Fun and easy dishes to bring to your next holiday party
Dosed holiday recipes
Burning questions from the 55+ community answered PRODUCT Previews
T R E E W O R K S B R A N C H E S O U T TALKS HASH & CONCENTRATES CHECK IT OUT
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The
A look at Betty’s Eddies new fall
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: Treeworks by Nate Blais.
PREVIEWS Product
BOSTON BUD FACTORY
Location in Holyoke Visit bostonbudfactory.com for more info
DELI STYLE BUD BAR
“Boston Bud Factory continues to expand the number of strains available on the Bud Bar,” said Frank Dailey of Boston Bud Factory. The bar has 20-25 strains available to see, smell and choose from, along with top-shelf flower from a variety of local craft growers from the state including Gibby’s Garden, Tower Three, Impressed and Florence Cannabis Co., to name a few. “Consumers get to experience the sight and smell of all available flower so that they can choose the best strain for their needs or their palette,” said Dailey. “The Bud Bar allows for a deli style experience where you can get as little as .5 grams or as much as 28 grams – whatever the consumer chooses.” Deli style flower starts at $7.50 per gram and goes up to as much as $11 per gram for top shelf craft flower. Dailey noted that
the deli style is preferred by most cannabis connoisseurs.
OLLARI SOLVENTLESS INFUSION PRE-ROLL
“The Ollari Solventless Infusion is one of a kind and the effects speak for themselves,” said Dailey. Made with top shelf flower, a hash/kief mixture and a flower rosin outer wrap, the Ollari full spectrum effect is
“hard to match” and leaves customers raving about the taste, he shared. “If you are looking for a potent preroll but you want it without residual solvents and other impurities, then the Ollari is worth a try,” Dailey said. “The Ollari is a must try for the cannabis connoisseur looking for great taste and potent effects.” The Ollari is 1.2 grams and retails for $20.
HOME COOKING OIL
Boston Bud Factory has developed a home use tincture that includes 500mg of THC in a Vegan Palm Oil.
“The Home Cooking Oil can be mixed into your favorite sauces such as ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce and any other sauce added after cooking,” said Dailey. “Turn any meal into an infused dinner at home with complete control over the THC dosing levels. When you need an extra kick, you can also put a few drops of tincture under your tongue and effects will set in within a matter of minutes.” The product retails for $25.
COAST CANNABIS CO.
Locations across Massachusetts Visit coastcannabisco.com for more info
GOODNIGHT GRAPE
COAST Cannabis Co. has introduced GoodNight Grape, a ticket to a restful and rejuvenating night’s sleep. “Our juicy grape gummy is packed with 25mg of CBN and 5mg of THC, meticulously blended to deliver the perfect balance for a peaceful slumber,” said Angela Brown, co-founder of COAST Cannabis.
“Trust our GoodNight Grape gummy to guide
you to dreamland effortlessly.” The product ranges in price from $25-$27.
COOKIES & SCREAM
This Halloween season can be celebrated with COAST’s Cookie & SCREAM bar, an all-organic bar that combines creamy white chocolate, organic chocolate cookies and a touch of blood … Organic cocoa butter blood that is. Used for adult Halloween fun, the chocolate bar ranges from $22-$25.
FERNWAY
Found in locations across Massachusetts
Visit fernway.com for more info
MAPLE BACON MILK CHOCOLATE BAR
PUMPKIN SPICE & HONEYCRISP TRAVELERS
For a limited time, Fernway is bringing back some fall flavor favorites, available exclusively in their new 1-gram Travelers. “Perfect for making all your fall adventures – whether it’s orchard trips, leaf peeping or just enjoying the killer scenery with your best friends – even better,” said Fernway CMO and Co-founder Liam O’Brien. The Travelers range between $55-$60.
INSA
Locations in Easthampton, Salem and Springfield
Visit myinsa.com for more info
CARAMEL APPLE DROPS
Insa has released a new line of limited-edition products just in time for the fall season. One of those products are the Caramel Apple Drops, a variation of Insa’s Sour Green Apple Drops that add deep, rich caramel flavors to deliver a drop reminiscent of fall. Made with natural fruit puree, natural caramel flavors and a light dusting of sugar, these drops offer a “perfect, deliciously decadent edible experience,” said Insa’s Head Chef and Director of R&D Julian Rose. The drops retail for $25.
“Indulge in this limited-edition Maple Bacon Milk Chocolate Bar, a seasonal treat made just for fall,” said Rose. This bar combines creamy, European milk chocolate with caramelized
touch of smokey bacon flavors. Each piece contains 5mg of potent cannabis oil, with 100mg total per bar. The bar retails for $25.
PIONEER CANNABIS CO.
Location in Brimfield Visit pioneercannabiscompany.com for more info
BETTY’S EDDIES
Pioneer Cannabis Co. has several new fall offerings including Betty’s Eddies, which are “delicious, fast-acting fruit chews,” that contain 5mg of THC, said Pioneer Cannabis Co. CEO Maura Doyle. The chews come in a variety of flavors and effects.
“For those looking for help with sleep there are ‘Bedtime Bettys’ for pain relief, there are ‘Ache Away’ options and many others that our customers have come to love,” shared Doyle. Pioneer also offers “Sweater Weather Betty’s,” an apple pie flavored fruit chew that includes cinnamon apple butter and CBG. “Cozy up by the fire and let the warm and fuzzy feelings roll in,” Doyle said. All Betty’s Eddies flavors can be purchased at Pioneer for $20.
HAPPY VALLEY’S STIR STIX
“For those looking for a more discrete way to consume throughout the holidays, Happy Valley’s Unflavored Stir Stix are always a favorite at Pioneer,” said Doyle. Stir Stix are a powder drink mix containing 5mg of THC, that can be added to any beverage, from coffee to lemonade. The stix offer a rapid onset that allows
CINNAMON APPLE VAPORIZERS
“Bask in the crisp tartness of Granny Smith apples with Insa’s Cinnamon Apple Vaporizers that deliver a sharp yet semi-sweet flavor that’s both familiar and refreshing,” shared Rose. “The twist comes from the warm, nutty spice of cinnamon, perfectly balancing the apple’s natural sweetness with a touch of comforting heat.” Offering a “deliciously cozy vape experience,” the limited time offer is available in 500mg cartridges that retail for $35 and 350mg pens that retail for $25.
consumers to feel the effects in as quickly as 15 minutes. Each package contains 10 stix, retailing for $10 at Pioneer.
TOWER THREE CANNABIS
“Tower Three has a growing reputation for having some of the best flower in the state and with the strains we’ve had so far at Pioneer, our customers agree,” shared Doyle. “Tower Three utilizes all natural methods throughout cultivation, including growing in organic living soil, which provides a better tasting and longer-lasting cannabis experience for our customers.” Doyle noted that some of Pioneer’s favorite strains are KenStarr and Chile Verde. Three pre-rolls are offered at $12 each, while the eighths of flower can be purchased for $42 each.
HAPPY VALLEY STIR STIX
COURTESY OF PIONEER CANNABIS CO.
Bubby’s Baked Pumpkin Bread Bites
Think Entenmann’s Little Bites but infused with a full-spectrum dose of high-quality cannabis. That’s Bubby’s Baked.
“Bubby’s is all about fresh baked confection – fresh baked goods,” said Ryan Crandall, chief revenue officer of MariMed.
Crandall explained that he uses the term “fresh” because a lot of the time, when people make cannabis baked goods, the result is typically dry.
For inspiration, the team looked at Entenmann’s Little Bites when creating Bubby’s Baked.
“We really said we want a bite size, fresh, soft baked good. And that’s what Bubby’s is all about. A bite size, fresh, soft, baked good,” Crandall said.
