their single-source, premium live rosins. One of those strains is Mac Cherry Breath, bred by In House Genetics and a cross of Cherry Mac x OGKB 2.1. This batch tested at 72.74% THCA. I love the texture of this live rosin – creamy and waxy with a juicy looking consistency. The aroma comes through first with a fruity sweetness that masks a slight petroleum fuel. This rosin had an intense high with sedative effects. Tier 401 can be purchased only in Rhode Island at Mother Earth, Aura, Greenleaf Compassion Center and more. @tier_401_cultivation

I just made it to the launch of BeWell in Merrimac, Massachusetts for the grand opening of their recreational sales. I went right for their excellent concentrate display and picked out some Purple Diesel live resin – a collaboration with Pioneer Valley which is a cross of Pre 98 Bubba Kush x Sour Diesel. All of BeWell’s butane extracts are made by extractors with expertise. This Purple Diesel live resin has a beautiful light-yellow color with small sugary diamonds in a sauce-like consistency, complemented by a fruity and hashy aroma. This concentrate has tested over 73% THCA, and brings notable flavors of earth, spice and lilacs. @bewell420

SOUTHIE ADAMS

PLANET OF THE GRAPES LIVE ROSIN

I scooped some Planet of the Grapes live rosin 70-149u – a Nova Farms production – and this has got to be the best batch of Southie Adams live rosin they’ve produced to date. I’m immediately taken back by the delicious aroma that smacked me in the nose with grape and orange. Planet of the Grapes live rosin has tested at over 77% THCA with over 5% terps, and has a euphoric and uplifting high with an outstanding sweet and earthy flavor profile. I definitely recommend adding some Southie Adams to your daily dab regimen. Available at Nova Farms in Attleboro and other locations throughout Massachusetts. @southieadams

MOTHER EARTH STICKY GRAPES

LIVE SUGAR

Mother Earth is the second dispensary in Rhode Island licensed to legally produce hydrocarbon extractions. They’re also a single-source operation

– pheno-hunting unique strains and producing all of their extractions in-house. I was able to get my hashy hands on some of their unreleased Sticky Grapes live-sugar – a cross of Sticky Toffee x Grape Cream bred by Bloom Seed Co. This strain tests over 4% terps and 75% THCA. The scent is of white grape and there’s a sweetness on the palate that reminds me of a light and crisp white wine. The high from this live resin is very clear headed, soaring and uplifting. Mother Earth is always a great destination if you’re in Rhode Island because they have a wide array of quality products made in-house, as well as options sourced from other select cultivators. @motherearth.ri

DAB SCIENCE CLEMENTINE LIVE RESIN SUGAR

Multiple award-winning solvent extractor Dab Science Extraction tickled my taste buds with this Clementine live resin sugar. Clementine is a cross of Tangie x Lemon Skunk and this drop is a collaboration with local legends Regenerative LLC. Regen produces sungrown organic flowers and has some incredible genetics. This live resin tested at over 88% THCA and 4.01% terpenes. Texturally, it’s a gorgeous sugar wax with a sparkling yellow-gold color. Clementine’s scent hits hard on the citrusy-orange profile and tastes exactly the same. You can purchase Dab Science Extractions at recreational locations in Massachusetts such as In Good Health in Lowell, Fyre Ants and EMBR in Northampton, and Native Sun in Attleboro.

@dabscienceextractions

Our custom filter tips function as a joint filter tip, a blunt filter tip, or a cigarette filter tip. The perfect all-purpose filter tips for an elevated smoking experience.

