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DECEMBER 2023 | ISSUE 283 PUBLISHED BY HEADQUEST INTERNATIONAL LLC

HQ Magazine As the industry’s leading publication for over two decades, we want to remind you all that we are more than just another magazine; WE are the nexus of commerce for the counterculture marketplace; headshops, smoke shops, vape shops, adult novelties, and dispensaries. Both publisher and platform, HQ exists to facilitate the continued evolution of a once-marginalized industry now on the cusp of legitimization.

As a publisher, we are your advocate and your advisor, your continual stream of all information that matters to you; from product knowledge, to business insights, to how it all fits into the panorama of the bigger world. As a platform, we are your connection. We are the bullhorn, the billboard, and the bridge; the perfect bullseye of your target market. And as this industry continues to come into its own and navigate the coming seismic shifts in the landscape, we’ll be the light to guide its steps.

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Editor-in-Chief Sandy Caputo Account Executives Monica Frésquez monica@headquest.com C: (505) 489-3285 Marc Toretzky sales@headquest.com C: (213) 304-3751 Creative Director David Pogge david@headquest.com C: (404) 477-7009 Billing Therese Galati accounting@headquest.com Contributing Writers Darin Burt darinburt@headquest.com Dario Sabaghi editorial@headquest.com

HeadQuest.com

Aya Datura editorial@headquest.com

@HQMag1998

Joshua Scott Hotchkin josh@headquest.com

@hqmag4u

Matt Weeks editorial@headquest.com

HQ EXPERIENCE HQ Magazine, the industry’s longest-running publication, remains committed to serving the smoke shop community. With an unwavering dedication to delivering award-winning content, and relevant news and providing insight into the latest and greatest industry products, HQ will continue to seek out the best way to reach as many subscribers as possible.

With HQ’s recent acquisition, the tides are turning and we know that YOU are ready for something new, something BIG. If you are looking for an upgraded experience, join HQ’s Elite membership program by scanning the QR code below. With each membership, you will receive HQ Magazine each month with no service interruptions, free access to HQ’s digital magazine, exclusive offers from our advertisers, and periodic sample boxes from the industry’s most trusted brands.

Upgrade your experience today!

Renew Your FREE Subscription NOW!

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Ryan Mills editorial@headquest.com Eva Berlin Sylvestre editorial@headquest.com

HEADQUEST INTERNATIONAL LLC. assumes no responsibility for contents herein. Opinions expressed in articles are strictly those of the writer.

Published monthly by Headquest International LLC., 6300 Riverside Plaza LN. NW., Suite 100, Albuquerque, NM 87120.

Send address change requests (please include information from the shipping label) to the address above, call 505-275-6049, or email subscriptions@headquest.com.

Printed in Canada on recycled paper with vegetable-based inks.

BEWARE! HQ has no affiliates or outside sales team. Any business or person contacting you and acting as an HQ Representative or claiming affiliation with HQ Publications is unlawfully misrepresenting himself or herself.

Please contact sandy@headquest.com if you are approached by any such entity.

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HeadQuest

CONTENTS

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104

80

132

28 56

20 Smoke Signals

HeadSpace

22

Sober: Swapping 80 California the Goose for the ganja.

Prophet Talks Profit: 96 High Cannabis industry predictions. HQ After Hours Our mini-mag within a mag that’s

Quick hits and tight rips; easy reading for optimal absorption.

Safety Meeting

Tobacco Products Outlet: The candle that covers a multitude of sins.

28 The Green Room

Freeway Rick Ross: Ex-drug baron opens up on highs, lows, and redemption.

42 Women in Cannabis

Shayla Windstar: Playing with fire for ten years—yet to be burned.

56 Heads of Industry

JBrands’ heavyweight dreams: Throwing their hat in the global arena.

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Into the Weeds on the Industry’s Stickiest Subjects.

EdQuest

Business insights for the high-minded.

162 Q4B - Top 20 of 2023

Gummies and gadgets and vapes! OH MY! Our Top 20 is back.

all about the fun side of adulting.

66 Puff & Pleasure

Stocking up on stocking Trade Show Tactics: stuffers for your super naughty list.

Elevating your travel success.

Vendor Profile The New Year Sales Slump: Screaming O, will have you— Prepare now and make the well—screaming “Ohhhh!” most of your downtime.

Tax Deductible Benefits: Feature Being nice can pay.

Fun and games: Winner takes The ECS: Was cannabis was the booty. made for us or were we made PleasureQuest for cannabis? Yes. Gadgets and play things to really hit the spot.

104 114 122 132

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68 72

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Smoke Signals

EDIBLE DIGESTIBLES Tender Vittles for Easy Consumption Green Giant

Did You Know?

Weed Market still Hot as Stifler’s Mom

Add a few wrinkles to your brain with some fun facts about your favorite plant: Pot is OG: The use of cannabis for medicinal purposes can be traced back over 3,000 years. Its efficacy was documented by the ancient Chinese and Egyptians.