In the Brownie Bites, Crandall said it is made with real Dutch chocolate and the cocoas they use are “amazing.” “When you taste it, you say, ‘now that’s a chocolatey brownie,’” he added.
With the Snickerdoodle Bites, he said they use real cinnamon, sugar and other spices, instead of just flavorings.
Crandall noted the importance of attention to detail on the product.
“[With any] product, we are measuring it non-infused, and we say, ‘is this as good as anything in your organic food store, your grocery store, your local market, is this as good as that?’ And if it is, it passes our test and then we start to add the cannabis and different cannabinoids, but we set a really high bar for delicious goods and I think Bubby’s certainly delivers on that, from the soft baked side of it to the deliciousness of every piece,” Crandall said.
He continued, “I think we’re very focused on producing a very moist and
flavorful bite that people want to come back to.”
For the fall season, Bubby’s Baked launched Pumpkin Bread Bites, which are available now.
During the fall, Crandall said it seems to be a “craze” people go through, ordering pumpkin flavored coffee, baked goods and more.
“Bubby’s is going to play a part in that and I think we’re really excited to bring pumpkin to market this season,” he said.
So far, feedback on the new seasonal bites has been “fantastic,” Crandall shared. He went on to say that he expects the Pumpkin Bread Bites to be sold through the first or second week of November.
The pumpkin bread is $12-$14 at retail and is sold in a five-pack. This limited time offer is widely available in stores across the state.
For more information on Bubby’s Baked, visit bubbysbaked.com.
Treeworks Jungle Drops, Hummies
Treeworks maintains its place in the pantheon of proper potent potables across state, and it’s for good reason. First, they have an incredible line of hash-rosin infused gummies with targeted effects like Happy, Deep Sleep, Focus, and others where they use organic fruit and purees as well as solventless full spectrum/full cannabinoid hash rosin for the infusion. Second, their already High Times award winning tinctures like the favorite Jungle Drops that’s packed with 5 of the most well-paired cannabinoids like THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, and CBC continue to be a consistent and reliable tincture that delivers. Stock up when you see them, they go fast!
Levia Seasonal
This is the issue that looks out at the fall and winter season, so of course there must be at least one item that nods directly to the spooky season (which can be October or holiday shopping time depending on one’s outlook on life). To wit: Levia, one of the most popular THC infused seltzers available on the market, has brought forth some Blood Orange Sativa Seltzer for those looking for some bubbly water that is zero calories and zero sugar and yet still has a bite. Don’t worry, their classic lines of Achieve for energy, hybrid Celebration, and nighttime chillness like the Dream are still around because classics never go out of style.
Potency Booster Herbal Infusion Cooking Oil
Jerry Garcia. Icon. Genius. Fan of mind altering substances. Artist. Renegade. Play-er of long noodling solos. Spiritual avatar for many in weed culture. However you recognize him, there’s no mistaking Garcia’s Hand Picked flower line given the trippy and artful packaging design, as well as the primo buds and ounces available for sale like this batch of Under the Stars strain. Which may result in you employing them for laying out on a summer night to find yourself in that very position.
Smash Hits Flower -
lication know helped redefine and create American cannabis cultivation and genetics over 30 years ago, has stepped up to the fall with a line of fresh drops. Small batches of strains like the energizing and absolute flavor-packed Blueberry Muffin, chill inducing and body invigorating Dogwaltz, banana-riffic Dognanza, cakey gloriousness of Gelato, and large volume containers filled with GMO and garlic-funky Hippie Slayer (named for pizazz as well as impact on consumers), mean if you’ve never given Smash Hits a go, now’s the time. If you have, now’s the time to revisit the land that Chemdog built.
Wana Tropical Mix Sativa
Wana just never stops never stopping, and due to that (or to market demands) one of the leading manufacturers of consistent effects-based and delicious gummies has whipped up a fantastic mix-tape of tropical flavored hits from their individual gummy lines to satiate both one’s need for uplifting sativa-fueled edibles as well as the need to have those in the closest thing to a fruit basket one can get without, well, some fruit. And a basket. Anyway, keep these on you when the stresses of the day require a boost in lift and energy on the winds of tropical breezes.
Clebby’s
Ever looked at a freshly cooked pan of lemon pound cake sitting on the counter created either by you or a significant other and thought “hey this would be great with weed in it”, but then realized you weren’t prepared to make it a cannabis lemon pound cake without significant effort? Enter: Clebby’s, and the all-in-one kit to whip up a THC lemon pound cake (with frosting!) using their included container of THC oil to dose without guessing and end up with the kind of doughy goodness usually reserved for grandma’s counter.
Beard Blaze THC Infused Hot Sauce
flavor in an old world way for a vegan, allergen-free, and gluten-free dosed hot sauce. Holiday hot sauce adds to all dishes just got BLAZED (feel free to say that when adding it to dishes).
Jeeter
You may have heard of a popular brand that made its entrance into Massachusetts over the past summer, Jeeter. What you may not have heard is what makes them special, namely their proprietary methods of using special perforated rolling papers to ensure all smokes are even (and self correcting during consumption, aka no more canoe joints). That they craft their infused prerolls so that even after stubbing out and saving for later (a common practice especially with the new two-gram options that come with a special tip) that indoor flower infused with cannabis oil and kief for supernova strength joints retain their smoothness and flavor on relighting makes these guys the kind of joints that stand up to their reputation. If you haven’t tried, now is a great time to do so.
Tower Three
Tower Three has become a favorite flower of the Massachusetts market thanks to the cultivation team they have consistently knocking it out of the park (and racking up awards, like their 007 strain did in 2024 which you can find at Canna Provisions). Their living soil growing environment creates end-results that speak for themselves. Be it frosty trichome heavy buds or long, smooth smokes exploding with flavor and terpenes, Tower Three has become one to watch in the Commonwealth.
Tical
To some, Tical is the latest new flower brand that got its start somewhere else on the West Coast and slowly made its way to Massachusetts. For others, it’s the marquee flower celebrity brand (two words: Method Man….three more words: WU TANG FOREVER) that has slick packaging and powerhouse flower to get in your next cipher with or just get with the person you like getting with when consuming Love Jones, Iron Lung, or The Method strains, the latter named after its brand leader. In other words, Wu Tang fans and weed fans can rejoice knowing they have the real deal in their hands with Tical. When
Gelato, Blueberry Muffin, Dogwaltz, Hippie Slayer, Dognanza Smash Hits cultivation director and Canna Provisions star grower, Greg “Chemdog” Krzanowski, who, as readers of this pub-
What this is: An artisanal THC-infused small batch hot sauce. What to expect: Fast acting dosing and easy to carry packaging means Chef Chris Kittredge’s homemade blend of fermented fresh peppers cut by hand, tropical fruit, and some choice aromatics to spice up any dish. A little more info: The peppers in this sauce were fermented for 60 days to get deep
Treeworks Branching
TALKS GROWTH, HASH, AND CONCENTRATES
The three amigos who met taming wild rivers on white water rafts, mountain biking and cutting fresh paths through backcountry snow are now charting new ground with their popular Treeworks products. Treeworks was founded in 2018, one year after cannabis was legalized in Massachusetts, by longtime friends MacKae Freeland, Milo Childs Campolo and Timothy Kane.
They shared a love of adventure, cannabis and the desire to help others, said Freeland, and combined their passions when they founded Treeworks in West Hatfield.
“We are long-time cannabis connoisseurs, beginning in our late teens. We enjoyed pairing cannabis with life’s activities and just general enjoyment of cannabis. We had all been loosely involved in cannabis before officially launching the company,” said Freeland. Treeworks doesn’t grow or process cannabis. The company leaves that to others.
The West Hatfield business purchases fresh, frozen flower (cannabis buds) from local cultivators and uses them to create an array of products including live rosin, tinctures, gummies, topicals and chocolates—out of its West Hatfield factory.
