Cannabis Review Quarterly - 2024 - Thirteen

Small batch, hand crafted rolling out cannabis is a family affair at Mass Alternative Care

Cannabis use over age 50 - a primer

Previews

STOP IN FOR DELI-STYLE FRIDAYS & EXCLUSIVE BRANDS ONLY FOUND AT 6 BRICK'S

Please consume responsibly. Keep out of reach of children. This product may cause impairment and may be habit forming. For use only by adults 21 years or older or persons holding a patient registration card.

TABLE OF contents

Breaking down these acronyms and numbers. 42

When it comes to purchasing

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.

Cover Photo: SafeTiva Cannabis Testing Labs by Nate Blais.

CRANBERRY POMEGRANATE GUMMIES COURTESY OF COAST

253

Location in Turner Falls

AM X PM FLOWER

“Alien Mints x Permanent Marker is a hybrid strain with a pungent aroma that combines earthy and sweet notes,” shared 253 Wholesale Manager Yusef Sadiq. “The strain delivers a euphoric and uplifting experience that mellows out into a relaxing body buzz.” Sadiq noted that the flower is perfect for unwinding after a long day. “The fragrance is a delightful blend of floral, spicy, soapy, sweet and funky terpenes,” he added. For a 1g pre-roll, it costs $10; 1g prepacked is $12 and 3.5g pre-packed is $35. Cannabis and sales tax not included.

pure, potent cannabis oil, carefully crafted from the finest material using only cannabis-derived terpenes for flavor” with no synthetics, Sadiq said. Not only do the carts have a great taste and powerful effects, but they also offer “unbeatable value that the big, mass-produced brands can’t match,” he shared. For those looking for a premium cannabis vape experience that is affordable, Sadiq suggests trying the slick vapes. “Order now and experience the difference for yourself,” he said. For 2G, the vapes retail at $60. Cannabis and sales tax not included.

253 EMERGEN-C LIVE HASH ROSIN

“Experience the ultimate vaping experience with our premium vape, crafted from the finest live hash rosin. Whether you’re a seasoned cannabis enthusiast or new to vaping, our terpene-rich, full-spectrum flavor profile is

sure to impress,” Sadiq said. “Each pull delivers a smooth, potent and consistent experience.” He assured that consumers can expect nothing but the best with this product, making for an “unforgettable and satisfying experience every time.” For .5g, the cost is $35. Cannabis and sales tax not included.

GOVERNMINT OASIS 2G DISPOSABLE VAPE

253 now offers Governmint Oasis Slick vapes, available in 2G disposable options. “Each vape is filled with

BOSTON

HONEY STICKS

Coming soon to the shelves at Boston Bud Factory are Honey Sticks, made using organic liquid honey and Boston Bud Factory’s CO2 cannabis extract. The product is all-natural and organic. According to Frank Dailey of Boston Bud Factory, the dispensary is also developing additional formulations for the Honey Sticks, which will soon be available. This includes 1:1 and 1:1:1 options that have CBD and CBN. “Honey Sticks can be eaten on their own or the honey can be used to sweeten products at home … There is nothing better than a honey stick with a nice hot cup of tea in the winter,” Dailey said. Honey Sticks are sold in packs of five for a retail price of $15 plus tax.

DIABLO MAN PRODUCTS

Boston Bud Factory has partnered with Gerardo Ramos to produce the Diablo Man pre-roll line. As Boston Bud Factory is a participant in the Massachusetts Social Equity Program and Ramos is an economic empowerment applicant in Holyoke, Dailey noted that this partnership is a

“collaboration of smaller players trying to survive in an increasing competitive market.” He continued, “If you are looking to support small local businesses, then please look for Diablo Man pre-rolls on the menus at Boston Bud Factory and some other select dispensaries.” Dailey encourages customers to stay tuned as Diablo Man is also working on adding flower and infused pre-rolls to its product line.

SOLVENT-FREE VAPE CARTRIDGES

Boston Bud Factory has also developed a line of vape cartridges made with only CO2-extracted terpenes and cannabinoids. Dailey shared that the result is “one of the smoothest inhales possible.” Boston Bud Factory only uses cannabis-derived terpenes from the same flower used to create the CO2 extract, with no

other additives or fillers. “The full spectrum experience created by the solvent-free cartridges is levels above other cartridges on the market made using butane or ethanol,” Dailey said. “All Boston Bud Factory cartridges are strain-specific and are made using a process that is completely free of any residual solvents.” Boston Bud Factory vape cartridges range in pricing from $20-$25 per half gram cartridge, and $30-$40 per full gram cartridge. “Don’t forget to also check out the disposables that were made as part of a partnership with Gibby’s Garden,” Dailey said. Disposables range in price from $30-$40 and the hardware is rechargeable if needed. He shared that new vape options will be coming soon, through a partnership with Bailey’s Buds, a family operated microbusiness that also supports other small local businesses.

COAST CANNABIS CO.

CRANBERRY POMEGRANATE GUMMIES

Designed to help with sleep, Coast Cannabis Co. now offers Cranberry Pomegranate THC:CBD:CBN gummies. “The delectable bites are handcrafted with organic ingredients and full spectrum cannabis oil to help you achieve the rest you deserve,” said Angela Brown, co-founder of Coast Cannabis. “This gummy is the perfect blend of a 5mg:5mg:5mg ratio for a balanced, sedative high.” The gummies range in price from $25-$30.

DARK CHOCOLATE CRANBERRY

Another new Coast product –also for sleep – is the Cranberry 5mg:5mg:5mg THC:CBD:CBN Dark Chocolate Bar. “Why did we choose organic cranberries to pair with our amazing dark chocolate? Cranberries are a natural source of melatonin –yes, you heard that right – making this the perfect bite to help you get the rest you deserve,” Brown said. The chocolate bar ranges in price from $25-$30.

INSA

Locations in Easthampton, Salem and Springfield

VISIT MYINSA.COM FOR MORE INFO

GUAVA KIWI DROPS

Insa has released several new limited-edition products in time for the spring season. One of those products is the Guava Kiwi Drops, a “tantalizing fusion of tropical guava puree and natural kiwi juice,” said Insa’s Head Chef Julian Rose. “A refreshing flavor that strikes a perfect harmony between sweet and tangy notes, perfectly balanced with 5mg of THC per piece.” Rose encourages readers to get this product while they can. For 20 drops, it costs $25.

CHURRO BAR

“Insa’s spring seasonal Churro Chocolate Bar infuses the classic churro with a bold blend of milk and dark chocolate, heightened by the robust kick of spicy cinnamon, dough flavors and 5mg of THC per piece,” said Rose. “This limited-time flavor captures the essence of spring, offering a memorable fusion of warmth and sweetness in every bite.” The chocolate bar retails for $25.

SPRING SEASONALS – PEACHES AND CREAM

For the spring only, Insa is offering Peaches and Cream vaporizers. Rose shared, “The flavors of juicy, ripe peaches are complemented perfectly with rich pound cake and whipped cream. Just like the spring season, this limited-edition flavor won’t last long. Get it while you can!” A 350mg vape pen costs $30.

HONEYCAT MARGARITAS COURTESY OF PIONEER CANNABIS CO.

420 LIMITED EDITION

MILK AND CEREAL CHOCOLATE BAR

“Elevate your 420 celebrations with Insa’s limited edition Milk and Cereal Chocolate Bar,” Rose said. “This playful creation transforms your favorite breakfast into a deliciously euphoric experience. Dive into the velvety milk chocolate, honey cornflake crunch, and the delightful mix of creamy vanilla and sugary fruity flavors with 5mg of THC per piece.” Rose added that this chocolate bar is the “perfect” treat to bring a touch of joy and nostalgia to your 420 festivities. The chocolate bar retails for $25. The line of spring seasonals will be available at Insa’s Massachusetts locations and finer cannabis retailers across the state for a limited time.

PIONEER CANNABIS CO.

Location in Brimfield VISIT

PIONEERCANNABISCOMPANY.COM FOR MORE INFO

HONEYCAT MARGARITAS

Honeycat drinks, now available at Pioneer Cannabis Co., are the first all-natural, 100% solventless and fast-acting hash rosin infused beverages in Massachusetts. According to Pioneer Cannabis Co. CEO Maura Doyle, the 8oz can contains 5mg of solventless hash rosin and has quickly become a customer and staff favorite. “These margaritas offer a sharp refreshing blend of sweet and sour notes of citrus and lime zest, with just a zap of ginger for a clean finish,” Doyle said. “Just in time for spring, enjoy these hand shaken craft cocktails anytime.” These margaritas can be found for $7 at Pioneer or bundled into a four pack for $22.

GUAVA KIWI DROPS

COURTESY OF INSA

TRIFECTA FARMS BARN BURNER PRE-ROLL PACKS

“Pioneer is proud to be the first dispensary in the state to offer Trifecta Farms flower and pre-rolls,” shared Doyle. “Locally owned and operated right in Brimfield, in a brand-new state-of-the-art cultivation facility, Pioneer is delighted to offer flower that is both grown and sold all within our small town.” The pre-roll packs include seven full gram joints in one pack for $60. Strain offerings include heavy hitters like Berry Badrinath, Purple Parfait and Glue Dream. “As the summer rolls out, we look forward to introducing more of their products on our shelves,” Doyle added.

