Andrew Boyens and his company Natty Rems was introduced to me by my dear friend the Xiaolin, who turns Andrew’s golden hued cannabis oil into a richly textured hand-crafted, excelsior cannabis cigars. An ultra-luxury creation in itself, a hand-made cannagar from an Xiaolin Cannagar, then there is that concentrated cannabis oil from Natty Rems, it’s that good! I’m incredibly lucky to be privy to the secretive world of cannabis concentrates. Especially ones from such high quality flowers, yes, they are their own!
500mg Live Resin Cartridge and Battery (Photo by Damian Weiler) 1-01(PHOTO BY DAMIAN WEILER)
Erik Knutson is playing a multi-dimensional game of chess with his own world, on various levels in both the dark and the light of day simultaneously. He doesn’t seem to rest, there is much more to be done with what appears to be vast depths of his boundless energy. I had the opportunity to speak to Erik about his passion for cannabis infused beverages at the recent Cannabis Drinks Expo, where I was a keynote speaker. It was very clear for me to visualize Erik’s direction in life, and it involves great success to him. Erik is ultra-ambitious and excited about the art of living life through his passion! Plus, his beverages taste great! That’s a big deal considering most cannabis drinks just suck. I’m on record saying this pretty broad-reaching statement and I did it in person during my keynote presentation at the Cannabis Drinks Expo a couple short weeks ago. Most of these thc and cbd infused beverages are just too sweet, just short of one dimensional in scope, and boring in their overall packaging. Erik’s beverages have a drier approach to them. Along with his dry sense of humor, his beverages are going places unexpected just ten or so years ago. And his packaging is fun! Erik is an entrepreneur, a flavorist and pragmatic to his success. Keef Cola is even more delicious with just a couple ounces of authentic Foursquare Rum, over good ice in a tall, clean glass, with fresh lime juice and a couple shakes of Fee Brothers Cardamom Bitters. A cross-fade without parallel. I’m a better person explaining this drink to my readers, because it tastes so darned good, and it gets you really buzzed!
I just spent the last one and one half days in Santa Rosa, California. The California mood seemed pretty chill. But this trip wasn’t a time for shopping at dispensaries, seeking the finest herbs. I was heading to wine country to experience history being made at the Wine and Weed Symposium. The wine industry has been standing strong against most other agricultural endeavors that may attempted to invade their marketplace, to date. Now with massive pressures beyond their control, in the form of legal cannabis, the wine industry is finally coming to terms with the fact that cannabis, at least the legal kind is there to stay. And with wine still being popular, but not quite as popular, the times are changing with the years. Sonoma Wine, please meet the finest cannabis in the land.
Henry’s Original Premium Cannabis Smokes HENRY’S ORIGINAL
I love Henry’s Original. They were one of the first pre-rolls that I truly fell in love with. Having just learned that this little cannabis company is about to become something much greater caught my attention. After all, Merida Capital Partners are not just any investment group. They bring companies forward into the future. Clean Green certification also caught my eye as there are great pressures in cannabis to cut corners and fool the consumer. Henry’s does not take this path, their organic certification speaks for itself. I truly love when small companies can catch the attention of the big fish, not for pure metrics, but to bring the highest quality, sun-grown cannabis to educated consumers around California. When I got the press release, the choice was clear, share this news with my interested readers.
Mike Glazer’s work has garnered over 300 million online views. JOEL FLORA
In 2015, I traveled to Moscow, Russia, with the honor of teaching a Master Class in Rum at the Moscow Bar Show (Yes, I do have a rather inglorious past in traditional liquor as a Master Mixologist/Brand Ambassador). I was stunned to learn that consuming coffee and the culture that surrounds it is a new thing in Moscow, certainly within the past five or so years with the explosion of global coffee culture. Almost overnight, coffee has been embraced by the youth of the country. The Russians appear to enjoy their coffee extremely sweet with added sugar for good luck. Just like we do in America. They love it with a couple dozen donuts on the side, as well. They ask for it by name: “Light and Sweet” — not a bad way to open a conversation in Russia through the stomach-filling kindness of Dunkin’ Donuts. On nearly every street corner, in kiosks on the street and even in private offices, there are a myriad of Dunkin’ Donuts shops. I was charmed to find out that the culture of Dunkin’ is quite popular in Moscow and if that doesn’t make you smile, I don’t know what will. It’s just a little bit of home on the other side of the earth! So why am I talking about coffee and donuts?
WB’s note: I’ve done my fair share of psychedelics. It was something I enjoyed greatly during my many Grateful Dead shows in the 1980s. It also fueled my own exploration to the very far reaches of my still undiscovered, inner space. I can still taste that very specific sour flavor of the locally produced chemicals surging across my mind’s tongue from the first time I “dropped acid” while attending Emerson College — I still feel the vibrations when I walk in front of 150 Beacon Street. Fast forward to very recently, I attempted micro-dosing psilocybin mushrooms with intriguing results. I did this not necessarily to catch a buzz, but to learn more about the possibilities since studies and peers report improved creativity, an increase in energy, as well as using it as an effective tool for treating anxiety and depression. I now see what can be done for those who suffer from PTSD and other health issues.
I met Steve Berg at an event in New York City introducing the new and vastly improved Firefly 2 for an enthusiastic crowd of journalists. I had only a few minutes to introduce myself and then to attempt to explain to Steve that his first foray into the vaporizer market was less than successful in my view. I tried to say, at least in a kind way that the first incarnation was not my favorite product. But after trying the new Firefly 2 with numerous improvements, my opinion of the first device was quickly forgotten. The Firefly 2 is now one of my favorite implements for the safe and metered consumption of medical cannabis. Sure you can use it for recreational weed, but to fully appreciate the expertise and talent that went into the development and implementation of this device, you should be using the finest medical cannabis available. Why? Because medical cannabis is not street weed. It has been tested for safety and it will truly, do no harm. Can your street weed say that? Doubtful. Steve’s a good guy, with a wry sense of humor. I discovered much when I sat with him and I didn’t know what to expect from my Q&A. What is written here is highly personal and very deep. I’m proud to bring you, Steve Berg. A kind man with patience. Thank you. WB
Background on Scott Riefler, Chief Science Officer:
Scott Riefler has over 40 years of cultivating and commercializing scientific and technological resources. He has spent the last 20 years translating his experience and applying it to food system innovation, literally bringing rocket science into the kitchen – and now cannabis. He has been with SoRSE since 2017, where he and his team developed a key water born platform for cannabinoid oils for the edible industry
