Cannabis Review Quarterly - 2024 - Twelve

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CANNABIS REVIEW QUARTERLY WINTER 2024

twelve 2024

Runner’s

HIGH

Can Cannabis Enhance Your Morning Run?

Recipes for

LOVE

Valentine’s Day Dosed Desserts

PRODUCT Previews

CHECK IT OUT

BOSTON BUD FACTORY

HIGHS AND LOWS OF A SMALL CANNABIS OPERATION

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CRQ WINTER 2024

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We hope Q you are enjoying CRQ!

CR

CANNABIS REVIEW

QUARTERLY WINTER 2024

twelve 2024

Run ner ’s

HI GH

Can Cannabis Enhan Your Morning Run? ce

CHECK IT OUT

Recipes

for

LOVE

Valentine’s Day Dosed

OUR MENU

Desserts

PRODUCT Previ

ews

BOSTON BUD FACTORY HIGHS AND LOW S OF

SMALL CANNABIS

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

EXCEPTIONAL AUDIENCE REACH

CRQ Magazine reaches an audience of more than 250,000 adults** through a combination of print and digital media platforms.

4 SEASONAL EDITIONS

TO REACH READERS ALL YEAR LONG PUBLICATION SCHEDULE CURRENT: Winter Edition: January 2024 Spring Edition: April 2024 Summer Edition: July 2024 Fall Edition: October 2024 ** Sources: Nielsen Scarborough Research Study, Spring 2023; ComScore, Fall 2023

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A OPERATION

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CR STAFF Publisher and CEO George Arwady garwady@repub.com

Advertising Director Mark A. French mfrench@repub.com

Advertising Sales Manager 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 2024. The Republican Co. All rights reserved. No portion of CRQ may be reproduced in any form without the consent of the Publisher.

CRQ WINTER 2024

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TABLE OF

contents 19 A Little Horny

Goat to Spice Up Your Valentine’s Day?

INSA talks products to help celebrate the day (or night).

4

Welcome to Cannabis Review Quarterly or CRQ as we like to call it.

7

Product Previews

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

14 Winter Product Line Up

Some of the best buds, suds, and edible yums are available for all your early 2024 needs.

16 Aaah the Sweet Aroma of Grandma’s Pot Brownies

Bubby’s Baked goods tasty treats with THC and TLC.

18 Melt!

Add a little kick to your favorite drink with infused ice cubes.

Cover Photo: Boston Bud Factory by Nate Blais.

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CANNABISREVIEWQUARTERLY.COM

22 Recipes for LOVE

Valentine’s Day Dosed Desserts.

25 Comedy and Cannabis

A new eclectic dispensary in Springfield MA.

36 Managing Menopause

Many women are turning to cannabis to help with relief from symptoms.

38 Brick by Brick Holding strong in an ever-changing market.

40 Tasting Success

Betty’s Eddies turns ten!

42 Fact vs. Myth Health benefits of cannabis.

28 Finding Relief After the Festivities

Products to help with that next day hangover.

30 Boston Bud Factory

Shares HIGHS and lows of a small cannabis operation.

34 A New Take on the Runner’s High

Can cannabis aid in energy and motivation?

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.

STORY BY LAUREN LEBEL PHOTOS SUBMITTED CHAMPAGNE DROPS COURTESY OF INSA

Product PREVIEWS

CRQ WINTER 2024

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AMARETTO SOUR HYBRID FLOWER COURTESY OF 253

253

Location in Turner Falls

VISIT 253FARMACY.COM FOR MORE INFO

AMARETTO SOUR HYBRID FLOWER

“The combination of Zkittlez x Animal Mints x – Biscotti x Sherb Bx – in this particular strain is truly outstanding,” shared 253 Wholesale Manager Yusef Sadiq.

“Amaretto Sour buds are light green with striking patches of purple and orange. You can expect the buds to showcase their trichome production, lending them a frosty appearance.”

He compared the aroma to fresh fruit with undertones of jet fuel.

Sadiq noted that the initial effects might be strong, so it is important to consider your level of experience when consuming this strain. For a 1g pre-roll, it costs $10; 1g pre-packed is $12 and 3.5g pre-packed is $35.

Cannabis and sales tax not included.

Gushers flower, Sadiq explained. “This concentrate has a full-spectrum composition of terpenes and cannabinoids, which provides a smooth and flavorful smoking experience,” he said. “It’s perfect for those who are looking for a potent and enjoyable encounter with a clean experience.”

Sadiq noted that more solventless extracts are expected to come in 2024. For .5g, it costs $25 and for 1g, it costs $45. Cannabis and sales tax not included.

253 DARK CHOCOLATE BAR

“Indulge in the ultimate chocolate experience with our cannabis-infused dark chocolate bars,” Sadiq said.

“Our small yet dedicated team of experts handcrafts each bar using only the finest Callebaut Belgian chocolate and premium, ethically sourced, 100% sustainable cocoa beans. These beans are carefully selected for their rich, complex flavor that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds.” The bars are infused with high quality cannabis oil to ensure a consistent and enjoyable experience with every bite.

“Try our Kosher

certified chocolate bars today and discover a new way to savor the finer things in life,” Sadiq said. The bars are sold as follows: 20x5mg pieces, two bars, 100mg total per package/$10. Test results may vary.

Cannabis and sales tax not included.

BOSTON BUD FACTORY Location in Holyoke

VISIT BOSTONBUDFACTORY.COM FOR MORE INFO

HOME COOKING OIL

For all those cannabis enthusiasts who want to infuse their own food, Boston Bud Factory has the product for you. Its new 500mg THC Home Cooking Oil eliminates having to make canna butter or oil for baking, said Frank Dailey of Boston Bud Factory. “The home cooking oil is flavorless and made with vegan palm oil so it’s perfect for infusing meals or baked goods,” he explained. “Each bottle comes with a graduated dropper so consumers can accurately dose to their desired level.” Boston Bud Factory is also developing recipe cards with step-by-step instructions for infusing specific items. Dailey noted that the best part of this product is the price, as consumers get 500mg THC for $25 plus tax.

There are also additional formulations in development including a nighttime formulation that will include other cannabinoids such as CBD and CBN.

HONEY STICKS

Boston Bud Factory’s newest product is the 5mg honey stick, made with local organic honey.

Each honey stick

253 STRAWNANA GUSHERS LIVE HASH ROSIN

253’s new line of solventless extracts includes Strawnana Gushers Live Hash Rosin. Its fruity scent and taste are like the Strawnana 8

CANNABISREVIEWQUARTERLY.COM

HOME COOKING OIL AND HONEY STICKS COURTESY OF BOSTON BUD FACTORY

diamond joints ED CONC US

ED CONC US

TRATE IN F EN

TRATE IN F EN

FOR THE EXPERIENCED. Premium flower infused with our award-winning terpenes, loaded with pure THC diamonds and rolled in prime kief.

COMING SOON

you deserve the best.

CRQ WINTER 2024

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GINGERBREAD LATTE COURTESY OF COAST CANNABIS

snap cookies and a touch of organic Peruvian coffee, you’ll sure be cozy this holiday season,” said Co-Founder Angela Brown. The chocolate bar ranges in price from $20-$25.

BOYSENBERRY 1:4:1 THC: CBD:CBC GUMMY

“Allow your aches and pains to COAST away. Accompanied with a burst of sweet and tangy flavor, your taste buds and body will love our Boysenberry THC:CBD:CBC 1:4:1 gummy,” Brown shared. The gummies range in price from $25-$30.

RASPBERRY LIME 1:1:1 THC:THCV:CBD GUMMY

If you are looking for an energy boost without the crash, Brown recommends the Raspberry Lime THC:THCV:CBD Gummy. “This one-of-a-kind blend is a great way to jump start your energy levels, increase productivity and combat the dreaded munchies,” she said. “Pop a Raspberry Lime Gummy and COAST your way through the day!” The gummies range in price from $25-$30.

FERNWAY

CONCENTRATE INFUSED JOINTS COURTESY OF FERNWAY

consists of 5mg THC and 5g of organic honey. “Honey sticks are great for the immune system and the THC just makes it even more beneficial,” Dailey said. Honey sticks are sold in five packs for $15 and 10 packs for $25. Boston Bud Factory is in the process of developing additional formulations, including CBD and CBN.

COAST CANNABIS CO.

Locations across Massachusetts

VISIT COASTCANNABISCO.COM FOR MORE INFO

GINGERBREAD LATTE MILK CHOCOLATE BAR

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CANNABISREVIEWQUARTERLY.COM

COAST Cannabis Co. has several new products that have recently launched, including a limited time offering of the Gingerbread Latte Milk Chocolate Bar. “Celebrate your holiday season in high spirits. Sprinkled with gluten-free organic ginger-

Locations across Massachusetts VISIT FERNWAY.COM FOR MORE INFO

CONCENTRATE INFUSED JOINTS

Fernway will soon introduce Concentrate Infused Joints, a premium flower infused with its award-winning terpenes, loaded with pure THC diamonds and rolled in prime kief.

“Each joint is handcrafted to deliver the perfect infused sesh,” said Fernway CMO and Co-Founder Liam O’Brien. “A masterpiece blend of the finest terpenes, premium flower, diamonds and kief is precision-packed into our signature Fernway cone.”

From there, each joint is placed upright in induction sealed glass jars to preserve flavor, freshness and integrity, until you are ready to spark up, he explained. “When you do, you can be sure it’ll burn well, taste amazing and deliver unmatched satisfaction – whether you’re sharing or enjoying solo.” The product will be sold in a two pack – two half-gram joints – and

retail for $25-$30. The joints will be released in Fernway’s best-selling flavors such as Mango, Mandarin Orange and Lavender Dream in early March.

