Cannabis Review Quarterly - 2022 - Seven

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SOUGHT AFTER CONTENT

Published quarterly, Cannabis Review Quarterly is the perfect resource to discover all that’s happening within the cannabis industry.

CRQ is a sophisticated, informative publication that will keep

updated about the ever-changing cannabis space in our local communities, the region and the Massachusetts commonwealth.

STAFF

Publisher and CEO

George Arwady garwady@repub.com

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Mark A. French mfrench@repub.com

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Michele Tingley mtingley@repub.com

Creative Design & Content Curation

Michelle Johnson mjohnson@repub.com

Content Review

Tiera Wright

Cannabis Review Quarterly (CRQ) is published by The Republican. Our offices are at 1860 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103. All advertising is subject to the terms and conditions of the CRQ rate card, and all advertising submitted is subject to the approval of the Publisher. The Publisher reserves the right to cancel an advertising order or reject or edit any advertising copy or images. The Republican Co. shall not be liable for incorrect ad placement. Liability for failure to publish an ad shall not exceed a refund of or credit for the original price of the ad. Liability for an error will not exceed the cost of space for the section the error occupies. Credit will be allowed for the first insertion only. Advertisers should check ads upon publication. The contents of this publication are copyrighted 2022. The Republican Co. All rights reserved. No portion of CRQ may be reproduced in any form without the consent of the Publisher.

FLOWE

contents

4 Welcome to Cannabis Review Quarterly

or CRQ as we like to call it.

8 Product Previews

A look at popular and soon-to-arrive products in the cannabis market.

14 Clones for Sale!

Behind the Historic First Ever Legal CHEMDOG Clone Sale Program in MA

17 Strains to Know

A Croptober rundown of the popular strains out of the Smash Hits clone program.

18 Fernway’s Traveler

Saving the Planet One Cartridge At A Time.

24 Giving Back To The Ones Who Gave All

The Patton Family’s Commitment to Veterans.

29 TASTE

Try This Adult Mocktail At Your Holiday Get-Together: The Cranberry Orange Herbal Smash Mocktail.

30 Sativa vs. Indica

What’s the Difference?

32 Meg Sanders Women & Weed... A Powerful Duo.

34 Guide to Tinctures

Why Are Tinctures Often Overlooked and Underappreciated?

36 Sweet Tooth?

The Art of Chocolate and Cannabis With INSA’s Chocolatier.

39 Food, Fun, Festivities, Family and... Cannabis

Gearing Up For The Holidays Can Be Stressful When You Are Unprepared.

40 Overindulge?

It’s Easy To Over Do It During The Holiday’s. We Can Help!

42 Fact vs. Myth

The Myth Of Dosed Halloween Candy.

Note to readers:

Please consume responsibly. Cannabis and related products may cause impairment and may be habit forming. For use only by adults 21 years of age or older. Keep out of the reach of children.

Products shown in this magazine have not been analyzed or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There is limited information on the side effects of using these products, and there may be associated health risks. Marijuana used 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 THESE PRODUCTS AWAY FROM CHILDREN. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. The effects 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.

Product PREVIEWS

COOKIES & SCREAM CHOCOLATE BAR COURTESY OF COAST CANNABIS CO. PICTURED

STORY BY LAUREN LeBEL PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Greenwrap Insurance provides property solutions for Cannabis Business with personalized coverage options to protect investors, tenants, and any location that is involved in cannabis operations. Our team is well-versed in finding the right coverage for unique insurance needs that accompany property development, and we are standing by to help you get started.

Location in Turner Falls VISIT 253FARMACY.COM FOR MORE INFO

GUSH MINTS FLOWER

Yusef Sadiq, wholesale manager at 253, shared some of their new and upcoming product launches. The first product is Gush Mints. “Gush Mints is an indica hybrid strain, cultivated through a sweet cross of Kush Mints x F1 Durb x Gushers,” said Sadiq. “This bud brings together creamy gas flavors and sweet pine aromas to create a lusciously packed dessert of relax ation.” He shared that the product is commonly described as having a “tasty maple finish.” Gush Mints tacks on kushy candy terpenes with earthy diesel undertones to offer a “soothing high,” added Sadiq. The cost for Gush Mints is as follows: .8g pre-roll/$12, 1g pre-packed/$15, 3.5g pre-packed/$50 and 7g prepacked/$90. Cannabis and sales tax not included.

253 HAWAIIAN FIRE OG GLACIER TEK SHATTER

“Glacier TEK is a purification pro cess leaving the shatter glossy and clear with a lovely presence of ter penes,” said Sadiq. “It is a process using clays and silica that capture

extraction and leave behind a clear product.” He explained that this technique was used in the food oil industry to bleach olive oil, corn oil and vegetable oil. Now, the tech nique is being used in cannabis. The cost of this product is $18 for .5g or $30 for 1g. Cannabis and sales tax not included.

253 CHOCOLATE BITES

“Brand new from our 253 Kosher Kitchen, Chef Danie has launched our 253 Chocolate Bites,” said Sadiq. “Our chocolate is made from the finest Belgian - Callebaut chocolate we could source and is filled with caramel, mint cream and peanut butter.” He noted that 253 has a diverse selection of craft bars including multiple vegan options, along with the first kosher bite-sized chocolate. For 100mg, the cost is $25. Cannabis and sales tax not included.

BOSTON BUD FACTORY

Location in Holyoke VISIT BOSTONBUDFACTORY.COM

FOR MORE INFO

SOLVENTLESS DIAMONDS

“Boston Bud Factory is perfecting the manufacturing process for mak ing Solventless Diamonds,” shared Frank Dailey of Boston Bud Factory. “One of the purest forms of smok ing, that still includes the flavors and effects derived naturally from the cannabis plant.” He explained that Solventless Diamonds are made from hash or rosin and use only pressure and temperature to extract the cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material. Solventless Diamonds will soon be found on the menu at Boston Bud Factory. The price range is $70-$80 per gram.

SOLVENTLESS DIAMONDS COURTESY OF BOSTON BUD FACTORY

LIVE ROSIN CARTRIDGES

Dailey explained that Boston Bud Factory is teaming with local culti vators who can provide high-quality live flower. “Boston Bud Factory will then utilize a proprietary production method, involving only heat and pressure, to create the rosin that is then further processed to produce a product without any solvents that can be used in vape cartridges,” said Dailey. “As with [Solventless] Dia monds and other concentrates the flavor profile is much better when derived naturally from the cannabis plant.” Live Rosin Cartridges will re tail in the same neighborhood as the Boston Bud Factory “Solvent-Free Cartridges” and will cost $30-$35 for .5-gram cartridges and $60-$70 for full gram cartridges.

MONSTAH-ROLLS

“Boston Bud Factory produces a variety of pre-roll sizes, including the 1.5g Mega-Rolls. The Monstah-Rolls will start with the 1.5g Mega-Roll, followed by a coating of Boston Bud Factory CO2 cannabinoid extract and topped off with Boston Bud Factory house-made dry sift hash,” said Dailey. The pricing will be in the $25-$30 range based on the final weights of each component. He not ed that Boston Bud Factory pre-rolls are made only from cannabis buds and do not use any shake or trim.

CHOCOLATE BITES COURTESY

COAST CANNABIS CO.

Locations across Massachusetts VISIT COASTCANNABISCO.COM

FOR MORE INFO

CHERRY 2:1 CBD: THC - GUMMY

Angela Brown, co-founder of COAST Cannabis, shared some of their new and upcoming product launches. The first one is an edible gummy. “Looking to relax? Made with all natural and organic ingre dients, our 2:1 CBD: THC gummy creates a sense of tranquility and comfort with a beloved cherry flavor,” said Brown. “Take a bite and take time to COAST!” With this edible, she suggests taking the rec ommended amount which is 5mg (one gummy) and waiting at least two hours before consuming more. “Start slow and go slow,” she added. The price range for this product is between $25-$30.