ROOT & BLOOM

Location in Salisbury VISIT ROOTBLOOM.PUFDEV.COM FOR MORE IINFO

CRISPY COMMISSION CONCENTRATES

“Crispy Commission Concentrates are made from quality-grown canna-

CRISPY COMMISSION CONCENTRATES

COURTESY OF ROOT & BLOOM

bis plants from cultivators all over the state. Once harvested, their expert lab team of cannabis processors will methodically utilize hydrocarbon extraction. This creates purified, potent concentration of terpenes, flavonoids and cannabinoids, as well as all the other delicious compounds extracted from the plant,” said Root & Bloom. “Their Massachusetts cannabis extraction facility precisely derives all the flavorful cannabis compounds that make up their Crispy Commission wax. They focus on cleanliness, quality and care at every step of the process. What’s more, Crispy often does collabs with licensed Massachusetts cultivators, in which they take their flower, extract it for them into a Crispy wax, and then distribute it for them.” With all the cannabis extracts available in today’s legal market, what makes Crispy Commission’s wax stand out from the rest is the clean, strong and tasty blends its strains create. Each batch made is a limited edition. “Once it’s gone and off the shelf, it’s gone … With that being said, don’t miss the bountiful flavors and potency of Crispy Commission wax,” added Root & Bloom.

TASTE

SATISFY YOUR TASTE BUDS WITH THIS CINCO

DE MAYO GUAC RECIPE

IT’S A GUAC OFF! Easy cannabis-infused guacamole for your Cinco de Mayo party! But for a sure-fire winner, try some weed guacamole. Yes, weed guacamole. And it’s easier than you think.

INGREDIENTS: HOW YOU’LL MAKE IT

5 Peeled Avocados (save the pits)

1/4 cup cannabis infused oil (or tinctures - dose accordingly)

1/2 Red Onion

1/4 Sweet Onion

Juice of 2 Limes

Add In To Taste:

Minced Garlic

Cut Cilanto

Diced Tomatoes

Cumin

Paprika

Salt & Pepper

• Dice up 5 peeled avocados, and save your pits.

• Throw the diced chunks in a bowl, and cover in salt and cannabis infused cooking oil (there are great recipes to find and be sure to check out Canna Provisions blog for more recipes and instructional videos). If you don’t have oil, stop by Canna Provisions and grab some easy-to-dose full spectrum tinctures.

• You can also use whole-plant infused tinctures for dosing food (especially leafy green foods), like Howl’s Anytime, or if you want to make CBD infused partyl snacks there are fantastic CBD from a regenerative farm in MA like the Sawyer Farm CBD. Another great tincture is the LEVIA water-soluble Achieve tincture for energy.

• When your avocado chunks have been salted and tincture or cannabis oil dosed and covered, cover in wrap and place in the refrigerator overnight.

• For those that like RSO - essentially a full spectrum extract potent cannabis oil - the Purist Drops or Sunrise Punch Sativa drops by Treeworks out of West Hatfield MA are amazing on their own or as a topical, or as a dosing product to enhance all your party snacking needs. Their tinctures use RSO which provides a balanced, organic, vegan, gluten and sugar-free way to dose your food products. Also available: straight RSO in 1 gram syringes.

• Take out of the fridge and work in ½ red onion and ¼ sweet onion, diced up. Add the juice of two limes, mince some garlic, cut cilantro, and dice tomatoes with ample cumin, paprika, and your choice of salt/pepper (sea salt is always best).

• Once the whole guacamole has been folded and brought to your chosen consistency, cover it again with that pit in (avocado pits help prevent that browning effect) and you now have a kitchen-science dosed dip for your chips and party convo quips.

Spring product line up

Scan Me!

When 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 Spring 2024 needs. Scan the QR code to hop right to the menu from here and pick some goodies up today!

Smash Stash

Why go for one 1g preroll when there are 28 of them already in an airtight jar, color coded on the filters, and ready for deployment. Say, at the next springtime gathering with friends, or pregame to a preseason baseball game, or just because. Because freedom. Because strains like MAC1 (Cap’s Cut), Zour Diesel, Chem D, NYC Haze, and other gems from the Smash Hits cannabis line from Canna Provisions and iconic cultivator and Pioneer Valley native, Greg “Chemdog” Krzanowski, are waiting in these jars to be brought home and loved. Love them.

Smash Hits Sodas: Doctor Durban/Haze

Sometimes you need a pick me up. Something a little sweet. Something with zing. Something like say Smash Hits THC sodas of the cola and lemon-citrus variety. Both use terpenes right from the Smash Hits flower line powering each one. Dr. Durban is fueled by Durban Poison for sweetness and cola, and Haze has that Lemon OG sprite-liness and a citrus twist. You’ll be rightly powered by the ganja gods after consuming either. Tip: poured over crushed ice makes them sing.

Vibations Half and Half THC Drink Mix

Depending on the demographic you hail from, Arnold Palmer is either a professional golfer of legendary repute, or a refreshing tea and lemonade beverage that stands as the greatest food or drink mashup since the introduction of peanut butter to chocolate (with a tip of the hat to jelly). Both demographics can look to this 10 pack of powdered drink mixes that bring an energetic uplift to a delicious spring and summertime staple beverage.

Clebby’s

You have a problem: You have friends coming over who heard you are both a) a fantastic baker and b) skilled at providing novel legal cannabis infused edible goodies (even if you are providing for exactly yourself). The solution: Clebby’s Confetti Cake all-in-one baking kit. Included: Velvety vanilla cake mix and 250mg of THC cooking oil. Hot tip: Buy some frosting from a local bakery to top it off with some maraschino cherries and tell everyone you did the whole thing from scratch. Perception = Reality.

Wana

Anytime you have a product with a backstory involving a housewife’s kitchen birthing one of the most popular and successful national edibles brands in the United States, you tend to stand at attention. Also helping you stand at attention are these Wana 20:1 CBD:THC Blood Orange gummies,. Low-dose THC fans will love the comfortable dosing and psychoactive effect, High-dose THC fans will love the variety and supercharged wellness effect. Yes, you can have as many as you want.

Urkle x Tres Dawg 2.5g 5-pack of Prerolls

What’s better than landing a big bag of buds deep green with purple accents, orange hairs, and the berry cereal x skunk x diesel gas funk of the indica darling Urkle x Tres Dawg from Smash Hits cannabis? 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 whenever you need a little pal in your pocket. There is no friend closer than a pocket pal.

Heirloom Collective Energy 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 Energy Cubes line, the Vitamin B12 forged, green tea extract infused, accented with pure essential oils and a custom blend of uplifting plantbased terpenes riff on 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. Get that jelly, baby.

Crispy Commission x Smash Hits Concentrates Collaboration

If you were ever curious about concentrates, your day has come. If you are a seasoned cannabis consumer, your day, too, has come and smiles brightly upon you. Enter Crispy Commission x Smash Hits cannabis collab, featuring live sugars, crumbles, cured budder, badder, wax, and live sauces using

strains like Blue Cookies (Blue Dream x Lilac Cookies) or Lemon Dawg (Lemon OG Haze x Stardawg Corey Cut x Urkle x Tresdawg) and Biscotti Star (Biscotti Mintz x Stardawg Corey Cut x Hippy Slayer). Also that salty discharge rolling down your cheek right now is called “tear of joy”.

Half Smash Stash

Remember when you read about the Smash Stash 28g ounce of prerolled Smash Hits strain varieties, color coded for effect and at the ready at Canna Provisions stores? These are the halfsies version, which you can land in varieties of all indica or all sativa, each with two strains per jar. Blue Dream and Zour Diesel jar? Sure. Chocolate Peaches and Chem’s Fruit Stand? Why not? Life is about variety, friends.

Choice Chews Strawberry Lemonade Gummies

Choice Chews are one of those brands that once you lock eyes on the packaging you say something to the effect of “hey that’s pretty” then followed by “I would like to eat what is in there”, and the last part comes after learning they are strawberry lemonade flavored, and were formulated to give you a punchy, uplifting energetic effect.

Smash Hits Value Zips

An ounce. The hallowed measuring unit of choice when coming across some quality craft cannabis grown with love by a legend and his team. So when you figure out that the Smash Hits Value Zips options are whole buds, smaller buds, and shake, you can land insane value propositions involving strains like the classic heavy hitter sativa Chile Colombian Gold (pictured). Beyond the value proposition of “more weed is what I value”.

Dognanaz

A treat if there was one. Take two classic flavor and effect heavyweights like Chem 91 and Banana OG. Smash together those genetics, keep all the overripe banana aroma and flavor, kush sweetness and deep gassy petrol and diesel funk fumes from both, and then grow it all in small batches in the Berkshires of Western Mass. That would make a great creation. Luckily Chemdog and his Smash Hits cannabis crew did it, called it Dognanaz, and you can land some right now.

she’s a knockout Nature’s Heritage launches new flower strain—and

Among the billions of cannabis seeds in the world, Nature’s Heritage has discovered a new treasure. The Massachusetts cultivator is releasing Nature’s Snake this spring and the company says it is a stunner.

“It’s a cross of cherry pie, animal cookies and pineapple,” said Tami Kirlis, brand director, Nature’s Heritage. “She’s got dense buds with a heavy coating of frosty trichomes and mixed with beautiful shades of green and purple. It’s a knockout.”

Kirlis said the new strain is an indica leaning hybrid with properties that offer relief and relaxation but do not induce sleep, drowsiness or an appetite.

“She’s really high in THC—30%— and a minor cannabinoid called CBGa, which creates a nice, full-body high that alleviates stress, anxiety and pain,” said Kirlis. The strain appears in jars, pre-rolls, concentrates and live rosin.