The company’s products are sold in some 250 dispensaries across Massachusetts.
EFFECTS VERSUS BENEFITS
Freeland, and others in the industry, stops short of proclaiming the health benefits of his products because they’re not backed-up by deep scientific research, studies and government approval. Because cannabis is still illegal at the federal level, little has been done to prove the advantages of using it for medicinal or recreational activities.
Rather, producers discuss the ‘effects’ of their products, which the Treeworks co-founder cites as sleep, pain relief, stress relief, fun, focus, energy and pleasure.
“It’s important not to make claims because cannabis is federally illegal. We’re not allowed to call things healthy. We’re not allowed to make medical claims about cannabis,” he
“We currently hold the largest market share in the tincture category, at about 33%, and we hold the largest market share of topicals.”
said. “I do think cannabis can contribute to an overall well-being. There’s a general list of benefits that are pretty widely understood. The vast majority of our products are made with the intention to help relieve pain, stress and discomfort.”
Freeland said Treeworks has seen rapid growth in Massachusetts. With
- MacKae Freeland
the overall business up 35% over last year, he said the company experienced quarterly increases since it was launched.
“We’ve seen tremendous growth. We currently hold the largest market share in the tincture category, at about 33%, and we hold the largest market
share of topicals. We’ve seen strong growth in what we call our ‘hummies,’ which is a combination of hash, rosin and gummies.”
BEYOND THE BAY STATE
After deploying products only to Bay State dispensaries, Treeworks is now looking to expand its business beyond the commonwealth. It is against the law to make cannabis products in one state, transport the goods across state lines and sell them somewhere else—that is why Treeworks will begin licensing its secret recipes to manufacturers in other states, allowing those producers to make, brand and sell the business’s products in their markets.
“The opportunity for a brand like ours to grow into a national company is to license our intellectual property, essentially sell the rights of manufacturing of our brands to other out of state licensed product manufacturers and have them produce our products under their license. We have recipes that differentiate us from our competitors. We would control sales and collect royalties from producers,” said Freeland.
Freeland says the company is planning to launch its first licensing deal early next year in New Jersey and Connecticut. He also revealed he is interested in working with companies in New York and Vermont on similar licensing arrangements.
While the co-founder says Treeworks’ key growth opportunities are in developing new products and doing business out of state, he repeated his commitment to Western Massachusetts. He is quick to say his mantra remains to stay local. The business has more than 30 employees and works as much as it can with regional vendors, according to Freeland.
“We don’t have any large investment from outside of the local area. It’s important to keep dollars in your local economy, support your community and employ people locally,” said Freeland.
Information about Treeworks and where its products are sold is on treeworksma.com.
Q&A with Treeworks
What is hash and what are concentrates? What is the difference between the two?
A concentrate is a broad term for a form of cannabis extract that is made by removing the plant’s resin, leaving only high levels of cannabinoids and terpenes behind. Hash, also known as bubble hash, is a solventless form of a concentrate .A solventless extract is a natural cannabis concentrate made without the use of harsh chemicals/ solvents. The resin is extracted using only water, ice, heat, and pressure. Most concentrates on the market are made with the use of solvents such as propane, butane, or hexane, but at Treeworks, we believe in using the highest quality, wellness-conscious ingredients available. In addition to solventless extraction, our products are made by using only fresh frozen whole plant (FFWP) extracts, making it the closest representation to smoking the living plant. Initially, we turn the fresh frozen flower into bubble hash, then further process it into hash rosin to be used across our product lines.
What are the effects of each one?
At Treeworks, we specialize in many different solventless offerings: Cold Cure Live Rosin Dabs, Live Rosin Jam Dabs, Live Rosin Cartridges, Live Rosin Wands (vaporizers), and Hash Rosin Hummies. The variety of product offerings allow for consumers to choose the product that best suits their preferences.
Cold Cure Live Rosin: Cold cure generally has a creamy cake batter texture, and is very easy to work with. This product is intended for dabbing. It generally tests around 80-90% THC and 6-10% terpenes so it packs quite the punch. This is my personal favorite, it’s the truest representation of the living plant. (-Ethan Severance)
Live Rosin Jam: Also referred to as rosin sauce, jam uses a further process that changes the rosin into a saucy, sugary jam that is loaded with
crunchy THC-A crystals. This is another product intended for dabbing. It has a different terpene/cannabinoid profile than cold cure and is better for long term storage.
Live Rosin Carts & Wands: These are perfect for anyone who prefers a more convenient cannabis experience. Very flavorful, very potent, strain-specific, and great on the go. Our hardware is specially-tuned to a low voltage to maximize flavor without burnouts in addition to being heavy-metal free. We never add anything to our vapes, only pure hash rosin.
Hummies - “Hash Rosin Hummies”: Our organic, gluten-free, non-GMO, real fruit-based gummies are infused with Solventless Hash Rosin and medicinal herbs. They taste absolutely amazing and provide a balanced, full body, and well-rounded effect with a signature hash rosin high.
What are the benefits of each one?
Hash rosin has many associated benefits, and may help to relieve physical pain, anxiety and depression, nausea, and inflammation, while simultaneously promoting euphoria, boosting appetite, and increasing relaxation among many other things. Solventless concentrates are a particularly good choice for anyone with sensitivities, autoimmune, or other health considerations.
What is important for people to know about each one
Consumers all have varying consumption styles and effects in mind when searching for a product. Whether it’s pain-relief, a restful night’s sleep, or to make movie night even better, Treeworks aims to not only have a product that fits what you’re looking to get out of your cannabis experience, but to be comprised of the highest quality ingredients. Here are a few recommended products and benefits of each:
- Hummies: There are five Hummies SKUs available on the market: Focus, Happy, Sleep, Relax, and the latest addition, Performance. Hummies are organic, gluten-free, non-GMO, real fruit-based gummies infused with Solventless Hash Rosin and medicinal herbs. The effect of each is aptly described by each naming convention. Any herbal infusions were carefully selected to further the described effect.
- Dream Drops: One of Treeworks’ premier products, High Times Award Winner, and #1 Best Seller, Dream Drops is a 1:1 CBN:THC tincture with herbal infusions of Valerian Root and Chamomile. This product was created not just to help consumers fall asleep, but to have deep, uninterrupted sleep without morning grogginess.
- Relief: Relief Drops, another favorite of Treeworks’ tinctures, was specifically designed to relieve pain and discomfort. This tincture has a whopping 2900mg TAC (900mg CBD | 600mg CBN | 600mg CBC | 400mg CBG | 200mg CBT | 200mg THC) in addition to herbal infusions of Turmeric, Boswelia, and Devil’s Claw which are known for anti-inflammatory properties and may help with pain relief.
- Rosin Wand: The Rosin Wand is one of our fastest growing products in popularity. Specially tuned to a low voltage with a ceramic coil and heavy metal-free, these sleek disposable vaporizers use strain-specific, 100% solventless liverosin and offer a truly premium user experience.
- Canna Cream: Canna Cream is the best selling topical in Massachusetts. A 500mg topical packed full of medicinal herbs and healing oils, Canna Cream offers complete relief from anything from injuries to a sting, itch, or burn.
Cannabis use over age 50
Older Generations Lead the Edibles Market as Usage Soars for Sleep, Anxiety, Pain Relief, and Cognitive Health
Cannabis consumption among adults over 50 has surged in recent years, reflecting a growing trend of older generations turning to cannabis for wellness and therapeutic benefits.