BLUEBERRY AFGOO VAPORIZER

Another new product offered at COAST is “Blueberry Afgoo,” a vaporizer. This indica strained product can be described as “piney and fruity,” according to Brown. She went on to say, “Blueberry Afgoo smells and tastes like a sweet blueberry on a summer day with a light citrus finish. [It’s] the perfect combination of a relaxing body buzz paired with a calming sense of eu phoria.” To properly use this prod uct, a consumer should inhale and wait about 10 to 15 for effects before consuming more. The price range is $45-$55.

COOKIES & SCREAM

While other dispensaries such as Pioneer Cannabis Co. offer this product, it is produced by COAST. Brown noted that the recommend ed amount to take is 5mg which is one triangle. Consumers should wait at least two hours before consum ing more – “start slow and go slow,” added Brown. “Eat if you dare.”

INSA

Locations in Easthampton, Salem and Springfield VISIT MYINSA.COM FOR MORE INFO

CHAMPAGNE DROPS

In preparation for the upcoming hol iday season, INSA has several new products that will soon be found on their shelves. Chef Julian Rose, R&D director for edibles at INSA, provid ed a preview of what customers can expect. The first new product is a limited-edition “Champagne Drops.” Rose said, “This balanced blend of champagne and grape flavors comes lightly dusted with granulated sugar for an extra “pop” – get it while you can.” The drops cost $30 per 100mg (20 chews).

CRANBERRY SAUCE DROPS

Another new “drop” to be released by INSA are “Cranberry Sauce Drops.” “We put our own spin on the classic Thanksgiving dessert by injecting the tart, lip-smacking flavors of cranberry sauce into our bite-sized drops with 5mg of THC per piece,” shared Rose. “Just like the last slice of pie at Thanksgiving dinner, this flavor won’t last long.” These drops are limited-edition and cost $30 per 100mg (20 chews).

CHAMPAGNE DROPS

PEPPERMINT CANDY CANE CHOCOLATE BAR

“Nothing says the holidays are here quite like the classic candy cane,” said Rose. “Now you can savor the taste of the season with our lim ited-edition seasonal Peppermint Candy Cane Chocolate Bar.” He described the taste as “bursting with minty coolness” and “flavor packed with deliciously rich dark chocolate, crunchy candy cane bits and pep permint.” The cost of this product is $30 per 100mg bar.

GINGERBREAD CHOCOLATE BAR

For those who prefer milk choco late, INSA’s “Gingerbread Chocolate Bar” is the product for you. “Kick back by the fire with a glass of nog, a warm blankie and this delicious blend of chocolatey gingerbread, sweet vanilla and warm holiday spic es wrapped in a deliciously smooth casing of European milk chocolate,” shared Rose. This limited-edition offering costs $30 per 100mg bar.

PEPPERMINT MOCHA

The last seasonal product to be offered by INSA is a Peppermint Mocha Vape. “Satisfy your holiday cravings with this delicious combi nation of silky-rich chocolate and cooling peppermint,” said Rose. “It’s indulgent yet refreshing and uplifting.” The cost of the product is as follows: 500mg dart pod, $50; 500mg cartridge, $50; and 350mg pen, $35.

PIONEER

CANNABIS CO.

Location in Brimfield VISIT

PIONEERCANNABISCOMPANY.COM

FOR MORE INFO

SMASH HITS

An established product, but a new one at Pioneer, is “Smash Hits.” Doyle said, “We’re thrilled to be one of only a handful of dispensaries in the state to have the “Smash Hits” line of pre-rolls and flower.” She continued, “This hand-trimmed craft cannabis is

grown under the direction of Greg “Chemdog” Krzanowski. Chem famously developed the Chemdog line of strains using seeds acquired from new friends that met on the 1991 Grateful Dead tour.” Doyle shared that Chemdog secured a permanent place in the “Leafly 100 Best Strains of All Time” list. Pioneer is currently offering four strains (and counting) of these next-level strains on their menu. The price for prerolls ranges from $12-$15.

TRAILSTIX SLACK PACKS

“Colorful leaves swirling, crisp air and the sound of your match hitting the strike pad to light up your Trail stix pre-roll – that’s how we enjoy fall,” said Doyle. “A current cus tomer favorite, Trailstix Slack Packs offer seven pre-rolled joints conve niently packaged with matches and a strike pad making them ideal for leaf-peeping fall hikes.” These readyto-go slack packs retail for $42.

TRULIEVE

Location in Northampton VISIT TRULIEVE.COM

FOR MORE INFO

ROLL ONE

Robert Kremer, executive director at Trulieve, announced a few of their upcoming launches. Later this

year, Trulieve will be debuting “Roll One,” which offers a “wide variety of good quality classics without any of the pretentious cannabis hype, because we know that consuming shouldn’t be a complicated affair. It’s good quality at everyday value,” said Kremer. He continued, “Our flower is cultivated with care at our local state-of-the-art facilities and expert ly extracted utilizing hydrocarbon processes by experienced cultiva tors and technicians.” Trulieve aims to make cannabis approachable and affordable to all. The pricing of “Roll One” is to be determined.

BANANA OG

“The indica dominant Banana OG is well placed in Trulieve’s Cultivar Collection as an uncompromising mix of unique flavors and poten cy,” said Kremer. “First bred by Apothecary genetics as a cross of OG Kush and Banana Kush, this strain’s lineage is more than may meet the eye. Looking deeper into the lineage, we can see the pillars skunk, haze and old school Kush come together for something very unique.” According to Kremer, this product is described by customers as a “creeper” due to the sedating effects that start softly but come on strong.

“The tropical notes of slightly green bananas are present to the nose but also contain mild citrus and some classical petrol aroma, which are likely due to the diversely potent ge netic lineage. This cultivar is known to offer users relief from muscular pain, appetite loss and insomnia, but can leave those with lower tolerances in a powerful couch lock, potentially making it a strong choice for the evening,” shared Kremer. This product is currently priced at $45 offered in 3.5-gram units of premium hand-grown and trimmed flower, 1g pre-rolls and 1g infused pre-rolls. Kremer noted that they placed during the first Massachusetts High Times People’s Choice for “Best Indica” with their Banana OG.

SMASH

Banana OG

THE TROPICAL NOTES OF SLIGHTLY GREEN BANANAS ARE PRESENT TO THE NOSE BUT ALSO CONTAIN MILD CITRUS AND SOME CLASSICAL PETROL AROMA, WHICH ARE LIKELY DUE TO THE DIVERSELY POTENT GENETIC LINEAGE

CURRENTLY PRICED AT $45 OFFERED IN 3.5-GRAM UNITS OF PREMIUM HANDGROWN AND TRIMMED FLOWER, 1G PRE-ROLLS AND 1G INFUSED PRE-ROLLS.

PHOTO COURTESY OF TRULIEVE

STORY BY DAN MCCARTHY @ACUTALPROOF PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Clones for sale!

Behind the historic first ever legal CHEMDOG Clone Sale Program in MA

themselves to be flushed, bucked, and cut before drying, curing, and enjoying. Rightfully dubbed “Croptober”, the swell in timed-harvests set months ago in the planting season means the Au tumnal weeks bring legions of planters immeasurable glee (and some horrors should a badly timed frost land). Seeing your personal cannabis cultivation efforts yield their bounties is in no man ner different to backyard greenthumbs marveling at manicured San Marzano tomatoes coaxed to life by caring hands in a home garden.

David Yusefzadeh, founder of Cloud Creamery cannabis dosed ice cream and PlantJam edible products available across the state, is a skilled professional chef and home cultivator. He says em bracing home-grow allows him (and his team) the ability to do some R+D when pairing strains and terpene profiles to their products in small test batches us ing privately grown flower. “It also allows us to appreciate and respect the flower and inputs we purchase from cultiva tors in the state and on store shelves,” he says. “But ultimately as a chef and someone who is growing vegetables and appreciating high quality produce, I always enjoy reaping the benefits of harvest time for my own private home cannabis garden.”