Snake’s Cake is a rare find, appearing in Maine but no other New England state, said Kirlis.

“It’s really hard to grow so it’s really hard to find. I had not heard of it before, but people who are from New England, and already know the strain out of Maine, will be really excited about it,” she predicted.

Nature’s Heritage is a cultivator, not a breeder, with connections to seed banks all over the world. Finding this

“People who love cannabis, love being able to try new strains. Most people know cherry pie, animal cookies and pineapple expressions. When they find out about the genetics, they’re going to be excited to try Snake’s Cake.”

- Tami Kirlis

brand director, Nature’s Heritage

“Most people know cherry pie, animal cookies and pineapple expressions. When they find out about the genetics, they’re going to be excited to try Snake’s Cake.”

Kirlis hails from the footwear industry, sneakers to be exact, and she’s no stranger to product launches. When she stepped away from sneakers, she began looking forward to revealing new products to the cannabis industry.

“It’s fun not only to introduce a new strain to the market,” she said, “but to go through the process of bringing it to life.”

new strain has been icing on the cake.

“We have a lot of connections and access to different seed banks, along with our own seed library. This one was from another source,” said Kirlis.

Over the years, hundreds of canna-

bis dispensaries have popped-up in the Bay State, and they feature a dizzying array of products. Kirlis is confident Snake’s Cake will stand out, even in this crowded market.

“People who love cannabis, love being able to try new strains,” she said.

Nature’s Heritage expects to launch Snake’s Cake on April 20. A listing of where the flower and its associated products are sold in Massachusetts appears at naturesheritagecannabis.com

Cannabis use over Age 50 A Primer

It doesn’t take a team of lab coat and clipboard outfitted experts in order to understand a simple truism applicable to Gen X-ers right through to the gamut of the Boomer generation when it comes to cannabis. That truth: Many older adults are turning to legal products later in life with the continued expansion of state-legal cannabis operations across the United States.

From consumers reporting benefits to quality of life, daily living activities, reductions in pain and opioid use, as well as increased physical activity (itself a repute of long held stereotypes of cannabis consumers), the increasing shift of the 55+ demographic turning to cannabis and products for managing sleep, pain, and anxiety can be attributed to several key points derived from recent studies and data. And as more and more research continues to mount showing improvements in quality of life, reductions in pain and opioid use, and changing opinions and stigmas, older generations are having more frank discussions with their peers, friends, and medical professionals on usage and general information.

A study highlighted by NORML (Na-

tional Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) found that half of the baby boomers surveyed (ages 56 to 74) who consumed cannabis defined their use as “medicinal”. A 2020 study out of UC San Diego Health found that 61% of cannabis-using patients began after the age of 60, seeking out the benefits of products like edibles and topicals. Data from Biomedicines medical journal in 2023 found the use of medical cannabis in patients 65+ was found to have no decrease in daily living activities in older adults, but rather found that cannabis usage as a treatment was associated with improvements in the “GDS [Geriatric Depression Scale], as well as a reduction in pain and opioid use.”

In spite of some perceptions, there is no difference between “medical” cannabis and “recreational” or “adult-use” cannabis in legal markets beyond THC limits in products, taxes, and daily product purchase amounts allowed by law (i.e.: recreational consumers are limited to purchasing one ounce of flower per day where medical consumes can purchase up to 10 ounces).

As cannabis continues to rise in popularity and interest with older

demographics, so do products rise in the marketplace associated with aging, chronic pain, sleep disturbances, and anxiety. A New Frontier Data report found that products like edibles, topicals, and vaporizers are some of the most frequent and popular products consumers 55+ regularly seek out and purchase. More older Americans use cannabis now than before the pandemic, even.

Which doesn’t mean a lack of ongoing caution and data collection. With 1 in 8 adults reporting using cannabis products, a 2023 finding in a journal from the team at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Healthcare Policy and innovation reported 12% of adults saying they’ve consumed a THC-containing substance in the past year and 4% saying they do so multiple times a week, this according to people aged 50 to 80, emphasizing consumers need (and want) for safety and efficacy in research and product development in the legal cannabis space.

However, lack of consumer education is regularly discussed as a barrier for some adults curious about the products available to them and legal busi-

nesses in their state. It is no different in the Commonwealth.

To remedy that, below is a sampling of three product categories most popular with the 55+ crowd and a few products easily found at stores in Western Massachusetts like Canna Provisions in Holyoke and Lee.

SLEEP

EDIBLES

By far and away the most familiar and popular for consumers, comprising 49% of most frequently purchased products for the 55+ age group in 2023 according to New Frontier Research data, as well as a reported 58% saying edibles were their favorite product in general to seek out.

Looking for sleep aids? There are chews and gummies to learn about, like Betty’s Eddies Bedtime taffy chews, Zzonked gummies with Melatonin, THC and CBN, as well as Wana gummies like the fast-acting “Stay Asleep” formula.

Drinks like WYNK and LEVIA seltzers, or the Doctor Durban cola and Haze lemon/lime sodas from Smash Hits cannabis for a refreshing and sweet treat dosed with THC and strain specific terpenes. Want more treats? Try the Bubby’s baked goods, and other cookies and brownie mixes like Clebby’s.

to increase circulation and vibrance in your mojo. Also: Passionfruit chews by Betty’s that use full spectrum cannabis and a blend of natural aphrodisiacs like horny goat weed, maca root, and more.

PAIN TOPICALS

Topicals are a fast and discreet way to enjoy the benefits of cannabinoids without the psychoactive aspects that result in the “high” feeling, as the effects are transdermally absorbed to impact the muscles and nerves.

Nordic Goddess - A menthol-infused THC topical using nano technology to target your muscle fibers and be a

Treeworks - The Treeworks Canna Cream is packed with medicinal herbs, healing oils, and as a THC and CBD balm it’s perfect for nursing a sore joint, tending to a sting or an itch, or even applying on bruised flesh for some topical relief.

The Healing Rose - A small, Massachusetts born company that’s woman-owned and deploying CBD balms of various strengths (and just won at the 2024 NECANN Cup awards) the all Massachusetts grown hemp derived CBD and special combina tions of natural oils and minor cannabinoids like CBC are a boon to the

ANXIETY TINCTURES

Tinctures are a fast and simple way to use cannabis, requiring a few drops to be placed under your tongue and left there for a minute or two to absorb in the soft tissue there, for fast effects. Also great for adding to food for DIY edibles at home.

Bay State Extracts Blackout drops using special combinations of plant-extracted minor cannabinoids for inspiring different effects, from focus to deep sleep.

Treeworks drops are infused with full spectrum RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) which is a full plant extract concentrate providing all the benefits of the plant material for different formulations and effects.

Howl’s uses a 3,000 year old process of whole plant infusion into organic avocado oil, meaning all of the beneficial cannabinoids, bio-available compounds, and plant oils on the source material for each line (energy, balance, sleep) end up in the tinctures and eventually your body.

BY BY DANA FORSYTHE AND CHRIS FARAONE PHOTO ISTOCK

10 details about synthetic

to help you navigate the parallel hempisphere in Massachusetts

The issue of hemp-derived cannabinoids that get you stoned—and that are sold outside of the highly regulated Massachusetts weed-licensing apparatus—is quickly heating up. Before moving ahead with the rest of this series, here’s some information about THC synthetics that will come in handy for wrapping your head around a labyrinthine situation which has been emerging coast to coast for years, and which recently arrived in force on shelves across the Bay State …

The primary psychotropic ingredient in cannabis as people have historically encountered it is delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the most

potent and well-known cannabinoid naturally occurring in high concentrations in cannabis plants, namely the flower buds. delta-9 THC tiggers a high by bonding with and overwhelming the body’s endocannabinoid receptors. While hemp’s primary property, CBD, won’t get you stoned on its own, it can be converted into synthetic versions of other cannabinoids, including delta-9 THC, that do get you stoned. One conversion process involves the introduction of a solvent, such as toluene or heptane, and a strong acid. The resulting THC is (hopefully) then purified, cleansed of unwanted byproducts, and tested by a lab.

The 2018 US Agriculture Improvement Act (aka the Farm Bill) legalized hemp and hemp-derived products and extracts, specifically those with a total tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) level of 0.3% or less on a dry-weight basis, by removing hemp from the list of prohibited controlled substances. Since then,

synthetic THC-infused beverages and edibles have surfaced across the country, mostly in liquor and convenience stores. A lot of companies will even ship to you.

In states like Texas that haven’t legalized cannabis or have strict prohibitions against natural THC, products containing the synthetic delta-8 THC are legal and sold openly, sometimes with minimal restrictions or oversight, in major liquor and retail stores. delta-8 is known to lack the same desired effects of traditional THC. It differs from delta-9 THC in molecular structure, and because of its lower binding affinity to the CB1 receptor, the result is typically lower psychotropic potency. Because delta-8 THC is less potent than delta-9, Christopher Hudalla of ProVerde Labs in Milford said he frequently sees much larger doses in any given product: “Producers understand that delta-8 THC is only 20-50% the intoxicating power as delta-9 THC. So

in order to equalize this, we frequently see delta-8 THC products which are much higher so they can compete with Delta-9 products. A normal delta-9 THC dose is 5 to 10mg per unit. For delta-8 THC, it is not uncommon to see a dose that is 100, 400, or up to 800 mg of delta-8 THC. That would be equivalent to a 400mg dose of delta-9 THC, and I believe this is one of the reasons so many children end up in the ER.”