Poor fish: Unlike most mammals, fish do not have an endocannabinoid system.

Chocolate high: eating chocolate can increase the levels of endocannabinoids in the brain.

Not just the Deltas: The cannabis plant contains over 100 different cannabinoids.

Life Hack: For best results, add some CBD to your morning coffee. Better focus; fewer jitters. At least, that’s what we saw in a meme. *shrug*

Don’t let the industry’s poor stocks get you down; there’s hope yet! The international cannabis market is projected to skyrocket from a $27.7 billion valuation in 2022 to a staggering $82.3 billion by 2027 and expected to grow at an average annual rate of 24.3%.

This explosion is fueled by Read More: increasing legalization—think Virginia, Rhode Island, Malta, and Thailand—as well as rising recreational and medical use.

Now, be a good serf and bow down to your corporate overlords.

Buds Without Borders?

Maple leaves and american dreams

Get ready for a North American cannabis showdown.

America’s hat, A.K.A. Canada, wears the crown as the world’s largest cannabis producer, while the United States takes Read More: the trophy for being the world’s largest cannabis consumer. Fed legalization should bring quite the leafy love affair; Canada growing it and the U.S. Toking it. . . ehh.

Trade Show Roundup Pack your bags, pack a bowl, hit the road (order of events, TBD) ANME Show Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Burbank, CA January 8-10, 2024 Smoke Shop Events Austin, TX January 14-16, 2024

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Supplement Events Austin, TX January 17 - 19, 2023 TPE/Glass Vegas Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall Las Vegas, NV January 30 - February 2, 2024

Big Surprise: Politician Doesn’t Like Delta 8 Nebraska’s Attorney General Mike Hilgers is officially the latest of the suits to take up arms in the crusade against Delta 8, having launched a consumer protection action targeting hemp retailers selling Delta 8 products that resemble candy, because, you know—only kids like candy. Lawsuits have now been filed in ten Read More: counties while Hilgers has begun beating the ever-familiar “Halloween candy isn’t safe” drum, as if any of us want to waste our stash on those little shits. Whether Nebraskans bite into the nothing burger Hilgers is serving is yet to be determined.

Owl Medicine by Shayla Windstar - This month’s Women in Cannabis feature • See more, page XX

Dose for a Better Dose

Never a Dole Moment

Is cannabis the answer to a good night’s sleep?

Well, duh, but there’s new research and the details may surprise you. A September article in Forbes highlights CBD’s remarkable potential in treating insomnia, outshining even THC (wait, really?). CBD’s interaction with the hypothalamus – pivotal in our circadian rhythm cycle – suggests a role in fine-tuning our shuteye. The piece goes on to discuss CBD’s potential benefits for pain, anxiety, and even restless leg syndrome, showcasing its multifaceted therapeutic appeal.

Hold the Florida Man headlines—Philly’s got its own comedy caper. A man used a banana tucked in his sweatshirt as a “handgun” to rob a store. He scored cash, smokes, and then peeled away on a bike. Police are on the hunt for this fruit-fueled felon. This shit is literally bananas.

Read More:

We know Delta-8 is a bad chemical, it’s a bad drug, and it hurts people.

-NB Attorney General Mike Hilgers Do we, Mike? Mmkay.

They Still Spell it “Marihuana”?

U.S. Congresswoman Nancy Mace, R-S.C., reintroduced a cannabis legalization bill, building on her previous States Reform Act. The legislation, titled “To amend the Controlled Substances Act regarding marihuana,” aims to remove cannabis from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, introducing federal regulations akin to alcohol. Read More: Notably, the bill proposes a 3% federal cannabis excise tax, significantly lower than other federal reform efforts, and has garnered bipartisan support with four co-sponsors, including Matt Gaetz (R-Fl).

Read More:

, od old at’s gow e r ( o f h t ; y r ’t wodr ly C B D f lo s. Don n mpionm o m - f r i e a h c f kfast goa l, s o c c e r a e r b A t e - le 5 0 - s tsae.) cour

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Safety Meeting

By Joshua Scott Hotchkin

SCENT-SATIONAL Y

Tobacco Outlet Products Clears the Air

ou can have the most clever and memorable business name in the world, but if your customers do not instantly realize that your products are made for them, it won’t do you very much good. This is probably why my first shop, Psychoactive Plumbers, failed to bring in steady business and attracted a lot of problematic contractors. But Paul Hoge was much wiser than I, and named his business Tobacco Outlet Products, which is going as strong as ever almost a quarter century since he began.

Tobacco Outlet Products specializes in scented products including candles, sprays and car hangers. The products are designed specifically to eliminate odors, especially those produced by smoke. And when they say eliminate, they don’t just mean that they will cover them up with other smells, because their products actually target odor emitting particles and neutralize them completely, leaving behind nothing but one of their refreshing and rejuvenating signature scents—all accomplished through the power of enzymes and lightbased witchcraft. Okay, just the enzymes.