We carry an array of di erent custom filter tip options. We carry items like custom glass tips, custom paper tips, custom wood tips and our flagship our custom Kemp tips. @SHOPBIOKEMP

CONCENTRATES

KIND FARMS RESERVE

K-DYNOMITE DISPOSABLE CARTRIDGE

PARIS HILL FARMS

GMO 90U HASH ROSIN

PROCESSED BY SUGAR GROVE

FIREFLY ORGANICS

PEACH RINGS FULL MELT

WASHED BY HELIOS

FireFly Organic’s full melt collaboration with Helios is truly a delightful treat for those who enjoy their terps a little more on the fruity side. I was in awe at the sight of glistening heads hanging in the jar upon popping the frost-covered cap. After warming some up, the smell of roses and jasmine tea started to emit on the melt. Smooth fruit flavors coat my tongue on the inhale, followed by juicy peach goodness upon exhale. @fireflyorganics | @helios_hash

There is no way to avoid the perfume of GMO. It is pungent, super heavy and in your nostrils as soon as you open the lid. As it works its way through your nasal cavity, you’ll be offended and captivated by the immense amount of garlic funk. With the texture of melted gelato, this GMO is absolutely decadent and dripping with terpenes. The high comes on fast and quick, hitting you in the face like a right hook and immobilizing your thought processes for a few moments. Once that passes, you’re left with a lingering feeling of relaxation that infiltrates your body. @parishillfarms

Kind Farm Reserves disposable vape cartridges are filled with .5g (500ml) of full-spectrum hash rosin. These disposable cartridges are a relatively new product from Kind Farm Reserve, being released in August of 2022 for the first time. They are small and will fit in the palm of your hand – but pack a boxing glove-sized punch! My bell was rung after taking a couple decent-sized rips. The flavor profile of the K-Dynomite cartridge was delicious – gassy and fruity for the win.

@kindfarms_reserve

ALOHA APOTHECARY

ZTRAWBERRY CANNOLI

HASH ROSIN

When you pop the top on a jar of Ztrawberry Cannoli, you’re immediately captivated by the smells of ripe strawberries and rich cream with a pastry shop finish. As the gushy consistency of this rosin melts into a bubbling pool of goodness, the flavor will turn to more strawberry rhubarb with a slightly tart finish. After exhaling, you get an immediate cerebral punch that quickly settles just atop the eyes.

@aloha__apothecary

KIND FARMS RESERVE

CAP JUNKY HASH ROSIN

ALIEN COOKIES X KUSH MINTS #11

This Cap Junky rosin will immediately smack you with gassy and funky terps as soon as you take your first whiff, while Kind Farms Reserve’s artfully placed rosin will leave you mesmerized by the almost hypnotic pattern created on it. Its oily, soft consistency makes your eyes and mouth water as you impatiently prepare yourself some. As soon as the inhale hit my lips, it tasted of earthy-sweet woods and only got sweeter. Upon exhaling, there was a sense of heaviness behind the eyes that slowly melted into complete relaxation.

@kindfarms_reserve

HAZY HILL FARM

DURBAN POISON

HASH ROSIN JAM

Hazy Hills Durban Poison rosin

jam is a saucy one filled with a bouquet of lemon, garlic and pine forest terpenes that will enthrall your sense of smell. It’s quite an eye catcher in the light, and reminds me of honey with an immense amount of sugar crystals within it. Once sampled, there’s an immediate feeling of lightness and creativity that finishes off by leaving you in a wonderful state of euphoria.

@hazyhillfarm_official

CONCENTRATES

HIDDEN FOREST FARMS

SINGLE SOURCE STRAWGUAVA HASH ROSIN

B’S TREES

WEDDING PIE DRY SIFT ROSIN

This one will have your nose on a workout!

The aromas will go from cake to herbs to sour berries and back to cake again. While working the appropriately-sized tasting, you’ll find yourself in awe at the supple cushiony feel of the dry sift. It doesn't take long for the Wedding Pie to start relaxing all your muscles, leaving you yearning for your couch. Expect an elated state that drifts into an impromptu nap.