LIVE RESIN TRAVELERS

“Available now, discover the Fernway Live Resin Traveler – our acclaimed recyclable vape tech paired with the finest Live Resin in the state,” O’Brien said.

“High standards, meet low maintenance.” He continued, “Now [our] customers can enjoy that unbeatable true-toplant experience of live cannabis oil with our game-changing Traveler hardware, precisely calibrated to deliver peak flavor, airflow and effects with every hit and printed with a gorgeous all-over custom fern pattern.”

The Live Resin Traveler is available in two sizes – 0.3g and 0.7g – ranging in price from $20-$45.

PRE-ROLLS COURTESY OF FLORENCE CANNABIS CO.

FLORENCE CANNABIS CO. Location in Florence

VISIT FLORENCECANNABISCOMPANY.COM

BERKSHIRE COUNTY XXX

Florence Cannabis Company has introduced a couple new products including Berkshire County XXX Flower and Pre-Rolls. “This XXX from Ethos genetics was originally pheno hunted in the Berkshires and we now enjoy growing it inside of our facility,” said Florence Cannabis Co.

Founder and Operations Director Chris Rivers. “A cross between Lemon Berry Candy OG and End Game Punch Line, this strain produces unique terpenes, where the sweetness and berry, grape and pineapple flavors stand out on a lemon candied background.”

Rivers shared that this hybrid is a great afternoon and evening strain, but its smooth and fruitful flavors make it irresistible any time of day. The product costs $25-$35 per eighth.

DREAM MACHINE

Rivers described the Dream Machine Flower and Pre-Rolls as a “legacy strain” and hard hitting indica that lives up to its name. “With THCa of 30% and 2-3% terpenes, Dream Machine is a great example of the quality that comes from growing small batches in soil,” he said. “The terpene profile includes Caryophyllene, D-Limonene and Humulene and produces an aroma with hints of orange and cinnamon.”

Dream Machine was named after the arcade that was once a centerpiece of downtown North Adams, in addition to “nicely” describing its effects, Rivers shared. “With lineage that includes GG4, Trainwreck and Sunshine Daydream, Dream Machine is definitely an end of day strain,” he added. The product costs $25-$35 per eighth.

INSA

Locations in Easthampton, Salem and Summerfield

VISIT MYINSA.COM FOR MORE INFO

PEPPERMINT CANDY CANE CHOCOLATE BAR

This winter, Insa’s Head Chef and Director of R&D Julian Rose has developed flavors that are reminiscent of the warmest holiday memories during the coldest months of the year. For the third year in a row, the Peppermint Candy Cane Chocolate Bar has returned.

“Packed with minty coolness, this bar is bursting with deliciously rich dark chocolate and crunchy candy cane bits and peppermint,” Rose said.

Insa’s Peppermint Candy Cane Chocolate Bar has 5mg of THC per piece and retails for $25.

Florence Cannabis Co. products are available at Liberty in Easthampton, Enlite in Northampton, Stem in Haverhill, Indica in Adams, NERD in Clarksburg, The Vault in Webster and Devine in South Egremont.

PEPPERMINT CANDY CANE CHOCOLATE BAR COURTESY OF INSA

CRQ WINTER 2024

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PIONEER CANNABIS CO.

BERRIES & CREAM DROPS COURTESY OF INSA

Location in Brimfield

VISIT PIONEERCANNABISCOMPANY. COM FOR MORE INFO

LEVIA SELTZERS

“At this time of year, we often hear from a lot of customers that they are interested in turning to cannabis to reduce their alcohol intake,” said Pioneer Cannabis Co. CEO Maura Doyle. “If they already enjoy the idea of a “cold-one” after a long day – Levia seltzers is a great go-to swap for them.” Levia seltzers are offered in three flavors: Raspberry-Lime, sativa; Lemon-Lime, hybrid and Jam Berry, indica. Each can has 5mg of THC – like most edibles and gummies – and offers a fast and predictable onset time with no hangover. The drink also has zero calories and zero sugar.

“Levias are always stocked at Pioneer, and you can buy a single can for $7 or grab a four-pack for $22,” said Doyle. “Cheers to 2024!”

BERRIES & CREAM DROPS

A new addition to Insa’s winter seasonal flavors are Berries & Cream Drops, offering a “festive freshness to savor,” Rose said. Infused with 5mg of THC, the taste of ripe berries and rich whipped cream make for a “delectable holiday treat,” he added.

Insa’s Berries & Cream Drops retail for $25.

Peppermint Vaporizers are available in 500mg cartridges and dart pods that retail for $40, and 350mg pens that retail for $30. In addition to Massachusetts, Insa locations in Florida will offer Peppermint Vaporizers for a limited time.

CHAMPAGNE DROPS

There is no better way to ring in the new year than with Insa’s limited edition Champagne Drops. “Each drop invokes a spirit of celebration with luscious champagne flavors from real Chardonnay that are lightly dusted with granulated sugar for an extra ‘pop,’ Rose shared. Insa’s Champagne Drops have 5mg of THC per piece and retail for $25.

PEPPERMINT VAPORIZERS

Insa’s collection of Peppermint Vaporizers is crafted for the holiday season. Made with a balanced blend of peppermint and THC, the vaporizer offers a “refreshing flavor and brisk sensation,” Rose said. Insa’s 12

CANNABISREVIEWQUARTERLY.COM

LEVIA SELTZERS COURTESY OF PIONEER CANNABIS CO.

Now Offering Cannabis Related Classes!

Shop plants and more in-store or buy online!

In Store Pick Up Only

w In-person classes w Planting Parties w Weddings & Proms w Special Occasions & Events w Grow lights

January 19th

History of Cannabis April 5th Special Event

- Puff and Plant!

thelilplantshop.com 8 Main Street, Plainville, CT 860-839-1110 Closed Mon & Tues, Wed-Thurs 1pm-7pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-7pm, Sunday 11:30am-4pm CRQ WINTER 2024

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STORY BY DAN MCCARTHY IG: @ACUTALPROOF PHOTO SUBMITTED

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CANNABISREVIEWQUARTERLY.COM

hen it comes to procuring a choice selection of the best products available on the legal cannabis market in Massachusetts, you’d be hard pressed to find a better landscape of the best stuff around than Western Massachusetts, at Canna Provisions stores in Holyoke in the Pioneer Valley and Lee in the Berkshires right off the Mass Pike. Which is why this rundown of some of the best buds, suds, and edible yums are available for all your early 2024 needs.

Scan the QR code to hop right to our menu from here and pick some goodies up today! www.cannaprovisions.com

1. “Go Halfzees” Half Ounces

Sometimes life makes you want just a little cannabis flower to get you through the day.

Other times, like say, after St. Patrick’s Day, or when life has required a greater ask of your flower supply, something like these prepacked 14g half-ounce bags of Smash Hits are needed (also available in other cultivars).

And when they’re filled with High Times award-winning flower like Smash Hits California Raisins, it’s safe to say that going “halfsies” here is a no-fail way to conquer the day. Or just your couch.

2. Honeycat Dark Roast Hash Rosin Cold Brew

Crafted locally in Holyoke, Honeycat Peruvian Dark Roast cold brew coffee is infused with cannabis Hash Rosin for the ultimate combination. With less than 5 calories, warm your day up with a jolt of infused brew infused with gorgeous Hash Rosin, which is a lot better than just going to Dunkies because they haven’t learned how good cannabis and coffee are combined yet. But you have. And if you haven’t, here’s your chance.

3. Crispy Commission

Concentrates Collaboration

You may be wondering: “Hey CRQ, is there any chance that Smash Hits out of Canna Provisions is dropping a brand-new line of exciting small batch collaborations using unique crosses of their exclusive genetics and flower line?” Well, you’re in luck. Because as you read this, that very option is available in 1g dabs or 3.5g “baller jars” of new Smash Hits strain combos. Think: Chocolate Waffle, Waffle Slayer, Chocolate Urkle and Hippy Waffle Cured Budder. Your move, and move fast because these go quick when the new drops hit.

4. Zkittle Head

Take one High-Times Cannabis Cup winner.

Cross it with the winner of the 2013 Amsterdam Cannabis Cup. Now grow it in the craft cultivation of Smash Hits cannabis (and have it be grown by the legend Greg “Chemdog” Krzanowski, Smash Hits cultivation director). The result? This incredible strain that crosses Zkittles with Headbanger Kush (the latter being Sour Diesel x Biker Kush), which inherits dense bud structure, sour grapefruit and sugar candies slathered in grape jelly flavors and smells, and a deep head high that sends even seasoned consumers into places of euphoria, anti-anxiety, and a one-way ticket to the high land.

5. Smash Stash

Why go for one 1g preroll when there are 28 of them already in an airtight jar, color coded on the filters to know which ones to grab for a pick-me-up, which ones for nice balanced hybrid experience, or those to hit

for the slow runway into deep relaxation and chill-ness. For that very reason, the Smash Stash exists. One ounce of prerolls ready to rock, stocked with core offerings from the Smash Hits strain library of various consumer favorites. And the combinations are always changing. If you’re into sharing moments instead of joints, your stash is waiting for you here.

Chill is the only 1906 Drop formulated with a high dose of CBD: When paired with THC and plant medicines it can reduce stress, releases tension, and relaxes without losing focus or function. It’s also zero calories, flavorless, and in an easy to swallow pill format.

Call it a ripcord to pull and parachute into chillness when the moment requires discrete dosing.