Home cultivation has been part of state law since Question 4 passed in 2016 - allowing for 6 plants per house hold adult or 12 total flowering canna bis plants - yet this past summer, that privilege and legal right was met with newfound excitement.

Because back in June, Greg “Chem dog” Krzanowski, Canna Provisions storied Director of Cultivation and cre ator of the Chemdog line of cannabis strains, made available for the (first time ever) actual baby cannabis clone plants

CHEM D X VINTAGE AFGHANI FROM SMASH HITS CANNABIS

straight from Canna Provisions cultiva tion in the Berkshires. Which made it the first time in US history one could legally procure legitimate Chemdog genetics grown by Chemdog himself.

Which isn’t to say that it was the first time since legalization clones were made for sale in the Bay State by legal retailers. However none garnered as much community and statewide atten tion or repeatable success (read: they sell out) as did Smash Hits launch of its pilot clone sales program.

“It was really amazing to see all these consumers make pilgrimages to our stores in Lee and Holyoke just to be able to land a clone to take home,” says Krzanowski. “It just reinforces why I love doing what I do, and why I’ve been growing the best craft handtrimmed cannabis I can for the last 30 years - including what we’re now producing under the Smash Hits line.”

Weedmaps has previously recanted the story of how the original Chemdog strains by Krzanowski “were spawned from the legendary 13 seeds found in a pound of Colorado kind bud pur chased on a Grateful Dead tour back in the early ‘90s…out of those beans came a line that launched a whole new generation - and genetics revolution, of sorts - of the world’s newest and best marijuana.”

True Chemdog fans agree. For the lucky consumers who got in on the clone drops from over the summer, the crisp Autumn air would now mean sticky fingers and trim jail for those working on their home Smash Hits crop. Just in time for the seasonal weather change to ring the bells of harvest time all over the region.

In addition to the strains offeredApple Fritter, Biscotti Mintz, Lemon OG Haze, Chocolate Peaches - it was the release of legit Chemdog strains grown by Chemdog himself that really got people talking.

“The Chem D x Vintage Afghani is a real special strain, and ours leans to that old school funk and power the Afghani brings with the gassy notes and strong high that my Chem D is famous for. And our drop of those clones in October 2022 was the first time in

CHEMDOG THUMBS UP LEMON OG HAZE

CHEM D X VINTAGE AFGHANI AND LEMON OG HAZE 4-INCH POTTED CANNABIS CLONES UNDER LIGHTS AT CANNA PROVISIONS

“This is historic. I had to come out.”

history I’ve made that line avail able from a grow I ran. It’s a real special moment for me.”

Mack, a customer at Canna Provisions Lee shop and Great Barrington resident, showed up for the inaugural clone sales launch in June: “I’m here for Chemdog clones! I’ve been smoking Chemdog a long time, and my fav strain ever is Chem 4. This is historic. I had to come out.”

“The fact that we decided to sell clones and provide those genetics to the legal adult use homegrow market struck some as counter-intuitive to operating a cannabis cultivation and retail brand, in a general capitalism sense,” says Erik Williams, COO and co-owner, Canna Provi sions. “We had more than a few people - especially after seeing

legit Chemdog-grown Chemdog strains were available - calling us crazy, asking why we were letting such coveted plants and genet ics to be grown at home.”

Williams continues: “But growing plants at home is a free dom and a privilege, and just as people will still go to a store to get volume or a wide variety of produce to enjoy at home, there is a much more special and rewarding experience of either getting some home grown veggies gifted to you from a family member or neighbor that they grew by hand. Or, more over, growing it yourself.”

For more info and a full background, see earlier issues of CRQ or head to www.smashhits cannabis.com

STRAINS TO KNOW:

In the spirit of the harvest season, here’s a Croptoberfest rundown of the stains to know out of the Smash Hits program that are available at various adult-use retailers across Massachusetts.

APPLE FRITTER

Hot take: Great for fall vibe. A fan tastic true hybrid, the crossing of the Sour Apple and Animal Cookies means this trichome frosted deep purple and orange accented flower brings that fried cake batter and warm sour apple flavor that brings taste seekers back for more. Throw in the initial high of head lift and skyrocketing mood elevation with the eventual ride of deep body relaxation and muscle ache disappearance, you’ve got a true winner on your hands.

DURBAN POISON

Hot take: THCV and a purple/orange/ bright green color scheme to get you through trick or treating as well as the onset of cold weather. The powerhouse of powerhouses, Durban Poison’s lineage stretches to South Af rica, and is one of the few pure sativas out there. This cut is earthy and sweet, with pine and forest fueling the activ ities that you’ll be seeking out to do after consuming one of these gorgeous buds, deep hued with orange, yellow, lime green, and dark purple tones.

CHOCOLATE PEACHES

Hot take: Apropos levels of chocolate and relaxation befitting the apres-hik ing vibe. Take True Chocolate, known for tasting like melted milk chocolate and bringing big indica couch lock and brain melting highs, with Peaches and Cream, a cross of a Chemdog variety, Super Silver Haze, Maui, and teardrops

of the gods, and you have one stand out cross from the Smash Hits library. Choco-candy flavor and aroma, expect big body pain relief and some heavy effect (ie: not for the light consumer), and get ready for giggles and overall vibe correction here. Top marks for this one.

BLUE DREAM

DURBAN POISON

A modern classic if there was one. Blue Dream was born in the early 2000s and became a favorite for neon green, amber, and dark blue shimmer and a high that, while hybrid, pres ents a fantastic high motivation and creative strain that finishes chilled out

WAFFLE CONE

Hot take: Classic indica lovers can rejoice as hard as flavor seekers with the Smash Hits cut of Waffle Cone. Grown for its impressive lineage, and sweet sugar cream and toasted nuts flavors that are kissed by tart cherries and fruity bouquet, this is a heavy hit ter that starts heady, social, and chatty and slowly brings on big, heavy body effects and head-to-toe relaxation.

FIND THESE STRAINS AT A STORE IN MASSACHUSETTS HERE: SMASHHITSCANNABIS.COM

BLUE DREAM

Fernway’s

STORY BY LAUREN LEBEL PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Working to save the planet one cartridge at a time, Fernway, Massachusetts’ #1 Canna bis Vape, has upped the ante with their newest product and its environmentally friendly discard.

The product, named the “Traveler,” recently hit shelves in early July. Liam O’Brien, CMO and co-founder of Fern way described the Traveler as an “all in one vape.” He went on to explain that it is not disposable – it’s recyclable.

Across the state, Fernway has recycling programs available at participating dispen saries where people can buy Travelers and return them when finished. Rather than throwing the cartridge in the household trash and eventually entering a landfill – which isn’t the most environmentally sustainable approach – folks can bring it back to the dispensary, drop it in the Fernway recycling drop box and employ ees will handle it from there, said O’Brien. This includes picking up the disposals and working with a recycling partner to turn the components of that vape back into raw material that can then be reused and repurposed.

Differing from most vapes, O’Brien pointed out the “simplicity” and “ele gance” of an all in one vape, as people don’t have to worry about getting batter ies or charging it – it’s more of a “grab it and go.”

This product, like all products at Fernway, are exclusive to the dispensary. “We only make and sell our own branded products,” shared O’Brien. “We sweat every single detail. That’s true for our car tridges, our batteries, our packaging [and] that’s also true for the Traveler.”

He went on to point out a couple of facts about the Traveler that he believes customers should know. “Number one, it’s a very high-quality piece of equipment,” said O’Brien. “When you pick it up it’s got a nice heft to it.” On its front, the vape has a button meaning it’s much less prone to clogging then some of the vapes that require breathing in to activate.

“The fact that it’s also rechargeable is a big deal because there are a lot of all-in-one vaporizers out there that aren’t rechargeable so you will run out of battery before you run out of oil – which would be a huge bummer – so we’ve added that

to it,” said O’Brien. “The other thing that I really like about it is that it is a great item for someone who is new to Fernway or new to vaping because it’s just so very simple and so very intui tive.”