According to a recent study supported by AARP, 21% of Americans aged 50 and older reported using marijuana in the past year—almost doubling the percentage from just three years ago. This increase is not only attributed to the relaxation or recreational use many associate with cannabis, but also to its effectiveness in addressing health concerns like sleep disturbances, anxiety, and pain relief. Among those surveyed, 81% reported using cannabis to relax, 68% used it as a sleep aid, and 63% consumed it for pain management.
The generational breakdown of cannabis consumption patterns is equally striking. According to data from Headset.io, Baby Boomers are leading the market when it comes to edible purchases, significantly outpacing younger generations. In the U.S., Boomers over-index for edibles with a score of 157, and Gen X follows closely behind at 133. (This trend is mirrored in Canada, where Boomers score 144 and Gen X 118.)
Edibles, with their ease of use and extended effects, are increasingly the preferred choice among older adults, as they provide a more controlled and discreet way to consume cannabis, aligning with the wellness-focused motivations of this demographic.
But it’s not just about sleep or pain relief. Recent research highlights a
potential breakthrough in how cannabis could address age-related cognitive decline. In a study conducted by teams from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB), the University of Bonn, and Hebrew University in Israel, scientists discovered that long-term, low-dose administration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)—the psychoactive component in cannabis—can reverse aging processes in the brain. The study, published in the journal ACS Pharmacology & Translation Science, revealed that THC helped rejuvenate cognitive function in aging mice by acting on molecular pathways involved in brain function. The research suggests that cannabis could play a role in mitigating the cognitive decline often associated with aging, opening up new possibilities for using cannabinoids to
support brain health in older adults.
This finding builds on earlier studies pointing to the endocannabinoid system’s critical role in maintaining brain health, with potential implications for treating age-related cognitive decline. As this area of research evolves, older generations may not only look to cannabis for physical relief but also for cognitive health, positioning cannabis as a multi-functional tool for improving quality of life as we age.
With edibles being the top choice for many older consumers, it’s clear that this product category is uniquely suited for individuals seeking relief, while noting that many in the Over 50 club still enjoy traditional flower products as well. As such, we’ve created a handy guide for some widely available product recommendations available in Western Massachusetts, particularly those focusing on alternatives for sleep, anxiety, and pain relief to help Over 50 consumers navigate the cannabis market effectively to meet their wellness needs.
Generational Index of Edible Purchases: U.S. and Canada
This heatmap highlights how each generation in the U.S. and Canada over or under-indexes in their preference for edibles compared to their overall cannabis sales. Darker shades indicate stronger preferences, offering clear insights for targeting marketing strategies and optimizing product offerings.
SLEEP
Sleep Gummies
WHAT IT IS
A deep sleep formulated gummy for nighttime.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Delicious boysenberry flavors and a minor cannabinoid boost of CBN and
CBD along with the THC for body relaxation and CBN for restorative rest for the mind. Combined with THC these Wyld gummies can help promote relaxing restorative sleep.
MORE INFO
Wyld is one of the nations top selling THC and CBD infused edible brands creating a high end product made with real fruit. It produces a full lineup of sativa indica and hybrid enhanced gummies infused with THC and other combinations of cannabinoids like CBC CBD CBG and more.
WHAT IT IS
A deep sleep oil tincture with a proprietary blend of major and minor cannabinoids.
WHAT TO EXPECT
A simple yet complex blend of beneficial cannabinoids (CBN, CBC, CBD and THC) coupled with terpenes like Caryophyllene and Limonene with a delicious but not overbearing berry flavor.
MORE INFO
Trifecta Blackout is not intended to be used before operating machinery as it may cause drowsiness. Each 1ml serving contains CBN, CBC, CBD and THC. Feel free to start with half of a serving (0.5ml) to see how this blend affects you.
PAIN
Betty’s Eddies Very Cherry Ache Away Eddies
WHAT IT IS
Delicious chews made with cannabis and natural fruit and plant based compounds.
WHAT TO EXPECT
A naturally soothing blend of THC CBD and CBC plus turmeric piperine and vitamin E that may help ease inflammation and aid recovery. CBC, an amazing little non-psychoactive cannabinoid, works overtime generating new brain cells & nerve.
MORE INFO
Betty’s Eddies handcrafted fruit chews are made with all-natural ingredients and a whole lotta love, and use organic fruits & veggies full-spectrum cannabis
supporting cannabinoids and herbal supplements & vitamins to help you feel your best.
Howl’s Nighttime
WHAT IT IS
A Massachusetts-born tinc ture using whole plant infusion methods.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Nighttime is infused with the legacy indica strain LA Kush Cake for a true flower in a bottle experience that is great for pain and relaxing and winding down at the end of the night. 100 servings and 500 mg of THC per oz bottle. Use the measured dropper to find your dose by the 1 mg drop or in 5mg increments up to 50 mg per dropperful
MORE INFO
Howls is the only tincture or edible in Massachusetts infused directly with cured cannabis flowers and live kief. Howl’s uses a 5000 year old method of low heat and gentle stirring that transfers the complete profile of cannabinoids terpenes and flavonoids of the source strain into organic avocado oil.
ANXIETY
Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) infused honey
WHAT IT IS
Experience the potency of MAC’s 100% Full Spectrum RSO infusions. Indulge in delectable honey, crafted to deliver a robust, full-bodied
RSO aka Rick Simpson Oil is a potent cannabis extract known for high THC content specifically formulated to have the full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes found naturally in the cannabis plant. It is named for its Canadian creator. Find more info at massaltcare.com.
Eleven brand flower (ex: Grape Cream Cake)
WHAT IT IS
An indica-dominant hybrid crossing Grape Pie x Wedding Crasher x Ice Cream Cake.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Powerful under the eyes with some pressure and an overall stress-killing relaxation strain fueled by tons of grape gasoline funk and sweet cake cream and berry smells and flavors. Bliss and euphoria all around with this strain.
MORE INFO
Eleven is a line of premium cannabis flower within the Ethos Cannabis family of cannabis brands.
For more edibles, tinctures, topicals, loose flower and prerolled joints, visit www.cannaprovisions. com and check out the menu for all these items and more.
Festive Flavors Holiday Recipes
Fun and easy dosed recipes to bring to your next holiday party.
MONSTER MUNCH
INGREDIENTS:
Half a box of your favorite cereal
2 cups mini pretzels
2 cups candy corn
2 cannabis chocolate bars
1 cup Reece’s Pieces 3/4 cup powdered sugar
DIRECTIONS:
Melt your cannabis chocolate bars. Add your cereal, pretzels, and 1 cup of candy corn to a mixing bowl. Pour over melted chocolate and mix. Add your powdered sugar and mix again. Add the rest of your ingredients, mix, serve and enjoy!
PHOTOS AND RECIPES BY NATE BLAIS
CRANBERRYINFUSEDSAUCE
INGREDIENTS:
1 bag fresh cranberries
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup citrus juice
3/4 cup canna sugar
Citrus zest
Vanilla extract (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
In a sauce pan over medium heat, combine your ingredients. Stir the mixture occasionally until it comes to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and, stir occasionally until the liquid has reduced and your cranberry sauce has thickened. Let cool and enjoy!
CANNABUTTER & BROWN SUGAR ROASTED CARROTS
INGREDIENTS:
1 bag of carrots
2 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp cannabutter
2 tbsp brown sugar Salt and pepper
DIRECTIONS:
Peel your carrots, halve them and add them to a pan, coat in oil and salt and pepper. Preheat your oven to 425F. Add your carrots into to the oven and cook for 25 minutes remove carrots and add butter and brown sugar and cook for another 8-10 minutes. Remove carrots and add to a serving plate, drizzle excess butter and brown sugar from the pan on to your carrots, top with parsley and enjoy!
Halloween, during Green Wednesday, Black Friday, or just the very last minute.
their people until you come home. Going for a poop walk with that bad hip dysplasia. Either way, the folks at Tree
naturally grapefruit flavored sativa Wyld gummies made with THC, CBD, and CBG for some energetic uplift. Her daytime deserves it.
