#23. February Showers Bring April Flowers: New York Might Be Getting Legal Weed 4/1!
Quick update on Northeast Legal Weed, A Floating Little Island on the Hudson, The Weed Witch freaks everyone out by normalizing weed
Hi there!
Oh man. I bet you’re wondering what’s going on with cannabis legalization in New York State. Well, a lot! A lot of paperwork, headaches, compliance, and now, hopefully, some answers and joints because legal weed is coming to New York on April 1!
Quick apology: I didn’t send out the Love issue. I dropped the ball because I haven’t been feeling well and needed to reserve my strength. Plus Valentine’s Day was bumming me out because it was before my birthday and I decided to engage in some self-love by tending to myself. We’re all human!
The issue is still coming and love can be renewed whenever, and after a casual survey on Instagram that I conducted, 90% of you are more interested in money, because it’s useful and pays for your basic needs, beds, baths, and beyond. I digress!
You know, if you told 13-year-old me as I was being humiliated with my training bra being waved in my face at Girl Scout Camp while eating puppy chow that I’d be writing about legal weed some day, I would have told you that’s crazy. But here I am. A bonafide success.
Plus, I already wrote about The Green Fairy’s Puppy Chow for Merry Jane so I guess I accurately predicted the future because I wrote it in the past. See how that works? WHAT ELSE HAVE I DONE?! Is this fate, freewill, or just New York City!
Shout out to Chronogram, a Hudson Valley-based local alt weekly holding it down on the legalization coverage upstate, who hosted a panel on the State of Legal Weed last week on Zoom that I found out about last minute where the April 1 announcement was made. This date has also been thrown around on another program hosted by Canopy Growers that included Axel Bernabe of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office.
"We’re working on this. We’re going to reintroduce this in our budget in January. We think we can get it done by April 1,” Bernabe said when speaking of New York legalizing marijuana. "We are really focused with a compressive bill. We are really proud of that bill."
I latched onto the Chronogram virtual event last minute last week, that includeda look at just a few of the many players that will be more become more relevant in New York’s legal market in the coming months, including Hillary Peckham, COO of event partner Etain—New York’s first and only women-owned medical dispensary—as well as voices in partnership with ILNY, such as Marcus Williams, Vice President of Community Growth Partners, a vertically-integrated, minority- and women-owned business in Berkshire County, Massachusetts operated with his wife, Charlotte, a native Brooklynite that oversees the brand, Rebelle, Meg Sanders who is a CEO Canna Provisions, and Melissa Moore, New York State Director of Drug Policy Alliance. Also in attendance were Gail Hepworth of Hempire State Growers, Andi Novick of SmallFarma LTD, and several others.
The details, of course, are limited at present. Because this was a partnered event not with our government, but with a media company and a collection of individuals who are involved in their stakes for local growers upstate and in Massachusetts. They’re also business owners among a global sea change.
There are obviously so many invested parties and organizations that it would be useful if some of them would start working together to make it easier to follow an agenda. Honestly, we need so many people to write about this and edit these stories. The fact there’s no money to do this is bizarre to me.
Ultimately, the verdict comes down to whatever goes into legislature, and ideally, it will happen April 1 so we can start collecting some money and funneling it back into our schools, infrastructure, and other places that people seem to be upset about but continuously investing it in other places.
Andi Novick of SmallFarma LTD called out Andrew Cuomo for the prohibitions against home growers. “[Growing] your own food and medicine is a fundamental right. It’s a birthright to farm this plant. It’s so aligned with our bodies that our does produce cannabinoids.”
Williams, a tech industry veteran, also noted that as a longtime recreational enthusiast, he was certainly relieved and delighted to finally share his passions as a business. It’s a really weird transition with prohibition, but the same could be said for anyone who was around when alcohol prohibition happened.