In addition to dodging most oversight, delta-8 can be produced much cheaper than delta-9. With that relatively low entry cost—one person interviewed for this series said that garage hemp-conversion ops are the “new meth labs”—the former has fueled the rush on the widely maligned subcategory of “gas station gummies.” These products are especially attractive to people in prohibition states, and in an adult-use state like Mass, to minors who can’t shop at dispensaries and price-conscious consumers looking to save money.

While synthetic sips have been all the rage across the Bible Belt and Midwest since before pandemic shutdowns, in some states with legal cannabis like Massachusetts, beverage distributors have only recently started stocking drinks made with hemp-derived delta-9 THC, selling them in places other than regulated dispensaries which sell similar drinks made from natural cannabis. They are also showing up in bars and restaurants.

States with medical and adult-use marijuana programs like Mass require extensive costly lab testing for licensed brands that sell products on the regulated market, but companies that sell the hemp alternatives in question don’t have to follow those protocols (though many do adhere to agricultural and other requirements in their own states, and often include testing information on their products, in some cases QR codes that trace to specific batch numbers).

Hudalla of ProVerde Labs explained that there is still critical research that

needs to be done about many of the hemp-derived spinoff cannabinoids showing up in lab tests—from delta-11 THC, to THCP, which is advertised as having 30 times the strength of regular weed, to something called CBNO. Some synthetics, he said, contain up to 30 contaminants.

This is only the beginning of a moving situation that’s unraveling around synthetic THC in the commonwealth. Chatter is begetting outrage, with CCC-licensed companies speaking out against what they see as questionable business practices, and hemp advocates defending themselves, from social media all the way to Beacon Hill.  With this handy background reference guide, hopefully you can more easily digest the delta drama as it continues to unfold.

Article published in coordination with Talking Joints Memo. You can read their cannabis content daily at talkingjointsmemo.com

Trusting science nerds

in Westfield to make sure cannabis is safe

When cannabis growers send out their products for safety testing—as mandated by the Cannabis Control Commission—Megan Dobro and her team at SafeTiva cannabis testing labs in Westfield are giving the batches a close examination.

The self-proclaimed group of “science nerds” is testing to make sure the cannabis products are free of pesticides, solvents, heavy metals or any microbial contaminants. The examinations also test for potency. The stated goal of the testing is to ensure everything is safe for consumers.

“We test all cannabis products including flower, concentrates, extracts, infusions, vapes and associated media,”

said Dobro, SafeTiva founder and CEO.

SafeTiva is an independent testing laboratory, which was founded in 2022. The operation does not sell or produce any cannabis products. The business conducts all of the compliance testing Massachusetts requires of cannabis products.

“For each of our testing criteria, the state has limits on how much is allowable in each batch. We report the results on a certificate of analysis we send to our clients and the state,” she said.

Failing the test

Dobro said the overall failure rate is around 15% with batches more likely

to fail for the presence of microbes than anything else.

“Massachusetts has very tight restrictions and it’s very difficult when you’re growing in soil, especially if you’re outdoors, to have products completely free of microbial contamination. We expect some level of bacterial cells to be present,” she said.

There are more than a dozen testing labs in Massachusetts, according to Dobro. Even though the labs are all testing for the same contaminants, results can vary widely from one lab to another, said Dobro.

“Every lab has different techniques they use that come with different failure rates, which is one of the problems

in our industry. There isn’t a standard practice across laboratories,” she said.

To complicate things further, Dobro said rules that the labs are trying to follow are unclear.

“The regulations are vague and so a lot is left to interpretation of the lab. The state doesn’t specify how we handle samples, what machines we use or what platforms for microbial testing we can use,” she said.

Even with so much open for interpretation and various testing protocols, Dobro doesn’t have major concerns the inconsistences are allowing tainted cannabis to reach consumers.

“I’m moderately concerned. People have been smoking weed that hasn’t been tested for a very, very long time and it’s not typically something that leads to poor health outcomes. I believe regulated cannabis is a lot safer than black market cannabis,” she said.

Testing the test

SafeTiva has a range of standards and practices in place to ensure testing accuracy, said Dobro. “We employ a full-time quality specialist to check our processes and compare ourselves to other labs along with state and national averages.”

“We also watch for trends within our own lab to make sure we’re producing results that we’re confident are accurate,” stated Dobro.

Beyond testing cannabis against state standards, SafeTiva also evaluates

cannabis and issues reports that help growers refine their operations and create better products.

“We do some deeper dives into microbial contaminants to help facilities understand if they have a contamination, and what the nature of that contamination is. We have additional services that include recommendations we can provide to them—here are your next steps,” she said.

While Dobro shares ownership with other investors, the business is designated woman founded and led, which gives her great pride.

“It’s pretty rare for women to have leadership roles in the cannabis industry. It’s something I never saw for myself or thought I could do when I considered opening a testing lab,” she said.

“There have been many times along this journey where I’ve pinched myself and wondered how did this happen? It was a serious leap of faith to do it,” continued Dobro.

In a highly competitive industry, the time it takes to get products to market is critical. Dobro said speed is one of SafeTiva’s key differentiators. She states the business’s customers receive lab results within 48 hours of testing.

“We have the fastest turnaround time in the state. We worked really hard on our workflow, efficiency and invested in newer technologies to be able to do that. We help our clients get products to market faster than anybody else, and that’s been another feather in our cap,” she indicated.

With 13 employees, Dobro said SafeTiva is still a small company where, “Everyone wears a lot of hats.”

When she founded the company, she was the only one in the building and hers was the only lunch in the refrigerator. She is now sharing space with more than a dozen others, and there are many cars in the parking lot.

“There were days when it was just me sitting in an empty building dreaming of what this could become. Now it’s become a bustling company that provides a service I’m really proud of,” said Dobro. “It’s great to look back on that journey and see all that we’ve accomplished.”

Drinking up the good vibes of cannabis and electrolyte beverages

When it comes to working around the house or yard, some might cheer themselves on with boozed up beverages. But MariMed is offering an alternative to alcohol—their Vibations drink mixes are infused with cannabis and create a full spectrum of effects— from relaxation and pain relief to hydration and a boost of energy.

“It’s a blend of good vibes and the more traditional alcohol libations. Vibations is a mash up of those two words,” said Jay O’Malley, MariMed vice president of marketing and research and development.

“The product delivers advanced hydration and a variety of effects. The idea is to get you into whatever vibe you’re looking for,” he continued. “You

get there without alcohol.”

MariMed introduced its Vibations drink mixes two years ago—original flavors include strawberry lemonade, peach tangerine tea, iced tea lemonade and sugar-free pomegranate blueberry Acai.

All of the drinks are infused with full spectrum cannabis that delivers hydrating electrolytes and natural caffeine from guarana. The caffeine sharpens focus and boosts energy.

NEW FLAVORS

Using those original flavors as a platform, MariMed is now launching new flavors that feature the same benefits. Offerings include tropical punch and sugar-free lemon lime. For consum-

ers who want a caffeine-free option, guarana is replaced by the energizing cannabinoid THCV.

“I spent 25 years in the beer business so I have nothing against alcohol, but this product is completely opposite of the benefits that alcohol delivers. Alcohol is a depressant,” said O’Malley.

“Vibations hydrates, which is completely different than alcohol, which is a dehydrant to your system,” he continued.

“We’re hydrating you to energize you for whatever you’re after, which could be going for a run, doing yoga or spring cleaning your garage—those tasks you just don’t want to do. But this gives you that motivation to get it all done,” said O’Malley.

Second only to water, tea is the most consumed beverage in the world, with 159 million Americans drinking the hot and tasty byproduct of leaves from the camellia sinensis plant. Drinkers find chamomile tea to be especially relaxing. MariMed is adding berry chamomile tea infused with CBN to the Vibations line. CBN is a cannabinoid that O’Malley says “promotes a better night’s sleep, to leave consumers replenished and energized.”

MariMed is a multi-state manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer of several cannabis-based brands including edibles, baked confections and flowers. The company also operates a total of 12 dispensaries in Massachusetts, Ohio, Illinois and Maryland.

O’Malley says all drinks in the Vibations line are made from non-pharmaceutical, natural ingredients.

Each flavor comes in powder form as a drink mix. O’Malley says the pouches are easy to pack and car-

ry—consumers can make the drink as strong or weak as they want it to be.

“If you’re going on a hike or to the gym and want to refresh or revive, it’s easy to carry around with you. It also gives you flavor control. If you use a little less water, you’re going to get a stronger flavor—a little more water, a lighter flavor, depending on what your preference is,” said O’Malley.

COST TO CONSUMERS

Making and packaging the drink as a mix reduces the cost to consumers because manufacturing, packaging and delivery expenses are lower for beverages in pouches than in bottles or cans,” said the company.

“On average, a 12 ounce can of a cannabis beverage, say five milligrams here in Massachusetts, is going to run five to seven dollars for one can. We

When you have the right amount of cannabis in you, THC actually focuses you into whatever task you’re about to go after.”

- Jay O’Malley

MariMed vice president of marketing and research and development

sell these in 10 packs that retail for $15 to $18.

There are competitive athletic drinks on the market that offer electrolytes along with hydrating and energizing effects. But O’Malley says the key differentiator is the full spectrum cannabis infused into Vibations.

“Counter to what people said 30 years ago during the war on drugs, cannabis actually delivers a lot of focus. When you have the right amount of cannabis in you, THC actually focuses you into whatever task you’re about to go after,” said O’Malley.