Seasoned Consumer
Smash Hits cultivation director and Canna Provisions star grower, Greg “Chemdog” Krzanowski, has built a reputation over the last 30 years for cultivating some of the most prized strains that continue to wow with their potency, flavors, and effects. So get some of the goods grown by the man himself with the original Chem D strain that launched a fleet of imitators over the years, as well as some Chem S1 (which is basically Chem D that was bred back onto itself with bigger flavor and effects) available from Treeworks as part of their Live Hash Rosin vape carts and dabs. If you didn’t understand any of that, don’t worry…they
For Your Mailman,
In a world where craft, masterful knowhow, as well as convenience granted from the world of online shopping can wreak havoc on the body and spirit, those toiling in or outside your home deserve a little something. Something to keep them dancing, or just cruising their labor with a little extra spark. So toss them a package of the Vibations energetic Peach Tea or other electrolyte enhanced THC drink mixes, as well as the low-dose Energy Cubes from The Heirloom Collective. When they come back, on time, and with a smile, you may be the reason.
For The Old School Deadhead
The Grateful Dead and cannabis culture have been pals ever since the band hit the scene in the 60s. Since they are still going in some form to this day, and because Deadheads love all things Grateful Dead, then this limited edition collab glass bong and pipe are not only collectibles and gorgeous as works of glass art, but they happen to be amazing pieces. Pieces that love to get some High Times award winning Smash Hits California Raisins packed in them for consumption. Nothing left to do for them but smile, smile, smile.
For The Newbie Consumer
Cannabis works within the body differently for many people and depending on various factors. So sometimes a new consumer starting off with high THC or high potency products can leave them not having a great experience. For those that need an on-ramp, start them slow and with familiar products. Incredibles Mile High Mint bars are delicious and consistent, but from there lay some Wana 20:1 CBD:THC gummies on them, and some Treeworks 10:1 CBD:THC berry flavored drops their way. And if it gets too much at any time, these UNCLE drops are meant to cut someone’s high down thanks to a pepper-based tincture for when you need to cry “uncle!”.
For The Insomniac
Maybe it’s a family member. Maybe a friend. Maybe you. Either way, sleep is always one of the top reasons people seek out cannabis products to introduce into their night-night time, and there are no shortage of products to try. From The Heirloom Collective 1:1 CBN:THC gummies, to Betty’s Eddie’s Raspberry Creme CBN:CBD packed chews, as well as Wana’s
needing some zzz’s may be just what their holiday needs to be truly joyful in the morning.
For Your Boss
Your boss can be a blessing or a curse. To avoid the latter, and to maybe let them know that you know they are in fact still a human being, skip the usual pablum of what to get for the boss that has everything and load them up on products that may just benefit your life too. After the boss has tried a Big Dog preroll from Dogwalkers (aptly named), some hybrid Kahuna tropical fruit chews, or the 1906 Chill swallowable drops or the Wana Calm chews, the impact may just leave your situation feeling like a Friday next time you’re at work (even on a Monday).
For Your Lover
If you have a lover, congrats! That’s great. If you don’t, we hope that’s by choice. But in either case, gifting someone a batch of Coast THCV Raspberry Lime energizing gummies, some Smashin Passion chews with Horny Goat Weed and Maca Root in them, and some double strength Lavender CBD massage body oil by the Healing Rose will send a clear message about one’s intentions. Add in the
Maui Waui candle that smells like tropical Maui Waui cannabis, and you’ll probably have had them at
Through The Holidays
Between when this issue comes out and just after New Year’s, there is a lot to consider. Lots to plan and schedule. Lots to stress about. Sometimes you need a little something in your pocket. Like an ace up your sleeve. But cards in shirts do nothing for you body and mind, so instead stock up on some 1906, and their effects-based swallowable pills like Genius (focus, energy, stamina), Boost (a little boost of THC),
sics already, break the mold with a perfect dessert Incredibles Peanut Budda Buddha bar dosed made with cannabis and peanut buttery pretzels, help them settle into the couch for a movie with the Wyld Marionberry indica THC gummies, and then head into night time Betty’s Ache Away orange creme chews with THC, CBN, and CBC as well as chamomile and turmeric for their joints and janky movements.
The gift that keeps on giving:
seasonalsInsa’s holiday
If you are looking for the perfect gift to give a cannabis consumer this season, consider a product from Insa’s new holiday line.
Available in early November through mid-January are three holiday seasonals, including champagne gummies.
“We take bubbly wine and we make a gummy out of it,” said Insa’s Head Chef and Director of R&D Julian Rose. He went on to say that the gummy has a “winey” flavor and pale color, like champagne.
Rose noted that Insa offered this gummy last year for New Years and it was “very successful,” so they decided to offer it again for the entire holiday season.
A new holiday seasonal is sugar plums, a blend of fruit purees and juices with seasonal flavors like gingerbread, cinnamon and nutmeg. Rose said the color is a “reddish plum,” with a “really nice holiday flavor.”
On the chocolate front, Insa will be selling an eggnog white chocolate bar. “It’s a European white chocolate, blended with cinnamon powder, eggnog flavor, heavy cream and a little bit of brandy flavor as well,” Rose shared.
When cooking the chocolate bar, Rose said he tries to get as close as possible to what the intention is.
“I basically have all the ingredients of eggnog but in a chocolate bar form,” he said. “[It’s a] nice light color. You see the little specks of cinnamon. For people that love white chocolate, that’s a really nice one.”
Insa will also offer the dark chocolate peppermint candy bar this year, as Rose said it is always popular during
the holidays, so they bring it back annually. The bar is a European dark chocolate with a little bit of peppermint flavor or real peppermint powder, sprinkled with fresh candy cane.
Additionally, Rose said there will be seasonal flavors sold in vapes and pre-rolls.
When it comes to gift giving, aside from these holiday seasonals, Rose recommended some other Insa products.
“Our everyday bars – our double sea salt caramel bar is a winner yearround,” he said.
He explained that a good combination to gift someone would be a caramel chocolate bar, dark chocolate bar and white chocolate bar – a little taste of everything.
He noted that Insa has a big assortment of edibles, and all their gummies/ drops are made with real fruit.
From the holiday seasonals to the everyday products, Insa has something for everyone.
When it comes to choosing the product flavors, Rose said it is a “team effort” with the marketing team, sales representatives and sales associates in the stores. “They [the team] have the pulse of the customer,” he said. “They get comments and sometimes people say, ‘oh I wish you would make a bar with x [flavor].’”
He continued, “When I suggest a flavor or when we work for seasonal, new items, it is a team effort because I could say I want hotdog flavor, but we know it’s not going to sell,” Rose said with a laugh. “We kind of make sure we
have a solid flavor and something that is approachable.”
As Insa has stores in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida, Rose noted that some states have product skews.
For instance, he explained that in Florida, products with maple don’t resonate as well as they would in New England, whereas a fruity one would be a hit with the warm, beachy weather.
Rose said he typically makes a few different samples and – for example –the team will taste the uninfused chocolate bars as a group before deciding on the flavor.
“We try to be conscious of anything that is – for instance – spicy, not everyone likes spicy, and then sweet – well not everyone likes super sweet. So, you have to be mid-range I think in our assortment. You want to address the likings of the most amount of people,” he shared. “My approach is I put in the best quality ingredients, and it just happens to have cannabis in it.”
For more information on Insa and its holiday seasonals, visit insa.com.
High Opinion:
HOW WE SHOULDN’T DO
Social Consumption in Massachusetts
Will rules around cannabis consumption, if they ever come, get in the way of people getting high at concerts?
