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Carolina Fortuna Applauds Passion for the Plant in Argentina

Carolina Fortuna Applauds Passion For The Plant in Argentina

Carolina is driven to succeed in her life. From working in the spirits industry to being inspired by good health (no meat), and of course, there’s the plant in the form of “plant medicine”… You cannot keep from being inspired by her enthused passion for the plant… And we can consider ourselves extremely lucky that she found her path to the plant. Why? Because the world of medicinal cannabis doesn’t revolve around only the USA. She is determined to succeed with medical cannabis as her métier. With Carolina, and yes, she’s from South America. Argentina, to be exact, was a place that was pretty

stigmatized by even the mere mention of the plant for decades.

It’s sad, really, that the government stifled the medicinal qualities of cannabis. It’s kind of like our nation: stigmatized.

I consider myself lucky to have met Carolina, not in person, but through the magic of the Internet.  

Cheers!  

Please enjoy her Q&A. I did. Thank you. WB

cannabis world news Christina Fortuna
Carolina Fortuna. Photo credit: Camila Azul @akiraphotography.mx

Waren Bobrow: Please tell me about yourself. Where are you from? Where do you live now? What is your job?

Carolina Fortuna: My name is Carolina Fortuna, and I am from the city of Buenos Aires. I grew up in a suburban neighborhood bordering the city and the province. This neighborhood, “República de Mataderos,” led me to see a different reality. Children look in the garbage to eat, and people live in the street.

As a child, it shocked me at first, with a lot of anger, to see other children suffering for not meeting their basic needs. A little later, when I was about ten years old, I started collecting garbage. It was a game for me, and I could get quick money. I started collecting glass bottles, then continued with aluminum cans and cardboard. My family encouraged me to keep doing it, this was the first job I had. Years later, something awakened in me. It was an awareness about waste and collection, which I expanded to include the urban collection of certain medicinal plants found in the streets.

I live in Buenos Aires now, having recently arrived from an 11-month-long trip to Mexico and the United States. I moved to a studio that is a bit small to accommodate all my laboratory equipment, but it is only temporary and cozy. I work as a culinary consultant, creating conceptual menus for bars and restaurants and developing conceptual menus for private and mass events. I have my own brand of tea, I am a teacher giving classes on the use of plants in cocktails, and I recently launched my website: www.carofortuna.com, where I host courses and information necessary to get started in this fabulous world.

WB: I have seen your writings on the Internet about cannabis philosophy. Who inspired you to be philosophical and intrigued about the plant?

CF: Being philosophical about the plant inspired me to try the plant itself. I tried it when I was 16 years old. In my neighborhood, as a child, there was only one version of marijuana that came compact in a small box with a bad smell and many seeds.

When I had the honor to see, smell, and touch a cannabis plant growing in a friend’s backyard in direct soil, I swear my life changed. I understood many things thanks to cannabis. It is a plant that regulates anxiety and stressful moments. My work occupies several fields of action, and many times, I feel stuck with work. At the end of the day, a good weed connects me with my center, that beautiful place that we all have inside and that, sometimes, in everyday life, is difficult to access.

WB: Is cannabis legal where you live? Is hemp legal? Who is a leader in this field? When did you first try cannabis?

CF: The great historical failure of cannabis in Argentina was thanks to a mother of an autistic child who went to jail for growing cannabis to produce the oil her son needed. She got a writ of amparo to let her grow, and the organization Mama Cultiva was formed. From then on, everything went uphill. In Argentina, a medical cannabis law was passed in 2020, it was a historic event. I was at work, and I got the news because I was watching what was going on in Congress. We have a very good medical cannabis law because it is a law that promotes self-cultivation, this law states that each patient can have at home up to 9 flowering plants and an indefinite number of plants in the process of vegetation.

To be able to cultivate, you must access a permit that is granted by specialized doctors who enter you into the program called REPROCANN. I have been registered there since it came out. They give you an identification, and then you can access to cultivate and transport even by plane up to 40 grams of cannabis in the internal flights of the country. The current conflict is due to the change of government. This new president wanted to audit absolutely all the measures of the previous government, so now we are almost 200,000 medical cannabis users with our registration expired or about to expire. Many others are waiting for approval because, at this moment, this new governmental administration has slowed all the procedures.

Hemp is not legal in Argentina, although there is a HEMP MUSEUM where I was able to attend talks and events where they serve excellent hemp flour cookies. It is very difficult to choose a single leader in the cannabis area because there are many people who give their lives to the plant. I would say that it is very interesting to talk with Celeste Pallavicini (@cpallavinici,) who is a Neuroscientist and CONICET researcher who brings to the table some ideas about the future of medicinal therapies with entheogens that are really focused on a better possible future. I also find the PORRO podcast (@podcastporro) on Spotify very interesting. It is made by @los_cocos_dtw, who has his cannabis NGO @donmarcelinoyloscocos. This podcast talks about different aspects of cannabis and hemp in a relaxed way and with an excellent musical accompaniment to listen to it smoking one and learn about the history, medicinal properties, and uses of this plant that does so much good to humanity.

WB: Do you have a favorite food or restaurant that you like when you drink cannabis? What is the relationship between terpenes and food?

CF: I like to accompany a flower with some mate. In Argentina, we drink a lot of mate; it is a non-psychoactive herb that contains caffeine and various medicinal properties. For lunchtime lately, my favorite recipe is some oatmeal cookies that I am making frequently with two bananas, cups of oatmeal, two eggs, two tablespoons of peanut butter, raisins, and seeds. They are ready in the oven in 5 minutes and healthy, which goes perfectly with all my exercise and yoga routine that I have been doing for a few years now.

It is difficult to find a restaurant where I can smoke because smoking is not really allowed in public spaces, but I like to go on Thursdays to Lado V, a vegan restaurant where sometimes my friend Flor Bocona sings. Also, in 7 Vidas, there is a hamburger proposal with terpenes that I didn’t try because I haven’t consumed animals for 5 years.

The relationship of terpenes with food is ancestral, but biotechnology has allowed us to isolate these components to enhance the flavors. I developed some cocktails with terpenes for the last Expo Cannabis Argentina at the fair complex La Rural. The public’s acceptance was amazing, especially considering that the cocktails had no alcohol and no psychoactive effects.

One cocktail I made had a decoction of pineapple skins, and its juice was mixed with a vegan strawberry ice cream with terpenes from the Blackberry Kush plant of the Argentine and Spanish brand CannaCream. This cocktail received the name LOW STRESS, referring to a technique of L.S.T. cultivation that tries to change the direction of the branches of the plant with some tutors so that it grows healthier, gets better light, and enhances its growth.

WB: What is your passion?