6. Chem D 2.5g 5-pack of Prerolls

11. Coast Milk Chocolate Bar

What’s better than landing a big bag of the classic and culturally influential OG strain known as Chem D (which you can get only at Canna Provisions)? A small, portable, prerolled version, broken up into a 5-pack of mini joints perfect for a suit jacket pocket, or tucking into a favorite pair of jeans while on the go, or just bringing along to share with friends on a spirited hike or ski session. Oh, and this strain was voted the favorite strain of dispensary budtenders in Massachusetts for Leafly’s 2023 Budtender’s Choice Awards.

Winner winner, chicken dinner.

7. Heirloom Collective Rosin Cubes

There are many edibles on the Massachusetts market. For those looking for longstanding quality and a top choice of consumers, Heirloom Collective continues to pump out fantastic, consistent gummies with a variety of formulations. These are their Rosin Cubes line, the purer, cleaner, harder hitting cousins to Heirloom’s classic gummies. They are made with pectin, a soluble gelatinous thickener that is present in ripe fruits and is extracted for use as a setting agent in jams and jellies. Delicious, affecting, long-lasting, and relaxing in the extreme.

8. Wynk Juicy Mango THC CBD

WYNK Juicy Mango is bubbly and light, like a breezy afternoon on a tropical beach with your best friends. With WYNK’s perfectly balanced ratio of THC:CBD, you can expect a light, bubbly buzz in 10-15 minutes. And unlike an island getaway with friends, WYNK has zero calories, zero sugar, and zero alcohol so you can hang tonight or any night without the dreaded alcohol hangover tomorrow.

Grab some today.

9. MAC 1 (Cap’s Cut)

What’s that? You’re looking for an award winning flower that was voted a best preroll in the Massachusetts market at the 2023 NECANN awards in Boston? You also want it to be the top cut of the famous Miracle Alien Cookies 1 (MAC1) strain? And you want to be able to find it in packed bud, prerolls, and value ounces? Say no more. Just head right to Canna Provisions.

10. 1906 Chill

Find peace of mind and calm the body with a blend of two cannabinoids (THC & CBD) and plant medicines Magnolia and L-Theanine.

Classics never go out of style. And the Coast Cannabis Milk Chocolate bar is as classic as it comes from this woman-owned family-run company in Massachusetts. This is nothing but plain, smooth and creamy milk chocolate to satisfy any taste buds using single-origin Peruvian organic milk chocolate, organic cocoa butter & distilled cannabis. 5mg THC per serving, and pure happiness in each bar.

Fantastic for winter bonfires and cannabis s’mores.

12. Neighborgoods Flower

The award-winning Neighborgoods Flower continues to win fans. This Melonade was created by crossing Midwest Best and Watermelon Zkittlez with Lemon Tree. This strain puts out a very sweet flavor profile, offering notes of citrus and melon. The high tends to be euphoric and cerebral, making Melonade a great choice for anyone looking for an energizing afternoon treat.

13. Treeworks Live Rosin Chem S1

For a couple years now, the crew at Treeworks have been producing seriously stellar Canna Cream topicals as well as Live Rosin vaporizer cartridges using an array of cultivars and strains. The Smash Hits x Treeworks collaboration has already won a High Times People’s Cup award in 2022, so it made sense to expand with various other strains out of the Smash Hits catalog. This Chem S1 .5g cartridge has the kind of packed power reserved for connoisseurs and concentrate aficionados, conveniently presented in a 510 thread vape your daily dose will be screaming for once you get a taste.

14. Wana Quick Calm

Another excellent woman-founded and woman-owned company, Wana has fast become a favorite gummy in the national industry.

Lucky for you Canna Provisions has a host of options from them, like these new release Quick Calm chews. A first-of-its-kind formulation harnesses three calming cannabinoids, 30+ relaxing plant compounds, and 50mg of L-theanine (the soothing amino acid found in green tea) to gently ease your racing mind.

They’re also powered by fast-acting nano-encapsulation technology that delivers relief in just 5-15 minutes. And with only 1mg of THC per serving, most people can take one at any time of day without feeling high.

CRQ WINTER 2024

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STORY BY STAASI HEROPOULOS PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Aaah... the sweet aroma of

grandma’s

pot

brownies

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CANNABISREVIEWQUARTERLY.COM

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hen you think about the treats your grandmother used to make, lollipops and caramels may come to mind—brownies too. But she never made them the way Bubby’s Baked does—with cannabis.

Bubby’s Baked cooks up its tasty treats with THC and TLC at a production center in New Bedford, selling them across the Bay State along with Maryland, Delaware and Illinois.

Bubby’s, by the way, is code for grandmother. There is no Bubby for real.

“Bubby could be your grandmother who made you homestyle brownies,” says Sara Rosenfield, Bubby’s brand manager. “Our products have that homestyle feel. We use quality ingredients. They taste like they’re fresh out of the oven. Bubby is a grandma who wants to feed you and make you feel good.”

Bubby’s specializes in baked goods and hot cocoa infused with THC. While the brownie may be their emblem edible, they also use the finest natural ingredients to make chocolate chip, snickerdoodle and blueberry muffins bites.

“They’re snackable. We find that consumers really like small bites,” said Rosenfield.

The Bubby’s brand was launched two years ago on national brownie day. The business sells the snacks in three of its own dispensaries in Massachusetts while wholesaling it to retail locations in the Commonwealth and other states.

The products are baked at local manufacturing centers in each state.

That ensures everything is fresh, but it also keeps Bubby’s in compliance with federal law that bans cannabis from being transported over state lines.

Everything is made in small batches, which improves quality because bakers can do a better job focusing on smaller runs, not gigantic orders.

“We’re not mass producing everything, there’s good oversight and it’s easier to do that with a smaller batch than a massive batch,” said Rosenfield.

There are many steps to controlling quality, and while taste testing sounds like a great job, there’s no appetite for that at Bubby’s. “We can’t consume

our products on the job, so we send everything out for testing,” said Rosenfield.

Each bite-sized edible has five milligrams of full spectrum THC—and while people turn to coffee and its caffeine to kick start their day, even with cannabis as a main ingredient, Bubby’s baked goods and their relaxing effect can still help get you rolling in the morning.

“THC is relaxing but we’re not going to knock you out. It just puts you in a good mindset to start your day,” said Rosenfield.

THC not only has a relaxing effect, it can also help relieve stress and pain.

That combined with a tasty treat can be a mood booster. “It’s like a double reward,” said Rosenfield.

Cannabis has been legal in Massachusetts since 2016 and while tinctures, flours, vapes, drinks and other infused products have become immensely popular, many people are reluctant to try anything related to the drug—that’s why Rosenfield says baked goods and hot cocoa are a simple, subtle introduction to cannabis.

“It’s a great entry point. It’s safe and

easy, they can cut the edible in half, start slow and go slow,” said Rosenfield.

People are turning to cannabis for many reasons—they may have trouble sleeping, suffer from pain or anxiety or just don’t know how to relax. THC and its calming effect helps, and that is Rosenfield’s favorite part of her job.

“I love helping people. I get emails every day from people who tell me they haven’t slept in years but our products have helped them, and they taste so good.”

As it enters its third year in business, Bubby’s is branching out, expanding the number of treats dreamed-up by its product and development team.

“Our R&D team is looking at more flavors for a launch next year. We’re aligning ourselves with flavors we know consumers love,” said Rosenfield.

“There’s a lot on track for next year that we’re excited about.”

To learn more about Bubby’s Baked products or find where they are sold, visit www.bubbysbaked.com CRQ WINTER 2024

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Add a little kick

favorite drink with... to your

STORY BY LAUREN LEBEL PHOTOS SUBMITTED

N

o matter what your beverage of choice is – water, seltzer, iced coffee, juice – the pleasure of drinking it can be enhanced by simply adding an ice cube.

Yes, an ice cube.

How can an ice cube improve a drink aside from making it cold? Well, the answer is that the ice cube – melt – is infused with cannabis.

“Melt is made from a blend of the highest quality THC, natural fruit juices, natural preservatives and distilled water,” (melt). Available in three flavors – lemon, lime and original – the pre-packaged product is sold in liquid form, in a 10-cube ice tray.

“Just place a tray of melt in your freezer and wait for your cubes to freeze. Or if you can’t wait, you can enjoy melt as a liquid drink enhancer instead,” (melt).

Whether you are attending a party, going on a day trip or watching a movie at home, melt is a good addition for any occasion.

“We know an even and consistent experience is important. Each individual melt cube is infused with 5mg of THC. The melt tray – 50mg of THC – is perforated into 10 single-serve cubes 18

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for easy and accurate dosage,” (melt).

As the ice cube evaporates, it releases THC, allowing consumers to “melt” at their own pace.

“You can enjoy your favorite drink while feeling relaxed, comfortable and ready for whatever comes next,” (melt).

Highdration Kitchen CEO Harry Groome shared, “Melt is so versatile and can be used to boost any drink. I like to drop a few cubes into my morning iced coffee, and for an afternoon pick-me-up, I pour a liquid cube into my hot tea.”

He continued, “I have also been known to add a melt to my favorite beer, [nonalcoholic] seltzers and even a whiskey.”

On the melt website, there are several melt infused drink recipes such as lemonade, lemon drop and lime margarita, to name a few.

According to the brand, its promise is that they use only the “highest quality ingredients and production methods to deliver a purer, more natural and more social cannabis experience.”

Groome noted that melt was invented in and is made in Lowell. “We just launched last summer and the reaction from customers and dispensary buyers alike has been fantastic!”

To find melt at a dispensary near you, visit meltcubes.com/ drink-different.