DIY EDIBLES TO MAKE AT HOME
I am so happy to announce that two of my recipes will be featured this spring “The Art of Cooking with Cannabis” by Tracey Medeiros, author of the The Connecticut Farm Table Cookbook and The Vermont Farm Table Cookbook (Countryman Press). Neither are remotely healthy, but delicious ways you can make edibles using shatter and flower, courtesy of yours truly. I am honored to be featured among such dope company, including James Beard Best Chef Northwest winner Chef Maria Hines of Seattle, Chef David Yusefzadeh of the forthcoming Cloud Creamery Co. in Massachusetts and James Beard nominated Chef Jordan Wagman who I both wrote about for Kitchen Toke. Pre-order for April 6!
Can you believe that it’s now super dated to look like an old timey Prohibition cocktail bartender in Williamsburg now? The last time I was in Amsterdam three years ago, they had a coffee shop that looked very Mast Bros. with digital menus and a red velvet space cake that was so delicious and also so potent. I ended up going this cat art museum called the KattenKabinet and the Bols Genever tour that was really weird!
Who knows what our dispensaries will look like in the future! Hopefully better than what we have now, which is what’s happening in places like Illinois and Michigan, where I visited the MOCA dispensary last summer during an impromptu trip. The products there are phenomenal, and when I think of the ability for us to start traveling again, it makes me really happy to think that people can have a local taste of wherever they go.
Here in New York, this is a huge win for tax money that has been cycled into the private sector for far too long. And while there are many arguments and historical reasons why that was the case, it’s also the strongest reason why this legislation is going to be so important.
Based on a poll conducted by Chronogram, locals think this is where the money from New York cannabis should go:
Infrastructure
Education
Substance Abuse Education
Healthcare
Budget Relief
Massachusetts seems to have the strongest foothold on creating a partnership across state lines. There are also driving efforts from NORML’s New York City efforts, Women Grow, Harlem Business Alliance, national efforts, so many coalitions, and all of the brands, I really can barely keep up.
This is such an incredible moment because it finally allows New York to feel a sense of our own local culture and terroir that so incredible—just like all of our heirloom apples, agriculture, and local products we can be proud of as a result our progressive Farm Bill laws, which will create cooperative incentives for farm workers and agricultural producers.
Thinking about it actually brings tears to my eyes a little bit because this is the future I wanted. The one the empowered our apple orchards to make beautiful artisanal cider, incredible craft beer with using locally grown varieties of cannabis’s agricultural twisted sister, hops, advance winemaking techniques throughout the Finger Lakes and Hudson Valley using our robust varietals growing around Seneca Lake, and hopefully paving the way for innovation at the Culinary Institute of America, an institute that really means everything to me. And at a time while Northern California is carving out appellations in the Emerald Triangle.
OH MY GOD SOME OF YOU ARE JUST DISCOVERING THIS FOR THE FIRST TIME. It might not even be now. It might be in 20 years or something, when no one cares. Truly monumental to think that we’re going to have a whole green energy sector, agricultural and ecotourism based on weed!
On this end, turns out a lot of people are weirded out by the term “weed witch” and it gets flagged pretty regularly on social media because AI/social media moderators aren’t too good at eye-balling irony anymore. So, I’m finding a different name to work with. That’s the point, guys! It’s supposed to freak you out by normalizing weed! Most people informally polled seem to be down with Pipe Dreams because sometimes you’ve gotta dream it, live it, be it—and might bust some pipes in the process and need to call a plumber.
Maybe that metaphor is mixed. Whatever. The guy working at Whalebone got it! And he gave me a free ice cream, too, on the way out! I started reading it and it basically explains how to have a conversation about the weather.
Man, it’s a good thing they had a Wes Anderson pop-up because I think being socially awkward and emo is coming back for 2021. The ‘90s and aughts are back for Gen X Æ A-Xii! Weirdly, that actually works? Billie Eilish will define it, along with all the skater kids hanging over at St. Marks on the weekend, who must really be loving this moment through a fresh set of eyes. Gen Xers are sighing heavily at the envy of it all.