CF: I am passionate about life and about communicating novelties that improve people’s quality of life. I started with cocktails when I was 18 years old, and from the beginning, I mixed with unusual ingredients such as Bach flowers and mother tinctures. Along the way, I came across the tea plant and many native plants from South America, which inspired me to generate a consciousness focused on the sustainability of the ingredients. My passion has several areas: medicinal plants, native plants of my region, conscious living in relation to food, writing as a poet and teacher (I am finishing my book to be published in 2025), and communication with several years in radio broadcasting this style of cocktails, and undoubtedly teaching. Teaching is something I am very good at, and I consider myself very creative when it comes to transferring information. I also like to create events and different proposals. Currently, I would say that my passion is to connect with my most faithful version by being authentic all the time and loyal to my vision; in this way, life is easier because the same passion is guiding me toward projects that resonate with my mission that has to do with spreading the power of plants to create a life in connection with nature.

Follow Carolina online: www.carofortuna.com

Feature photo credit: Ryan Gageby

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New Mexico’s Landrace Outdoor Cannabis Nurturer: Monica Davalos

As many of my readers know, and for those who don’t, I’m currently working on a couple of projects in New Mexico. For the past few months, I’ve been working with a New Mexico based, craft cannabis company, which let to my completely life-changing experience of sourcing some of the finest cannabis in the land. This friends, would be in New Mexico and this is in my humble opinion. And what has happened to me is striking in the respect to the local terroir and overall history of the plant and what she has taught me about life and good health.

Through the magic of social media, a collaborative effort was born and my path to New Mexico only deepened with a correspondence with Monica Davalos, who is very intent on craft cannabis, outdoor grown- using landrace strains…. She’s doing something outside of the norm (indoor grow, multiple times) and in Monica’s life, she grows once per year without chemicals or pesticides. In the high desert!

New Mexico!

Nearly everything I’ve tasted that has been grown outside with nearly zero humidity has opened my eyes to that false axiom (again, my opinion) of chasing the higher and higher levels of THC as a merit of quality. NO, this is not so! Quality in my opinion is not high THC, it’s the history lessons, The landrace strains, low THC, medicinal cannabis. The stuff I require for my medical use… These are history lessons from the past, grown in the wild outdoors, under the sun with miniscule amounts of rain… In the wine world we call it dry farming with cover crops. What Monica has achieved is in this regard to terroir? Dry farming with cover crops? It is truly the taste of the place.

And it’s the natural way!

But what caught my attention is Monica’s dream of making her own temple ball hash.

Frenchy would be proud.

cannabis world news interviews mage of cannabis plants in a field with the sun just setting, throwing golden beams doen across the plants

Warren Bobrow: Please tell me about yourself. Where are you from? Where do you live now? Do you travel to other places?

Monica Davalos: My Name is Monica Davalos, I am a fifth generation native New Mexican. I was born and raised here in Bent NM. I am the fifth generation owner of our family farm where I have been lucky enough to start my cannabis grow. I travel, however, not as often as I used to. I am usually occupied with the farm.

WB: Tell me what you’re working on right now.

MD: At the moment I have just finished harvesting. The future is wide open for me. Recreational cannabis is still in its infancy. With the amount of acreage and plenty of water I have space to expand on ventures. That being said, my passion is to keep the natural integrity of cannabis in all forms. I am starting to explore old school ways of using and producing cannabis i.e., temple balls, growing only landrace strains from our region, outdoor growing seasonally, chemical and pesticide free.

WB: What are your six and twelve month goals?

MD: To Keep expanding, Taking on new projects and creating new products…the goal is to make cannabis a viable and socially acceptable product. More so than alcohol, tobacco, and Big Pharma

cannabis world news interviews image of cannabis plant in field of grass

WB: What obstacles do you face?

MD: Being a woman growing in this industry, Finding people that hold the same values and passions as I do about cannabis, overcoming the cannabis stigma

WB: How do you anticipate removing them?

MD: In this industry I believe it will be much easier for women to excel. It’s starting to get better and better. I have and continue to find people in the cannabis community that want and do uphold the same work ethic and curiosity as I do. I believe patience is on my side.

WB: Tell me please about the plant and your experiences with her. What strains are you working with? Why?

MD: This beautiful medical plant has opened me up to new ways of thinking and approaching her. When I started growing to scale, I didn’t want to mass produce on a scale that would dilute the importance and integrity of the plant. As I write this NM has a long way to go as far as educating our cannabis community in all faucets of her wonders. NM still bases cannabis values on high THC levels and the quick “high” if you will. I would like to see us grow our tastes that include the whole expression of the flower. From the terpenes to the last flavor of the exhale. I also didn’t want to grow indoor; I do realize this is a touchy subject. But because of the area I farm it would be a waste not allowing the plant to express the full terroir… the sun, high desert mountain air, fresh water, beautiful soil,….it would be a disgrace!!!

As I mentioned I love the landrace strains. Acapulco Gold has been my go to since I started growing, I will be adding on some Sinaloa and Oaxaca. I also experienced landrace strains have better genetics and are healthier and more stable for growing in the high desert.

WB: Please tell me about food. What do you like to eat? Do you cook? Where do your recipes come from?

MD: As a Latina I’m all about food. It’s how we love. Of course I love all the Southwestern NM food. I was raised on it. On the regular I stick to pretty basic veggies, fruits and meats. I’m a busy human so I have to make sure I am healthy and stay that way. But when I want something more I love great home cooked meals, elegant French dinner, Hearty Italian, Thai is also a favorite…GEEZ I could go on and on.

WB: What is your passion?

MD: Keeping it artisanal and simple…boutique style. I’m sure you’ve noticed when products are made on a big scale the quality is compromised. Only the best wines, cigars, truffles, pasta, breads etc. are simple and in small batches. All the top shelf ingredients go into a top shelf product. And they are rare…but it’s all worth the work and wait. The end product is the PASSION…the taste, the smell, the sight, the feel…

Thank you for the questions, it was a joy answering them, M.

WB: My thanks to you, Monica, for teaching us something new about your passion for the plant and a little about you too.

Photos Credit: Monica Davalos 

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Eyce and DaVinci: Canna-Intellectualism Via Shauntel Ludwig

About Synergy Innovation

Synergy Innovation is dedicated to creating the world’s most compelling cannabis consumption products. Established in 2023 by Cort Smith and Bruce and Charlie Hoch and led by CEO Shauntel Ludwig, Synergy Innovation unites DaVinci Vaporizers and Eyce Silicone under one house of brands, delivering an unmatched customer experience for both. The company’s commitment to a brighter future for its customers and partners is supported by a diverse range of products rooted in integrity with a continuous drive to deliver new, groundbreaking devices to enhance consumer lifestyles.

Shauntel Ludwig, Chief Executive Officer of Synergy Innovation

Shauntel Ludwig is an expert in brand building, global market penetration, and product strategy, with over a decade of leadership experience in the U.S. cannabis technology sector. She employs a hands-on approach in shaping the strategic direction of Synergy Innovation’s consumer brands, Eyce and DaVinci. As a founding member of the DaVinci vaporizer brand, Shauntel leverages her extensive institutional knowledge to enhance the strategic positioning of the house brands, expanding their global footprint, while streamlining operations costs.