“If you’re focused on running and breathing, a climb or cleaning out the garage, you stay focused and you finish the job,” he continued.

It is fairly common for sports and fitness enthusiasts to push themselves hard, enduring fatigue and inflammation—following the old school mantra, ‘no pain, no gain.’ O’Malley says cannabis drinks are refocusing the message.

“Cannabis helps with inflammation, pain reduction and energy from minor cannabinoids like THC. Cannabis helps athletes stay focused. It blocks that desire to stop early or quit before you get to the finish line that might come from pain, soreness or boredom on a long run.

MariMed is not only introducing new products, but also evolving and improving the first four. The beneficial traits are stronger and faster acting, kicking in after just 15 minutes, not 30-40.

“You do not have to drink it so much earlier before a workout or exercise or anything you’re doing. It also helps consumers understand, as they’re consuming it, how it’s affecting them in much more real time, so they can choose to have a full beverage or half a beverage or whatever they want,” said O’Malley,

There is a segment of the population O’Malley calls the “canna-curious,” people who have heard good things about cannabis but have yet to try it.

Drinking alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages is part of the American way, so with people used to imbibing, O’Malley says beverages are an obvious and easy way for them to try what everyone’s talking about. For those who don’t want to light up, it’s bottom’s up as they satisfy their cannabis curiosity.

Visit marimedinc.com/locations for more information including product availability and store locations.

BY GIOVANNI CAVALLINI PHOTOS ISTOCK

TCannabis

eryday, and one of the fastest growing industries is rapidly evolving with the times. The Cannabis industry is breaking through with new inventions to take consuming recreationally and medicinally to new heights with products that many haven’t even thought were possibly, until now.

With hundreds of different ways to consume cannabis, people are searching for the cleanist consumption methods to prolong their health and longevity. Concentrates have been on the forefront of new innovations and now people are searching for cleaner ways to produce those products by avoiding chemicals such as ethanol, propane, and butane. Besides hashish, some of the first concentrates to be mass produced from cannabis on the market were derived from solvent-based extractions such as Hydrocarbon Extraction, sometimes referred to as Butane Hash Oil (BHO), Carbon

Vegetable-Oil extractions. The first known article referring to at-home creation of cannabis concentrates is from the website Erowid, in May of 1999 referring to how to create Honey Hash Oil using the The Boffo Butane-PVC Hash Oil Extractor technique. These methods proved to be extremely flammable and dangerous to the inexperienced scientist, leading to tons of explosions and fires at homes, garages, and DIY labs.

While manufacturers claim they remove almost all of the harsh chemicals from their products, approximately .0012% of those chemicals may cling onto the remaining product, essentially diluting the batch. Not enough to justify destroying everything, but similar to placing a grain of salt in a five (5) gallon jug of water, the result is almost unnoticed. Although the traces of solvents are nearly undetectable, the question still remains, what am I

to create new methods of extraction that are deemed, by many, cleaner.

With the help of the internet, consumers have been testing and experimenting with newer ways to create the concentrates they’ve grown to love and cherish. With those new experiments, comes the creation of solventless extractions. Solvent-free is another way of describing the same concept of avoiding using solvents to separate the plant material from the cannabinoids we know and love. One of the most popular solventless extraction methods used by many organizations is Rosin-Pressed cannabis, followed by Ice Water extraction.

Rosin-Pressed cannabis is done by using some of the oldest techniques, pressure and heat. At home connoisseurs are familiar with using a hair straightener to achieve the basic principles. Apply a low heat and an abundant amount of pressure to extract the can-

nabinoids from the starting material. Fresh frozen flowers have been scientifically studied to provide and preserve the most cannabinoids and terpenes. Because cannabinoids are so sensitive, keeping the flower at a cold temperature immediately after being chopped down, gives the plant the best chance at preserving those delicate terpenes. Dried cannabis can also be used in this method, but for a finer quality, using kief will produce a higher concentration of total active cannabinoids (TAC).

Ice Water extraction is extremely similar to other methods, except for using cold water as the solvent, and agitating the trichomes enough to fully separate from the plant material. This method results in a very pale looking concentrate (hash). Because of the color, it gives a visual representation of a cleaner product. Not only does solventless extractions result in a different color product, many claim the quality of cannabis is higher due to the lower temperatures. Preserving those delicate cannabinoids is essential to recreating a robust flavor profile for the user to experience.

The biggest difference between solvent-based and solventless is the safety factor. Using solventless extraction methods are far more safe than using propane, ethanol, or butane because there are no volatile chemicals involved in the process. Closed-looped systems are safer and accomplished by using high quality machines designed for the purpose of creating cannabis concentrates. A closed-looped system is when the manufacturer has the ability to safely remove solvents from the equation with the benefit of recycling and reusing the solvents for further use. This saves time, money, and effort, but also allows for a safer work environment.

Bountiful Farms is dropping a limited edition series of Live Rosin Drops. It’s a cold cure blend whipped into a soft budder for easy scooping.

Cleaner cannabis can be achieved by using solventless extraction methods that are now known to be safer and come with a higher quality of cannabinoids and terpenes. If you’re looking to indulge in some of these solventless products be sure to check out your local dispensary and ask about Rosin, Live-Rosin, Ice Hash, or Dry-Sift Hash. Nova Farms has created an easy transition into the solventless world by creating and producing Hashables, cube shaped “bites” that are infused with solventless hash rosin. It blends edibles and hash rosin into one flavorful product for consumers to enjoy. Coming in four (4) different flavors, Tropical Typhoon, Peachy Mango, Watermelon Jolt, and Bangin’ Berry, something for all taste palates.

For those a bit more experienced in the concentrate world, Rove Labs has produced a new line of products, Diamond Series, a fresh-frozen extract that is sure to knock the socks off even the experienced dabber. According to their website RoveBrand.com, “Our live diamonds, extracted from fresh frozen flowers, use a gradual separation process where the THC solidifies, creating large faceted diamond-like crystals while also forming a liquid-like high terpene extract. The high potency diamond crystals are then reintroduced to a precise amount of high terpene extract,

producing the perfect dabable product”. One of their popular strain names is the infamous Pineapple Express, coming in only at one (1) full gram.

Although cannabis is abundantly available, the game is still very exclusive and limited. From strains that no one can get their hands on to pioneers engineering the latest and greatest products for consumers to try. Bountiful Farms is dropping a limited edition series of Live Rosin Drops. It’s a cold cure blend whipped into a soft budder for easy scooping. The level of terpenes is extraordinarily high, even in the concentrate realm. For those special enough to get their hands on one of their strains, it can be some of the sweetest tasting terpenes currently on the market. They’ve only released three (3) drops so far, Banana Guava, Petrol Grande, and Papaya Peach.

To try any of these products, be sure to bring a valid license to your local recreational dispensary and ask a budtender/retail associate for an in depth breakdown of their current menu.

Works Cited: grantpharms.com/the-benefits-of-solventless-extracts, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6220730, frostdenverdispensary.com/dabbing-into-history-the-origin-of-cannabis-concentrates, risecannabis.com/cannabis-101/types-of-cannabis-extraction, erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_info13.shtml, cannabissciencetech.com/view/solventless-extracts-an-overview, yodabbadabba.com/dabbing-resources/solventless-cannabis-extraction, cannatechtoday.com/evolution-cannabis-concentrates, cannabisbusinesstimes.com/news/what-is-solventless-extraction-purepressure

MAC

A Family Elevating Premium Cannabis with Innovation and Expansion

Nestled in the vibrant community of Chicopee, Massachusetts, Mass Alternative Care (MAC) stands as a beacon of quality and innovation in the cannabis industry. Founded in 2018 as a family endeavor, MAC’s journey has been marked by a steadfast dedication to crafting premium cannabis products tailored to both medical and recreational needs. Recently, I had the privilege of speaking with Kevin Collins Jr., the company’s Chief Financial Officer, who shed light on MAC’s evolution and expansion.

ROOTS AND RESILIENCE

“At MAC, our roots run deep,” Collins affirms. “From our inception, we’ve been driven by a commitment to our community and a passion for cannabis.” What began as a modest venture focused primarily on medicinal applications has blossomed into a multifaceted enterprise catering to diverse consumer preferences.

CRAFTSMANSHIP AND COMMUNITY

Central to MAC’s values is its unwavering commitment to craftsmanship and community engagement. “We take pride in our handcrafted approach,” Collins explains. “Every product, from our signature flowers to our delectable edibles, is a labor of love.” Moreover, MAC’s strong ties to the local community resonate deeply with its Massachusetts origins, embodying the essence of a true family business.

INNOVATION AND EXPANSION

In a bold move indicative of its commitment to growth, MAC recently embarked on a transformative expansion initiative. “In 2024, we tripled our production capacity,” reveals Collins. “We spared no effort in constructing a cutting-edge cultivation and production facility from the ground up.” This stateof-the-art facility boasts triple the canopy space, enabling MAC to produce an unprecedented volume of high-quality cannabis products.

QUALITY AND DIFFERENTIATION

Despite its exponential growth, MAC remains steadfast in its pursuit of excellence. “Quality is non-negotiable,” asserts Collins. “Our expansion hasn’t compromised our commitment to crafting premium products.” By leveraging innovative cultivation techniques and stringent quality control measures, MAC continues to set itself apart in an increasingly competitive market.