@bstrees_official @bigmainetrees

Review by Brian Sanner @calyxs_and_colas

ART & CRAFT CANNABIS

PAPAYA HASH ROSIN JAM

Papaya is popping up everywhere these days and the folks over at Art & Craft didn’t miss with this one. This mom-and-pop shop uses traditional gardening and farming techniques to raise their sungrown, organic, no-till flowers which get used for some fire hash. The Papaya rosin jam evokes chilled tropical fruits and has a complex profile with hints of fresh pine on the backend. The hash pulled from this indica-dominant hybrid strain left a tasty, lingering mouth coat when dabbed, with very little residue left over. The high instantly brought on some pressure behind the eyes and cheeks, while coating my brain with a wonderful calming sense of mental relaxation.

@artandcraft_canna | Review by ADHDDEAD @ADHDDEAD

CASCO BOTANICAL

WI-FI OG LIVE HASH ROSIN

Cracking open this one releases a scent trail that makes a direct shot towards the depths of your nose – just like in the cartoons. It draws you in closer as you catch traces of funky sour earth and pungent cheese. You want to pull away, but you go back for more. The texture of the White Fire rosin is of an oil-glazed cheesecake with an almost identi cal color shade. Expect the flavor to be reminiscent of its scent, but with a surprisingly subtle sweetness. There’s an immediate feeling behind the eyes accompanied by a touch of facial relaxation, followed by a creative and uplifting sensation.

@cascobotanical @cascobotanicalpress

Review by Brian Sanner

@calyxs_and_colas

Hidden Forest Farms has been crushing fruit and candy flavors lately and their latest Strawguava offering did not disappoint. Loud strawberry notes reeked from the jar upon opening and I felt like I was transported to a tropical island, sitting under a waterfall of cascading, freshly-melted strawberry hard candies. The taste of soft strawberry water taffy dances on your palate, effortlessly lifting your troubles away with a pleasant lingering aftertaste. The flavors lead to a warm, buzzy head high that gradually eases into a balanced and blissful chill. This amber-yellow rosin melts beautifully – leaving you smacking your lips and melting into the beach chair of your mind. @hiddenforest_farms

Review by ADHDDEAD @ADHDDEAD

DAVINCI CANNAGAR

NEPAL TEMPLE HASH

DaVinci Cannagar's Nepal Temple Hash comes in a traditional pressed wafer. The hash is firm upon unwrapping, but still very malleable and softens quickly when worked in hands. As it warms, a lovely herbal and earthy pine fragrance appears with slightly sweet-mint aromas. Upon smoking, the scent of herbs and incense begin to fill the air, along with a good amount of thick, milky smoke. Soon after exhaling, the warm sensation of utter ease sets in – starting from the back of the head and making its way to soften the neck and shoulder muscles. If you’ve never tried traditional hash, I highly recommend giving it a whirl if you see it available in your area. @davincicannagar

Review by Brian Sanner @calyxs_and_colas

RUGGED ROOTS

GARLIC FUMEZ

HASH ROSIN

WASHED BY HELIOS

GARLIC FUMEZ (GMO ROOTBEER X CANDY FUMEZ)

Rugged Roots Inc.’s Garlic Fumez hash rosin is a powerful concentrate with some strong lineage. Created by crossing GMO Rootbeer x Candy Fumez, the strain is parent to a pungent hash rosin that offers a distinct and enjoyable experience. Cracking the jar will hit you with an enticing aroma that blends gassy garlic fumes with subtle undertones of sweet root beer and candy, beckoning you to indulge. After enjoying, a wave of relaxation washes over, bringing forth a euphoric state that melts away stress and invites a tranquil, long-lasting body buzz. Be prepared for a delightful journey that mixes gas and candy flavors, while embracing the soothing effects that make this strain a heavy hitter.

@ruggedrootsinc | Review by ADHDDEAD @ADHDDEAD

THIRD SHIFT RESIN

PINK ZUGAR ROSIN

If you’re still sleeping on Maine, wake up! Third Shift Resin – a blaring alarm of quality concentrates – boasts a whole menu of phenomenal solventless products from in-house cultivated flower and phenotypes they’ve been hunting, washing and hoarding for years. Their Pink Zugar rosin absolutely dominates in the flavor department, serving up a melange of, say … 37 extremely loud fruits hanging off a distinct Z backbone. Third Shift’s motto sums it up: “Hatred for none, terps for all.”