He continued, “We take the same approach that we take with our vapes which is we make everything premium. Premium materials, premium con struction, premium packaging, at an affordable price. That is really important for us because we love to be able to elevate our customers’ standards, give them newer and better stuff because we are cannabis consumers ourselves at Fernway and we know what people are looking for because it’s what we’re looking for.”

Currently, the Traveler is available in two sizes: 0.3 gram small and 0.7 gram large. O’Brien said both are “pretty unique” in Massachusetts as this is one of, if not the only 0.7 gram vape on the market.

Right now, the Traveler comes in three different flavors and strains. This includes Berry Haze which is the top selling flavor and the number one sell

ing vape in Massachusetts for the past year, Red Headed Stranger, top selling strain and exclusive to the Traveler and Mango.

While there are only three flavors and strains right now, O’Brien said they will be coming out with more over the next few months, including pumpkin spice, which is Fenway’s first seasonal

recyclable means that it’s completely unique in the market because we’re the only company that offers recycling,” he added.

Based on its successes, O’Brien shared that the recycling program will soon expand beyond the Traveler and will include the 5/10 vape cartridges, the product that Fernway is best known for. These products will go through the same recycling process.

“That’s really exciting because even though it’s less wasteful to throw away an empty vape cartridge than an empty all in one that has a rechargeable battery, we still think that it’s important to give people who are looking to be environmentally conscious that option and what better place to do it then at the place they’re actually buying the product,” said O’Brien.

He shared that they also plan to partner with a delivery service soon, so that customers can order Fernway products directly through their website. At the time of publication, he said that home delivery should be underway. Additional information can be found on their website.

“As a recreational cannabis brand, we say cannabis makes the good life even better,” said O’Brien. “Every one’s got their own idea of the good life – whether it’s eating a delicious meal, going on a hike, hanging out with friends, going to the movies – but what

product, and chocolate mint.

Depending on where the product is bought, O’Brien said they usually cost about $30-$35 for 0.3 g and between $60-$70 for the 0.7 gram.

The Traveler can be found all over Massachusetts, in over 170 dispensaries.

On Fernway’s website, there is a store locator that will show where all the dif ferent recycling drop box locations are.

Although the Traveler is relatively new, O’Brien said it’s already become “super popular.” “The fact that it is

we do know is that no matter what your definition is, cannabis can make it even better.”

To learn more about Fernway, visit their website at https://fernway.com/. To speak with a professional or ask a question, email info@fernway.com or send them a direct message on Insta gram. O’Brien noted that they value their customers and will respond to every single message.

The Traveler can be found all over Massachusetts, in over 170 dispensaries.

STORY BY LAUREN LeBEL PHOTOS NATE BLAIS

Giving Back to the ones who gave all

The Patton family’s commitment to veterans

Working day in and out to serve customers, many of which are veterans, is Green Meadows in Southbridge.

Bob Patton, co-founder and chair man of Green Meadows, explained that the business was supposed to be on a property purchased by his grandpar ents, the famous World War II General George Patton and his wife, north of Boston in 1928. George had plans to retire there after the war but passed away in 1945. As the Patton family moved around a lot, Bob said the home sat on a large piece of land that was not used.

When Bob’s father retired in 1980, a two-star general himself, he decided to turn the land into an organic produce farm called Green Meadows. “He gave it his all until he passed away in 2004, said Bob. “It became a real destina tion,” he added, as the vacant land was filled with a farmstand, locally grown produce and organics.

After his death, Bob’s mother Joanne carried on the farm until 2017. As she was in her late 80’s at the time, Bob said she called the family together to let them know that she could no longer keep the farm running. Togeth er, they voted on what they could do with the land. “It was my younger sister and younger brother who had worked in foundations that they started with veterans who thought [Post Traumatic Stress Disorder] PTSD is a real element in the generation that’s gone through Afghanistan and Iraq as well as preced ing in Vietnam. [They thought] what about cannabis, what about growing medical cannabis and providing it to these folks?” shared Bob.

Initially, he said he did not see the Patton family getting involved with cannabis. “I was all for legalization and all for medical cannabis, but it just seemed like a heavy lift,” said Bob. Similarly, his mother felt the same way at first, although she has grown to be come a big supporter of the business.

Ultimately, the land located in South Hamilton did not become a place to offer cannabis, as the town was not ready to accept it. As a family, Bob said they drove around to meet municipal

ities and town leaders, to which they stumbled upon Southbridge.

“A really classic story of what has been a very vibrant industrial hub, it had American optical which I believe employed up to 3,000 people. As we see in many American cities, that began to fade away and they’ve lost that industrial base. So, they were really looking for some kind of an energy charge – someone that would come in to maybe put them on the map a little bit,” said Bob.

At the time and still to this day, Bob shared that Green Meadows was barely of a stature to turn this around for Southbridge, but he thinks a wave began to develop there and interest in public renewal.

On the last day of February 2021, Green Meadows opened their location inside of a 35,000 square foot con verted mill building at 64 Mill St. Bob explained that they renovated it and helped promote more businesses coming into town, as they bring in a lot of traffic themselves.

“We employ locally as much as we can as well as veter ans. We try to keep the values that started it all, which was [to] prioritize veterans and their medical needs that per haps can come from cannabis,” said Bob.

Green Meadows is vertically integrated and grows or ganically on site. As this was important to Bob’s father, the Patton family wanted to carry that value forward.

Bob went on to say that they looked at the adult-use sector which is a business that they had to do and that municipalities want, as its revenue for them. “For me per sonally it’s been very gratifying to be a part of this renewal in Southbridge,” he said.

Initially a retailer for about one-year, Green Meadows has turned into much more now that the cultivation and production has launched. The cultivation came along in December 2021, with the manufacturing following closely behind. Now, Bob said they pretty much “hit all cylinders” of the cannabis world, with the grow, lab and retail all in one space.

BOB PATTON, CO-FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN OF GREEN MEADOWS

After their products hit the market, Rob Patton, co-founder and chief marketing officer, said their focus was offering them at their own stores, followed by wholesal ing their products to other dispensaries across the state. “Green Meadows organic flower and other products are available in about 50 dispensaries right now in the 245 that are in the state,” said Rob.

With little of his own experience in commercial canna bis, Bob said his son Rob and two stepsons had start-up and business experience. To run the dispensary properly, they brought in cannabis expertise like their grower and kicked-off the grand opening with about 10 people. Now they have nearly 80 employees.

Rob explained that they have a commitment to the town in their host community agreement that says at least seven percent of the employees will be veterans. “Right now, [I’m] happy to say that we’re about 15 percent,” he noted.

“We try to keep the values that started it all, which was [to] prioritize veterans and their medical needs that perhaps can come from cannabis.”

He shared that the veteran employees are some of the best team members they could ask for. “They’re regiment ed and strict and they get the job done. They collaborate, they’re natural born leaders,” said Rob.

Specifically for veterans, Rob shared that they offer some of the “most aggressive” discounts in the state, with upwards of a 40 percent discount on medical products. He explained that every day, medical card holding veterans receive a 30 percent discount. Also, twice a month every month, that goes up to 40 percent. This includes the 11th of every month, in honor of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, along with the 22nd of every month, which alludes to the statistic that 22 veterans every day are committing suicide. “[We are] trying to bring attention and awareness to those unfor tunate, sad facts,” he said.

With Veterans Day approaching, Rob shared, they have a couple of ways that they continue to dedicate the compa ny and push the certain initiatives toward benefits of veter ans. Aside from hiring, Rob said they created a product line called “The General’s Aide.” This is the same organically grown, high quality flower, but it’s a different sub brand underneath the Green Meadows umbrella. “[With The] General’s Aide, two percent of all sales goes to a veteran’s charity every quarter,” said Rob.