The second annual GLD FSTVL on Boston City Hall Plaza held this past summer was a triumph by multiple measures. There were outstanding performances by STL GLD, Dutch ReBelle, Ghostface Killah, and others, and for anyone like me who spent most of their life entrenched in the Boston rap scene, it was like a homecoming.
Through the camaraderie and peaceful revelry, however, many of us had a solid laugh about the alcohol accommo-
dations for those who wished to imbibe. In short, anyone who wanted that kind of refreshment had to visit a beer garden located a football field away from the stage.
This is not a knock on organizers of that show in any way. They did what they had to do under the circumstances—free all-ages show, public property, etc. Rather, I’m using the example since the setup gave me some ideas about how Massachusetts shouldn’t do cannabis social consumption when the time comes.
Even though I planned on having a few alcoholic beverages at GLD FSTVL, the setup kept me sober. In order to drink, you had to enter and stay in a fenced-in corral. A veritable dead zone due to its long distance from the music and the party, the setup made those who did choose to drink look like inmates in a border camp for drunks.
Since I have very little faith in regulators to do cannabis social consumption correctly—whatever that means—I saw in the City Hall Plaza booze cage the future of public weed smoking at concerts. That is to say they’ll give us designated areas to smoke and vape in, thinking that will do the trick. But it won’t.
Thankfully, GLD FSTVL also provided a solid example of what social cannabis consumption should look like—without intentionally doing so. With no specific orders or instructions around how or where concertgoers could consume, people simply did what they always do— they lit up. And not only did the sky not fall, but the experience was all the better for it.
Some more sentimental people may be thinking: What about the children? I’m happy to report that none were harmed, and even happier to say that
people getting high appeared to be incredibly responsible as usual, keeping a safe distance from young people in the early hours of the concert when a lot of families were around.
Almost every conversation I have had with people about the prospect of licensing and regulating cannabis consumption in the Bay State—especially if we are talking about outdoor concert venues—arrives at someone saying something to the tune of, Do we really need to make this stuff official? I light up at every show I go to with no problem. Don’t written rules threaten to ruin the good thing that we already have going?
Just take GLD FSTVL as an example—what if the fencing was for pot smokers instead of drinkers, and security told people that they couldn’t burn in the general crowd, close to the stage? In thinking about such a situation, it’s difficult to see state-sanctioned social consumption as more than an unnecessary burden and solution in search of new problems.
As for when we might actually see social consumption in Mass, that’s another
story altogether. While there seemed to be some positive movement on that front in January, with Cannabis Control Commission members reporting back from their fact-finding in states that already have programs, that initiative seems to have fallen by the wayside amidst countless setbacks and ongoing agency tumult.
Considering how rules and regulations might get in the way of typical traditional consumption at concerts and festivals, that delay may not be the worst thing.
Article published in coordination with Talking Joints Memo.
You can read their cannabis content daily at talkingjointsmemo.com
Our Factory Is Producing Recreational Marijuana Products
Growing strainscannabis the imagination
The search for a unicorn
Like any consumer product, the key to keeping and capturing consumers is reinventing the invention—making a better mobile phone, television or strain of cannabis.
“We like to call them cultivars, but yes, they’re all cannabis strains,” said Kristopher Roy, assistant cultivation manager in Massachusetts at MariMed. “Our mission is always to excite loyal customers and reach people we’re not serving with our existing strains.”
MariMed is releasing ten new strains, targeting changes and improvements in taste, aroma and medicinal effects. Among the new players—Cherry GarSee-Ya, Dark Rainbow, Orange Biscuits, Rozay Cake and Tropical Adhesive.
“We’re constantly working to bring new and fresh strains to the market with the same aspect of trying to keep some of those old nostalgic ones the old timers like to have,” he said.
MariMed cultivates and processes cannabis while also developing and creating new products. The business has many brands including Nature’s Heritage—its premier flower. ARL sells its products to retailers in Massachusetts, Maryland and Delaware, with plans to expand into Illinois and Missouri.
Like shuffling a deck of cards, Roy works with existing seeds and plants, comingling terpenes, cannabinoids, THC and other attributes to develop new strains that help with things like relaxation, anxiety, seizures, pain, inflammation and appetite in ways that, until now, have been unknown. The combinations and possibilities are endless.
“It’s a miracle plant because no two people will have the same reaction. It’s important for us, as cultivators and marketers, to make sure we’re listening to people that are telling us how things are helping them. If they’re not being
helped, we need to figure out why,” said Roy.
There are new technologies and techniques cultivators are using to explore what’s possible with cannabis. Roy goes at it with an open mind, snuffing out preconceptions that could stand in the way of discovering ‘miracles.’ Very often it’s just a matter of planting seeds in soil and seeing what happens.
“Every seed you put into the ground could potentially be a unicorn. You never know what comes out of those seeds. We can have something in mind, but there is always something so special that could come out,” said Roy.
“If people are searching only for certain test results, they’re missing out on benefits they didn’t even know were possible, because they were not informed of how beneficial the entire plant can be,” he continued.
Years ago, before it was legal to culti-
vate cannabis, Roy says it was thrilling to simply find a secret place to grow plants without getting caught.
“Being somebody who started in that illegal market, I’m past the point of excitement that comes from just growing the plant. Now it’s finding something new about the plant that I didn’t know before—something that makes us slightly better, or informs us to a different degree,” he said.
Back when growers operated in the dark, so to speak, there was so much to discover about growing cannabis, but little cooperation because no one wanted to get caught—so they kept quiet. Now cultivators, even competitors, are sharing information because there’s no legal jeopardy in doing so.
“The ability to share new information across markets and cultivators is sparking interest in new techniques and technology we didn’t even think was possible 10 years ago. We weren’t able to research all the effects, do trial runs and share information without worrying about who was listening,” said Roy. “We are now getting better products, because we’re able to share information.”
NEW STRAINS
BUCKNER – 50/50 HYBRID
This cultivar is Chem all the way. Automatic tingle on the first hit with a long lasting head & body high.
A perfect 50/50 anytime smoke, users report a nice, balanced high with effects as equally relaxing as energizing.
Genetics: [(Chemdawg x I95) x (Headband x I95)] x [(Zkittlez x OG Eddy Lepp) x Peach Rings]
Aroma: Earthy, woody, and floral
Taste: Earthy, woody, and floral
Top Terpenes: Myrcene, Limonene, Caryophyllene
Average THCA: 30%
States available: MA, MD
CHERRY GAR-SEE-YA –INDICA DOMINANT HYBRID
With sticky, dense nugs, Cherry Gar-See-Ya is a real looker. She smells like a Cherry lime rickey –a very cherry, fruity profile with a tang. A smooth inhale reveals a spicy, fruity zing on the tongue.
ORANGE BISCUITS
SATIVA DOMINANT HYBRID
And for feels, users report a functional, super relaxed, mellow high. We think Jerry would approve.
Genetics: Black Cherry Soda x Cherry Maduro x Mandarin Sunset
Aroma: Fruity AF.
Cherry all the way!
Taste: A spicy, fruity zing on the tounge
Top Terpenes: Myrcene, Limonene, Caryophyllene
Average THCA: 27%
States available: MA; Coming to MD in December
DARK RAINBOW –
INDICA DOMINANT HYBRID
This one was specifically bred for the water hash engineers out there. Foul mouth GMO terps collide with the interstellar moonbow lemon-lime sweet Z terps.
Genetics: GMO x Rainbow Belts F1
Aroma: Earthy, Gassy, & Fruity
Flavor: Earthy, Fruity, & Floral
Top Terpenes: Caryophyllene
THC Range: 25%
ORANGE BISCUITS
SATIVA DOMINANT HYBRID
An herbaceous cultivar with a resineous smoke that is remanicient of good incense. Her aroma smells of fruit, citrus, and a hint of creamy, sweet cookie dough. She tastes fruity and gassy with an earthy finish. Consumers report a energetic, clear head high with just the right amount of happy chill.