Shauntel earned an MBA in international management from Bellevue University and started her professional journey in global product sourcing. Prior to her current role, she spent 12 years building the DaVinci vaporizer company into a global brand, following the mantra of Vision, People and Process. Outside the professional sphere, Shauntel is an outdoor enthusiast and an active parent.

I’ve had an Eyce pipe for years and loved it. Lost to history, I was just sent one of their new Eyce Silicone pipes and I set out to compare it to the plethora of other pipes and one hitters that I have in my growing collection. What a pleasure to smoke out of. Constructed out of cool silicone, the device splits apart for easy cleaning, and the tiny poker- in its own little pocket on the bottom, charms! You don’t have to look for a stick from a tree to clear the bowl any longer.

Now the ingenious part….

There is a clear container on the top to fill with frozen water. Yes, you can fill the top, replace the clear silicone cap and freeze it overnight for an exceptionally memorable rip in a hand-held space! This is the most unique product I’ve ever used…. And the ice container is completely silicone sealed from the rest of the pipe. Three little magnets on the inside tie the entire bowl together because it splits for easy care. There is a little carb hole on the side and your super-cooled canna smoke zigzags its way through a somewhat circuitous route. It’s a crafty little device and I like it a lot. It does rip, especially when you remember to fill the container up top with water, then throw it in the freezer overnight.

BOOM!

I must recommend removing the glass bowl before freezing the silicone pipe, just good practice…it pops right back in. And during the overnight freeze, you can dip the bowl into 91% ISO… Clean as a whistle in the morning, just in time for a mind opening, wake and bake!

They also sent me an ingenious cartridge battery device from DaVinci *I love the name* because it looks intellectual. Which it is. https://davincivaporizer.com/ Well priced, this cartridge battery doesn’t shout that I’m using a vaporizer. It’s super sleek and slim with a handsome anodized finish that speaks luxury and panache. This is an “ultra-cooling cartridge vaporizer” that does the job efficiently and kindly. The DaVinci Artiq speaks to my intellectual side, filling my brain with imagination. On the practical side, the device will never burn my lips, tongue nor my lungs with the cooling technology built in. Good stuff!

This is luxury design for design conscious people, personified.

Shauntel Ludwig, CEO, Synergy Innovation

cannabis world news image of Shauntel Ludwig, CEO of Synergy Innovation

Warren Bobrow: Tell me what you’re working on right now?  What is Synergy?  What is EYCE and DaVinci? 

Shauntel Ludwig: Synergy was founded by the original inventors and founders behind brands like Eyce and DaVinci, and we are dedicated to driving innovation and quality in cannabis technology. Through Synergy, our teams have recently bought those brands back and returned to the helm of daily operations. Currently, we’re focused on expanding our product offerings for both brands, particularly in enhancing consumer experiences within the cannabis space. Eyce is a go-to for consumers looking for durability and convenience without compromising on performance, while DaVinci excels at providing innovative technology to the cannabis consumption industry. Our ongoing work involves pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in cannabis consumption, ensuring our products meet the evolving needs of our customers by really listening to them.

WB: How will the collaboration between Synergy and Eyce/DaVinci change the cannabis landscape? 

SL: Synergy Innovation’s brands Eyce and DaVinci revolutionize the cannabis landscape by elevating DaVinci’s cutting-edge technology and Eyce’s renowned user-centric design. We’re creating products that are not only functional and durable, but also affordable to align with the lifestyle of modern cannabis consumers.

WB: What age group are you aiming at?  Who are your customers? 

SL: Our target audience spans across a wide range, but we start with focusing on medical patients and of course adults between the ages of 25 and 40. Medical patients require the highest quality and reliability and those are values we want to make sure all of our customers benefit from, even if they are in the recreational use category and just want to avoid rigs breaking in their active lifestyle.

WB: What are your six and twelve month goals? What obstacles do you face? How do you anticipate removing those obstacles? 

SL: In the next six months, we’re focused on solidifying our global distribution partners, rebuilding our inventory to be able to support all of our partners and customers and improving our customer service. Over the next 12 months, our goal is to launch additional products across every vertical that both Eyce and DaVinci offers. One of the main obstacles we face is navigating the complex regulatory environment in different regions. We often have to comply with both cannabis and tobacco regulations at the same time, which can be a real challenge. To overcome this, we’re working closely with legal experts and staying informed about the latest developments in cannabis legislation.

WB: What is your favorite strain right now? Grown by whom?  What is your passion?

SL: I’m old school when it comes to my flower. My daily driver is still Jack Herer – my favorite!

As for my passion, it lies in solving real problems for consumers through innovative product development. I’m deeply committed to creating products that not only meet but exceed consumer expectations, driving the cannabis industry forward in a way that prioritizes quality, sustainability, and user experience.

THANK YOU! WB

Follow on social media:

@davincivaporizer (instagram)
@eycemolds (instagram)

Photo credits: Synergy Innovation

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Getting Deeply Granular With Jim Sanfillipo of VIST™ Labs


cannabis world news image oi cannabis plant
The Reclassification of Cannabis Marijuana Tour Explores Vermont

Ilove learning about diverse people in the cannabis industry, and Jim Sanfilippo is such an interesting person. He has taken his inquisitive mind and pivoted into a technology-forward role within the cannabis industry. To say he is smart is a vast understatement. When I read that his specialty is aseptic packaging, I knew we had something in common. My own beverage uses aseptic technology, too! So, we have a starting point. And that is his bio to follow. I think Jim is very intriguing, and I hope you enjoy this interview. Cheers! WB

Jim Sanfilippo is a visionary leader with more than 30 years of experience in the packaging industry; Mr. Sanfillippo is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of VIST™ Labs and VIST Franchise Systems. Mr. Sanfilippo is credited with developing more than 100 patents representing major advances in flexible and forming film packaging materials for fresh and processed foods, healthcare products, and other packaged goods. Under his leadership, VIST has developed proprietary technology designed to naturally clean cannabis and aseptically packaged cannabis products to ensure the preservation of cannabis quality.

Previously, he was President of Elk Grove Village, Ill.-based Sonoco Elk Grove, Inc. from Aug. 2017 until Jan. 2020 after its acquisition of Clear Lam Packaging, Inc. At Clear Lam, he served as President and CEO starting in 1999. He guided Clear Lam to become known as a front-runner in modified atmosphere packaging technologies, films, and structures that improve food safety and extend shelf life.

cannabis world news business image of Jim Sanfilippo
Jim Sanfilippo

Warren Bobrow: Please tell me about yourself. When did you discover cannabis? How old were you? Do you remember who you were with?

Jim Sanfilippo: I first encountered cannabis back in high school during the late 70s and early 80s. At the time, I didn’t give it much thought. However, as my career progressed and I became involved in high-tech packaging systems for the food, pharmaceutical, and medical industries, I gained expertise in packaging, including extended shelf-life packaging. This led me to recognize the unique challenges and needs within the cannabis industry, specifically regarding pasteurization, decontamination, and long-term storage of the product. Addressing these challenges is crucial to meet future FTC and FDA labeling requirements.