He continued, “It’s a nice way to say, ‘here’s another thing that we can do’ alongside just allowing them access to the plants and products itself, obviously charities enjoy those monetary donations.” For the next two quarters, two percent of proceeds will be going toward an organization called Stop Soldier Suicide.

Also, for Veterans Day, Green Meadows will have a weekend celebration at their Southbridge location. Rob said they will have promotions and partner pop ups on site. He added that he and Jessica Smith of Green Meadows are working to have some military vehicles in their parking lot for attendees to observe. By offering this, Rob said it makes it a community event, as much as a cannabis event, with an overall focus on veterans. The event is free and open to the public as it will take place outside of the facility.

Bob added that they have hosted some “more intimate” types of events at the facility. For instance, he said there are some veterans, particularly younger ones, that can explain access through the veteran’s administrations, the do’s and don’ts about the administration, along with some benefits they’ve had from certain strains. Whether the use stems from anxiety, insomnia, social isolation or long-term pain, the younger veterans can provide the older ones with some insight on the topic.

Bob noted that he sees older soldiers coming in from the Vietnam era that don’t know much, if anything at all about cannabis. For those who aren’t sure how to start the conversation, but want to learn more about trying cannabis, Green Meadows can help. Bob views these conversations as beneficial, given that each session has brought in about 10 to 12 people – both men and women – to share their stories.

CUSTOMED SOLUTIONS FOR CANNABIS BUSINESS

Because we partnered with cannabis entrepreneurs and spent time learning about the industry, our Business Services Team is experienced in the intricacies of cannabis business. We’ll work with you to customize solutions to safely manage your distinctive, day-to-day financial needs with our comprehensive business banking and cash management services.

STAFF SERGEANT IN THE US ARMY

Jay Seeley, staff sergeant in the US Army and inventory lead at Green Meadows, shared, “As a veteran, cannabis has impacted my life in many positive ways, primarily by opening up the discussions surrounding overall health and community impact. In my experience, the cannabis industry has opened alternative treatment pathways to treating physical and mental health issues, while not carrying the stigma associated with cannabis use historical ly.”

Seeley continued, “Being part of the cannabis industry, specifically with Green Meadows, has allowed me to be part of a team that creates an organic, locally produced, top-shelf product, and it’s something I’m extremely proud of. More personally, I use cannabis as a self-medicating way to manage my anx iety and treat the symptoms of PTSD. My personal consumption choice to use cannabis was an alternative to the harmful impacts of prescribed anti-de pression/anti-anxiety medications and their lasting effects.”

To expand these conversations

beyond veterans, Smith said they have begun hosting meetings with local senior centers. Across the different generations, Smith finds it interesting to see how little the public knows on the topic – perhaps from misinforma tion.

Another vital aspect of Green Meadows’ communication is through their social media. Bob said social media presence and word of mouth is “essential” nowadays as there are more dispensaries popping up. Whether it’s the voluminous space or the guest services associates, he believes there are many reasons why people should choose Green Meadows over other dispensaries.

When renovating the space, Rob shared that they went for an “industrial Americana” feel, both in line with their family and the history of the building it self. He explained that they didn’t want to go with the “Apple store look” that a lot of dispensaries have, but instead create a more “warm” and “welcom ing” space.

Green Meadows is currently

planning to open a second location in Fitchburg in early November. Rob said they eventually have plans for a third location in Massachusetts as that is the maximum amount allowed. At all three, they plan to be both medical and rec reational. They will also carry forward their medical program and discounts that they started in Southbridge. Mov ing forward, he said they want to be multi-state. Rob shared that they have applications already for Connecticut along with looking into surrounding ar eas such as New Jersey and New York, although nothing is concrete.

Bob recognized the city of South bridge and the residents for being a “great partner” in the establishment of their business.

Green Meadows is open daily. Retail opens every day at 10 a.m. and closes at 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 6 p.m. on Sunday.

To learn more about Green Meadows, visit their website at: greenmeadows.com

“As a veteran, cannabis has impacted my life in many positive ways, primarily by opening up the discussions surrounding overall health and community impact.”

JAY SEELEY

TASTE RECIPE SUBMITTED BY CANNA PROVISIONS

THE CRANBERRY ORANGE HERBAL SMASH MOCKTAIL

Get this non-alcoholic winner on your roster for holiday entertaining with adult-use cannabis.

INGREDIENTS: HOW YOU’LL MAKE IT

• 1 cup of cranberry juice

• 2 cups coconut water

• 2 droppers (10 milligrams total dosing) Levia energetic tincture or Treeworks Sunrise Sativa RSO infused tincture

• Rosemary sprigs and orange slices for garnish

• Tonic water (optional, if you want to make the drink fizzy)

• Cocktail shaker filled with ice

Makes TWO 12-ounce drinks with 5 milligrams dose per drink. Note: Dosage is approximate.

1. Cut or crush the cranberries and put into a large pitcher.

2. Add the coconut water, orange juice and dropper of Levia energetic tincture that’s water soluble, or the Treeworks Sunrise Sativa RSO infused THC tincture. (Use dosage markers on dropper as a guide to add correct amount.)

3. Muddle the ingredients and pour into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

4. Shake until cold.

5. Top with tonic if using and a squeeze of lime. Garnish with lime wedge and sprig of rosemary.

REMINDER: This kind of infusion is not exact science, just kitchen science. So always be careful, hydrate before you medicate, and remember to always go low and slow until you are familiar with your body and cannabis. And if it gets too intense or you feel uncomfortable, taking CBD and/or chewing black peppercorn helps reduce the psychoactive (“high”) effects of THC. It’s good to keep some around if you’re a new consumer!

Find the ingredients and more at Canna Provisions in Holyoke at www.cannaprovisions.com

STORY BY TIERA N. WRIGHT IMAGES ISTOCK

What’s the difference?

Sativa vs. Indica

ORIGIN:

Equatorial climates such as Thailand, southern Africa and Mexico

CULTIVATION:

60-90 days to flower, good for outdoor grows in warm climates

PLANT FEATURES:

Tall with thin leaves

BUD FEATURES:

Lighter weight with subtle fruity aromas, sometimes hints of red.

SOME SAY SATIVA STRAINS CAN:

• Stimulate creativity

• Uplifting and energizing

• Headache and migraine relief

• Reduces nausea

• Increases appetite

• Increased sense of well-being

ORIGIN:

Mostly central Asia and the Indian subcontinent

CULTIVATION:

45-60 days to flower, higher yields, good for indoor grows

PLANT FEATURES:

Short, sturdy and bushy with wide leaves

BUD FEATURES:

Dense with pungent aro mas, sometimes purple

SOME SAY INDICA STRAINS CAN:

• Relieve aches and pains

• Help someone relax

• Aids sleep

• Anti-inflammatory

• Reduce stress

Up or down; tall or short; hot or cold; day or night. What do all these have in common? De spite being polar opposites, these are descriptors for the two most common categories of cannabis plants, Sativa and Indica. For those dipping their toes into the shallow end of the pool, the canna bis industry can seem like an intimidat ing and ever-evolving labyrinth of terms and options. From edibles to pre-rolls, tinctures, and topicals—the classification of a cannabis strain as Sativa or Indica is an easy introduction to consumers who are looking for a specific reaction.

SATIVA

For those looking to sharpen their senses, focus, and an energy boost, the Sativa strain is for them. Best for daytime usage, Sativa plants are grown in warm and humid climates, and they can help consumers feel more ener gized, creative, and productive. Addi tionally, “Sativa plants tend to be taller and skinnier and may even be lanky in appearance, with leaves that are thin and pointed;” per Cresco Labs in their article “Indica vs Sativa.” According to Leafly’s article, “Indica vs. sativa: under

standing the differences between weed types”— “Sativas are energetic and will make you productive. They’re great for physical activity, going for a hike, com pleting a task, cleaning, and anything that requires focus.”

INDICA

For those who’d prefer to sit back and relax, Leafly describes Indica as “great for chilling out at the end of the night, watching a movie or listening to music, taking a nap, or just staring at the wall.”