As a child of the ‘90s, I guess that makes me Jan Brady syndrome, having to culturally translate my youth to a generation thinks they’re original, when they’re not. You will get made fun of forever like we did until you are nearly 40 and no longer care about the problems of the youth that are no different than the problems we had, except with more negligent environmental issues that have been steadily growing with warning after warning.
Everyone I talk to in the real world seems to think so! I don’t know, maybe I’m just tougher because I grew up living in charity housing, motels, apartments, and slept on unheated floors in band practice spaces while doing my unpaid internships and working three crappy jobs. All of these people smoke weed because we hated our shitty jobs.
Anyway, please visit the West Village when you all come back to New York City, you deserters! I know you left! You’re not here! I know it! Only five people live in New York City now: Me, Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Justin Theroux. It’s been awkward with me and Samantha, but I know she’d call me to up just to talk shit and get the gossip on everyone.
If you are here, please go patronize Madame Matovu on 10th Avenue. Rosemary is so sweet, has the cutest selection of clothing and the best displays. Same with Oslo Coffee, Housing Works, Sea Grape Wine Shop, Employees Only, Cowgirl, Dante’s, Cafe Kitsune, The White Horse. The good bodega and the sketchy one that’s good for the fact it’s holding it down for Real NYC. There are actually so many dope restaurants and boutiques here that I mainly just want money to patronize them for the sake of keeping them there. I don’t even need anything. I just love having the vibe.
There are a lot of empty storefronts and I’d like to see more cute shoe boutiques again like when I first visited here and fell in love. Walking around this historic neighborhood is really special every day. I still swoon.
People are still selling art in Washington Square Park. There’s a girl in Union Square that selling pussy ashtrays next to the Farmers’ Market where you can find all of the cool farmers featured in my book, the New York Times bestseller and Pulitzer Prize winning travel guide, Easy Weekend Getaways in the Hudson Valley & Catskills.
It is now available here: IndieBound | W.W. Norton | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Target | Three Lives & Company.
I want to go on vacation now, using my own advice. Soon you’ll be able to do it with weed! Personally, I think Etain should buy the historic Northern Dispensary by Stonewall and make it an actual dispensary. Last summer, Stonewall was lit as the GAAYRP disco with old gays hanging around partying to Cardi B—like Mike Myers, a 57-year-old SNL alum and AARP qualifying member, whose Pizza Hut ads with Cardi and Dana Carvey as “Wayne’s World” are now on digital boards on the MTA. I wasn’t mad about it! It just seems like Conan O’Brien joke, that’s all.
There are so many small business owners here who are rooting for people to come say hi. These are their dream businesses. They’re so proud and miss the energy of being around people. Everyone does. There are experiential pop-ups I see around every day. Street vendors over by W. 4th St. and Chinatown and street performers on the subway again. Music back here again on the streets where our venues have closed. Our chocolate shops like Versano’s have been so sweet, giving me an extra piece of toffee when I go into treat myself. They have a pastel Smeg refrigerator in there and great chocolate!
That’s something you have to catch in person. It isn’t a regularly scheduled performance you can catch on Zoom. It’s a reminder that you have to come be present here—and we’re excited to have you. Locals really miss our tourists, even if people don’t see New York City as a local place. That’s what’s going to be the important part of New York’s legal weed. Not just the product—but so many ways you can enjoy your life here as a medical and/or recreational user. Everyone can enjoy this amazing opportunity to experience something new, unique, local and different.
The pandemic really crushed the hustle and bustle of workers commuting into offices and I think we’re all very excited and optimistic about getting a vaccine. The fact we can even have such possibility being manufactured so quickly is an absolute miracle, and the ways we’ve adapted in the course of one year is truly remarkable. It may not seem like that some days, but it really is. I know our comedians are depressed, everyone is overworked, and deep down, people miss people.