WB: Please tell me about your company. What do you do that sets you apart from your competitors?

JS: Our approach to the cannabis industry is rooted in the high standards we’ve adhered to in the pharmaceutical and medical packaging sectors. We developed a platform technology called cryogenic pasteurization, which uses cryogenic vapor to sterilize cannabis with exceptionally high efficacy rates. When combined with our aseptic-modified atmosphere technologies, this creates a powerful solution for producing stable, pathogen-free cannabis.

WB: What are your six and twelve month goals? What obstacles do you face? How do you anticipate removing them?

JS: Our 12-month goal is to expand our footprint in North America into Europe and other geographies. This involves obtaining the necessary certifications to enter the European market. Additionally, we aim to continue expanding our service centers across the United States, giving smaller cultivators access to our cryogenic pasteurization and aseptic packaging technologies to ensure the stability and safety of their products.

One of the main obstacles we face is the ongoing challenge of inadequate capital available among many players in the cannabis industry. The inability for companies to not utilize banking channels to get debt and equity capital has significantly hampered investment in the cannabis space. This creates challenges for most companies in the industry and makes it difficult for cultivators to invest in effective yet expensive technology like ours.

WB: Tell me about the process you created.

JS: Cryogenic Pasteurization (CryoPasteurization) is a natural and effective decontamination process designed to ensure the purity and safety of cannabis. This pharmaceutical-grade protocol eliminates microbial contaminants to meet EU Pharmacopoeia 5.1.4 Compliance Standards while preserving the plant’s terpenes and cannabinoids without using irradiation or harmful chemicals. Our innovative cryogenic vapor technology, known as Vapor-Induced Sterilization Technology (VIST), allows us to precisely control exposure and prevent degradation during the pasteurization process. This unique approach purifies the product without compromising its integrity and is protected by several patents, making it a groundbreaking technology in the industry.

Follow online: https://vistlabs.com/

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Master mixologists reveal the secrets of cannabis drink recipes

The sun is shining, flowers are blooming, and trees are back to swishing their leaves in the wind. It is official: summer is on the way. This means it’s time to fire up the grill and host cherished friends and family. For some, that means blending up some margs, and others may pull out the cannabis drinks.

The easiest way to infuse a gathering is to grab some weed seltzers and call it a day, but some may want to shake up their own craft cocktail for the occasion. There are cannabis bartending bibles available, complete with drink recipes and other valuable knowledge, but there’s also the possibility of creating something new.

Perhaps inspiration is growing in the herb garden this time of year or a luscious fruit at the farmer’s market tempting you to blend new flavors. Whatever the inspiration, maybe it’s time to run with it. Those who are new to mixing up a THC cocktail may be looking around for advice. Well, it’s right here.

Cannabis drink mixing advice from master mixologists

There’s no one better to give advice to newbie cannabis mixologists than the experts. Jamie Evans has authored multiple cannabis drinks cookbooks and contributed to acclaimed food, cannabis, and beverage publications. As for advice for first-timers, she’s all about leaning into the flavor.

“When crafting cannabis mocktails and other infused drinks at home, there’s bound to be an herbaceous taste,” Evans said to GreenState. “Knowing this, a tip that I like to recommend is to not mask the flavor of cannabis but complement it instead. One of the best ways to do this is by incorporating terpene-inspired ingredients often found in cannabis’s aroma and flavor profiles.”

make cannabis drinks
Jamie Evans // Photo by Monica Lo

Over the years, many edible brands and infusion recipes have worked to hide the weed flavor as if it were off-putting. Evans and many others in the weed community have shifted into a mindset that the many smells and flavors of weed are a gift rather than a curse. Flavor is of the utmost importance, but so is dosing.

Angel Belman is the beverage director of Original Ninfa’s, a historic Texas bar and restaurant that recently added the infused Tranquilita Margarita to its menu. He has learned some THC dosing lessons as he figures out how to merge 20 years of bartending experience with cannabis mixology.

“My best advice is to start with a low dose and to go slow. Pace yourself, observe how you feel, and take note as you increase consumption to have a general understanding of the guest experience while remembering every person’s tolerance is unique,” Belman said.

make cannabis drinks
Angel Belman // Photo by Becca Wright

People often want to enjoy one or two cocktails on a night out, but if it’s dosed high, that’s probably not happening. This is why Warren Bobrow, co-founder of Klaus beverages, regrets the doses in his original recipes in Cannabis Cocktails, Mocktails, and Tonics, the first cannabis bartender bible. He echoed Belman’s advice.

“Start slow. Don’t destroy your friends. Don’t be like me. I took too much cannabis in each drink; they can catch up on you,” Bobrow shared in a brief email exchange.

The master mixologist has a point: dosing is the most important aspect of cannabis drinks. But once that’s figured out, the flavor is key.

make cannabis drinks
Warren Bobrow

Best flavors for weed drinks

Leaning into the herbaceous quality of the plant is preferred over masking it with sweetness or robust flavor notes. This requires an understanding of the terpenes and compounds in the product infusing the drinks. Learning about these aspects of the flower, syrup, tincture, or other weed product can help the novice bartender key into the flavors best paired with their drink recipe.

Once the terps are clocked, it’s time to plan the other components of the bev. Evans shared her favorite weed-friendly flavors in mocktail recipes.

“Some of the best ingredients include fresh citrus juice, tropical fruits, fresh berries, fresh melon juice, mint, lavender, cinnamon, black pepper, mixed herbs, fresh dill, and sometimes ingredients with savory, earthy flavors. All of these ingredients will blend effortlessly with cannabis flavors.”

Novice bartenders looking to get creative may want to start with a classic drink recipe and riff off of that. Earthy flavors are excellent in a bloody mary, and sweet strains would taste divine in a spritzer.

Jake Wall, chief innovation officer of Maison Bloom, recommends finding recipe inspiration in the wide world of gin. The dynamic liquor can complement many classic cocktail flavors and inventive new creations, much like weed. Gin drinks commonly use a wide range of ingredients from lavender to orange peel, vanilla pods to cucumber.

“Gin, similar to cannabis, is largely informed by the similar aromatic and taste-forward compounds that, in our flower-powered world, is where terpenes step in. Whether it is a bramble or a take on a gimlet and everything in between, look to the world of historic and creative gin-based recipes and hack them with all the best plant magic you can. You can thank me later,” Wall said.

make cannabis drinks
Jake Wall

Cannabis mixology is all about balance

Finding a recipe that uses a liquor that plays into the complex flavors of various cannabis products makes it simple to plug cannabis in place of the liquor without much flavor adjustment. However not every weed drink is going to be a play on a gin drink, and that’s where balancing comes in.

The last piece of the puzzle is the final step to balance the flavor. The infusion method may come into play here. At Ninfa’s Belman noticed the oil tincture required a sweetener like an agave because it added bitterness to the drink.