Cultivated in cooler climates, “Indica plants are short and stocky, featuring

leaves that are broad and ‘chunky,’” per Cresco Labs. Recommended for nighttime usage, Indica is a fullbody experience that is good for relaxation, as well as pain relief and as a sleep aid.

Furthermore, Sativa, which is considered a “head high,” has a higher ratio of THC, while Indica, con sidered a “body high,” has a higher ratio of CBD. Both are products of its environment, and as a result, Sativa plants are harder to come by as it has a longer cultivation period as it requires a humid and therefore per Leafly, “they can take a long time to grow and flower, or produce buds, because the weather won’t get cold and rainy at the end of the growing season.”

Conversely, Indica plants produce higher yields as per Leafly, “their growing life cycle is shorter so they can get harvested before the cold and wet of fall and winter set in.”

HAVE OR NEED THIS? THEN TRY...

Project to Tackle or Finally Finish - Try Sativa Loss of Appetite - Try Indica Clean House - Try Sativa

Help Sleeping - Try Indica

Generally speaking, Sativa is considered by most as an upper and energy booster, while Indica is a downer and relaxant—but this is not always the case. While these species of cannabis and how a person will react is not yet an exact science, the effects of cannabis does vary depending on the person, much like how the scent of perfume varies from person to person based on its reaction to that person’s body chemistry. So while everyone is different and not guaranteed to react the same way, many resources and articles, like Leafly’s “Indica vs. sativa: understanding the differ ences between weed types” are looking towards the future as “Science is pointing to a better way of deter mining the effects a cannabis strain will have on you: cannabinoids and terpenes, the compounds that make up a particular strain’s chemical profile.” Ultimately, choosing a strain is a matter of preference regardless of expertise and your local budtender or dispensary can assist you for any and all cannabis needs.

Our Newest Creation

Cool and Refreshing Peppermint filled Belgian Chocolate Bites Also available in Buttery Caramel And Creamy Peanut Butter

Please Consume Responsibly. This

Administration {FDA). There is

on the side effects 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

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. The impairment effects of edible marijuana may be delayed by two h ours 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.

STORY BY LAUREN LEBEL PHOTO SUBMITTED

Cannabis is used by a variety of peo ple for a variety of reasons. Whether that reason is medical or recreational, sometimes it can simply help to accomplish day-to-day activities.

As a mother and CEO of a company, Meg Sanders of Canna Provisions uses cannabis to assist with her daily tasks. She shared that an ongoing trend she has witnessed is that women are leaning towards cannabis to cope with everyday stressors. For instance, women are typically the ones controlling most of the household tasks, which can be daunting.

“As more and more people become more aware [of cannabis use] this [trend] seems to be growing,” said Sanders. “Women use canna bis for a variety of things.”

She explained that she uses cannabis to help fall asleep and stay asleep through the night. By receiv ing a good night’s rest, Sand ers said this helps with stress and allows her to “start the day as [her] best self.” If you start the day feeling restless, running on little sleep, it can cause unnecessary stress.

Of course, cannabis use looks different for everyone. Regardless, Sanders said there are a lot of benefits to using it. For instance, some people use cannabis at the end of the day to relax or un wind. There are also a variety of ways to consume cannabis including combustion and using an edible, to name a few. Sanders noted that it’s all about personal preference.

With the holidays right around the corner, stress lev

els will soon rise even more. To help women not succumb to stressful times, Sanders believes that cannabis is the answer.

“High stress can be Thanksgiving dinner, getting families together, etc.,” said Sanders. “[Cannabis] can help calm that.” To avoid political talk or get away from your crazy uncle at the din ner table, Sanders suggests consuming a little bit of can nabis. “I think it could make holidays much less stressful,” she added.

Currently, Sanders said minor cannabinoids such as THCV seem to be becoming more a part of daily con sumption. She shared that a personal favorite is Baystate Hemp, a local Massachusetts hemp company, which has THCV products that they sell to dispensaries, along with tinctures and vape carts.

Another product that Sanders suggests are COAST Cannabis’ THCV gummies. She noted that Canna Provi sions is hoping to have THCV pre-rolls coming soon.

She went on to say that cannabis does not always mean high. “At Canna Provi sions, we try to redefine high. There’s nothing wrong with feeling high but it doesn’t always mean that it’s mind altering,” said Sanders.

To find what’s right for you, or to help with every day stressors, visit your local dispensary today!

For more on THCV and minor cannabinoids head to Canna Provisions informative blog at www.cannaprovisons.com

Meg Sanders

Women & weed ... a powerful duo

BY GIOVANNI CAVALLINI PHOTO ISTOCK

Your guide to Tinctures

C annabis products are chang ing rapidly and companies are cranking out new innovative ways for people to consume cannabis in their everyday life. From smoking to edibles, one form of cannabis that is slightly overlooked due to the product being underappreciated, is tinctures. Studies that have been conducted on cannabis shows tinctures are one of the healthiest ways to consume cannabis. Tinctures come in a variety of different versions including, Rick Simpson Oil (RSO), Whole Plant, CBD, THC, and Distillate blends. Each with properties to channel a specific response and feeling inside of the body. With four different applications, tinctures are the most useful items for pain relief and body inflammation found on a dispen sary menu. Tinctures can be applied directly on the tongue because the ingredients are preactivated. Tinctures

can be mixed into drinks like coffee and tea or can be dropped into food items to mask the taste while still providing medicinal benefits. The final application for tinctures is like other lotions that can be found on the market. Applying the mixture directly to the skin will seep into tissue easing muscle inflammation and joint pains. Most tinctures that can be found in Massachusetts come with a dropper that has premeasured lines to ensure accurate medicinal dosing. When shopping for tinctures be sure to read the entire label of the product you’re buying to understand if it will bring relief to your issues.

Along with having a bunch of dif ferent applications, tinctures come in a wide variety of different forms and sizes to accommodate everyone. For people with severe issues or chronic pains, the Rick Simpson Oil Tinctures are the quickest way to relieve some of

that pain. Applying the tincture directly under the tongue allows for a longterm alternative to smoking and faster acting than an edible. Some people are looking for a product that will give them amazing medicinal benefits and no psychoactive effect, in that case the CBD varieties are perfect. Coming in Full and Broad-Spectrum versions, THC is hardly found inside the ingredients, allowing the medicinal purpose of the tincture to be used at any time of day. For some people the taste of tinctures can be overwhelming and unpleasant, people have found mixing the tincture with coffee in the morning and juice in the afternoon to be widely successful at masking the flavor for a more enjoyable experience. Local companies have been successfully making tinctures for the last ten years and have been recognized for their strains and flavors.

Based around the teachings of Shen

Nung, the Father of Chinese Medicine, Howls Tinctures is founded and produced locally in MA, and uses organic avocado oil as their solvent since 2012. Howls Tinctures are made by using the whole plant infusion method to ensure all cannabinoids from the plant are present and available. A whole plant infusion is the process of dip ping the whole cannabis plant into avocado oil over low heat and stirring until the desired consistency is reached. They also come in different versions like the 10:1 CBD or Daytime, a sativa tincture with 211.2mg of THC per bottle. With simple names and different color labeling for each type of tincture, the users are fully aware of the type of tincture they are consuming. Their products come in a 1oz container compared to some of their competitors who only have 300mg, offering a bigger bottle and more medi cine. Because of the size of the bottle, the price is close to $60-70, but will last a long time due to the small amount needed to reach a desired effect.

Another company that can be found in MA and has won awards for their topicals and tinctures, is Treeworks. Their Daily Drops has a raspberry lemonade flavor and is mixed with RSO for the best taste and effects possi ble. Many users of this product report a flavor enjoyable enough to consume the tincture without a mixer. As a full spectrum tincture that is organic, vegan, gluten and sugar free, Treeworks has options for newcomers to the canna bis industry and longtime users. Treeworks is a company built by three best friends from Western MA who sparked the idea of creating cannabis products they’d be proud of in the Wasatch mountains in Utah. Since receiving their li cense to create cannabis products, they have been consis tently working on new products to give to their customers, priding themselves on staying on the forefront of cannabis research. Their newest products include Gentle & Jungle drops joining their lineup of Dream, and Purist drops as part of their tinctures offered to the public.