Am I psychic? Obviously. Astrology and astronomy essentially toe the same line as studies of moon and star transits with different spiritual and scientific interpretations. If anything, I appreciate the element of surprise. Life is full of ups and downs, and no one knows everything. We can just anticipate opportunities. Any spiritual advisor, life coach, psychologist, social worker, therapist, or holistic practitioner will tell you the exact same thing. I just like asking questions, hearing stories, and trusting the unknown as a part of life!
Here’s the Maslow Hierarchy of Needs. Self-actualization of our “highest selves” is also releasing our egos and being fine with just taking a random shitty job sometimes. I have amazing friends with PhDs who are working random jobs, had to pivot into nursing, gave birth, or started a bunch start-ups and still started over.
That’s “the future of cannabis culture”: starting over. Realizing that the mistakes of the past don’t have to define our future. There are people who use or quit for so many reasons—just like alcohol. Our personal relationships with new substances, foods and otherwise don’t always mesh with our unique endocannabinoid systems. But we can learn about them by learning from each other.
One of the reasons I enjoyed helping out with Marz Community Beverages in Chicago for their botanical seltzers is that I believe the heart of our country—an agricultural landscape—is just as interested in robust plant medicine and innovation, too, and wants to be part of this conversation.
I made a joke several years ago when I was assigned a story on mushroom coffee that it “sounded like an L.A. thing.” This was removed during edits, as well as the whole story that had carefully researched information about medical advances relevant to consumers. Why? Because we’re worried Los Angeles can’t have a sense of humor about itself? Hey, Los Angeles: do you guys eat carbs? Because I know a lot of people there that would laugh at that.
My argument was that no one would care so long as it tastes good. If it has a healthy bonus, even better. No one was against Jamba Juice showing up to kick out the stripper and punk stores on Belmont and Clark in Chicago, even though Jamba Juice smoothies have a bajillion calories. Many people who worked at bars and restaurants want to work at dispensaries—and these people are extremely educated on how to speak to consumers. I’m so excited to fold them in, because they’re creative with ingredients and connections.
One of the reasons I loved working in food is that you can find amazing food trends and innovation happening everywhere. In Montana, for example, I was lucky enough to visit Missoula years ago, where my best friend and intrepid beer reporter and chicken mom, Kate Bernot, is now in the heart of one of the most blossoming weed destinations in America. One that barely sees any coverage because we’re so focused on what New York and Los Angeles are doing. I’m sure California gets sick of itself, too, and would appreciate a little diversity in our regional coverage that shows more than celebrities or influencers. I know I do.
At Madame Matovu, Rosemary puts out a nice display of her curated finds every day that it’s nice outside. She says her displays are something she does to make people happy and feel good about coming here again. I told her I wanted to write about her, and everyone else in the neighborhood, because we all want people to come here again and bring life.
Most shops have kept the door open, and we recognize each other, even with masks. There is a sense of regularity here and community from people who have seen it all, and it feels really comforting to be connected to my community in that way. Especially in a city like New York City. I never even imagined that was a possibility. It’s honor, actually. Having a hot cocoa at Bar Pisellino that a friend took me to for my birthday was among my greatest indulgences. Sunny days are the best ones, and we’re all excited for more of them to come. These are the things I love and the people I love.
Part of the charm is coming during the off-hours. Because everyone goes out on Friday/Saturdays, and last summer, no one wanted to be online. Everyone was all over Central and Prospect Park, having picnics, and just experiencing the city on foot. Getting lost. Long walks are among my favorite things. INCLUDING the new Little Island opening at Pier 55 along the Hudson River this spring!! Look at this thing! I want to be their visitor host! They’re hiring right now! Why am I looking at LinkedIn? This is so cool!