Genetics: Mandarin Cookies x Unknown
Aroma: Fruit, citrus, and a hint of creamy, sweet cookie dough
Taste: Fruity and gassy with an earthy finish
Top Terpenes: Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Bisabolol
SUNSET ROZAY
INDICA DOMINANT HYBRID
Average THCA: 28%
States available: MA; Coming to MD in November
ORANGE CHEMELEON --SATIVA
Talk about the sticky icky. Just like it’s name, Orange Chemeleon is all fruity citrus with a hint of chem, like a citrus cleaning agent. She’s strong but the perfect cultivar for daytime use and avoiding fatigue. Consumers report feeling uplifted, energized, happy, and relaxed.
Genetics: Tangie x Thank You Jerry
Aroma: Fruity, gassy, with a little bit of earth
Taste: Fruity and spicy with a hint of earth
Top Terpenes: Limonene, Myrcene, Caryophyllene
Average THCA: 27%
States available: MA, MD
ROZAY CAKE – 50/50 HYBRID
An evenly balanced hybrid strain that takes on the artributes of her Wedding Cake x Rozay parents. Consumers report a creative, fun, euphoric effect.
Genetics: Wedding Cake x Rozay (Sunset Sherbet x Purple Bomb)
Aroma: Sweet, berry, gassy
Flavor: Sweet, fruity, gassy
Top Terpenes: Caryophyllene
THC Range: 18-19%
SOUTH SHORE SOUR – SATIVA DOMINANT HYBRID
A descendant of the legendary Sour Diesel with its own South Shore twist. Buds are spear shaped and dense with an abundance of trichomes and her aroma consists of nostalgic diesel, sweet, lemon, and haze-like notes. This Sativa dominant strain is a perfect way to start your day or get you through it completely. South Shore Sour – try and say it 3 times fast!
Genetics: Sour Diesel x Sour Diesel
Aroma: Nostalgic diesel, sweet, lemon, and haze-like notes.
Top Terpenes: Myrcene, Limonene, Bisabolol
THC Range: 19-20%
States available: MA, MD
STRAWBERRY JELLY – INDICA DOMINANT HYBRID
This unique strains smells as good as she sounds. Aromatic & flavorful, like sweet,
slightly citrus, strawberry jam. Consumers report an energetic and happy effect with lots of laughs.
Genetics: Strawberry Pie x Grape Cream Cake F2
Aroma: Sweet berry, citrus, candy
Flavor: Sweet berry, citrus, candy
Top Terpenes: Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Limonene
THC Range: 26-30%
SUNSET ROZAY –INDICA DOMINANT
HYBRID
As her name implies, Sunset Rozay has a cough syrup fruity profile with notes of earth. Her Sunset Sherbet lineage in combination with prominent terpenes of limonene, myrcene, & caryophyllene create a full-body high while alleviating stress, something everyone needs more of in their life.
Genetics: Sunset Sherbert x Unknown
Aroma: Fruity, Woody, & Earthy
Flavor: Earthy, Floral, & Fruity
Top Terpenes: Limonene, Myrcene, Caryophyllene
THC Range: 28-33%
States available: MA, MD
TROPICAL ADHESIVE –
50/50 HYBRID
Tropical Adhesive is a cross of Gorilla Glue #4 x Tropicanna Punch. Being a 50/50 hybrid, she takes characterics from both of her parents and is super aromatic & flavorful. Consumers report a creative, blissful, relaxing experience.
Genetics: GG #4 x Tropicanna Punch
Aroma: Fruity, berry, with notes of vanilla
Flavor: Tropical fruits
Top Terpenes: Caryophyllene, Limonene, Myrcene
THC Range: 22-25%
Jimmy Carberry on old marijuana myths, Olivetol, and the importance of cannabis consumer education
Earlier this month, I expressed my curiosity about Undoo, which bills itself as the “only cannabis public safety product.” Among other things, I vowed to sample all three versions of the product—Relax, Reset, and Refresh— and to learn more about the science of nursing different kinds of highs.
As part of that mission, I also asked some questions of James “Jimmy” Carberry. The president and co-founder of Undoo LLC, he is the scientist who discovered the formula inside these softgels. He’s been around the cannabis community for more than three decades, largely on the glass paraphernalia side, but also on the medicine and media fronts.
I asked Carberry, also known as “Glaucoma Jim” for the eye prob-
lems which pushed him deep into the culture, about his journey to Undoo and the experience that spurred him to help folks in their time of weed. You probably have to tell people all the time what you do, and about Undoo.
What’s your elevator pitch about how this stuff works?
The magic within the patented Undoo formula lies with our key molecule Olivetol.
Olivetol is expected to act as a competitive inhibitor of the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 and has been cited as such. It is believed that Olivetol binds more tightly and/or more aggressively to the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and/or CB2 and has a much lower dissociation constant, allowing it to stay in the active site of the CB receptors for a longer period while not activating the receptor.
Our company is dedicated to science and is pursuing research studies for additional data to the already published articles.
What did you learn in your years of advocacy during outright prohibition that you have carried over to your work with the Undoo brand?
During outright prohibition, obviously, there were no regulations around cannabis products which lead to inconsistency in the types of products people would consume. In addition to this, there was a huge lack of education and knowledge around cannabis consumption, which makes sense considering research around cannabis was virtually nonexistent. This is something that we are still catching up with today. With this gap in knowledge, education relied on word of mouth and because of this, a lot of myths existed in the industry that still have repercussions today. The biggest thing I see that continues to carry over from outright prohibition to our current state today as I work with Undoo products is the need for quality education to the consumers, letting people make the best informed decisions possible as they move forward
with their cannabis journey. Considering your background in the paraphernalia industry and around weed events, I take it that Undoo products came out of some kind of necessity.
Any standout circumstances that made you say that people really need a way to snap out of it sometimes?
In addition to my advocacy in the United States, I was also a cannabis cup judge in Amsterdam for 20 years. One issue that I would consistently see with tourists, including American tourists, was that people would be trying cannabis products often for the first time and would get themselves in a situation where they felt way too high and this would potentially ruin an entire day or two of their vacation. Having seen these same issues in America, especially with so many new medical and recreational consumers coming to the cannabis space, it was very apparent that this was a severe problem and safety hazard.
My partner, Sarara, challenged me to find a solution to this growing problem in the industry. Having spent my time going through any type of cannabis related research that I could get my hands on, one key point that kept circling back within the literature was the molecule Olivetol and how it would appear in the process of breaking down cannabinoids. Seeing this molecule continuously reappear, I drew the hypothesis that this was the key. Being an advocate in plant based medicine as a whole, I went to the literature to see where else I could find this miracle molecule and it so happens to be that Olivetol is found in lichens as well as many of the plants we eat. I went ahead and made my first at-home batch of 5,000 capsules of what is now the Undoo formula to see if my hypothesis was correct. In addition to testing the product within my network, I traveled around to cannabis events throughout the United States and would find people at the events that would be in a position to need Undoo products. I would conduct my own personal tests in real time at these events and, after seeing the huge positive impact the
product and formula had, it became overly apparent that this is something needed in the market
What’s the hardest thing about getting the word out about Undoo?
Like I said before, there’s a lot of old mythology around cannabis in general and around what to do if you feel too high. These myths include remedies such as using peppercorns, using breathwork, taking a shower, etc. However none of these truly are solutions. With these myths out there, the hardest part of getting the word out about the Undoo product line is educating people at scale. Being that no other product previously existed to address this, we’ve had to overcome the mythology behind the old solutions and skepticism around our product. Nearly every cannabis consumer you come across has a story about a time when either themselves or one of their family or friends has felt too high.