Both companies have been founded and proudly rep resenting the commonwealth of Massachusetts, sharing their creations with the public to offer a wider range of cannabis products on the market. With tinctures being an underappreciated item on dispensary menus, they are one of the most fastest acting products meant for pain relief that someone can purchase without a medical prescription. Similar to edibles, tinctures do not give off an odor that lingers in the air, allowing users the opportunity to consume the tincture without having to step outside. The cannabis industry has come a long way from secretly growing plants in the wild, now to bringing some of the newest innovations to market. Companies have been rapidly improving their products and finding new ways to utilize the huge variety of cannabinoids and terpenes that interact with the human body. Be sure to stop into your local dispensary and ask about what type of tinctures they offer and if it can start helping you today.

STORY BY G. MICHAEL DOBBS PHOTOS BY NATE BLAIS

Sweet Tooth?

The Art Of Chocolate and Cannabis

For people who used canna bis back in the day the word “edibles” usually referred to a home-made brownie. Today with adult use cannabis legal in Massachusetts and many other states the word “edible” takes on a whole new meaning and new forms.

Julian Rose, a chef with decades of experience and training as a clas sical French pastry chef, is in charge of developing edibles for Insa, which has dispensaries in Easthampton and Springfield.

A native of Montreal, Rose said he was “born into the industry of sweets

and cakes.” As his career progressed, he became more interested in choco late and made his own line of high-end truffles.

That led to teaching classes to other chefs and in 1999 he was asked to lead the Chocolate Academy in Canada, a training center in chocolate and pastry. He owned his bakery while teaching and “loved every minute of it.”

He said his experiences “opened me up to the industrial world and a much larger scale of manufacturing.”

Within the world of confections, Rose said there is a constant change due to emerging trends. Today, he

noted, people are more interested in ethnic flavors and there are differences regionally in what people like.

He was working in Portland, OR, before joining Insa to direct their edi bles program and he said in Massachu setts he has learned, “the mainstream consumer is quite conservative; they don’t want to dive too deep into the unknown.”

Understanding the need for seasonal products, Rose said that product devel opment is an everyday thing. He said he has “episodes of creativity” in which he creates five to seven products in one week.

To keep up with a six-to-eight-month lead for seasonal products, Rose compared the designs and manufacture of edibles to fashion. “It’s like fashion; they design stuff now for the next year,” he said.

Explaining the seasonal aspect of his business, he noted that a pumpkin spice bar was great for fall, but after that season “you couldn’t give that bar away.”

Rose has developed new seasonal products that include Champagne Drops and Cranberry Sauce Drops (or gummies); Peppermint Candy Cane Chocolate Bar in dark chocolate and a Gingerbread Chocolate Bar in milk chocolate.

He said, “The new cranberry drop is a flavor I have been thinking about since last year since I was not able to get to it for the 2021 winter seasonal drop. Of course, the thought of Thanksgiving and the holidays comes to the forefront at the beginning of the winter months, as does cranberry. It’s the perfect fruit with a tangy and sweet bal ance, ideal for a fruit drop. And this season, we are also going to have the champagne drop to follow for a festive holiday flavor.”

“Our dark chocolate peppermint chocolate bar is back and is such a classic, with a refreshing natural peppermint flavor topped with crushed candy cane topping.”

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Of the new chocolate bars he added, “Our dark choco late peppermint chocolate bar is back and is such a classic, with a refreshing natural peppermint flavor topped with crushed candy cane topping. For the milk chocolate lovers, the new gingerbread spice with roasted hazelnuts bar will be a huge success with the warm flavors of blended spices and crunchy hazelnut pieces.”

He is also working with cacao juice, the liquid from the seed pod from which chocolate is eventually made. He said the juice is a “super food” and has high levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, along with a honey flavor. Insa is the first company in the cannabis industry to incorporate it as an ingredient to edible products, according to the company.

Naturally with all of this product development being led by a classically trained pastry chef, one had to ask about brownies – would he develop that homemade pastry into one of his infused creations?

Rose said that he would want a brownie that is of “top quality,” but he said the fact that everything created must be tested for consistency of THC levels – the active ingredient in cannabis – that creates a week delay before the brownie can be put on sale. He doesn’t want a stale product, nor does he want to freeze a brownie for better shelf-life.

“It’s important to me to delve high quality great tasting products,” he said.

He is thinking about cookies, though, as maintaining freshness is different with that baked good.

Food, fun, festivities, family and...

BY GIOVANNI CAVALLINI PHOTO ISTOCK

cannabis

With the holiday season ap proaching rapidly, people tend to think about gift giving more than spending quality time with your family. Thankfully, Western Mass has an assortment of local dispen saries that have an amazing selection of products at affordable prices to choose from to allow you to do both. Products that are great if you’re hang ing out with your cousin while avoiding their parents, or you’re sitting around the table with your grandparents who occasionally partake in sweet edibles when no one is looking. From choco lates to pre-rolled joints, cannabis has a wide selection of items to choose from this holiday season for anyone over the age of 21 to enjoy responsibly. Although Massachusetts has approved the use of recreational cannabis since December of 2016, not all family members approve of cannabis use at family functions.

Cannabis edibles are slowly becom ing one of the most accessible ways to ingest THC. Chocolates have been a long time favorite of people with a sweet tooth, and now dispensaries are creating new flavors to attract all ages of 21+ consumers. If you’re looking for something sweet and packing a punch, you might find INSA Inc’s Double Car amel Sea Chocolate bar is perfect for you and your cousins. For a chocolate bar that is only $30, you will get one of the greatest tasting edibles you can find

on the market. The bar comes precut into convenient 5mg per square that are perfect for getting your quiet cousin chatting before holiday dinner. With over twenty full pieces, there is enough to spread cheer amongst your cousins to enjoy as a pre-meal snack to get the festivities started this holiday season.

If your uncle wants to join the fun but doesn’t care for the taste of edibles, MAC Cultivation has a pre-rolled joint that goes perfect with morning coffee or the afternoon lunch break. Cultivat ed at the Mass Alternative Care (MAC) Cultivation facility in Chicopee, MA for only $13 you can purchase a full 1g prerolled joint of Grilled Blueberry Muffin with a THC percentage of 13.48%. This joint is a great sativa strain that aids with being social and creative while being around the family for the day. While this isn’t a strain that will lock you into place on the couch, the feeling of becoming sociable is perfect for sharing stories of the past 2 years of non-continual lock downs and pandemic procedures. Per fect for the old grandfather who likes to remain young by sharing stories of how he survived the Great Depression and the 2nd World War. If the weather allows it, being outside is a good way to avoid any cannabis smell that lingers in the air or on your clothes.

When edibles and a 1g joint isn’t enough for the whole family or you’re looking for a discreet way to get high,

buying a vaporizer cartridge might be the most cost-effective way to ensure everyone can get a buzz before dealing with our favorite talkative aunt. Theory Wellness in Chicopee, MA has 1000mg live-resin cartridges for $85 that will last the entire length of your family’s holiday gathering. The Water Mountain Queen cartridge has 80.44% THC that will get your non-smoking sibling to give it a try. Someone who doesn’t normal ly smoke, will find joy in this product because the strain has a great taste of fresh spring water and doesn’t leave a bad taste in their mouths. One of the best advantages of having a vaporizer is that it can be used indoors discreetly. The lack of smell that lingers in the air is almost non-existent after the cloud of vapor disappears, giving you the ability to take a couple of tokes before walking into the kitchen to stuff your face with goodies.