Everyone just misses a feeling of ease and normalcy here. I keep skipping around the city like Belle in Beauty and the Beast, saying “Hi” to neighbors walking dogs, greeting store owners, and trying my best to be really nice. Community boards on Facebook have been really wonderful and generous, where I’ve met up with folks to take on extra magazines they may not want and spring cleaning.
Friends across the country have been so supportive, sending thoughtful gifts using USPS. Taking a moment to do a crossword, have a coffee, say hi to the guy working at the post office. I’ve been setting really good boundaries about the amount of screen time I allow to dominate my headspace, as I’ve become really passionate about holistic health.
My bodega owners look so tired. Dealing with such horrible energy being directed at them and just want some positivity. I bought a few “We Don’t Have Wi-Fi, Talk To Each Other, Pretend It’s 1995” and old “I <3 NY” coffee cup photo postcards from the local smoke shop where they still sell shitty bongs. I love our shitty bodegas! We have the best slice shops you can still grab one from. Village Square Pizza on Christopher St. is amazing and has Mike’s Hot Honey for their squares. One of the postcards I bought was this cheesy card from 2014 made by a guy named Gary Firstenberg where his tagline is ‘Turning Negatives Into Positives.” I started crying because it was in Comics Sans font with the dumbest URL. It looked like an AOL travel card and so sweet in how stupid it is.
Some guy came in, bought an energy shot, and gave it to the bodega guy and said he looked like he needed it. Then, he asked why he wasn’t taking Dogecoin and he said, “No, no. I wish. It’s too much drama.” I handed him a $20 for a seltzer, where paying in U.S. legal tender cash now is a form of drama. Guys! Get it together!!! Everyone is getting weed now! You all deserve it! New York strong!
Rosemary and I made sad eyes at each other as we talked about how painful it’s been and we all just want a sense of community again. The energy of people feeling good, all of the spring flowers, and how it all has to bounce back. It’s the West Village! We are Village People and this is Voice of the Village! Except not, because I think that’s probably trademarked.
This is one of New York’s most historic neighborhoods and an international travel destination. CHERRY BLOSSOMS ARE COMING (and so is legal weed—a different flower). New York is getting so lifted this spring! I know that after a dreary winter, painful 2020, and tumultuous 2021, many of our local small businesses are looking for a ray of sunshine. Hopefully, having a plan that provides a framework for this “agricultural disruptor” will create a more unified sense of connection between our city, state, the rest of the country, and overall sustainable, regenerative efforts towards greening the future of our planet.
All of us need it. We really just need some positivity and something to look forward to as we do our day-to-day. I have so many great photos from last year, thanks to Nikon, who sent me a camera last year on loan for awhile. I tried really hard to become a TikTok influencer, but I was so depressed. I just couldn’t do it. I miss the camera though. It was a good one, and I’m grateful for the photos that I can use to still share those places and magic.
This year has been so hard on some of my friendships, my family members, former colleagues. Relationships. We keep losing so many people that at a certain point, you need to just disconnect for your own sanity. Some people have just been on the frontline, and I think almost everyone I know is ready for a shake-up in their routine.
It’s really hard not to feel emotional about how hard people worked this year. I see so much progress that catching up with all the goodness is what overwhelms me. I hope everyone feels really proud of themselves. I know I do. It’s good to remember that. Small acts of kindness—the kind bud—is what we need. Being kind to yourself and others.
By the way, I never called it kind bud and had no idea what that meant for many years. It sounded like a West Coast thing, so obviously I didn’t care. Turns out that it’s Hawaiian, which makes sense: they send good island vibes. Mahalo to Topher Jacobs of the Hawaiian Alchemist, who sends me photos of sunshine and the ocean sometimes.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it! Some kids are going to grow up in a world where they don’t even know that cannabis is weed. Literally. A woman at a Women’s Grow event in Riverdale said her teenage son asked her point blank, “Mom, is weed cannabis?” That is blowing my mind right now and I’m not even stoned.