Evans also pointed out that the best start materials deliver the clearest, fresh flavor.

“Quality cannabis mocktails and cocktails begin with quality cannabis—pay close attention to expiration dates to best gauge freshness,” she said.“If the packaging dates are old, chances are the terpenes have diminished, and the phytocannabinoids have oxidized, which is not ideal when preparing cannabis infusions at home (tinctures, simple syrup, bitters). Choose the freshest products for the best outcome.”

And above all else, follow Evans’s golden rule: “Don’t mask the flavor of cannabis, complement it.”

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RYTHM REMIX: ALL THE GOOD STUFF IS IN THERE

I’m fascinated by the art of ‘pre-rolls’, primarily because I have a lot of trouble rolling a joint by hand. You would think after fifty years of enjoyment of the plant I’d have found my way towards joint rolling proficiency, but no! I’m next to inept. I say next to because of my cone making tool from Veosa out in New Mexico, but that’s not a hand rolled joint, although it looks like it is.

Truth be told, I usually don’t have the lung capacity to smoke an entire joint by myself, because I don’t have anyone to smoke with! That’s why I asked if Rhythm will be offering a smaller version of their celebrated 1 gram pre-roll, because I cannot finish an entire joint all by myself. Just wasteful for me!

There is another reason why pre-rolls are so attractive, you can taste through strains to learn more about them, without having to buy an entire eighth and finding that you don’t like what you purchased. That’s one of the key reasons to enjoy pre-rolled joints, diversity of flavors and effects.

cannabis-world-news-product-reviews-promos-image of pre-roll doobie

Sure, I could buy premade cones and stuff my own, but isn’t it more fun to try many different kinds of flower without making a large outlay of cash? That’s more like it.

WB: Why pre-rolls? Why not simply focus on your high quality flower?

Rythm: While flower is still king, the pre-roll category has been steadily gaining traction in popularity year after year. Recent data shows that pre-rolls have solidified their position as the third-largest product category in the US market, following closely behind Flower and Vape. We want to continue providing new ways for consumers to find their RYTHM, so naturally, RYTHM Remix was born to show love to the growing number of pre-roll fans. By infusing our premium indoor-grown flower with THCa diamonds, natural terps, and kief coating, RYTHM’s new line offers ultra-potent, convenient ways to consume.

https://www.headset.io/industry-reports/pre-rolls-analyzing-category-performance-sales-trends

cannabis-world-news-product-reviews-promos promotional image with categories

WB: What are they composed of? What’s in there? How did your scientists choose the concentrates? Why? Please explain what the concentrates are. Why are they important? What do they do.

Rythm: RYTHM Remix pre-rolls are double infused with THCa diamonds and kief to hit high marks in potency, and then infused with natural terpenes to offer bold & unique flavor experiences.
Our proprietary in-house isolate extraction methods allow for maximum cannabinoid infusion, without all the harshness and sub-optimal flavor profiles that can occur from other infusion methods. Our kief is sifted from only the highest-quality input material using fine mesh screens–This approach yields maximum trichome content, while limiting fine plant matter. The final output is a product that boasts high potency & smooth, clean combustion.

WB: How much do they weigh? Any plans to do smaller (.35) joints with more potent concentrates in them? Smaller is better! What’s the THC concentration?

Rythm: RYTHM Remix Pre-Rolls are filled with 1g of our premium flower. Be sure to keep an eye out for REMIX 0.5g five packs launching in April!
Available in 10 different strain profiles:
• Maui Wowie (Sativa)
• Strawberry Sour Diesel (Sativa)
• Mai Tai (Sativa)
• Blue Dream (Sativa)
• Durban Poison (Sativa)
• Pineapple Express (Hybrid)
• Watermelon Zkittles (Indica)
• Strawberry Short Cake (Indica)
• Blue Zkittles (Indica)
• Blueberry Kush (Indica)

Follow online: https://rythm.com/

Photos courtesy of Rythm

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5 Questions Articles Interviews Klaus Skunk Magazine

HONEST GRINDER AND WATER PIPE: EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE AND DESIGN

Honest.. just the very word makes it all clear. An honest way to do things. An honest path in life. When things are done right, they are honestly produced.

Well designed, made up of simple parts, crisp and easy to use. Modernist, architectural and bold. Fun to look at on the desk, complementary to design. Sleek.

Easy to clean because this is very important.

Several years ago I received a Path Pipe. I wrote about that early device and kept it in my box of pipes—many, including that one are still in there. The ones that I rotate through that is. I love the Path Pipe.

I had the opportunity to review some items from a new design line from Honest. A really well designed water pipe, a grinder that looks as good on your desk as your favorite paperweight and air-tight, easy to seal and to open, glass vessels for storing your precious flowers after grinding. How did the fine folks at Honest know that I was due for a new grinder? Well, not really—but I could always use something new to play around with and the Honest grinder is super esoteric and easy on your eyes. It’s made for people who may have mobility problems in their hands, that is- very easy to turn.

cannabis world news interviews Klaus, the author's gnome and the Grinder System with an 1/8th of A Golden State
Klaus, the author’s gnome and the Grinder System with an 1/8th of A Golden State. Photo: Warren Bobrow

Responses from Honest Co-Founder, Mason Palmer:

Warren Bobrow: Are you a design professional?

Mason Palmer: One of the Honest co-founders is a product designer by background. After graduating from UCSB, we struggled to find products that fit the style of our homes as young professionals. We created an aesthetically pleasing range of high-design pipes, accessories, and more, to help folks get into their flow state, entertain, and unwind in their space. The Honest product range fits together as an all-in-one home ecosystem to enhance the experience and presentation of a sesh.

WB: What was the inspiration behind the grinders, glass storage jars and that gorgeous water pipe?

MP: We employ rather minimal design principles and stay away from embellishment or stylizing on the products themselves, for a classic and timeless visual appeal. With materials being similar to those used in other high-quality kitchen, coffee, and bartending tools, these accessories will blend naturally into your functional home environment and everyday life. Much like how many Americans have bar carts and barware, we make smokeware that is designed to be seen, rather than stashed away.

cannabis world news interviews 11 Square
11 Square: Photo courtesy of Honest

WB:  How much of a rip do you recommend? I may have overdone it!

MP: We typically tell folks to start small unless you’re a regular bong user. Although the Capsule Water Pipe may be a smaller piece, it hits like a bong. (my bad… I did overdo it!)

WB: What’s next for Honest?

MP: We’re launching Kits by April 1st, in time for 4/20! The way we think about our smokeware is almost always as a kit, so we’re very excited for these. We will have limited editions, new material options, and new products on the way this year as well. Sign up for our newsletter to find out when new releases drop.

I love the way the Honest Grinder and the sturdy Cannabis storage jars show off my fine herbs… Especially the incredible flowers from A Golden State…

I want to ogle at them, and the Honest Grinder and storage jars take their display with fashion to an entirely new level.