Gearing up for the holidays can be stressful when you are unprepared. Shopping online has made finding the perfect holiday strain even easier than ever before. With the copious amounts of dispensaries opening in neighbor hoods near you, the variety of options for cannabis digestion has greatly increased with products that make boring talks at the dinner table turn into laughter and cheers.

STORY BY JAKE DRESSLER PHOTO ISTOCK

Overindulge? T

he holiday season is an en chanting time for cannabis lov ers. Multicolored lights lining the streets, animated lawn decorations waving and ho-ho-ho-ing at passersby, themes of giving, and the overindulgent consumption of food.

Although it’s an exciting season for those of us who enjoy the Santa shaped edibles and dosed candy canes, it’s also a time to be wary about our guts. Our digestive health is particularly at stake during the holidays. According to research published by Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology, Google searches associated with abdominal pain in winter increased by 30% as opposed to summer months.

Many factors cause increases in hol iday abdominal pain. For one, traveling to new locations to visit family can have adverse effects on digestion if we’re eating foods that have been handled

in ways our guts aren’t accustomed to, e.g., sanitary, or environmental differ ences. Another factor that contributes to our gut health is stress. Confront ing distant and unsavory relatives or worrying if your nephew will like the same Tommy Hilfiger sweater that you get him every year are typical holiday stressors. Stress can increase blood pressure and disrupt digestion causing stomach pain. Finally, perhaps the most obvious factor is the overconsumption of food. Overindulging can cause bloat ing, stomach pain and a slew of other problems for our guts.

Here is a list of ways to counteract holiday bloating and stop stomach aches in their tracks.

Lower your THC/CBD dosage

An atypical cause of stomach pain is CBD and THC. The two compounds

aren’t normally associated with stomach aches, but some people have a particular sensitivity to them. If you find you’re one of those people, consider lowering the dosage during the holiday season if you plan on overindulging / being exposed to stress and other factors that contribute to digestive problems.

Stay hydrated

Hydration is a key component of healthy living. During the holidays when we over indulge, hydration becomes paramount. That’s because one of the contributing factors to bloating are high sodium lev els. Water works to flush out your system and dissipate the sodium in your body. Although it may seem counterintuitive, consuming water when you’re bloated can help. Additionally, water acts as a digestive lubricant helping your body soak up vital nutrients (and THC) along with reducing backup.

Drink / eat mint and peppermint

Peppermint contains menthol and methyl salicylate, two antispasmodics that have calming effects on the gastrointes tinal tract. Conveniently, peppermint has solidified itself as a signature favorite among holiday treats. If you’re experiencing stomach pain and see a peppermint candy cane close by, grab it and shove it down your throat. Alternatively, you can also buy gummies that are peppermint flavored.

Take a walk

Whether a nice long walk, a brisk jog, a bike ride, or even a stroll on the elliptical, cardio will help deflate your bloat. Phys ical activity such as this will help expel gas that causes pain and help move digestion along.

Eat slower

Bloating and other digestive problems can be caused by eating too fast. Slowing down and taking the time to appreci ate your holiday meals will reduce your air intake while eating thus reducing gas.

Avoid too much sugar

With Halloween around the corner and Thanksgiving sure to usher the gelatinous canned cranberry sauce we all love, excess sugar will likely be impossible to avoid this holiday sea son. But when it comes to sugar, it’s important to stay within moderation. Sugar is another culprit of bloating. Choosing to take one less serving of sweet potato marshmallow sludge will help you stay the cheerful, un-bloated sport who your family loves.

Overindulged in cannabis?

The holiday season not only brings the overindulgence of food, but also cannabis. It’s a delicate tightrope to walk. We don’t want to be too relaxed to open holiday gifts, but at least sufficiently tranquilized to ignore Aunt Brenda’s cross examination about why we haven’t found a higher paying job yet. Here are some ways to counteract the effects of holiday overindulgence of cannabis.

Chew peppercorn / drink lemonade

Social media influencers have found that chewing pepper corns and drinking lemon juice can help ease cannabis anx iety. The discovery is science backed and supposedly helps reduce uncomfortable effects of cannabis. Unbeknownst to most, it’s been a longstanding cure for weed anxiety for centuries.

Dose CBD

CBD has a naturally mellowing effect and can help counteract cannabis overindulgence. One way to ensure a healthy bal ance between THC and CBD is to purchase flower or edibles that have a higher CBD ratio. CBD acts similarly to pepper corn and lemon juice and can mitigate any uncomfortable feelings produced from cannabis even if taken after already dosing on THC.

Hydrate, eat, and relax

Hydration and food are key when it comes to cannabis overindulgence. Eating and drinking replenishes your body of needed electrolytes and nutrients. Part of the anxiety or com fortability of cannabis overindulgence can be exacerbated by being dehydrated or lacking nutrients and essential vitamins.

Focus on something soothing

Directing your attention to something soothing like a familiar TV show or music will help ease negative effects of cannabis. Whenever you feel like you’ve taken too much, it’s helpful to sit in a quiet environment and interact with something that is familiar to you, whether it’s a video game, a show, or some other form of media.

BY LAUREN LeBEL PHOTO ISTOCK

Fact vs. myth

The myth of dosed Halloween Candy.

Halloween is the one night a year that children and some times adults dress up in cos tumes and travel from house to house to collect free candy. While this tradi tion did not become incredibly popular until the 1930’s, in more recent years, there have been concerns linked to the acceptance of sweets from strangers. More specifically, the solicitude lies on the myth of dosed candy.

Sure, there is a resemblance be tween marijuana edibles and popular candy, but is anyone really going to give away their uber expensive artisan gum mies to the neighborhood trick or treat er? According to Joel Best, an expert who has spent decades researching the topic, the answer is no. He explained that there have not been any findings or documented cases to support the fear that has been instilled on many (News week).

In October 2021, attorneys gen eral in Arkansas, Connecticut, New York and Ohio released statements to properly inform parents about the al leged threat of THC filled edibles being passed out to children. “The warnings noted the high concentration of THC in the products, saying children could accidentally overdose from eating large amounts of the compound,” they said.

Connecticut Attorney General Wil liam Tong added, “Accidental cannabis overdoses by children are increasing nationwide, and these products will only make this worse.” He noted that the public should be aware of the similar re semblance between snacks and candies to edibles.

However, “Accidental cannabis con sumption is more typical during the rest of the year. Incidents are typically due to a combination of parents not suffi ciently securing their edibles from their kids’ curious hands and an ongoing issue with edible packaging too closely resembling preexisting candy brands,” said The Consumer. For this reason, adults are encouraged to be more cau tious and keep cannabis products out of children’s reach.

Although candy dosage could be a problem, others believe that these products are not a real danger to trick or treaters for one important reason: the cost. “THC edibles often cost $25 or more for a bag that would cost around $1 if it were normal candy. In other words, dosing kids with marijua na candy would be a fairly expensive endeavor for any would-be criminals,” (Newsweek).

Beyond the myth of “dosed can dy,” perhaps your anguish stems from

stories that are entirely unrelated to cannabis. According to a CBC news article, there are bigger issues to worry about than a drug filled candy bar. “Razor blades, sewing needles, even poison – police forces across North America have reported cases of ne farious objects in treats for decades,” said CBC. Despite the claims, none of these reports have resulted in serious injury or death. However, if you are looking for peace of mind, they suggest that parents check for small holes or unwrapped packages, and to not accept or eat anything that isn’t “commercially wrapped,” (CBC).

Amid the Halloween season, it’s important to remember these tips, but most importantly not to be tricked based on rumors. If you’re a parent, perhaps enjoy trick or treating this year with your favorite marijuana infused edible from a local dispensary. If you’re a kid, stick to the original stuff. For now, it’s just as good.

References

https://www.newsweek.com/worried-about-thclaced-halloween-candy-myth-debunker-says-con cerns-are-unfounded-1644010

https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/halloween-can dy-tampering-urban-legend-truth-1.5341734 https://marijuanapackaging.com/blogs/canna bis-culture/busting-the-myth-of-marijuana-lacedhalloween-treats