STORY BY STAASI HEROPOULOS PHOTOS ISTOCK AND SUBMITTED

A little

Horny

Goat

to spice up your Valentine’s Day?

A

great personality, friendly smile. Maybe the latest hair style, clothes, cologne or painted fingernails. There are so many ways men and women attract each other. But so many of them are still searching for the secret potion that brings love home for Valentine’s Day. Look no further. A horny goat may be just what you need for a heartfelt holiday. (Don’t worry... not THAT kind of goat!)

Julian Rose is director of research and development for Insa, a Massachusetts based maker and retailer of cannabis products.

During Valentine’s Day, he is also the master of love, helping romantics score a direct hit when they fire Cupid’s arrow.

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Chief in his quiver are tablits.

“We have six different tablits on the market. The one we just added is the Flirty Tablit. It’s made up of THC and a blend of botanicals including ginseng root and Horny Goat,” he said.

Aptly enough, Horny Goat also promotes sexual health and libido. The tablit gives men and women a boost of courage, when they need it most.

According to the National Library of Medicine, the Horny Goat Weed is “a member of the genus Epimedium, a low growing plant found throughout Asia, and parts of Europe and Africa, which has been used in traditional medicine for centuries as a tonic and aphrodisiac.”

“The Flirty Tablit gives you better stamina and energy, which I would associate with courage.

You’re more outgoing. Horny Goat also helps with blood flow,” according to Rose.

Insa marketers were hoping to titillate when they named the tablit.

“We tried to be descriptive. Flirty is going to give you that bedroom joy and euphoria,” claimed Rose.

To avoid having your partner take pot shots at you because you came empty handed to Valentine’s Day, there are other ways to make a cannabis connection with your better half.

Insa and other dispensaries sell prepackaged flour, pre-rolls, concentrates, lotions, topicals and a range of edibles, chief 20

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among them, chocolate—a veritable Valentine’s Day emblem.

“Have you seen our chocolate peanut butter smooches,” asked Rose.

Insa kissed convention goodbye when it developed smooches. Each bite-sized piece contains 5mg of THC. Chocolate lovers come out of the woodwork this time of year. Rose says demand for mint, dark and milk chocolate sales soar in the run-up to Valentine’s Day. Looking for more ideas? Passion fruit chews can take a bite out of holiday anxiety. They’re handcrafted in small batches using natural ingredients like organic fruits and vegetables along with THC. As dispensaries have become part of main street America, they are now shopping meccas on main stream holidays like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas and Valentine’s Day. “We see a substantial peak of demand and in sales. It’s a very important holiday, but it has a shorter shopping season. People are usually shopping late for Valentine’s Day, like every other holiday,” observed Rose.

It’s not all about animal attraction on Valentine’s Day, though. There’s another special holiday message Insa is delivering.

“It’s about love and relationships, and that’s important, especially these days,” said Rose. “Everything is difficult and the world is not so rosy. I think it’s joy and love—enjoying yourself. It’s a short life.”

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STORY BY TIERA N. WRIGHT RECIPES AND PHOTOS BY NATE BLAIS DOSING RECIPES BY DAN MCCARTHY

DOSED HEART SHAP COOKIES WITH ROYAED SUGAR L ICING INGREDIENTS: 2 and 1/4 cups all purpo se flour 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/4 cup salt 3/4 cup canna butter 3/4 cup granulated sug ar 1 large egg 1.5 Tsp vanilla Store bought Royal icin g

DIRECTIONS: In a mixing bowl, whisk your flour, baking powd er and salt, set aside. In a large mixing bowl, using a hand mixer, beat your butter and sugar togeth er until completely smoo th. Add in your egg an d vanilla and beat for an other minute or so, scr aping the sides down as nece ssary.

Slowly add your dry ing redients to your wet un til fully combined. If doug h seems too sticky for rolling then add in another tab lespoon of flour.

Add dough to a lightly floured piece of parch ment paper and roll out doug h to about a 1/4in thick , refrigerate for 2 hours .

Once dough is set pre heat your over to 350F , take it out of the fridge and using a heart shaped co okie cutter, cut out the cook ies and remove the ext ra dough. Bake for 11-12 mi nutes, allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes the n transfer to a wire rac k to completely cool. Once cooled you can go cra zy with your decorating!!

Valentine’s DOSED DESSERTS

Day

“Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing”...

or at least that’s how the song goes. Romance is in the air as Valentine’s Day fast approaches. So once the dinner reservations have been made, just remember, there’s always room for dessert. Sometimes the best gifts, especially the ones on Valentine’s Day are from the heart—so, couples may want to consider adding a personal touch to this year’s festivities and try their hand at homemade desserts. For couples interested in taking their dessert to the next level, a special ingredient may be just what the love doctor ordered. Enjoy these dosed Valentine’s Day recipes that are sure to end date night on a sweet note.

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DOSED CHEESECAK

E CRUST

INGREDIENTS: 1 and 1/2 cups (180g) gra ham cracker crumbs (about 12 full sheet gra ham crackers 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar 1/3 cup canna butter 32oz cream cheese, sof tened 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup sour cream 1tsp vanilla 2tsp fresh lemon juice 3 eggs, room temp

DIRECTIONS: Pull all your ingredients out of the fridge about an hour before you start making the batter. Pre heat your oven to 350 degre es. In a food processo r, combine your graham crackers and sugar and pulse til combined, transfer to a mixing bowl and ad d in your melted canna bu tter, stir to combine.

Enjoy this crust with yo ur favorite cheesecake recipe!

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BROWNIE SUNDAES WITH DOSED ICE CREAM

1 cup granulated sugar 2 eggs 3/4 all purpose flour 1/2 cup brown sugar 2/3 cup cocoa powder 1/2 cup powder sugar 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, plus some for topping 3/4 tsp sea salt 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted (or sub canna butter) 2 Tbsp water 1 tsp vanilla Your favorite dosed ice cream

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 325 and grease an 8x8 baking dish.

In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, coc oa powder, powdered sugar, chocolate chips and salt. In a separate bowl, combine eggs, oil, water and vanilla, whisk to combine. Slowly add dry mixture to wet and mix until it’s combined, but don ’t over mix.

Pour batter into baking dish and bak e for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick com es out clean.

Top with your favorite dosed ice crea m from a dispensary near you!

DOSED CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES INGREDIENTS: 2 Cannabis infused chocolate bars 20 strawberries DIRECTIONS: , you can do this Melt your cannabis chocolate bars ave. Place a in 30 second intervals in the microw rry and twirl it skewer into the top of your strawbe and let any excess around in your melted chocolate rries onto a drip back into the bowl. Put strawbe et and let them parchment sheet lined cookie she . Enjoy! set in the fridge for 10-15 minutes

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STORY BY STAASI HEROPOULOS PHOTOS BY NATE BLAIS

Comedy and

Cannabis CRQ WINTER 2024

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W

hat do comedy, yoga, baseball, cooking and art have in common with cannabis? Everything, said the Goodwill Ambassador for ZazaGreen, a new recreational cannabis dispensary in Springfield.

Touted by ownership as a wellness center, the shop takes a wholistic approach to offering THC and CBD. It’s an eclectic place with various specials along with products in seven categories—but there is more going on at Zaza than selling tinctures, edibles, flowers, vaporizers, concentrates, prerolls and drinks.

Goodwill Ambassador Tim Rooke—a former city councilor in Springfield— said Zaza means bringing people together and shedding light. That is exactly the focus of Zaza’s business plan—and that is why the dispensary is

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offering salsa dancing, cooking classes, baseball lectures, comedy shows, yoga and other forms of recreation.

With cannabis at the center of it all, the rest combines to form a spa-like atmosphere offering many ways to relax and recharge.

“Come on in and have a good time.

If you want to stop in for a show or dancing, that’s fine. A lot of people come for anxiety or to sleep better.

They want to relax. Then there’s other people who come in who are veterans of the product and know exactly what they want,” said Rooke.

Zaza boasts 7,000 square feet of space—half for the dispensary and the rest for recreation, which includes a 100-seat community room where civic groups can hold their events. The room was used last summer as a cooling center for people trying to survive

the brutal heat.

Open for six months, the business is minority-owned, with investors hailing from construction and retail sectors including gas stations, restaurants and convenience stores. They’re doing business in New York and Connecticut while expanding into Massachusetts.

Zaza is heavily focused on funding acts of kindness, but Rooke is tightlipped about what that involves. “If you talk about the charitable work you do, then it’s not charity. It’s self-serving. We help a lot of families in the east Springfield neighborhood and particularly focus on single parents,” said Rooke.

With high amounts of THC in its products, Rook said the dispensary has close to the strongest concentration of the strain in the region. The products are attractively displayed—the staff, highly educated in the benefits and effects of cannabis, is ready to help customers, both new to the drug or veteran users.

Zaza is becoming a venue where local artists can display their work, introducing it to the community and gaining exposure for themselves. The dispensary is also planning to feature cooking segments in future podcasts.

“You’re welcomed in, you can come in, you can sit down, you can meet somebody there and wait on one of the benches in one of the seating areas. There’s no rush. If you want to come in and have a cup of coffee and look at some of the artwork, that’s fine.

We have partnerships with local artists.

We hang up their artwork and anything that is sold goes 100% to the artist,” said Rooke.

Rooke sat on the Springfield City Council for 22 years beginning in 1995.

While cannabis was illegal back then, Rooke is now the face behind one of the more prominent dispensaries in the area.

“I didn’t use the product. I was more of a beer drinker and this has come a long way. I’m at a different stage in my life. I am one of those people who is an insomniac and I use this product to help me sleep,” he said.