@thirdshiftresin | Review by Jeffrey Miller

Photo by Maine Cannabis Media

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Trail Blazers

From the late 1950s to the mid-1970s, hundreds of thousands of hippies traveled to the Far East in search of adventure, enlightenment and the world’s best hashish, along what was known as the Hashish or Hippie Trail.

BEAT IT

After World War II, the U.S. experienced an economic and cultural boom – leading many well-to-do Westerners to begin vacationing along the old Silk Road (also known as the “overland route”) and later publishing accounts of their adventures. These tales, along with beatnik author Jack Kerouac’s groundbreaking novel “On the Road” – which glorified a Zen, vagabond lifestyle – incited a wanderlust in America’s youth. In 1957 (the same year that “On the Road” was published), Kerouac himself visited Tangiers, Morocco – meeting up with fellow beat writer William Burroughs, who lived there for a few years.

As the ‘50s ended and the Beats evolved into Hippies, more counterculture icons began heading East: Beat poet Allen Ginsberg moved to India in the early ‘60s, and in 1967 the Beatles also headed there for a meditation retreat at an ashram. As a result of these cultural influences, hundreds of thousands of young Americans disillusioned with capitalist consumerism and Cold War paranoia began a decade-long exodus to the East – seeking a freer, simpler life and the ultimate mystical high. Though they didn’t actually call themselves “hippies” – reportedly preferring the terms “intrepids” or “freaks” – this pot-smoking pilgrimage to the hashish capitals of the Old World became widely known as the “Hippie Trail” or “Hashish Trail.”

ON THE ROAD

Following in the footsteps of such legendary explorers as Alexander the Great and Marco Polo, countless counterculture vagabonds undertook some or all of the nearly 6,000-mile overland journey across Eurasia. Typically starting off from a European city such as London or Amsterdam, these “intrepids” would often travel by train, car, motorcycle or “Kombi” (often garishly painted Volkswagen minivans). But the cheapest, most common modes of transportation along the Trail were either hitchhiking or via the several bargain bus lines that emerged to serve the ever-growing influx of hippie hash seekers, such as the Indiaman Bus Company (who offered rides from London to Bombay for around $45), Amsterdam’s Magic Bus, Budget Bus and Swagman Tours (a.k.a. the “Asian Greyhound”). These companies marketed inexpensive fares to the hippie crowd via underground publications and bulletin boards at various Hippie Trail hotspots.

Main photo: Chicken Street in Kabul, Afghanistan—one of the hippie hubs on the Hashish Trail. Above: route maps from the Swagman and Indiaman bus companies. Left: Swagman bus tour makes a stop in Kabul (1970).

While there was no formal or definitive trail, these journeys typically followed one of two main paths: a Northern route, passing through Tehran, Kandahar, Kabul and Lahore en route to India and Nepal, and a Southern route, through Syria, Jordan, Iraq and Pakistan. Regardless of the specific route, however, almost all of these pilgrimages (which would take several weeks or even months to complete) passed through certain hubs that offered travelers access to rest, restaurants, resources, connection with fellow Cannabis-loving compatriots and of course, killer hand-made hashish.

THE PUDDING SHOP

As the only metropolitan city to straddle Europe and Asia, Istanbul, Turkey (a.k.a. the “Gateway to the East”) was where all routes converged. And for any freaks passing through Istanbul, there was one essential stop: The Pudding Shop.

Opened in 1957, the Lale Pastahesi (Turkish for “Tulip Pastry Shop”) was a small restaurant/dessert shop on the city’s imperial avenue (Divan Yolu) that was nicknamed “The Pudding Shop” by Western visitors who frequented it due to its variety of cheap and delicious Turkish puddings.