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

MAC’s dedication to excellence has not gone unnoticed. “Recently, at the New England Cannabis Convention in Boston, we were honored with seven prestigious awards,” Collins shares

proudly. These accolades reaffirm MACs position as a leader in the Massachusetts cannabis landscape. “Specifically, our products were recognized for their outstanding quality, with awards bestowed upon our Full Spectrum RSO Infused Edibles, Full Spectrum RSO Infused Honey, prerolled flower, and our well-fed flower.” From impeccable flowers to tantalizing edibles, MAC’s products have consistently garnered acclaim for their unrivaled quality and potency.

LOOKING AHEAD

As MAC charts a course for the future, its vision remains clear: to redefine the standards of high-quality cannabis while staying true to its roots. “We’re excited about what the future holds,” says Col- lins. “With our expanded production capacity and unwavering dedication to quality, the possibilities are limitless.”

In an industry marked by rapid evolution and innovation, Mass Alternative Care stands as a shining example of resilience, craftsmanship, and community spirit. With its recent expansion heralding a new chapter of growth and opportunity, MAC continues to embody the essence of excellence in the world of top tier cannabis—a testament to its unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and the Massachusetts community it proudly serves.

Wsleep

hen talking with various dispen saries throughout Massachu setts, many shared that when custom ers come in, the main thing they are seeking assistance with is sleep.

While there are countless cannabis products tailored to this specific area, what are the overall benefits and risks of ingesting cannabis for sleep?

According to the Sleep Foundation, “Around 70% of young adults that casually use cannabis report that they do so to help them sleep.” Among longterm cannabis users – 10 years or more – about half use cannabis to improve their sleep. For those who use cannabis for medical reasons such as pain relief, about 85% say it improves their sleep (Sleep Foundation).

“Research into cannabis as a sleep aid is still developing. Cannabis may help relieve insomnia when used occa sionally, though researchers are unsure whether long-term use is ultimately beneficial or detrimental for sleep quali ty,” (Sleep Foundation).

While everyone’s experience with cannabis is unique, consumers with certain conditions have seen improvements in their sleep. This includes, but is not limited to, chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder and multiple sclerosis. If an individual with these conditions consumes cannabis, it may help them fall asleep faster, wake up less frequently and see improved

“Many people use cannabis to selftreat insomnia, anxiety and pain. Among these users, the effectiveness of cannabis for sleep is more ambivalent, though a study conducted on individuals with insomnia found that many participants reported relief from their symptoms when using cannabis,” (Sleep Founda-

On the other hand, some studies revealed that daily cannabis users are more likely to report more sleep problems than non-daily, occasional or people who do not use cannabis at all. So how does cannabis help with sleep?

One of the most common cannabis strains, indica, can leave consumers feeling relaxed and sleepy. Because of its effects, it may be the best cannabis strain for sleep.

Well, the answer is, “When cannabinoids bind to these receptors, they send messages to increase levels of sleep-promoting adenosine and suppress the brain’s arousal system. Together, these effects may help cannabis users feel sedated or sleepy,” (Sleep Foundation).

Typically, the THC in cannabis acts as a sedative, but it can also have a stimulating effect for some – especially new users or ones taking higher doses. Therefore, in these cases, using cannabis before bed may prolong falling asleep.

“CBD appears to promote alertness at lower doses and sleepiness at higher doses,” (Sleep Foundation). “The effects of the two compounds together may depend on the dose and timing.” CBD and THC may also have perks for chronic conditions that disrupt sleep. “For example, synthetic forms of THC have shown potential for treating obstructive sleep apnea, reducing PTSD-related nightmares and improving sleep for people living with chronic pain. CBD, on the other hand, may reduce symptoms of [rapid eye movement] sleep behavior disorder and excessive daytime sleepiness,” (Sleep Foundation).

When using cannabis to assist with sleep, effects are dependent on the type of cannabis.

One of the most common cannabis strains, indica, can leave consumers feeling relaxed and sleepy. Because of its effects, it may be the best cannabis strain for sleep.

“Used on a short-term basis, cannabis may help you fall asleep faster. Health experts generally do not recommend using sleep aids, including cannabis, on a long-term basis, because of their potential to negatively impact your sleep quality and cause other side effects,” (Sleep Foundation).

For those who use cannabis as a long-term sleep aid, studies indicate that they develop a tolerance to its effects and may need to take more to obtain the results they are looking for. Long-term and heavy users may experience sleep consequences such as less sleep overall, less time spent in deep sleep, longer time to fall asleep and waking up frequently (Sleep Foundation).

Whether you decide to incorporate cannabis into your sleep schedule is up to you. As always, it is important to consult a doctor or even a budtender, to make sure you are doing what is best for you.

Sleep tight!

Reference: sleepfoundation.org/sleep-aids/cannabis-and-sleep

Insa expands operations to Connecticut

With hopes of attracting new customers and providing a more convenient location for cannabis consumers across state lines, Insa, a vertically integrated, independent cannabis company, is set to open two Connecticut locations this spring.

Insa has identified the two locations as Hartford and New Haven, two of the most populated and frequented cities in the state.

The Hartford location, 167 Brainard Rd., is adjacent to the former Chowder Pot restaurant, an iconic Connecticut establishment that closed in 2023. According to Sara Sullivan, vice president of retail at Insa, the Hartford location has easy on and off access from Interstate 91 and the site has ample parking. “It’s really easy for customers to find us and to shop with us,” Sullivan said.

In New Haven, Insa will be at the intersection of I-91 and Interstate 95, at the former Long Wharf Theatre, 222 Sargent Dr.

Like Hartford, Sullivan said the New Haven location has the same easy on and off access with the highway, considerable parking and a “really large

space” that has given Insa the ability to “have some fun with.”

Peter Gallagher, CEO and co-founder of Insa, grew up in Springfield and often traveled to Hartford for various events, along with dining at his favorite restaurants.

Gallagher noted that a good number of customers from Hartford – and other parts of Connecticut – have visited Insa stores in Massachusetts. He described this as a “crossover” with the desire to expand Insa operations into Connecticut.

“[There is] desire to continue to expand our business into new markets and service our customers in more convenient locations in Connecticut,” Gallagher said.

Both locations will open with retail only in 2024, followed by a production and corporation license. Gallagher shared that the goal is to “build that out” in 2025.

Sullivan said Insa is starting with the Hartford retail first because of the awareness of Insa and adjacency to its Springfield location.

Following approval, the Hartford location was scheduled to open at the

end of March or beginning of April –after the CRQ deadline.

“We are going to open the Hartford [location] and get it operational and make sure it’s a well-oiled machine before we shift focus to then getting New Haven open,” Sullivan said. She predicted that there would be about a month to a month and a half between the two openings.

When asked about some of the challenges faced with opening these new stores, Gallagher said it has been difficult for Insa to source product and inventory in Connecticut, in conjunction with opening on time with a “big, broad assortment.” Although Insa has been effective at doing that, comparing Connecticut to Massachusetts, he explained that Massachusetts has a more “mature” market where Insa operates.

Gallagher went on to say that they can typically stock a store “very quickly and easily,” but in Connecticut, it has taken a little bit of time. “[We] had to place the orders, make sure inventory and the certain products are there that are going to be good sellers in the store,” he said.

As cannabis did not become legal

in Connecticut until 2021, the world of weed is still relatively new to the state. While dispensaries seem to be popping up everywhere in Massachusetts, that is not yet the case in Connecticut. Nonetheless, Gallagher shared that he does not think the state will have a shortage of dispensaries.

When using the term dispensary, Gallagher refers to a retail outlet. “I think that right now, where there’s a shortage in the Connecticut market is in the cultivation and production side of things,” he said. “And I think it does hurt us … It makes it even more challenging if you don’t have the inventory to support that business.”

He continued, “We’ve been through these cycles before in other markets where you have an increase in demand, and you have supply shortages, and you just have [to roll with it].”

Gallagher believes that is what’s happening in Connecticut. Later this year, he thinks people will see a number of growers come on line and start to be able to supply the market, he shared.

“We’re excited to bring the Insa experience to Connecticut,” Sullivan said. “The look and feel of our retail dispensaries will look very similar to what we have in Springfield. It’s that really open and inviting environment. We’re [going to] continue to build on our customer journey which allows us to really meet the customer where they are on their cannabis journey.”

Sullivan described the process of shopping at Insa as a “very seamless,” “get in and out” process.

“For those that want the full experience that are new to cannabis, they have the ability to partner with one of Insa’s retail associates for a fully aided shopping experience. [An associate] can take them through product displays to show their options, can talk through the benefits, ask any questions they might have,” she explained. “Insa also has a hybrid model for someone who might want to ask some questions but be more private about what they are purchasing. [We] have retail kiosks where people can place their order and then pick [it] up.”

“We’ve been through these cycles before in other markets where you have an increase in demand, and you have supply shortages, and you just have [to roll with it].”

- Peter Gallagher CEO and co-founder of Insa

with what the regulations will allow Insa to sell and manufacture in Connecticut versus Massachusetts, so the menus will not be identical. Still, Gallagher said they are doing their best in trying to bring the whole Insa experience, which includes the great service offered to the retail experience, all the way through to the products in the Connecticut market.

In addition to Connecticut, Insa has recently expanded its operations to Florida and Ohio.

“State by state, it continues to evolve, and we get better, and it’s been really fun to watch the brand grow,” Sullivan said.

She continued, “We’re launching with our great experience so I’m super excited to bring that to the Connecticut customer. But I know when you pair that with our products, that’s

Sullivan expressed excitement of providing that flexibility for the Connecticut customer. She added that Insa provides an “approachable experience” that allows customers to spend as much as time as they want shopping around.