Zaza’s customers range in age from 21-91. While the business en-

joyed broad support when owners announced plans to bring the dispensary to this neighborhood, there was some opposition. Business owners and Rooke met with the community back then, and Zaza has tried to be a good neighbor since coming here.

“I think the reason we are blessed to be popular is because of our long-standing involvement with the community and getting involved with different sponsorships and charities,

out of the kindness of our heart,” said Rooke.

Cannabis dispensaries are becoming fixtures on the local landscape, but even as they are much more common, Rooke said there is a special vibe at Zaza.

“I want everyone in the city and surrounding area to know they are welcome regardless of their background,” said Rooke. “It’s a safe place. It’s a reflection of my soul.”

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STORY BY DAN MCCARTHY PHOTO ISTOCK

Finding Relief

After the Festivities

A

Guide to Hangover Relief with Smash Hits Cannabis, Wana Gummies, and More The morning after a festive night can sometimes leave you seeking relief from a hangover. Whether it’s New Year’s Eve, St. Patrick’s Day, or just a casual Tuesday, overindulgence happens.

A wide variety of cannabis products are available that some find helpful in easing hangover symptoms.

SMASH HITS CANNABIS Perfect for day-after a long night needs.

One of the most talked-about products at Canna Provisions is their own flower and preroll brand grown right in the 28

CANNABISREVIEWQUARTERLY.COM

Berkshires of Western Mass. And the main reason many make Canna Provisions their pick when searching for the strongest cannabis or the best small batch craft cannabis in Massachusetts is because it’s home to Smash Hits cannabis by Chemdog.

The High Times and Leafly award-winning flower is overseen by iconic cultivation legend Greg “Chemdog” Krzanowski, a West Mass native.

Chemdog the strain (and the man) secured a permanent place in the Leafly 100 Best Strains of All Time list, and is a favorite of consumers and breeders alike. As Director of Cultivation for Canna Provisions, Chemdog has over-

seen the entire Smash Hits cannabis line from seeds to harvest and quality control of the final product headed for consumers hands.

WANA, HEIRLOOM COLLECTIVE, BETTY’S EDDY’S, AND HASHABLES GUMMIES: A Flavorful Way to Ease Discomfort For those who prefer edibles, Wana Gummies offer a flavorful experience.

Available in various flavors and CBD-toTHC ratios, these gummies can be a discreet and convenient way to manage hangover symptoms. Some users find that CBD-rich products can help with anxiety and restlessness, often

accompanying a hangover. Brands like Betty’s Eddy’s, Hashables, Heirloom and more are consistent and reliable product lines to trust. Check out all the edibles on our menu right now!

HYDRATING WITH INFUSED BEVERAGES Hydration is key to recovering from a hangover. There’s a wide range of cannabis-infused beverages that not only help you stay hydrated but also provide the potential benefits of cannabis. From sparkling WYNK seltzers with THC, to balanced CBD:THC drinks, to classic flavor sodas dosed with Smash Hits flower extracted THC, to herbal teas, and water-soluble tinctures to make your own DIY infused beverages, there’s a beverage for every taste. Need a pick me up? Try some of the new hash rosin infused cold brew coffee, made right in Holyoke, MA!

TOPICALS FOR MUSCLE RELIEF If you’re experiencing muscle aches after a long night, cannabis-infused top-

Need a pick me up? Try some of the new hash rosin infused cold brew coffee, made right in Holyoke, MA! icals could offer relief. These products are applied directly to the skin and can help soothe sore muscles and tension.

Treeworks Cana Cream, Nordic Goddess, and even the Healing Rose lines of CBD topicals are amazing for muscle and aches and pain relief.

MICRODOSING FOR MILD RELIEF Microdosing cannabis products, such as low-dose edibles or tinctures, can be an effective way to manage mild hangover symptoms without the intensity of a full cannabis experience.

This approach allows for more control and a subtler effect. Grab some great high CBD tinctures or even the Jungle Drops from Treeworks for a multi-cannabinoid blast of cannabis therapy after a big night out (or in).

REMEMBER! The best way to avoid a hangover is to drink responsibly and in moderation (editor’s note: duh). Should you choose to explore cannabis products for hangover relief, do so legally and with an understanding of the effects and your personal tolerance. While Canna Provisions of Western Massachusetts offers a variety of cannabis products that might help with hangover symptoms, it’s important to remember that everyone’s body reacts differently to cannabis. It’s essential to start with low doses, especially if you’re new to cannabis, and to consult with a healthcare professional.

For more information on products visit www.cannaprovisions.com

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STORY BY LAUREN LEBEL PHOTOS BY NATE BLAIS

Boston Bud Factory HIGHS lows shares the

and

of a small

cannabis operation

T

he idea of investing into a rapidly growing market seemed like a good idea between two friends, however, as the market evolves and becomes more competitive, the now co-owners have learned the struggles that come with a small cannabis operation.

That operation is Boston Bud Factory in Holyoke.

Boston Bud Factory was started in the summer of 2018, by Franklyn Dailey and Carlo Sarno.

“Carlo and I started it together, looking at trying to build something …

He has a daughter, I have two daughters and we were trying to build something for their future,” Dailey said. “So, that was the hope – that we could build something that would continue to support our families after we were gone, essentially.”

After nearly two years of going through the licensing process, the retail store officially opened in July 2020, followed by the manufacturing license about six months later.

Now, Boston Bud Factory is entering its fourth year of business.

“It’s been a struggle along, but we are one of the smallest in the state and we’re also in the state social equity program,” Dailey said. This program

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offers support – among other things – through the Cannabis Control Commission.

He explained that one of the challenges for any cannabis company is start-up capital. “[In] Massachusetts, the licensing process took so long that by the time we were open after two years of licensing, most of our starter funds had been exhausted.”

Since opening, the company has been trying to find capital, banking and “any little bit to help survive,” Dailey shared.

Most of what they have found has been predatory. For instance, he said they have credit lines that cost $1,000 a month to use and credit cards that have been shut down when it was figured out that they were a cannabis business.

“Finances are a big challenge for the smaller players,” Dailey said. “When you’re trying to grow manufacturing products, you need capital for hardware, capital for raw materials, capital for everything.”

He continued, “Our hope was that the retail store would help generate cash flow to support the growth of manufacturing but unfortunately, the market in Massachusetts has entirely imploded and those sales are no longer

there to continue the support of manufacturing so now, that doubles down on the cash crunch.”

Another big challenge is the regulatory environment of the cannabis business. Dailey has experience working in many industries – pharmaceutical, medical, among others – and has never dealt with the over regulatory nature of the Massachusetts market.

“To limit a person to buying 500 mg in edibles per day – that’s all they can get – just limits the potential for sales and use,” he said. For most, 5 mg is not adequate for treating an individual’s conditions, so they are left going to the black market or obtaining a medical card, however, obtaining a medical card is not as easy as they say it is, Dailey noted.

When he and Sarno established Boston Bud Factory, they wanted to build something that was different from everybody else. Although that was accomplished, Dailey said they are unable to tell people about it because of the strict guidelines on advertising, marketing and the “overenforcement” of the Cannabis Control Commission.

“The larger players are just sucking up and controlling the market,” he said.

Dailey went on to say that this is a “really interesting time” for the CRQ WINTER 2024

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cannabis industry because while stores are opening, other stores are closing.

“The whole industry seems to be going upside down now, which I guess is common with an emerging industry – a new industry like it is,” he shared.

Dailey said they have been working on opening a second location in Springfield for almost six years. He noted that they do have the location, but it is a “much tougher” market to get into because of political constraints and host community requirements.

Therefore, Dailey and Sarno decided to open in Holyoke and then go back to Springfield.

Dailey and his family, all Springfield 32

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residents, have a long history in the city. Although he volunteers at multiple organizations within the city, he has not been chosen in any of the four rounds of the Request for Proposals that were done, he said.

“We represent local, we represent small, we’re family owned, we’re family operated,” Dailey shared.

Several of Dailey’s family members have worked at Boston Bud Factory including his aunt, cousins and daughters. “It really is a family owned and local business, but it doesn’t get the attention that the money gets. Money talks in this industry,” he said.

The goal for Boston Bud Factory was to maximize the licensing of the three locations that are allowed in the state, with hopes of having two in Western Massachusetts and one in Eastern Massachusetts, near Boston. “True to the name, we’re just working our way backwards,” Dailey said.

Dailey’s history with cannabis goes back many years. After enlisting in the Navy and going to bootcamp, Dailey was eventually sent home because THC didn’t clear his system fast enough.

Even though he went in on a waiver and informed them that he used THC prior to enlistment, when those levels

did not drop to a certain standard, he was sent home.

“I’ve battled the stigmas of cannabis since I was young,” Dailey said.

Growing up in an alcoholic family, he shared that cannabis always offered him more benefits than the challenges of alcohol. It helped him focus, relax and even got him through his civil engineering degree.

Sarno, on the other hand, has a background in law enforcement and works for the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office. Dailey said Sarno moved to Florida and opened a restaurant there, before returning to Massachusetts and operating a couple local bars and restaurants.

When they were looking to invest in the cannabis market, Dailey’s history and knowledge of the product and manufacturing, along with their combined knowledge of running a business, “it just seemed like the perfect fit,” Dailey said.

In the past, Dailey has lost jobs for cannabis and missed out on opportunities because he knew he could not take a drug test. After stopping for several years in hopes of getting the right job, he became “extremely unhealthy” and “miserable.” Dailey said he became overweight and a type 2 diabetic, and it wasn’t until he got back into cannabis that he no longer experiences either of those. He also no longer takes medication for arthritis.