The Pudding Shop became the hub for all hippie activity in the city – a phenomenon the owners encouraged. To capitalize on the increased patronage and publicity, they actually had new signs made with the nickname to hang in front of the shop. They also installed a bulletin board where travelers could leave messages, post travel tips, and solicit or offer rides. Remarkably, this message board became the only place in the city where information about inexpensive transportation to Asia was available to Western tourists.

KABUL & THE HINDU KUSH

Long before the U.S. or Soviet invasions, or the Islamic Revolution, Afghanistan was actually a pretty progressive place that was warm and welcoming to Westerners. Various accounts from that time – including those of future travel gurus like Rick Steves and Lonely Planet founders Maureen and Tony Wheeler – tell of bus drivers, hotel managers, and even customs agents smoking hookahs with travelers and offering them gifts of free hashish. According to the Wheelers, by the early 1970s, Kabul was actually “in danger of becoming a tourist trap” – with an average of around 5,000 hippies in the city at any given time. Like in Istanbul, there was a specific part of town that catered to the influx of hippie tourists. In Kabul, that place was called Chicken Street – a narrow, two-block-long mar ketplace crammed with eateries, hotels and various shops selling clothing, rugs and trinkets. Oh … and you could buy hashish and opium there, too.

Leaving Kabul, the route continues along the southern edge of the Himalayan Mountains in a region known as the Hindu Kush (or, as the Greeks called it, Cau casus Indicus), where the potent, portly “indi ca” variety of Cannabis first originated. It was Hippie Trail travelers who first brought seeds

of these strains (such as Afghani and Kush) back with them to Europe and North America – and it was those genetics that then laid the foundation for most of the popular cultivars we enjoy today.

GROOVY GOA

Next, the Trail traverses the infamous Khyber Pass into Pakistan and India. At that point, travelers had a choice: either turn south into India, or continue southeast along the Himalayan foothills and up into Nepal.

In the winter, many would head down to the state of Goa on India’s west coast for its warm weather and water. Originally a Portuguese colony before being annexed by India in 1961, Goa retained many of its European sensibilities and famously welcomed foreigners. In fact, Goans have a trademark term for their indolent, indulgent lifestyle: susegad, from the Portuguese word sossegado, meaning “quiet.” That philosophy, along with its beautiful beaches, lack of police presence and accessibility to drugs (particularly hashish and LSD), made Goa what has been described as “a counterculture Nirvana.” Indeed, Anjuna Beach’s legendary full moon parties have attracted many hash icons over the years, including Mila Jansen and Frenchy Cannoli.

K-K-K-K-K-KKATHMANDU

During the warmer months, however, the most popular terminus of the Trail was Nepal’s fabled capital of Kathmandu.

Boasting one of the oldest hashish-making traditions in the world, Nepal is renowned for its hand-collected, hand-pressed hash known as “charas.” Charas is typically rolled into what is called Temple Balls, which were sold legally at cafes and hashish shops all around the country. And just like Chicken Street in Kabul and The Pudding Shop in Istanbul, there was one particular section of town that the hippies all gravitated to: in this case, Jochen Tole Street in Kathmandu Durbar Square, better known by the nickname Freak Street. Freak Street became the epicenter of the counterculture in Nepal thanks to its concentration of hotels, eateries, tattoo parlors and most importantly, its three dozen government-licensed

hash shops – the most famous of which was the legendary Eden Hashish Centre. Opened in around 1970 by owner Devi Dhatta Sharma (nicknamed the “Ganja Raja”), Eden was a five-story Cannabis dispensary catering exclusively to tourists that featured a warehouse floor, a showroom floor, and a consumption lounge floor loaded with comfy couches and beds.

Sharma brilliantly marketed the shop to Westerners with a series of calendar posters featuring images of Hindu gods and goddesses and English writing that served as perfect souvenirs – and later, as sought-after collectors’ items. The business became so successful that in 1973, Sharma opened the Eden Hotel: a nine-story luxury hotel one block south of Freak Street, whose “Heavenly Pleasure Room” served a selection of hash-infused foods and drinks.