WILD! Guys, this is so cool! I had to call up my friend to come over and just talk about weird this has been. I feel like I’m sitting between divorced parents at a PTA meeting being forced to choose which parents I’m living with. It’s OK. I already had to do that and it still feels weird. I choose to love/hate both, so that about sums up my feelings about the legal/legacy markets or humans, generally. Plus, divorce rates are up. Kim’s been through it before and doing fine.
Trying to explain how important this is for our country right now in the long-term is so hard to contextualize that. It takes time for seeds to grow, for culture to proliferate, for access and innovation. Travel restrictions have made it challenging for all of us to fully understand this because it’s such a seismic shift, but actively allows us to impact so many different industries, it’s incredible.
Anyway, I haven’t been privy to the legalization side for a bit since reporting on expungement efforts in Brooklyn nearly three years ago. Being dedicated to action committees requires time, money and effort—as well as mobility—to be present and objective. I’m just curating my own view of the world, and you can come along for the ride or curate your own!
Even at my local wine shop, I see new brands arrive every day that require simply being in the store at the right time. It could a lifetime just going through to tell the stories of every vintner at that store. I love wine because every bottle contains a memory of the earth that has been fermented, tended to, and cared for. To have that same approach with cannabis, is exactly what I am looking forward to folding in—and every publication should be. I hope brands will invest more into our media outlets so our dedicated storytellers can help immortalize voices in a meaningful way that connects businesses to people.
There is so much happening offline that I hope others will be excited to learn about. I’m remaining optimistic re: the vaccine and eventual ability for us to travel safely to patronize all of our wonderful cultural institutions while enjoying this amazing plant. Or just traveling and visiting farmers markets and restaurants!
Obviously, there are many more people and brands that will come to fruition in this historic moment in New York history, U.S. history and influencing the rest of the world. Actually, it’s so much work that it should bring everyone back who left!
Man, that sounds like a lot, doesn’t it?! Why am I doing this for no money again??? Just kidding…not really. It’s certainly a lot to keep ones’ “finger on the pulse,” as sort of professional amateur newsletter project that generates virtually no money, but it’s something optimistic we can look forward to this spring! It’s also why I am taking a little bit of some time to myself to recoup and reformat this project.
Many of us have been patiently waiting for news with baited breath. Eventually, this will just be in a store. Mainstream media production shut down, impacting many of us that wanted to keep going or trying out cool projects. The Weed Witch because it sounds like a cool psych rock band, but it’s also a little rough on those of us who are still gutted over our music venues being closed. I made significant lifestyle changes, including addressing how to advise on limits, mental health, physical health, wellness, and tough topics that aren’t always as fun, but important. Also? I love using CBD! So many people think it’s so lame, but it’s not.
I’ve been making really cool iced teas lately, using CBD teas from Willie’s Reserve—Willie Nelson’s brand that I came across a few years ago and who also has a CBD coffee. CBD coffee might be brand new to some people. I actually have so many friends who contributed cool playlists and wanted to do interviews, but really struggled to put it up in time. I like working months in advance on a magazine, having a dedicated team, and the shut down really impacted the ways we all live and centers we cling to in uncertain times.
Most people I know seem to be broke. Ideally, I always thought it might be cool to work for the tourism board in some capacity because I <3 New York and legal weed! Win-win! Speaking of, if you aren’t broke and enjoy this project, please consider throwing some bones this way as a fist bump:
Additionally, I’d love to see some cannamoney thrown at Sharon Letts’s GoFundMe—a travesty that anyone should have to start a GoFundMe for medical bills in a multi-billion dollar medical industry they committed 10 years of service to as a journalist. Becky Garrison has also generously shared the challenges trying to engage in ethical reporting for the cannabis industry will have valuable reporting to add for future stories.