Cheers! WB

Follow online: https://www.smokehonest.com/

Feature photo: Grinder-hand-held, courtesy of Honest 

Read More Here!

Honest Grinder and Water Pipe: Exceptional Performance and Design

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Articles Interviews

One for the Road: Talking Cannabis in Bars & Restaurants

Bar & Restaurant News is introducing a number of new content pieces in 2024, including Polls, From the Editor, and this column, One for the Road.

In this monthly column, we ask a question about a theme or topic covered during the month, and industry experts weigh in with opinions, advice, and real-life experiences.

For January, we’re revisiting cannabis in the on-premise industry. If you missed our deep dive into the topic, check out “Welcoming Cannabis into the Bar & Restaurant Industry.” We asked some industry experts: 

Do you think cannabis consumption and/or cannabis-infused food & drink will find its way into more bars and restaurants in the future?

Warren Bobrow

Warren Bobrow, CEO & Co/Founder of RTD THC-infused cocktails Klaus the Gnome, Inc.

I wrote the first book in the world on infusing cannabis (THC, not CBD or hemp) into craft cocktails of my own invention. As a master mixologist, former rum judge/ former day drinker, and now the creator of Klaus in California, I have some very defined thoughts on the addition of THC to food/drink. 

I believe that you will start seeing those ubiquitous hemp-infused seltzers around in places where it is permitted by law. They are pretty uncomplicated and very low dose, more akin to a light cocktail or a mocktail in strength, which means you probably won’t feel very much of anything. [It will be] similar to the addition of the CBD craze in craft cocktails a few years back. You can’t feel anything with CBD, there is no buzz whatsoever, but I digress.

If you are looking for a THC edible or a cocktail with THC in it, I’m hoping these will make their appearance sooner rather than later. But everyone has different metabolisms, and eating cannabis can be problematic for some people. Care needs to take place, especially when mixing alcohol and THC. I should know a bit about this topic!

I’d love to see the combination of food and cannabis-infused craft libations like my own alongside a carefully prepared meal, or even tacos!

Read more here at Bar and Restaurant! https://www.barandrestaurant.com/operations/one-road-talking-cannabis-bars-restaurants

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5 Questions Articles Interviews Reviews Skunk Magazine

Just under 36 hours in the snow encrusted shadow of Mt Shasta- A Golden State; My Observations

My soundtrack for this very short journey was some inspirational music for me, attached below. It followed me throughout the trip as part of the framework for my writing these observations. So, indulge me with a listen to my friend DF Tram while you read my words.

I find that his imaginative explorations work with my visual and emotional interpretations of that elongated day and a half in Redding, California. This music influences the sky and my dreams, and that looming, snow-covered mountain is where the water used to nurture the plants really comes from. https://canopyofstars.bandcamp.com/album/the-upsweep 

The Spiritual Guides

cannabis world news product reviews promos photo of Nishant Reddy if Golden State

Nishant Reddy and his crucial EO, Leslie… took care of everything just perfectly as I, too, worked as an EO for decades, and I understand the pressure. It’s hard work, and she does it with alacrity and deep humility. Everything was perfect in my vision. From the sounds of the birds outside my hotel room balcony (I left deep/snowy winter in NJ, so having my door open and letting in the sound of the birds gently waking me after a long flight from NJ…To the first wake and bake of the day, inhaling a micro joint of A Golden State with the freshness of the mountain air surrounding my head. Those little joints of Woods — appropriate somehow being up in the mountain forest — this is what I enjoyed first thing in the morning — a pleasure and an honor. Then, a real mountain breakfast with far too much handcrafted food; each glimpse around me was of freight trains going by (lots of trains) and the metaphor for my journey, the omnipresent snow-covered mountains that encircle this magical place. They are the reason why I am here. The water that melts down off Mt. Shasta is life-giving! It’s amazing! I experienced much visually during my visit, both inward and outward. Smoking cannabis of this quality from A Golden State, at their elevation, really was a pleasure. My interactions with the terroir were punctuated by the ring of snow-covered mountains spilling their visual secrets whenever you gazed up. 

Thank you for allowing me glimpses of your world. It was just perfect. 

A Golden State… Wow, what you have achieved here is unlike anything I’ve seen before, and I get around the world. Is there a term for ultra-craft? I hope so because of what “Bear” and Nishant have achieved with a cast of artists — all striving for a canopy of dreams… It’s striking for me to view the inner vista. The Aboriginal people call it the Dreamtime. When I’m around thriving plants, the energy from these creations fills my brain for lucid dreaming later on — the scent, the visuals, the feel, the conversation. It was a university course, condensed down to a couple of hours. I could have spent all day asking questions with just observations. Lighting from below, the side, on top, hands giving energy and taking the experience to another level. Like the great masters of art, cannabis of this complexity is not manipulated. There is a purity that oozes off each densely textured inhalation.  

The Resin

It was that sticky stuff, and it was all over my fingers and surrounding my head. I couldn’t even focus my Leica; the lens was fogged up anyway from the room’s inner rainforest terroir (forest floor and almost visible droplets of humidity experiment), nor my iPhone, because my beforementioned fingertips were stuck together from that juicy bud of Lemon Creamsicle smeared all over the lens. The plethora of dazzling LED-lit plants that surrounded me was gluing up my nostrils with their perfumes and my glove-covered fingers with their gummy juices. The air hung weightily in my head and fingers, coated with a certain lifegiving sap. Pan Asian spices like cardamom and bursts of Thai Chilies stung the inside of my nose. The rainforest-like humidity made my usually comfortable wool socks dripping sweat buckets. As I walked around each plant, drinking in her energy, I realized that it wasn’t unpleasant; in fact, I wanted to spend the rest of the day in there, like in a friendly steam room located inside a country club. In this case, the rooms filled with thirsty bushes of perfectly hand-tended flowers. Just gazing at each happy plant and marveling at the sticky stuff that was suspended in each breath, the aromas literally coating my glasses with ebullient plant juices. 

It was ironic, but as I was searching for a way to keep my fingers and everything else from sticking together, my spirit guide on the personal tour recommended that I “run my fingers through my hair.” Hmmmm. Why, I wondered. As if on cue, the explanation given to me was perfectly simple. The oils in our hair dissolve the cannabis resin nearly immediately. Just one more thing I learned about the plant. No soap and water were needed, and that effusive perfume of their juicy strains enveloped my airspace in her sweet/gassy aromatics of the opulent cannabis varietals. 

I want to wear the myriad of her olfactory-pleasing perfumes as my cologne all day long. 

The Grow

Each room is consistently tended to, from the top down to the absolute bottom up. The air smells clean, and everything gleams like the first day the system was installed. Each grow room is different, with micro-experiments held right within their more traditional approaches. Metrics are essential, with vast amounts of data brought into the grows. Each room is a consistent experience in these metrics as they reference and compare certain observations. Constantly day in and day out, hour by hour, pressure, humidity, temperature, light, dark, watering, feeding, testing, and retesting, hand watering, weighing, spoken kindly to, I think it matters…. I’d hoped to have music played for the plants. I’m sure they’d enjoy some of the Upsweep. 