“The more cannabis products that I use and utilize for wellness, the better my body seems to get,” he said.

Through his own positive experiences with cannabis – along with the Boston Bud Factory staff – the dispensary treats customers for various conditions.

“They’re [the staff] all very good at helping other people figure out what works for them,” Dailey said.

One of the things Dailey loves most about his staff is the recommendations they share and the extra time they spend with customers.

“We have customers that will come in here and spend over an hour trying to figure out what is good for them.

This is the place to do that – we provide a very comfortable atmosphere

– we want to create an atmosphere that anybody is comfortable walking into so they can ask the questions that aren’t scared to come out and learn more about the product,” he said.

One of the reasons Boston Bud Factory carries a large quantity of CBD products from local vendors is to treat each customer.

Dailey said he has friends who utilize various forms of cannabis to treat various things, including, but not limited to, depression, anxiety and stress.

“One of the biggest growing products is for people that can’t sleep … Everybody is struggling with anxiety these days to some extent,” he said.

Dailey usually starts people on a low dose of CBD products because it is unknown what their tolerances are. From there, he said people may progress to needing a little THC to help increase the effect of the CBD. A good product for this are the 1:1 gummies with THC and CBD. “They’re great for pain, relaxation, anxiety and more,” Dailey said.

He went on to say that there are some vendors that have “taken it up a notch,” adding other cannabinoids into the CBD, targeting whatever feeling an individual is looking to achieve.

On the Boston Bud Factory website, there is a “conditions treated” tab that lists nausea and vomiting, neurological conditions, post-traumatic stress, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and cancer. Under each of the conditions treated, there is an explanation on how medical marijuana helps patients experiencing these issues.

Depending on the person, some prefer smoking flower, while others would rather eat a gummy or use a tincture. Because of this, Dailey said it is usually a “tailored evaluation” that varies from person to person.

Another locally manufactured product is a skin serum that treats acne.

“You can really treat just about anything,” Dailey said.

“If you’re not sure and you’ve had a hard time with medications and other things and you’re looking for natural treatments, this is the place you want to come [to] ask questions.”

Beyond treating humans, Dailey shared that he has a friend who used pet tinctures on his dog with cancer and the tumors went away.

Dailey pointed out the medicinal benefits to marijuana. Although people talk about the differences between medicinal and recreational marijuana, Dailey explained that even with recreational, most users are doing it to target something.

“You see nothing but benefits from what people are using it [for],” he added.

Boston Bud Factory is open Monday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For additional information, visit bostonbudfactory.com

LOCAL BROTHERS GROWING LOCAL BUDS Since 2018

Small batch Grown in Organic Soil Family Owned hidden-hemlock.com @hiddenhemlockma

HIDDEN HEMLOCK

Please Consume Responsibly. This product may cause impairment and may be habit forming. For use only by adults 21 years of age or older or persons holding a patient registration card. Keep out of the reach of children. This product has not been analyzed or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There is limited information 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 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. The impairment effects of edible marijuana may be delayed by two hours or more. In case of accidental ingestion, contact poison control hotline 1-800-222-1222 or 911.

CRQ WINTER 2024

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STORY BY GIOVANNI CAVALLINI PHOTO ISTOCK

A new take on the

H

Runner’s High

ave you ever enjoyed a sweet tasting sativa that gave you the energy and motivation to workout? Cannabis is becoming widely available and acceptable in the majority of the country, it’s given the opportunities to conduct scientific data to support new hypotheses and backup old stoner theories. Labs and universities around the country have only just started researching and analyzing the ben-

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CANNABISREVIEWQUARTERLY.COM

efits and disadvantages of consuming cannabis before physical exercise, especially in a long-term study. The results may be shocking for some to comprehend.

The Gatorade Sports Science Institute has access to the best athletes to sample and survey to get their results, but because cannabis is universally illegal to use in competitions, “much of the evidence cited here for and against the

use of cannabis in conjunction with exercise is based on studies using non-athletic populations, having consumed cannabis that may differ significantly in cannabinoid concentrations compared with today’s standard” (Burr). The only previous data points to cannabis hindering performance of physical exercise,

due to the changes in the cardiovascular system from inhaling carbon monoxide and increasing heart rate during submaximal intensity exercise. Both studies resulted in cannabis being labeled Ergolytic, or performance inhibiting. This hurt the ability to get competition-ready athletes to perform long-term medicinal use of cannabis. Many athletes fear risking their careers by consuming, thus slowing down research. One university has begun taking on the challenge of creating new data to help answer the question of inhibiting or enhancing physical performance with their newest study, perfectly named, SPACE. The Study on Physical Activity and Cannabis Effects is their newest group of more than 50 paid adult volunteers, from the University of Colorado Boulder started in 2021, who have a history of using cannabis before and after exercise.

Their hypothesis is “It is possible that exogenous cannabinoids like THC or CBD might activate the endocannabinoid system in a way that mimics the runner’s high” (Marshall).

Over the course of three sessions, the participants answer questions while running on a treadmill for 30 minutes to give a baseline of their current health.

Although their findings are hard to extrapolate, the main reason why cannabis users consume products before working out, is because of the plant’s anti-inflammatory properties. Heather Mashhoodi, one of the first volunteers in the program, didn’t feel like she could run further or longer, but had the ease of pain in the joints and felt better psychologically.

Cannabis may not be a performance enhancing substance, but those who take it recreationally and medicinally feel better during recoveries and found the experience of working out more enjoyable. Could this be because of the lesser known cannabinoid THCv? How does that interact with our body’s endocannabinoid system?

According to Jackie Bryant, from Healthline.com, his article Unpacking the Hype Around THCv, aka ‘Diet Weed’ that was medically reviewed by Jeffrey Chen, MD, MBA, THCv stands for delta 9 tetrahydrocannabivarin. It

has a few purposes when interacting with the human endocannabinoid system, such as reducing appetite, bacterial inflammation, acne, and could help ease the symptoms of epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease. Many of these have only undergone preclinical animal research, but this opens the door to potentially allowing approval of the real clinical trials on humans. PhD and scientific advisor to Artelo Biosciences, Saorise O’Sullivan, claims “THCv can block the CB1 receptor. [The CB1 receptor] is well known to stimulate appetite, so blocking this receptor could [reduce appetite]” (Bryant and Gunnars). During a study performed by scientists in 2015, THCv increased positive responses to chocolate stimuli in the midbrain and concluded that effects of THCv widely differ in people. Resulting in the myth of “Diet

If you wish to be a guinea pig in our own studies, feel free to check out some of the products that have tested high in THCv at your local dispensaries.

Because THCv is a minor cannabinoid, it falls into a gray area in sales legality, meaning products only containing THCv can be found at wellness shops and locations that sell Delta-8 THC. Products vary from gummies, tinctures, lotions and vapes. Although dried flowers can possess high amounts of THCv as well. ATLRX, a cannabis blog and online store, listed a few strains that are known to be high in THCv, but in my personal opinion, some of the strains have been long gone and bred out. Be sure to look for their genetic lineage in today’s strains. Girl Scout Cookies (GSC), Durban Poison, Jack the Ripper, and Tangie are the top strains on their

Cannabis may not be a performance enhancing substance, but those who take it recreationally and medicinally feel better during recoveries and found the experience of working out more enjoyable.

Weed’’. For some, THCv can reduce their appetite and help them lose weight by not feeling the need to consume food. But for others, the reward system in their bodies craves certain foods.

Another myth that hasn’t been fully studied, is that THCv can help reduce the negative effects and symptoms of THC. Paranoia is a widely associated effect that stems from the increased heart rate after ingesting or inhaling cannabis.

According to a study performed in 2015 by numerous scientists including Amir Englund, “Nine out of ten participants reported THC under THCV condition (compared to placebo) to be subjectively weaker or less intense” (Englund et al.). The biggest factors in this study were the short duration (five (5) days) and there were only ten (10) participants in the trial. To get more stabilized results, those two factors have to be increased to a longer duration and more participants to get a better sample of the population.

list of flowers that contain high amounts of THCv. Always ask a certified budtender or retail associate for an in-depth breakdown of their products lab results, conveniently marked and labeled on every THC containing product.

While THCv may not be the exact definition of “diet weed”, there is still time for long-term studies to be conducted on the benefits or disadvantages of cannabis use and exercise. Always ask a professional physician if you have questions about personal health and how it relates to cannabis use. If you feel like THCv is an appetite suppressant, you can conduct a study on yourself over the course of a month. Spending half of the time using a form of cannabis before each meal and the other half of the time just eating normally without the use of cannabis. Journal your thoughts at the end of each day or after each meal. Review your results at the end of the month and share with your friends.

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STORY BY DEBBIE GARDNER PHOTOS ISTOCK AND SUBMITTED

Managing

menopause with cannabis

T

here’s no question that menopause is having a moment.

From podcasts to websites, support groups to at-home hormone tests, the once hushed subject has gone mainstream. Women are talking about the symptoms and how they affect them. Prestigious medical communities like Harvard and Brigham & Women’s in Boston are conducting studies on it. Even some major corporations are 36

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beginning to acknowledge the toll this period of life can take on workers, just like childbearing.

“It’s like peeling an onion, it hasn’t been a topic of conversation up until now,” said Meg Sanders, CEO and co-founder of Cana Provisions, which operates cannabis dispensaries in Holyoke and Lee. She said despite the growing focus on menopause, when she brought up the topic in a boardroom

recently, pointing out that “we have to tell women there are some options using our products and they might be helpful to them [at this time],” she was met with blank stares and a consensus that not many people were being affected by menopausal symptoms.