Miss Grass has been doing articles for two years begging us to “keep weed weird” and getting a little exhausted by the sterilization of cannabis. Which is…challenging. After all, it is an FTC/USDA regulated product for medical patients that include children and the elderly with state-by-state (SSO) vs. multi-state operators (MSO)—as well as the guys doing dab rigs with Rose McGowan, as well as the business side and the infinite stories that no one is getting paid decent wages to report on. Andrew Ward, who is also based in New York, will likely have a really excellent report in the future about the state of cannabis jobs, which he wrote a book on.
The upside is that all of us will have dispensaries soon and a lot of restorative justice on the way. SMKBRK and EstroHaze in Brooklyn are doing dope stuff. David Hershkovits has been working on Light Culture podcast for awhile now. I haven’t even tapped into the Chicago and Michigan markets yet. I have a rolling list of people I’d love to feature. Plus all the crossover from all of my friends I was already tapping to get into this industry over the past few years in food who are so down to make amazing edibles, share good wine ideas, and welcome you back into their cities.
In the meantime, looking forward to sending out a nice mental health relief post on self-love soon. In the meantime, here are a few New York brands to keep your eye on, as I believe that everyone is so excited to get back on the road, feel good and safe about returning to offices, having parties, making memories. I hope you’ll come fall in love with New York again soon.
New York Brands I Currently Know and Love
· TONIC Vibes/Tricolla Farms: Cannaclusive founder Mary Pryor is an entrepreneur, social justice advocate, and marketing genius who has also been keeping tabs between her current home in California and her stationed roots with TONIC Vibes in collaboration with Erik and Brittany Carbone of Tricolla Farms in Tioga County. The product I sampled a little over a year ago is wonderful. I am excited to hear what she thinks—though I would imagine she is not surprised!
· Hudson Hemp/Our Treaty are among the most remarkable producers of sustainable, regenerative farming and their broad spectrum CBD product is of such an amazing caliber that I wish every CBD oil would match. It’s what I would consider top line CBD and their commitment to fair labor brings tears to my eyes. Plus, they have this incredible solitary bee sanctuary designed by Harrison Atelier. It looks like a cool cosmic porcupine that sustains bees!
· High Falls Hemp is another amazing full-spectrum CBD brand that I found via Jew Who Tokes based in High Falls, NY. I can’t wait to visit their farm and learn more about what’s happening upstate.
None of these three brands were at the NY event from Chronogram. But to me, that is fine. It was a useful opportunity to hear from some of our local operators and Massachusetts brands I rarely get the opportunity to meet, such as Rebelle.
Massachusetts Brands To Watch
Ardent: Ardent is among the top infusion devices and maker of the Flex. I interviewed Shanel Lindsay, founder, queen, and CEO of Ardent in 2019 over at Merry Jane. She has nutty hemp balls to share if you’re into DIY edibles—something I haven’t done in a hot minute.
The Pass: A vertically-integrated cannabis farm and dispensary in Berkshire County. I haven’t visited yet because #pandemica2020. But I was tipped off by Hudson Hemp and have generally very excited to learn more about what they do so that I can share it with you.
Cloud Creamery: I can’t wait for this one. It’s from Chef David Yusefzadeh making WEED ICE CREAM. I interviewed him for Kitchen Toke awhile back, as he’s among the many award-winning chefs that are paving the way to create an easier path for long-time weed enthusiasts, medical patients or future ones, to be part of this growing industry that requires so much talent.
Once upon a time, I made weed ice cream in college. We got so high that my friend started ordering Shirley Temples because she had no idea they were non-alcoholic, and thought she was getting away with underage drinking. We ended up putting it on a back porch because it was parent’s weekend, where it melted and stayed longer than any shelf item would be safe or recommendable. Everyone said we should throw this out, but someone had the bright idea to put it back in the freezer where it sat like a frozen petri dish for year, until one day, we decided to pull it out and eat it. Don’t do this.
Anyway, this is obviously long and probably will get cut off because Substack wasn’t built for this. But looking forward to sharing more with you soon!
Love,
Carly