In the end, it’s all about her, the plant. She is carefully hand-tended, and it is grueling, nonstop work. She rewards this completely mind-numbing activity by offering a deeply Zen experience that requires profound patience. What it really requires is a sense of swiftness because there are thousands of plants to tend to. Each plant is essential and equally important to life itself.

The Mantra

Starting at the bottom is not working as a plant-touching person at A Golden State; there are many steps to take before the plant becomes the primary focus. It really becomes an intonation or a mindful activity in the grand sense of the word because there is always something to do in the care of the facility and the cleanliness of everything within. Perhaps the explanation for this, my explanation, lies in the book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, which should be in their welcome new employee kits, as this book might help in the nature of their work. I’ve been to grows all over and this was the first one that I wanted to hook up an electrical current reader to the plant and listen to the sound of the good energy that flows through each flower. Aside from the technical stuff, this is an organic plant that just feels good to be around. If the entire universe was in a microcosm of cannabis scent, each sniff was coating the inside of my nose and filling my head with all sorts of canna-driven possibilities. 

I couldn’t wait to taste what was waiting for me later back in my jacket pocket. A Golden State grows some of the finest cannabis I have ever savored. True, I am well-traveled and have enjoyed many a fine grower’s special home stash… Without factoring in the basic premise that I couldn’t possibly have tried everything, of course, in the fifty years I’ve appreciated the plant. What A Golden State does is profoundly unique due to the relentless determination exemplified by every team member from the bottom up — from the flower trimmers to the master growers. They clearly love what they do, and it shows in every essential task, from vacuuming out an entire room and breaking down each part of the air-conditioning to the dehumidification units to the combination of lights to their very placement, vertically, horizontally, and from above and below. It’s all an encyclopedia of the plant and how to do better by her.

My observation? This is a deeply crafted project. Sure, they want to be perfectly efficient, but patience is absolutely a virtue. Their positive methods are many, and each experiment is meant to emulate something greater than it was prior. How else do you learn? And my favorite strain? Empanadas Diez… the sense of elation is paramount to me. I get things done. 

cannabis world news product reviews promos front of cannabis dispensary building

The effort that goes into every 1/8th of an ounce glass jar from A Golden State is not just physical; it’s a deeply emotional experience. Each cultivar is an involvement in the anti-stoner experience. Oh, don’t get me wrong. I got plenty “high.” But cannabis, on this level, does more for me than just being obliterated. It opens my mind and forces me to think about what I’ve been experiencing in life. My thinking offers a certain clarity and intellectualism. I don’t feel like I’m going to be sleeping; I want to create beautiful articles.  

A Golden State’s THC levels are lower than most, and that’s a really good thing. I’m on the record, and I want to reiterate again that ultra-high numbers from THC cannabis do not help me from a medical standpoint. They just don’t reduce my eye pressure. It doesn’t do anything but give me a headache; it’s no fun when using medical cannabis for a specific purpose. What the strain named Empanadas Diez offers is just right for me. A coating on the backside of my brain. Lagniappe is my description. A little something extra.  

What A Golden State has achieved through its commitment to the uncompromising equilibrium of craft cannabis to commerce in the macro sense is exemplified in its purely noble approach to the plant. What I initially envisioned as something more mechanical in nature was immediately dispelled by the fact that this ultra-craft cannabis grow exists because of exemplary reasoning. The details and attention shown to every plant in the rooms are utterly mind-blowing. 

Sure, you can robotically mechanize a cannabis grow; I’ve seen it and wondered how the plant likes being manipulated in this way. But why would you when every plant in every room at A Golden State is loved, every single day, around the clock? Day in, day out. It’s their life work. 

If they were glass blowers, I’d be watching them hand-pull fragile Murano glass. It’s that level of expertise without fail because they are dealing with extremely expensive materials. Cohesive, behavioral, consistent perfection in everything they do in the life-cycle of the plant, from popping seeds to packaging the flowers, it’s all done right here. 

If you can’t do the best, don’t do it at all. At A Golden State, they have achieved something very distinctive through what appears to be an intense, laborious series of mind-numbing exertions. Tending their vast myriad of miniature and fragile seedlings right down to the elegant, finished product, all by hand, is arduous work taken on with a profound desire and even empathy. Their work is mindful, and their jobs can be deeply fulfilling on an innate level. Something that craft cannabis allows us to experience that special feeling I felt. 

What A Golden State has achieved in craft cannabis is very different from the corporate cannabis machine, which unfortunately shows very little finesse, so we won’t be discussing that genre! 

 The art of craft cannabis shows in everything they do, from their pastel “California Desert” hue packaging in the slender little tins containing tiny hand-filled joints to their handsome glass vessels sitting in tiny cutouts inside their thoughtfully designed packages. Each is devised to eliminate any lateral or vertical motion that may damage the unsullied, hand-trimmed flowers. And the end result? That’s for you to experience. 

Seek out A Golden State and see what their eloquent purpose brings to you. I think it is very special, rare, pleasurable, and intensely transcendent.  

cannabis world news product reviews promos dispensary with display

Their Brand New Redding California Dispensary 

Located just around the corner from the Redding Airport is their brand new flagship dispensary/grow. You’ll need to see what they have accomplished; it’s essential to your gourmet cannabis edification. 

They’d love to see you at the dispensary, and the warmth that is emulated in the room is not just something you can see. It’s something you feel inside. Rest your legs awhile on the sumptuous couches and savor the stylish architecture of the building. Enjoy the view of the fully scaled cannabis grow situated just behind large windows facing the equally large windows fronting their always-changing streetscape in a very safe area of town. 

I’ve never been in a facility anywhere in the world that looks as visually beautiful as this facility. It’s organic in style and peacefully designed, yet vividly lit from the inside. A blazing series of LED lighting arrays. They are immediately punctuating your entire visual experience. The plants growing behind you are oozing with green, purple, orange, and white flowers. Others, in their trimmed state, are displayed in jewelry cases, set prominently on the broad, modern mountain-designed stone counters with roughhewn edges reminiscent of George Nakashima wood tables, yet fabricated by local stones- are interactive and demand your touch. Shopping is encouraged, or just let the friendly and deeply competent budtenders personally guide your canna-centric experience with gentleness. Their verbal anecdotes and canna-vision are pleasant and non-sales pushy. That get ’em in and out in five minutes or fewer minutes just doesn’t exist here. You are encouraged to come as you are and enjoy the views, either outside or inside. I loved both because I’d never experienced a dispensary with a full-sized grow just behind. Sure, I’ve been to Colorado and Oregon, where there were micro-grows of a couple of plants in the shops. But this was a completely full-scale operation, with no messing around with it just for show grow. The space is pristine; they are always cleaning and hand-tending to the plant. This is what is always going on in the background. The plant is what is important here, with the visionary plants from A Golden State guiding my dreams. 