“It really is about being welcoming to all types of customers,” said Sullivan. Because Insa does not have cultivation production on line in Connecticut, the new stores will only carry third party brands to start with. When the cultivation production is brought on line next year, Gallagher said they should be able to supply Insa products.

He explained that there are nuances

where the real magic happens …. So, I’m looking forward to our experience and our products continuing to evolve and be able to offer our Insa products in Connecticut,” Sullivan said.

Gallagher echoed Sullivan’s point and said they are excited to open and create more options in Connecticut.

Insa, which started in Springfield, was founded in 2013 by Gallagher and Pat Gottschlicht.

The company has wide distribution through wholesale partners across Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.

To learn more about Insa, visit insa.com

Microdosing and minding the dose

It’s easy to be confused by the abundance of numbers and percentages shown on the packaging of products found in dispensaries. Whether it’s THC, CBD, THCA, or lesser known cannabinoids like CBN and CBG, there’s no wonder consumers are sticking to “well-known” products they’ve heard about online or from their local budtenders because it has high THC numbers as compared to something else, and receiving subpar results. Each person’s body reacts differently to the entourage effect of cannabinoids, and with the wide range of products consistently hitting the mar-

ket, it’s important to find products that work for you and your lifestyle.

Many people are giving microdosing a try - with the idea that consuming a small dosage will produce creativity and productivity, without any of the negative side effects that can be associated.

Microdosing is the act of taking a smaller dose than the typical average size, which in Massachusetts is a standard 5 mg per piece with a total allowed amount of 100 mg. A standard way to get your body adjusted is to take half of the smallest dose provided. Edibles like chocolates and gummies

are already broken down into small pieces equalling 5 mg and can easily be chewed or broken in half, while tinctures can be more precise due to the dropper provided.

Microdosing can be beneficial due to the ample amount of time given to your body to see how it reacts. Depending on body mass the effects can have a fast onset, but last up to 11 hours in your system, according to the popular online seed and cannabis blog, Zamnesia. It’s easy to take more if desired effects are not achieved, it can be a lot harder to come down from a higher than normally expected dose

when you’ve over-indulged because of the flavor or sweetness.

Starting low and going slow is a common phrase used by certified dispensaries in their budtender training programs when discussing products with customers. This provides helpful guidance to ensure unwanted experiences are never achieved when enjoying cannabis. As previously mentioned, gummies, chocolates, and tinctures are a good way to start on the microdosing journey, there are other options like capsules, beverages, and inhaler sprays that can easily be broken down into smaller doses such as 2.5 mg or smaller. Some companies are now specializing in microdosing products in an attempt to help gain new consumers and providing a simple experience to begin with. Fine Fettle Dispensary has a tincture called “Day Tripper” and according to their website, is made with Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) and is made for 1 mg drops with the microdose consumer in mind. “Includes a terpene blend with uplifting effects and a mild citrus/floral taste and aromatic profile” (Fine Fettle MA). With a quick onset of 0-10 minutes, this is a great way to experiment with different dosages each day to find one that is compatible with you. Tinctures are particularly helpful for new consumers because they can be taken straight from the dropper, or mixed with other beverages to create a more pleasant and tasteful experience.

When companies provide products that can be easily microdosed, it allows for the beginner consumer to get their

Starting low and going slow is a common phrase used by certified dispensaries in their budtender training programs when discussing products with customers. This provides helpful guidance to ensure unwanted experiences are never achieved when enjoying cannabis.

feet wet into the world of cannabinoids. Mr Moxey’s was one of the first companies in Massachusetts to offer a low dose form of cannabis to hit the market. They specialize in “Artisan Mints” with different flavors with different effects. For anyone looking into microdosing cannabis, their Zen Peppermint Mints are the best way to get all of the benefits, and none of the negatives. Zen Peppermint is a 40:1 CBD to THC ratio that breaks down to 20 mg of CBD and 0.5 mg of THC per mint!

Meaning the psychoactive effects are rarely achieved, but the medicinal value is provided to your body in the form of CBD and other herbal allies, such as Damiana, Lemon Verbena, and Hemp THC. According to their website, all of their mints are low sugar, free of artificial sweeteners, flavors, and dyes, all while being vegan and gluten free.

Accurate dosing can help provide a smooth way to reach a comfortable equilibrium.

Dustin Sulak, an osteopathic physician based in Maine has been treating his patients with a uniquely small dose

of cannabis based on their individual needs. He has gone on record stating “patients are now turning to microdosing in order to treat conditions such as depression, stress, anxiety, pain, and to help improve focus and promote sleep” (Hoffman). According to studies done by Mr. Sulak, cannabis is beneficial to people at certain doses, but at a point of diminishing returns if too much is taken. He mentions anxiety being the main example, explaining “while a little cannabis can help reduce anxiety, too much can actually cause it” (Hoffman). There is a fine line of benefits to negatives when cannabis is consumed, and each person has to find where their body and mental capacities draw that line for themselves. Experimenting and learning is the only way to find out what works for you.

Works Cited: finefettle.com/massachusetts/marthas-vineyard-dispensary/recreational/products/1546892/fine-fettle-day-tripper-5oz, leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/microdosing-weed-guide, mrmoxeys.com/products/zen-peppermint-mints, verilife.com/learn/what-is-microdosing, zamnesia.com/us/ content/615-microdosing-information

How Do All These Hemp Drinks Actually Taste?

People have been asking how we personally feel about so-called synthetics that are covered by the 2018 federal Farm Bill despite getting you high like regulated weed products, it seemed natural to pass a few cans to our connoisseur cadre. Here’s what they floated back to us …

Grapefruit Twist Seltzer by Cheech and Chong’s High and Dry (Minnesota)

One of our favorites on the market, and not merely out of deference to the iconic stoner comedy duo billboarding the brand, this is an incredibly refreshing sip, every bit a thirst quencher as any ordinary bubbly refreshment in your fridge. Subtlety is the word of the day here, and while a lot of hemp drinks showing up in Mass are in line with products we’ve only seen a lot of in dispensaries over the last year, like sodas and mocktails, Cheech and Chong tackled the quintessential basic beverage, the seltzer, and they nailed it. Also available in Raspberry Highball, Citrus Sunrise, and Magic Mule flavors. cheechandchong.com

Half and Half by Trail Magic (Minnesota)

Straight from the Minnesota hotbed and home base of hemp-derived beverages, Trail Magic is just about the best damn infused drink of any kind we’ve had, whether made from natural or synthetic cannabinoids. A rare refreshing iced tea-lemonade blend that doesn’t rot your roof with residue, its ever so slight effervescence and perfectly sweet-tart taste is smooth enough to drink them one after the other. We haven’t been able to locate and sample their Berry Basil, Mimosa, or Lime Margarita varieties yet, but with this kind of sweet introduction we are eager to. drinktrailmagic.com

Ruby Grapefruit THC Seltzer by Cycling Frog (Oregon)

Even in outstanding company, and among any number of stellar seltzers, this one really stands out. And let’s be honest, that isn’t easy to do on increasingly crowded shelves. Cycling Frog may have pedaled ahead of competitors by being one of the first to crash the mass market (as well as the Mass market,

being in more than 90 Bay State stores and restaurants), but our first few sips truly convinced us that their rep has actual merit. With slightly fewer bubbles than regular seltzers and a touch less grapefruit flavor than a Fresca, this artisan extract expertly threads the needle, delivering remarkable body, tang, zip, smack, and refreshment. cyclingfrog.com

Sparkling Margarita by Flyers Cocktail Company (New York)

Part of a line of infused cocktails that also includes Ol’ Fashioned and THC Spritz options, this yuzu-orange-chili flavored elixir will stand the hairs on the back of your neck straight up, and in the sweetest way possible. The only thing that’s subtle here is the THC content; the flavor, a unique citrus spin on a typical margarita, sticks in your nose and tingles, leaving quite the serious impression. We found that it is best served cold, or else you run the small risk of having its dryness overshadow the positive features, sort of like with ginger beer. drinkflyers.com

Pictured: TJM Editor Chris Faraone testing drinks at his desk while editing our series on hemp-derived THC in Mass

Yes, The World Is Absolutely Ready For Infused Toothpicks

There are two reactions that someone may have to learning that there’s such a thing as infused toothpicks on the Massachusetts adult-use cannabis market.

A lot of folks may roll their eyes, and perhaps say something along the lines of, Get the hell out of here, don’t you think this is getting a little out of hand at this point?

And then there are the rest of us, whose response to hearing about such a product at the heretofore minimally serviced intersection of mental and dental hygiene is more like, As a matter of fact, I just ate a corned-beef sandwich with a side of popcorn—please pass the pick so I can take a lick!

Sparq is a company to watch, from their top-notch flower sold at reasonable prices to their cousin company MKX’s unique drink mixes that come in long and skinny plastic tubes shaped like pencil lead holders. And then there is

this latest concept, which is smashing for the simplicity in its delivery. Due to debut next week in dispensaries across the commonwealth, the first shipment of tincture-soaked Sparq toothpicks will be of Mylar bags with 10 toothpicks at about 2mg of THC per ’pick. Moving forward, there will also be higher-dose options. Jason Gillis, an account executive at LC Square which manufactures Sparq, said, “These are eventually going to be 5mg each, but the early batches are low dose.”

Gillis added, “We’re asking stores to use these first ones as an add-on, so that if people buy an eighth of Sparq flower, they can get a pack of the low-dose ones for a dollar.”