Unfortunately for him, the flow of tourists was about to dry up.

END OF THE TRAIL

Sadly, during the mid to late ’70s, several wars erupted that would spell doom for the Hippie Trail –including America’s War on Drugs. In 1973, the Nixon Administration reportedly paid a $47-million bribe to King Zahir Shah to have him declare Cannabis and hashish illegal in Afghanistan. Three years later, bowing to U.S. pressure, Nepal also banned Cannabis products. Then, a series of military conflicts across the Middle East and Asia – including the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979 – quickly made many nations along the Trail inhospitable and dangerous to Western travelers, effectively ending tourism in the region.

Today, few remnants remain of the old Hippie Trail. The Pudding Shop is still open, but other than some old photos and clippings on the wall, it’s essentially just a tourist trap. The hash shops on Freak Street were long ago replaced by conventional businesses, and tragically much of the neighborhood was destroyed or heavily damaged by an earthquake in 2015. But hey – I hear Goa is still pretty chill, at least…

To hear one hippie’s tales from the Hashish Trail, listen to Episode 23 of our Cannthropology podcast at worldofcannabis.com/cannthropology or wherever you get your podcasts.

Nepal is renowned for its hand-pressed hashish known as “charas,” which was sold legally at cafes and hash shops all around the country.

Hash shop in Kathmandu.

Outside the Pudding Shop in Istanbul (early 1970s).

Temple ball hash.

Eden Hash Centre on Freak St.

PUDDINGSHOP.COM

Eden Hash Centre promo calendar & restaurant menu.

Daily Mirror article on hash in Kabul (1971).

MICHAEL PALMIERI

Hippie chick selling Manali hash in Goa.

DUDE, WE WERE HAVING A GREAT NIGHT, AND THEN... It appeared that the late shot of elixir was what transformed Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Hyde, escalating the exuberant whiskey-burn growl into an ear-piercing screech.

And that’s where the off-switch appears to have malfunctioned.

Like a shark upon the first scent of blood that triggers the wide-eyed feeding frenzy, in an instant, what was a composed practice in cocktail etiquette became an all-bets-are-off mission to Mercury. This was the turning point where the motor skills became erratic and sloppy – effectively turning the leaking lip into a lawn sprinkler that sprays the bar with nonsensical gibberish.

And here I am, hyper-aware of every tic and touch while you decimate the vibe of the room with nails-on-a-chalkboard karaoke. The turkey strut turns to a fumbling act of foot balance and mumbled lyrics – thoroughly entertaining yourself whilst the room second guesses the system of open mics and over pours.

Dropping the microphone, you parade to the bar demanding attention – lambasting those who won’t share in your fist-pumping, shot glass-pounding camaraderie, measuring the patron’s moxie in ounces.

Your jerking, brutish arms are weapons of buzzkill. And then there you go, swapping spit with the wobbly sea hag who appears like a ball to the barstool chain – deliriously charmed by your advances. She cackles with delight while you attempt to dance her around before stumbling to the filthy floor like limp bags of garbage meant for the dump.

Meanwhile, her cross-eyed cougar friend peers towards me, on the hunt for the thunder from down under. So, I grab your arm and shuffle out of the impact zone as the bouncer gets anxious.

Thankfully, I just use Cannabis. So, you have a friend to drive you home.

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This product has not been analyzed or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There is limited information on the side e ects of using this product, and there may be associated health risks. Marijuana use during pregnancy and breast-feeding may pose potential harms. It is against the law to drive or operate machinery when under the influence of this product. KEEP THIS PRODUCT AWAY FROM CHILDREN. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. The impairment e ects of Edibles may be delayed by two hours or more. In case of accidental ingestion, contact poison control hotline 1-800-222-1222 or 9-1-1. This product may be illegal outside of MA. Please Consume Responsibly.  For use only by adults 21 years of age or older. Keep out of the reach of children. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product.