The store itself is visually more akin to a high-end NYC design shop, reminiscent of the Museum of Modern Art store in Soho. A Golden State has achieved another arrow in its quiver with its non-obtrusive design. The plant in her glory is presented in large glass cases. The lighting is soft, and the color palate is earthy and calming. The entire length of the dispensary is punctuated by large glass windows facing an LED-bathed professional grow.

 An experience in architecture, light, the giant windows gazing into another dimension. A fully in action, craft cannabis grow. Very impressive indeed. 

May I have another twenty minutes? 

Thank you to Nishant Reddy, who helped me go further emotionally on this trip than I thought possible at this time of my life. Nishant redefined my enlightenment by offering something tangible in a manner I’d never experienced before. Remarkably, I was open to being taught because I truly know nothing about this purely craft side of the cannabis business, and each visit to A Golden State going forward is with full mindfulness and thirst for future knowledge.

My soundtrack from the auditory artist, DF Tram. https://canopyofstars.bandcamp.com/album/the-upsweep 

https://www.agoldenstate.com/content/flagshipretail

Photo Credit: Warren Bobrow, except for the photo of Nishant Reddy (Courtesy of A Golden State)

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5 Questions Articles Interviews Skunk Magazine

Digging Deeper into Joe Castelo, Founder of The Station Dispensary


I first met Joe Castelo a couple of months ago in Hoboken, NJ, and at that time, his company had just opened their gleaming new cannabis dispensary. In a mid-1940s-era imposing edifice of a former office building, located just across the vast expanse from the NJ Transit/Erie Lackawanna railroad and ferry complex, Joe has forged himself a bulwark to his neighborhood. This area is teeming with potential customer-friendly businesses… Namely, banks, bars, restaurants, and commuters. It’s always busy down here for a reason. You are forced by necessity- There is the river on one side, the roadway, and the rails on the other. Thousands of potential customers stream by his front doors hourly on their way to the immense corporate canyons located just across the Hudson River. These potential customers live nearby or further away, but they all share a common task. They walk right by his front doors.

But a dispensary does not make a man, just like a building does not make intellects from mere plaster walls. But fill this building with thinkers and fellow consumers of all types working towards many goals, both creative and practical; then you have a better picture of what Joe represents to me: that’s someone who can teach me something without effort. He took me on a personal tour of his corner location, making sure that I saw the crown on the head of his building. The top floor, with the most commanding view of Manhattan, is located just beyond the river. It’s an impressive space with floor-to-ceiling windows on all the sides that matter; facing the glitter of the City is a good start. It looks like a place where some serious thinking and entertainment go on. The view is that striking.

After a couple of hours of wandering through the building and listening to Joe speak of the myriad of projects he’s contemplating and currently creating- a renaissance man for certain is riding the elevator with me. Made my day for certain.

Humble, kind, and a natural teacher, Joe Castelo wants you to know that he’s from Hoboken. Not a carpetbagger investor from New York. That’s cool, Joe. I, too, was born and raised in New Jersey, maybe not in a vibrant city, but on a farm…. I never thought I’d see that day that cannabis would be in Hoboken. You give me deep hope for change in our state.
Cheers!

WB

cannabis world news industry business interviews image of old brick building

Warren Bobrow: Please tell me about yourself. Where are you from? Where are you now? What about your new dispensary? Where is it? Please tell me about it.

Joe Castelo: I am a restaurateur, filmmaker, cannabis entrepreneur, father, and husband who lives in Hoboken, New Jersey. My family has been in business in Hoboken for over 70 years. I truly love this town of firsts (and Hoboken is known as “The City of Firsts!”) —from the people, the Hoboken community, and how the close proximity of family, friends, business, and fun always keeps me in a creative and connected state. Because it is a mile-square city, you are always within walking distance of anything you love, and you are never too far from anyone. And we’re here to serve at The Station (86 River St.), with the best cannabis New Jersey has to offer. Our dispensary sits right outside the storied Lackawanna Train Terminal and NJ PATH station. There is a tremendous amount of foot traffic, so we anticipate being a convenient stop for commuters, Hoboken locals, and those picking up cannabis on their way into the city. Our staff has decades of combined experience in the industry, and they are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about sharing that knowledge.

WB: Why cannabis? What brought you to the plant? Do you remember the first time you imbibed? Who turned you on to cannabis?

JC: I was brought to cannabis because it has the power to heal and motivate introspection, personal growth, and creativity. It transforms and provides quality of life, not only to individuals but now economic benefit to communities. The first time I imbibed I was amongst friends and the first thing I noticed was just how curious I became about so many subjects—music, art, existence—and how much I laughed…and I love to laugh. And the stigma and fear that was generated around the plant was distorted for so many reasons. I had friends who were persecuted because of their use of cannabis, and I’ve witnessed so much injustice against cannabis users, and none of it made any sense. Who turned me on to cannabis? I suppose it was Donald Sutherland! I somehow managed to watch Animal House as a kid, and Donald Sutherland played a weed-smoking philosophy professor. It was the first time that I’d ever seen anyone smoke cannabis. It seemed like a very pleasant experience, nothing negative about it, and it didn’t seem like the stigmatized experience that everyone else had described it to be. Like other scenes in movies about alternative culture, I knew this probably had to be the truth. I loved independent films, and there was always some aspect of cannabis culture represented in movies; that’s where I think a lot of people were educated over time about the plant. And it was what made it appealing to me.

cannabis world news industry business interviews inside of dispensary

WB: Please tell me what your six and twelve-month goals are.

JC: In six months’ time, I’d like our dispensary to be a vibrant hub for the community. We are hiring locals and giving a percentage of our sales to charitable organizations in Hoboken, including the Boys & Girls Club, a charity that I am personally very passionate about. If we can also educate about how to implement cannabis into a healthy lifestyle, that would be an excellent outcome in the next six to 12 months. I’ve already done this to great success with a relative of mine who was unable to sleep and was forced to turn to Ambien. She was having a very negative experience with traditional sleeping medicines, and it was adversely affecting her health. Once she switched to a very easy-to-take Indica lozenge, she began sleeping soundly every night. Simply amazing. Beyond the dispensary in the next 12 months? I’d like to find more time to connect with family and nature, hopefully at the same time. And to find more energy! It is out there somewhere…

WB: What is your passion?

JC: My passion is staying connected and growing with the people that I care about and the community I live in, Hoboken. Being useful, being a part of a community of people of character who inspire me to get better every day. I really enjoy working with people who love to collaborate and create and are driven by a common purpose: to build something that will make people’s lives better. With our hospitality group, our members’ workspace, and countless cultural events, I’ve seen the positive benefits of having a place where people can come together, develop friendships and business connections, and generally expand their personal horizons through art, music, food, and communal events. And our dispensary will be part of that experience.

All Photos Courtesy of Joe Castelo/The Station

Essential link: Joe placed it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4eS2SceeFk

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