Educating the masses is a tall task that we are working on every day. With over 56 million cannabis consumers currently in the United States and an estimated 2 million new cannabis consumers each year, we are working hard to educate people and have this important product line available for everyone.
Can you tell us about the evolution of the Undoo brand from what it was when you first started to now having the three different use cases?
When we came out with the first version of Undoo packets, we packaged the product in a single-use packet that attempted to sell all three use cases of the Undoo product within the single packet. What we realized is that each use case has its own target consumers and best methods to take the products to achieve the desired results/experience.
We decided that in order to meet consumers where they are, we needed to separate out each use case so we could focus the education for each use case separately. In addition to this, we also increased the concentration of
Olivetol in each capsule to make sure that customers were getting the best effect from the product line without having to incorporate extra capsules each time. All of this has worked wonders for our customers as we can get the right product and instructions into their hands.
Which of the Undoo products do you personally use?
I take Undoo reset softgels every night. With the amount of cannabis that I consume each day for my eyesight and glaucoma, I like to have the reset each night to help with my cannabis consumption the next day.
What can you tell us about the research you are doing with the Cannabis Center of Excellence?
How is that informing your next moves with the company?
We have had thousands of happy customers over the years that have reported back their amazing experiences with the Undoo product line. With the Cannabis Center of Excellence, we are collecting data so that instead of customer feedback, we have structured data. Through the study, we are getting direct feedback from both military veterans and your everyday cannabis consumer with their experiences for each Undoo product. When this data is complete, it will be the basis of all of our education, outreach, and future marketing programs.
We’re seeing more and more hemp-derived THC products and synthetic THC alternatives popping up. Have Undoo products been shown to have any results with these substances?
We have been receiving positive feedback from customers using Undoo products alongside hemp-derived THC products. With these THC products affecting your ECS system and your CB1 receptor, the Undoo formula is expected to have a similar effect.
Article published in coordination with Talking Joints Memo.
You can read their cannabis content daily at talkingjointsmemo.com
BY LAUREN
It’s time for Sweater Weather
To coincide with the seasons changing and the cold weather moving in, Betty’s Eddies has launched its new fall line: Sweater Weather Betty’s.
Sweater Weather Betty’s is an apple pie flavored, fast-acting fruit chew with 5mg of THC and 5mg of CBG.
“It is an interesting flavor to bring to people in a candy form,” said Ryan Crandall, chief revenue officer of MariMed. “We take the Betty’s base recipe [and] make the best version of apple pie that we’re able to and put that out for a limited time for people to enjoy it with their family and friends around fall time.”
Crandall explained that MariMed has limited time offer products across the calendar year, typically around the change of season. In the fall, he said apple pie becomes more of a staple at people’s dinner tables, which led them to the flavor choice.
“We pride ourselves on how much it really does taste like apple pie,” Crandall said. “They are really trying to refine it so when you close your eyes, you think you could be eating apple pie,” as there are notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and all the other spices that go into apple pie, which are being used for the candy,
along with natural apple flavor.
He noted that they improve upon the flavor each time. “It’s not the same apple pie every year – very close – but our goal is to improve it every year.”
In addition to the THC, Crandall said CBG – a minor cannabinoid – was added to the fruit chew.
“There are a lot of minor cannabinoids that are playing a much larger role in cannabis products today,” Crandall shared. “CBG is starting to become known as a feel-good cannabinoid, if you will. It’s not intoxicating, but certainly has effects on the body that are more around feeling good.”
Crandall explained that they do a low dose variety in all their markets, as well as a higher dose, which is called “extra strength.” In Massachusetts, the low dose is 5mg and the higher dose is 50mg per chew.
“We do offer a high dose variety as well for people looking for more THC,” he said.
He went on to say that Sweater Weather tends to be one of the more popular limited time offers and typically sells out in six weeks, by Halloween or early November.
The product price depends on the
market, however in Massachusetts, it retails for about $20 for a pack of 10 chews.
Sweater Weather Betty’s are available now and can be found in dispensaries across Massachusetts. To locate a store that sells the product near you, visit bettyseddies.com.
Betty’s Eddies has been producing all natural fruit chews since 2014. “Think about Starburst meets cannabis with good organic ingredients,” Crandall said.
Betty’s uses all natural fruits and vegetables to give it coloring, in addition to all natural flavors.
As they are essentially making “candy,” Crandall said they make sure it stays candy, with the best ingredients possible.
“We bring that base formula along with cannabis know-how and supplement know-how and we combine all those worlds together,” to create an effects-based fruit chew, he added.
“In things like sleep or stress relief, or energy, or pain, we’re targeting different compounds and cannabinoids to give people relief and/or an effect that they are trying to achieve using cannabis.”
For more information on Betty’s Eddies, visit bettyseddies.com.
legalization fact vs. myth:
Cannabis – both medical and recreational – is legal in Massachusetts, but that is not the case in all 50 states. When it comes to legalization, people have their own opinions on the matter, likely due to misinformation and myths that have spread.
One of those myths is that crime increases in states where cannabis is legal.
According to an October article published by Surterra, a Florida-based dispensary, it said, “People love to say that once the laws change, crime rates shoot up – but the numbers tell a different story. In reality, states that have legalized cannabis haven’t seen a spike in violent crime or property crime. In fact, a lot of places have reported no change or even a slight decrease.”
The article went on to say, “When cannabis is legalized, it takes the product out of the illicit market and puts it into regulated legal hands. That means fewer shady deals on the street and more control over who’s buying and selling,” (Surterra).
Another myth is that legalization advances underage consumption, however, that is not the case.
Conducted studies from states where cannabis is legal show that underage consumption has decreased, and the reasoning for that is because dispensaries have strict rules when it comes to who they sell to.
When visiting most – if not all – dispensaries in Massachusetts, IDs are checked before entry, and then again at checkout. Customers must be 21 years of age or older to purchase cannabis.
“When cannabis is regulated, it’s harder for minors to get their hands on it compared to when it’s sold on the black market. So, while the myth might sound scary, the reality is that legalization helps keep cannabis out of the wrong hands,” (Surterra).
Some believe that legalizing recreational marijuana will have a negative impact on public health, when in fact, cannabis has been proven to assist with medical conditions ranging from chronic pain to anxiety.
“When cannabis is legal, people aren’t forced to turn to unregulated, potentially dangerous options. Plus, legal markets require lab testing, so you know exactly what you’re getting. Instead of harming public health, legalization actually promotes safer use by cutting out risky, street-bought products and making sure consumers get quality cannabis,” (Surterra).
A common myth around not only legalization, but cannabis in general, is that it is a gateway drug and will increase other substance use.
According to an article published by TechTarget, “The idea that using cannabis inevitably leads to the use of harder drugs
has been debunked. While there may be an association between early cannabis use and subsequent drug use, correlation does not imply causation. Multiple factors, such as individual vulnerabilities and social influences contribute to drug use patterns.”
In a 2023 Psychological Medicine study, “researchers analyzed over 4,000 twins from Colorado and Minnesota. They found no association between cannabis legalization and rises in cognitive, psychological, social, relationship or financial issues. Despite concerns that cannabis could be a gateway drug to other more harmful substances, the study found no changes in illicit drug use after legalization,” (TechTarget).
Therefore, based on the findings, there is no evidence to back the claim that cannabis is a gateway drug among consumers in states where recreational use is legalized (TechTarget).
As the world of cannabis continues to evolve and more states begin to legalize it, it is important to do your research – know the facts and debunk those myths.
Works cited: www.surterra.com/blog/busting-cannabis-legalization-myths www.techtarget.com/pharmalifesciences/feature/ Top-10-Myths-About-Medicinal-and-RecreationalCannabis