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecology paints a different picture, however, noting in a recent report that an estimated 6,000 wom-

en reach menopause – which usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 – every day in the U. S. The reality is that health issues like menopause affect the entire family, said Sanders. “Partners are feeling it, kids are feeling it, friends and family are affected.”

At 56, Sanders knows of what she speaks. She’s a mother, a long-distance caregiver to her aging parents, and a working woman. For her, cannabis has been a godsend when it comes to managing symptoms.

“I think my journey down the menopause road is much better thanks to cannabis,” Sanders said.

Handling the big three – hot flashes, sleep and anxiety.

For example, Sanders said, she’s found relief from hot flashes - “the boiling from the inside out, don’t touch me” feeling - through the use of microdosing tinctures that have a combination of a “small amount of THC,” and the cannabinoids CBD and CBN. “I can’t point to any research, it’s anecdotal,” said Sanders, who uses one tincture in the morning and another in the evening. “Especially my morning tincture, it definitely depresses my appetite and gives me a lot of energy,” she added.

The sleep disturbances that accompany menopause and perimenopause – the often 10-year period leading up to the cessation of menstruation are another symptom Sanders said she’s been able to manage through the use of cannabis.

“After 40, many people begin to experience sleeplessness,” she noted, adding that stress hormones, and “adrenals that have had it because of age” are often contributing factors to difficulties getting a good night’s sleep, something that the fluctuating hormones of menopause often exacerbates.

“I’m a huge fan of Wana gummies, they’re phenomenal at helping me sleep through the night,” Sanders shared. Her nightly go-to are gummies with “1 mg of THC, maybe 2,” to help her get a good night’s rest. “I alternate between Costal gummies and Wana gummies,” she said, adding that menopausal or not, “the biggest thing people ask for in the store is help with sleep.”

Leslie Laurie, M.S, an independent cannabis consultant based in Northampton, said that for optimal help with seep disturbance issues – be they menopausal based or not – the timing of the gummy is important. “If you are having difficulty falling asleep, take a low-dose gummy an hour and a half before going to sleep. If the issue is staying asleep, then take the low-dose gummy just before going to bed,” Laurie said.

Anxiety and mood swings are another hallmark of menopause that Sanders

“Cannabis has an amazing effect on libido,” she said. “It’s a vasodilator, which gets the blood flow going, which is good for intimacy.” She noted that products such as tinctures and gummies are often helpful, “though they may take a lot longer to kick in” than topicals.

“Great topicals can be helpful for women and intimacy, and having a more pleasurable sex life, which is important for our health,” Sanders shared.

Canna Provisions – an option that un-

“If you are having difficulty falling asleep, take a low-dose gummy an hour and a half before going to sleep. If the issue is staying asleep, then take the low-dose gummy just before going to bed.”

Leslie Laurie, M.S.

said she’s found various forms of cannabis helpful in managing.

She noted that cannabinoids including “CBD and THC, and CBG and CBN are very calming [and] very helpful keeping me at an even keep from a mood point. Gummies and tinctures are very helpful with that, and a really low THC flower that I love to use as a preroll.”

“With prerolls you feel better almost instantly,” she added.

Dr. Heather Hirsh, head of Menopause and Midlife Clinic at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital, said there is documentable evidence for cannabis use offering this kind of anxiety relief. In an article on the Harvard educational blog about women turning to cannabis for menopause symptoms, she noted that cannabis helps by “dimming the prefrontal cortex, the decision-making part of our brain” which helps turn off things like racing thoughts. (health.harvard.edu/blog/arewomen-turning-to-cannabis-for-menopause-symptom-relief-202210242837).

And the last one – libido.

Another unpleasant side effect of menopause for many women is a decrease in their libido, often accompanied by painful intimacy. Here Sanders said cannabis can be very helpful.

derstands women’s needs.

As a woman going through menopause herself, Sanders said she is very concerned with the type of atmosphere the two locations of Canna Provisions provide for women seeking help with menopausal – or any health-related symptoms.

“Canna Provisions has a nice safe space for women to discuss options, and lots of products to try to find the right ones to work for you,” Sanders said.

MEG SANDERS, CEO AND CO-FOUNDER OF CANNA PROVISIONS

CRQ WINTER 2024

37

STORY BY G. MICHAEL DOBBS PHOTO SUBMITTED

Brick

by Brick HOLDING STRONG IN AN EVER-CHANGING MARKET

A

fter just over a year that her dispensary has been opened, the owner of 6 Brick’s dispensary in Springfield explained in a recent interview broadcast over Focus Springfield how the cannabis industry in Massachusetts is changing.

Payton Shubrick is only one of three black women who own a dispensary in the commonwealth.

A life-long Springfield resident, after graduating from college, she wanted to find a purpose that would help drive the economy in Springfield by establishing a dispensary with ties to the community.

Seeing that out of state cannabis companies were looking to establish a presence in Springfield motivated her decision to apply for a license. She started her research in 2016 and spent three years attending city council meetings and talking to people. When the city of Springfield issued a request for proposals in 2019, she was one of four applicants approved by the city.

The pandemic, though, made an impact on her plans. She explained that

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with licenses, fees, build-out plans, leases and inventory more than $1 million is necessary to establish a business.

And the licensure process is not quick. “On the average I’ve heard it’s been 15 months but I don’t know anyone who has accomplished it that fast. From the time receiving a host community agreement, which is exclusively at the local level working with the city or town to be hosted, which oftentimes requires having multiple conversations, city council at times, to the state level actually applying for licensure and then waiting,” she said.

She added she was checking the Cannabis Control Commission’s agenda month after month to see if her license was going to be considered. 6 Brick’s was opened in September of 2022.

Although at the start of legal cannabis in the commonwealth, many saw the legislation having the potential of creating an industry that would be open to entrepreneurs, Shubrick said the opposite is true.

“Unfortunately, what we are seeing

is it’s not just the barrier of entry that requires capital it’s also the nuances of understanding how to operate the business and staying viable. When you think about the tax burden that is present and so many other factors this is not a space that has people of color, women, veterans and so many other under-represented groups for success,” she said.

She knows women and people of color who ran out of money in the hopes of establishing their own dispensary and are now working for multiple state operators who run dispensaries.

“Opening doors is not the finish line.

That is the start of the race,” she said.

Speaking of the advertising and marketing restrictions the legislation put in place for cannabis, she said, “It hurts the industry holistically as you think about helping consumers really understand the ways in which cannabis can be used.

We have data that supports the reality.

The top four uses in the adult market are sleep, stress anxiety as well as focus and yet at the same time many of the restrictions’ actually do allow you to speak

to that reality. And the places you can actually advertise are so limited. It definitely supports MSOs [Multiples State Operators] that have deeper pockets and being able to advertise.”

Billboards are one form of advertising, perhaps the dominant one at this point, the legislation allows, but with the cost up to $3,000 a month, it can be prohibitive to an independent owner, she added. While alcohol can be advertised in print products, radio and television, those options were not granted to cannabis.

Shubrick asserted the restrictions on advertising tends to support the misconceptions that cannabis is a “gateway” drug to other substance that are “simply not true.”

Issues of price, quality, variety and how cannabis can be used is difficult to sum up on a billboard, she noted.

She said, “How do we combat a lot of that? There aren’t many avenues to do so.”

The slogan for 6 Brick’s is “people, plants and purpose,” which she said was very intentional to reflect the philosophy behind the retail store. Her goal is not to provide “just a cannabis transaction but a cannabis experience.”

She would like her customers to understand how cannabis works and the differences between strains and products. She also wants people to support products that are produced locally by independent businesses.

“How do we advance ourselves as an industry and education is the biggest way to get there,” she said.

Her “Wellness Wednesdays” are a collaboration with heath professionals offering answers to customers about how cannabis can be used to address health concerns.

The current state of the Cannabis Control Commission – its chair was removed from the position by State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg – has affected license holders such as Shubrick. The actions of the commission directly make an impact on issues such as delivery services. She explained the commission recently decided there does not have to be two people in a delivery vehicle, which makes proposed delivery services more financially feasible. That

decision still needs to be approved by the legislature, she added.

Another aspect of the business awaiting action from the commission is an adult dispensary such as hers being able to sell medical cannabis. Currently the regulations require “vertical integration,” which mean she would have to grow and produce the cannabis as well as sell it. With a near surplus of cannabis

The actions of the commission directly make an impact on issues such as delivery services.

Shubrick explained the commission recently decided there does not have to be two people in a delivery vehicle, which makes proposed delivery services more financially feasible.

in the commonwealth starting up a grow operation makes little sense to her.

“That change [in the law] may not happen anytime soon,” she added.

The issue of smoking lounges is also unresolved at this point. Shubrick said that listening sessions have been undertaken by commission members but nothing has moved forward for discussion.

We are losing our footing in terms of being a leader as we think nationally

about what the Massachusetts cannabis market looks like because we are not moving as quickly as we can. I think many folks are well-intentioned, I think there are a lot of obstacles in being able to progress things forward. Much of it comes back to folks being misinformed, right? There are concerns that people are going to get so high that maybe they’ll start stealing things. I’ve never met someone who got extremely high and then decided to steal something. If anything, I’ve seen them say, ‘I wonder if there are snacks around? I’d love to take a nap,’ right. So, there’s a lot of misinformation that’s still being centered around these things that could progress us in much more of an equitable model. I think of social consumption as a method for folks to try different things they traditionally wouldn’t and yet we’re losing time, energy and gain money for simply not making meaningful strides in getting this done.”