Otherwise, they will be about five bucks.

Flavor-wise, we sampled the strawberry-lime number, which they shortened to “Straw Lime.” And it’s delicious, something we would suck on even if it

are actually quite practical

didn’t get us stoned. It’s a seriously tasty toothpick and a quality one too, allowing for more than 10 minutes of chewing before the zing ran out. And even then it didn’t splinter or dry out our mouths. If anything, these things slightly numb the tongue.

Finally, you may be asking, are infused toothpicks really necessary? We have done the research on this, and it turns out that they’re not simply for after-dinner dental tool aficionados who are also major potheads. All things considered, like that Sparq is dropping these in eight initial flavors including churro and orange, we’re recommending to the FDA that infused toothpicks be established as a new essential food group.

As for good old-fashioned mint-flavored toothpicks?

“Oh man,” Gillis said, “we got all that stuff coming.”

shoplcbrands.com, findyoursparq.com

BY LAUREN LEBEL PHOTOS ISTOCK

TTHC, HHC, Delta-8, Delta-10 what?!?

here are several terms related to cannabis and its compounds, but realistically, what do the terms mean? Acronyms and numbers can be hard to decipher, especially when someone new to the cannabis world is trying to understand it. To learn more about this, let’s dive into a few of the common –yet, most possibly confusing – ones of them all.

THC

THC, also known as Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the primary psychoactive ingredient in the cannabis plant that makes you feel “high” after consumption. It comes in three forms, including herbs or flowers, hash/hashish and hash oil. “The herbal variety is the most popular. It’s made from dried cannabis leaves and flowers, or buds, which you smoke or add to foods or drinks,” (WebMD).

According to The Hemp Doctor, a good amount of people do not realize that THC is not one “specific compound” with one “genetic fingerprint.” The several variations of THC are called “chemical analogs,” which distinguish the various types of THC from one an-

other. “These unique THC compounds feature some similarities as well as relatively minor differences. These differences impact the way the body reacts to them and whether they comply with the law,” (The Hemp Doctor).

HHC

While everyone has heard of THC, a less-known, relatively new cannabinoid in the market is hexahydrocannabinol, or HHC. “HHC is a THC relative long known to science, but until recently not often discussed by cannabis users,” (Vaping360). “HHC is a minor cannabinoid; it occurs naturally in cannabis, but in amounts too small to make extraction cost-effective.”

Vaping360 explained that most cannabinoids can be converted to other cannabinoids by changing the molecules’ chemistry. “Commercial HHC is made from hemp-derived CBD in a lab through chemical processes,” (Vaping360).

It continued, “Although HHC isn’t technically a THC, it does produce similar effects – if you use enough of it. When it’s produced in the lab, an HHC batch is a mix of active and inactive HHC molecules. The active HHC binds well with your body’s cannabinoid receptors; the others don’t,” (Vaping360).

Delta 9

“Without realizing it, when most people think about THC, they are commonly referring to the Delta 9 analog of the compound,” (Healthline). “Delta 9 THC is well-known, and some may say notorious, for the psychoactive consequences one can experience from consuming this cannabinoid.” Delta 9 THC essentially attaches to the cannabinoid-1 receptors in the brain and nervous system, and creates mind-altering effects, like feelings of mental and physical disconnection from time, short term memory reduction and increased body relaxation. The analog of THC that Delta 9 has also, indicates that there are therapeutic benefits such as promoting one’s appetite, assisting with body tension and helping manage physical discomfort.

“Delta 9 is so influential to the body because of the way it binds to CB1 receptors. Delta 9 has a [five]-term side alkyl chain, which means that it contains five carbon atoms in a

In fact, Delta 8 makes up less than 1% of the cannabis plant, making it difficult to produce high amounts of it.

“Delta 8 is something called a double bond isomer of Delta 9. An isomer is a compound that contains the same number of elements and atoms but is structurally different in how the elements are arranged.”

- The Hemp Doctor

long chain that looks like a tail on the body of the molecule,” (Healthline). “Long chains make a profound impact on the compound’s interaction with the body, which is why Delta 9 is so influential to the endocannabinoid receptors.”

Delta 8

Delta 8 THC – not as well-known as Delta 9 – naturally occurs in cannabis plants in extremely small amounts. In fact, Delta 8 makes up less than 1% of the cannabis plant, making it difficult to produce high amounts of it. “Delta 8 is something called a double bond isomer of Delta 9. An isomer is a compound that contains the same number of elements and atoms but is struc-

turally different in how the elements are arranged,” (The Hemp Doctor). Delta 8 is estimated to be half as psychoactive as Delta 9.

According to Healthline, “Delta 8 products are typically made by synthetically converting CBD or Delta 9 THC into Delta 8,” (Healthline). Through recent studies conducted and feedback shared by Delta 8 users, Delta 8 makes consumers feel sleepy and relaxed. “Many people also claim that it stimulates appetite, a common effect of cannabis known as the ‘munchies,’” (Healthline).

Delta 10

Unlike the other “deltas,” there is little research on the benefits and side effects of Delta 10, as it is still relatively new. “Anecdotally, Delta 10 users claim that the high is mellow but energizing. People also claim that they feel more euphoric after consuming Delta 10,” (Healthline). “However, because there’s lack of research, there’s no proof to verify these claims.”

Works cited

webmd.com/pain-management/cbd-thc-difference, vaping360.com/learn/hhc/, healthline.com/health/delta8-vs-delta-9-vs-delta-10#delta8-effects

BY LAUREN LeBEL PHOTO ISTOCK

dispensaries fact vs. myth:

There are countless myths out there related to cannabis, but when it comes to purchasing cannabis at a dispensary, what have you heard?

Perhaps you are a frequent flyer at your local cannabis shop, or maybe you have never stepped into one based on lack of knowledge or intimidation. Regardless, dispensaries are a relatively new world that many still don’t know much about. To debunk commonly shared myths and highlight the important facts, CRQ spoke with two cannabis professionals about what they have heard, along with their personal experiences.

Kurt Junggren, chief revenue officer and executive vice president of Root & Bloom in Salisbury, Massachusetts, said a customer is sometimes surprised at how educated most staff are. When visiting one of his dispensaries, he noted that the customer is receiving “good help,” that the staff is knowledgeable and knows what they are talking about. “And I think that’s a tribute to our entire industry. We’ve come a long way and we’ve had to overcome apprehensions and fear and anxiety of people getting into the dispensary, and if they have a good experience when they’re there, then we’ve done our job,” Junggren said.

Janelle Mucci, general manager of RoadTrip in Salisbury, shared that a common myth she thinks people have is that cannabis is a very laid-back type of job, based on the stigma of the industry. “That’s definitely a myth – it could not be further from the truth,” she said. “It’s definitely [a] hustle type of environment, we’re very much still a startup type of industry. So, it is very compliant, you have to be really careful with attention to detail.”

She went on to say that when people visit a dispensary, they think it’s going to be – for lack of a better word – “a bunch of stoners.”

“That’s definitely not the case,” she said. “Everyone is very high performing, very educated, very concerned about compliance, and I think that in itself [is] such a great way to also break down the stigma of this industry.”

Going off the point about stigma, Junggren said something else he often hears is that people think Root & Bloom is just flower. However, when the customer comes into the store and sees all the different product selections and all the different reasons or purposes for that brand, he said it’s “pretty exciting” to witness.

Junggren explained that this myth is one he would like to debunk because people come in thinking all they’re going to see is marijuana all over the place, but he said it’s a “much more professional environment” than that.

Although not making any medical claims, Junggren shared a personal example about a myth he heard from his sister who is a cancer survivor. He said his sister used medical flower to help with anxiety and pain and thought that the plant was grown differently for medical use than it was for recreational use. However, Junggren noted that it is the same plant, and the only difference is how it gets designated and sold.

Before becoming involved in the cannabis industry, Mucci and Junggren had heard and believed their own myths as well.

Mucci, who has been in the industry for five years, said the biggest misconception she had before coming into cannabis was that there was a lot of money in it. “That is definitely not the case,” she said. She added that in Massachusetts, they have tried to do a lot at the legislative level to ensure that everyone who wants to be a part of the industry can be a part of the industry, but there is still “so many hurdles” that people still can’t get through, with money being the

biggest one.

“It’s really difficult,” Mucci said, referring to people getting into the industry and starting their own companies.

Junggren, who has been in the industry for 10 years, came from a business background and worked for some of the top companies in the world, he shared. When he received his first offer from the cannabis industry, he said he thought he was going to come in and be “the man,” and have more knowledge than everyone else based on his background. “Unfortunately, my thought, my stigma was, ‘They’re a bunch of stoners that don’t know what they’re doing.’ I learned quickly that my boss could run circles around me and it was very humbling, but also, you know, I learned a lot from that.”

Another myth Junggren shared is that a lot of people think – and he did too – that the cannabis customer base is only for people ages 21 to 30. However, now, he said there is an older generation of customers than when the cannabis industry started. “That’s so cool to see because the plant does have some amazing medical benefits and healing benefits and to expand our customer base so more can enjoy that and experience that, this is why we do it.” he said.

Nowadays, he shared, “It’s much more accepted and much less intimidating.”

Mucci added on to Junggren’s point, saying they are seeing a “resurgence” of older clientele coming back to cannabis. She noted that what cannabis users used to smoke compared to what is available at dispensaries today is “much different” and much less scary. Now, she said everything is so transparent and it’s also “fun” to be able to provide cannabis users with a new and safe experience.