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TRAVIS DUDA

On a recent episode of the SeltzerTime podcast, Ricky and I had the opportunity to sit down with Alex Mazin, President, CEO and Founder of Bud’s Goods & Provisions, a dispensary located both here in Worcester and in Watertown, with their third location in Abington currently being constructed. Readers of this column know that I’ve been a fan of their brand since they opened, and it’s been interesting to see how far they’ve grown in just a year’s time. He was the first to call Worcester the Cannabis Capital of the Northeast and is one of the great minds looking to solidify this claim.

One of the things I like most about Alex, and the rest of the Bud’s, is the way they are normalizing the conversation around cannabis. Alex wants people to be proud of their use and to not feel the stigma that once existed around our favorite plant. We all know there are powerful and successful people who partake regularly.

Alex would also like the conversation about potency to continue to evolve. He thinks people don’t need to just chase the highest percent of THC. As he puts it “THC content is only part of the whole product. You don’t go into the liquor store and only buy the highest-proof alcohol.” He continues, “Beer, wine, vodka, they all have their days and times of consumption. The general public needs to better understand what we call the entourage effect, the cannabinoids and the terpenes that are working together.”

I think there are more people familiar with this term, but ultimately I agree. It’s far too common to be at a dispensary and hear fellow consumers ask for only the highest percent THC available. A lot of dispensaries are trying to educate users, but there is an unwillingness to change. I look at people buying only high percent THC cannabis the way the craft beer industry looks at people who only drink IPAs. It’s a good beer, but you’re missing out on some other options that don’t pack such a punch.

This change in perspective starts with the growers. On the West Coast, a lot of companies have reached the 30% THC threshold so now they’ve moved onto increasing terpenes. Alex says some cultivators in California have been able to achieve 4-5% terpenes, where our Massachusetts cultivators are still primarily focused on increasing THC levels. Getting ahead of these trends is one of the ways Alex thinks “The East Coast will surpass the West Coast in innovation”, attributing his prediction to the academia and brain power we have here in the Northeast. “You get a couple MIT folks on this, and it’s a different ballgame”.

As our industry continues to grow and adapt, I know I will be keeping an eye on Bud’s Goods & Provisions. Also, I would suggest my fellow stoners start expanding their understanding, and even start cataloging your experiences with different strains. You might be surprised to find that an Indica heavy hybrid with the right terpene mix ends up feeling energetic and uplifting and not couch-inducing, as expected. Personally speaking, I’ve been amazed about how many of my assumptions were incorrect.

This was only a small bit from a much larger interview with Alex. To hear the whole episode, look for “SeltzerTime official” wherever you find podcasts or go to seltzertime.com

LOVE YOUR LABELS’ DRAG STORY TIME: A FUN AND WELCOMING SPACE FOR ALL FAMILIES GIULIANO D’ORAZIO

Since its launch in 2019, Drag Story Time with Love Your Labels at Redemption Rock Brewing Co. has been a highlight event for queer youth and families in greater Worcester. Story time, as conducted by a drag performer, is the sort of event that brings together a lot of beautiful people and spreads a ton of queer joy. Historically, it has also garnered criticism and backlash from conservative folks who, quite frankly, don’t get the point. In a nutshell, kids and families are welcomed to story time in a bright, beautiful space, to hear drag performers read children’s books focused on acceptance, diversity, inclusion, and identity. And at Redemption Rock, there’s coffee and beer for the adults to enjoy and relax while the kids are captivated by dragtastic magic. More than all this, folx are welcomed regardless of their appearance or expression. Personally, I’ve attended nearly every iteration of this event, and I can’t tell you how profoundly beautiful it is to see young people simply existing in the freedom to present the way they choose. For some queer kids, this is the only place they get to do that with complete safety.

The Love Your Labels website describes Drag Story Time as an event where “Drag Queens read affirming, inclusive stories to show our kids they are valid and incredible just as they are. These free events bring people together and strengthen networks of queer and ally families looking for safe spaces”. If you follow my column, you’ll know I’ve covered several times the need for more inclusive queer spaces and events in our city, especially ones that are not explicitly focused on adult night life. While Drag Story Time does take place at a brewery, it’s important for folks to know what Redemption Rock is like. Their whole vibe is bright, cheery and art-centered. Vibrant colors, beautiful murals and, oh yeah, dogs (it’s dog friendly!) fill the space with an atmosphere that certainly has awesome beer, but what really comes to the forefront is community. As Redemption Rock CEO Danielle Babineau puts it, “At Redemption Rock Brewery, we try to focus on events and programming that create and spread joy, and Drag Story Time is one of those things that is just consistently joyful. We also like to do things that work in sometimes surprising ways. Drag as an art form excels at drama and showmanship, which are things that kids are generally super excited about, especially in the context of reading stories and exercising imaginations. And breweries, especially on Sunday mornings, are often venues for building relationships and community as much as they are drinking beer.”

This month’s Drag Story Time will take place on Sunday, Nov. 21 at noon. All ages are welcome, and the fun isn’t just for the little ones, the libations, conversations, and general good vibes make for a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon! There’s crafts for the kids before and after the stories too, so you can take home your very own memento of queer joy!

If you’re interested in sponsoring an upcoming story time, or would like more info visit www.loveyourlabels.org/drag-queen-story-time. Get in touch with Love Your Labels on social media by following love.your.labels on Instagram or search for Love Your Labels on Facebook, and don’t forget to check out Redemption Rock Brewing Co. on Insta @rr_brewingco or search for them on Facebook.