The “legacy market” is the term used to describe people who are still illegally selling cannabis products to a group of customers but without the taxes and fees attached to legally sold products.

Shubrick said the relationship between a dealer and customers is a difficult one to break and she monitors her prices with those in the legacy market to better compete. Selling flower as a deli would allow a customer to see the product before buying and to buy the amount he or she wants.

With cannabis celebrities such as Cheech and Chong buying three existing dispensaries in Western Massachusetts, Shubrick cautiously predicted this could be a trend in 2024.

“It is tough to be a retailer in this environment,” she said citing overhead and taxes.

Customers, though, she stressed, have the power to shop at “small mom and pops,” but more celebrity-oriented shops as well as MSOs are on the horizon.

“I’m not anti-MSO, I’m pro-small business,” she said.

The full interview can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Sq35-Q6ncnQ.

CRQ WINTER 2024

39

STORY BY STAASI HEROPOULOS PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Tasting success BETTY’S EDDIES

after ten years!

W

hat happens when a group of foodies have foresight and foretell a furious demand for cannabis infused edibles? They create Betty’s Eddies, a Massachusetts business that makes and sells fruit chews and ice cream topped with THC and CBD. The business is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year and one of the founders, Ryan Crandall, tells Cannabis Review Quarterly the group saw grassroot support for weed early on.

“We saw legalization and regulation changing from a medical perspective to an adult use,” according to Crandall, who is now the company’s chief revenue officer. “We felt

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there was a green wave coming and as a group of folks we said, ‘Hey, we want to be a part of this.’”

Crandall and his pals traveled to Colorado where cannabis was legalized in 2014, two years before Bay Staters voted to legalize it in Massachusetts.

Crandall and Co. were on a taste testing mission, heading west to see what was already on the market.

“We’re a group of foodies—we’re pretty opinionated about what we like and don’t like. The majority of products we tried in Colorado were terrible.

They didn’t taste good and were all over the map in terms of flavor and

dosing. There were just so many deficiencies we said, ‘Oh my God, we can come up with products that are great and wipe these guys out.’”

At that time, Crandall said gummies made up the majority of edibles, so he and his friends chewed on it for a while, and decided to manufacture and sell chews made with all-natural ingredients and real fruit.

“That way we’ve got a differentiated product better than what’s on the market,” he said.

EAT FRUIT AND VEGGIES

Betty’s Eddies uses real fruit and vegetables not only for its taste and nutritional

value, but the produce produces great coloring, like pure lime oil for flavor and dehydrated organic spinach to color lime chews.

The same theory holds when Betty’s makes other offerings, flavoring and coloring chews with organic strawberries, blueberries or raspberries.

“When conventional candy is made, manufacturers use blue dye 40 or red 90. They don’t care whether it’s toxic for you. We spend extra pennies or dollars on the right ingredients,” said Crandall.

Betty’s makes a range of chews with all natural ingredients including elderberry, cherry, lemon agave, watermelon, peach mango and others. Like most edibles, Betty’s chews are infused with THC, CBN, CBD and CBDV that may help consumers relax, reduce inflammation, ease pain and even stir passion by infusing natural aphrodisiacs.

“Everything we do stands for quality and that’s not just a B.S. line. We feel as though one of the weak spots in the cannabis industry is product quality. We don’t make anything we don’t feel is of the best quality,” said Crandall.

SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM

Betty’s Eddies isn’t all about edibles— the business also manufactures Cannabis infused ice cream, but of the non-dairy, vegan variety. “I was personally going through a lot of lactose issues and I knew vegan was a big deal,” said Crandall.

Business owners and executives studied a range of products and realized ice cream could be based on coconut oil.

“We felt vegan ice cream was going to be something big. Early on, we knew we had something special in terms of a vegan ice cream and flavors that were going to work well with cannabis.

Coconut oil and cannabis are a great marriage,” said Crandall.

Betty’s Eddies takes the same all-natural approach with ice cream as it does with edibles, using fruit to flavor its confectionery. And there’s no missing the real ingredients in the brownie, coffee chip, chocolate and black raspberry varieties.

“We spend extra money on pure raspberry and we even include seeds

because the customers want to know there’s actual fruit—it’s not just a flavoring. We also get better texture in the recipe with seeds,” said Crandall.

If Betty’s was founded by food aficionados, that gives them something in common with their customers, who pay close attention to the quality and content of the chews and ice cream.

“Most companies use distillate. We use full spectrum oil. We’ve been using full spectrum oil since day one. Betty’s has never had a distillate-based oil as the infusion because we believe it’s an inferior product,” stated Crandall.

Betty’s sells its product out of its own three dispensaries in Massachusetts located in Beverly, Quincy and Middleboro. Their product is also sold in hundreds of dispensaries across Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Puerto Rico.

Depending on the jurisdiction, the products can be used for medical and/ or recreational purposes.

Betty’s Eddies’ corporate offices are in Norwood, MA with an 180,000 square foot production center in New Bedford. That may seem big, but it’s not by Betty’s standards. The company takes a more personal, handcrafted

approach to making its products.

“I’ve been to candy factories that are a million square feet, and one of the things you realize, whether it’s a petroleum company or natural gas company or a candy company, is it just starts to look like a lot of pipes and boilers with people walking on scaffolding, and that’s not the way we do it,” remarked Crandall.

To the extent possible, Betty’s employees literally have a hand in everything related to manufacturing. “Edibles are cooked in a pot and those pots are dumped onto cold tables and manipulated by a person.”

The ingredients are added to the edibles and each is wrapped by hand.

It’s labor intensive, so is the passion that goes into making everything.

“It’s a labor of love,” said Crandall.

Fresh. All natural. Hand crafted.

They can be hollow marketing claims at some companies, but the words are real ingredients in Betty’s Eddies recipe for success.

To learn more about Betty’s Eddies and where their products are sold, visit www.bettyseddies.com.

CRQ WINTER 2024

41

BY LAUREN LeBEL PHOTO ISTOCK

fact vs. myth:

Health benefits

of cannabis H ealth is important all the time, but it seems to be discussed more as each new year rolls

around.

Perhaps a “healthy you” includes eating clean, exercising and sleeping more. For others, that might look different, and by different, I mean consuming cannabis.

The cannabis world may seem vague or avoidable due to prior assumptions, however, once the truth is uncovered, there are a variety of health benefits that can assist in making you feel your best.

A common myth is that cannabis has no medical benefit, when in reality, it does.

The cannabis plant is made up of over 100 different cannabinoids, with CBD and THC being the most wellknown. Consumers have reported various benefits of CBD including relief from insomnia, anxiety and pain. For those who use it for medical purposes, it is also reported to help with weight loss, nausea, epilepsy, seizures and more (PharmaNews Intelligence).

If you are experiencing pain, you might turn to cannabis for assistance.

Although some might believe their pain will be cured entirely, evidence suggests that cannabis can treat less serious chronic pain such as managing neuropathic pain, chronic non-cancer and non-neuropathic pain (Edgewood Health Network).

In Massachusetts, various cannabis dispensaries offer products that can assist in pain as well. For instance, before or after working out, people may apply 42

CANNABISREVIEWQUARTERLY.COM

a topical or cream to a desired area that relaxes the muscles and prevents spasms and soreness, resulting in a higher performance.

According to Edgewood Health Network, “Cannabis is appealing as a pain-management medication because it presents fewer side effects and has lower addiction potential when compared to opioids.” Additionally, medical marijuana usage reduces the number of opioid prescriptions, which is a current national crisis.

Similarly, people often believe that cannabis can be or is addictive. While it can be habit-forming for some, not all users become addicted. The risk of addiction depends on different factors such as genetics, use frequency and personal susceptibility (PharmaNews Intelligence).

Although cannabis research is still relatively new and ongoing, there are some health conditions that cannabis has been proven to assist with. Some of those examples include rare forms of epilepsy, nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy, along with appetite or weight loss associated with HIV/AIDS. Cannabis has also been proven to assist with sleep problems. Through a variety of studies, cannabis use for people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder have shown better sleep patterns and fewer disturbances (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health).

A popular myth that comes along with any drug or alcohol use is that it has lasting impacts on your brain’s abili-

ties, specifically memory loss. The truth is, when using cannabis, your cognitive functions may be impaired, but only while you are intoxicated. Therefore, once the drug wears off, you will not have any long-lasting effects (Cannabis: Facts, Myths and Mental Health).

While other drugs may cause apathy and a lack of motivation, cannabis does not. In studies done on subjects, they were given high doses of cannabis over a seven-day period. Results proved that there was no direct impact on their motivation or their abilities (Cannabis: Facts, Myths and Mental Health).

Coinciding with fitness and overall health improvement, cannabis can reduce stress and anxiety. According to Muscle and Fitness’ website, cannabis use in athletes has improved their overall focus on the task at hand and calmed any nerves prior to their performance.

As you embark on your health journey, it is important to conduct research before making any major lifestyle changes. While there are many more ways that cannabis use can assist in your physical and mental health, these are some of the most common. Before partaking in your own cannabis use, make sure you know the facts - they are important.

References: pharmanewsintel.com/features/ top-10-myths-about-medicinal-and-recreational-cannabis, edgewoodhealthnetwork.com/resources/ cannabis/medical-marijuana-facts-myths-dangers/, nccih.nih.gov/health/cannabis-marijuana-and-cannabinoids-what-you-need-to-know, muscleandfitness.com/ workouts/workout-tips/marijuana-affect-athletic-performance, mhanational.org/sites/default/files/Cannabis.pdf,

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