Their candles are available in dozens of single and blended scents that will play pinochle in your snout, creating olfactory delights that have your customers coming back to purchase them again and again. In fact, we are willing to bet that you will pull a few out of your stock and light ‘em up yourselves to vibe up the atmosphere of your shop, as have many of the smoke shops which they currently supply. Aside from their top sellers, available yearround, they also have seasonal 22

Magazine December 2023

scents which they develop throughout the months to keep their product line fresh.

Their other products also are available in a wide variety of scents. They manufacture and market sprays which are a favorite of long-distance truckers and other travelers who don’t want to bask in the aroma of smoke or other pungent odors in their vehicles or overnight accommodations. These are available in canisters which hold either seven or two-and-a-half ounces, or in their one-ounce pocket size, which makes them just the right amount of liquid for getting through the rigmarole. of TSA gatekeepers. They also have a spray designed specifically for fabrics, once again working that enzyme magic, er science, to keep your clothes, drapes, etc. smelling clean and delightful. Their car hangers are also available in a wide variety of scents, featuring eye-pleasing images to keep your whip looking and smelling tip top.

Most importantly, their wholesale lines come with product displays and bulk discounts to help

you attract customers and promote sales—and they come with a nononsense money back guarantee for anyone who is less than 100% satisfied with their products, a promise that denotes the quality behind which they stand at all times.

Their North Carolina based manufacturing and distribution facilities are home to one of their most coveted assets: their employees.

Tobacco Outlet Products is committed to using a local workforce, and treating them right, as a fundamental cornerstone of their business model and philosophy. So not only can you feel good about turning a profit on their fine products, but you can also warm your cockles to the knowledge that they are good people, based right here in the US of friggin’ A. Take that, Ralph Macchio!

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The Green Room

I don’t really do stuff for the money . . . My motivating factor is to be great, to be a legend.

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The Redemption of Freeway Rick Ross “Freeway Rick” Ross has been a lot of things: the biggest crack dealer in America, a tennis prodigy, homeless, an illiterate multi-millionaire, and the inspiration for both the Netflix series “Snowfall,” and the rapper who stole his name.

But, at 63, all that’s behind him.

Not that it was always bad. As the head of a drug operation that supplied crack cocaine to nearly every dealer from California to the New York islands, he was the living embodiment of the 1980s. Not only did he personify the decade’s go-go business mindset, he played a vital role in the era’s biggest political scandal by almost single-handedly providing the CIA with enough untraceable money to fund the Contra rebels in Nicaragua.

Now, the man whose life has been filled with improbable events is, yet again, making big moves.

He wants to parlay his fame and experience into a cannabis career. Never mind the market for opening a new dispensary in Los Angeles is filled to the brim. He’s got a secret weapon that guarantees success.

The Anti-Antihero With a short salt-and-pepper beard, mile-wide smile, and deep-set eyes that catch a star’s worth of light, Ross exudes an avuncular warmth.

There’s an energy in his voice that crackles when he talks, making him seem both laid back and passionate. Talking to him, it’s hard to imagine he once commanded a nationwide drug empire.

The most likely reason Hollywood hasn’t made an official “Freeway” movie yet is because Ross doesn’t conform to the stereotype. His low-key

“It’s me. I’m the difference,” he says. “Right now, they got a lot of people in the game that don’t really know what they’re doing, and they gotta be weeded out. Once they’re weeded out, the game is gonna be great. My dispensary is really gonna be for the people. It will benefit the community.

It ain’t gonna be where I benefit, and nobody else does.”

That may sound like a typical corporate spin, but it’s Ross’s truth. It comes from a man who was sentenced to life in prison and got released by learning to read and discovering a legal loophole in his case.

If there’s one lesson that history has proven, it’s to never bet against Freeway Rick.

personality doesn’t jibe with how our society wants to imagine its outlaws. He’s more Don Cheadle than Idris Elba. He didn’t grow up idolizing drug dealers or dreaming of candy cars; he had a natural talent for tennis and aspired to turn pro. Even his street name, “Freeway Rick,” doesn’t have a badass origin story. He got it as a kid because of where he grew up—near the 110 in Compton.

Even at the height of his success, when he was selling millions of dollars of crack cocaine per day, Ross lived simply. He drove an old truck, wore plain clothes, and didn’t bother with fancy

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The Green Room

As a child, Ross never learned to read and write. The system pushed him up through grades via social promotion. He survived socially thanks to an intense personal magnetism and a willingness to do whatever it took to hide his perceived shortcoming.

“Any time they tried to call me up to the board, I would do something silly. I’d tell a joke about somebody or talk about somebody’s mama. Then, I’d go to the principal’s office and get a couple of swats,” he said. “For me, that was a good thing. All the kids would think I was cool ‘cause I would be against the teacher. They liked me because I made everybody laugh. But it was about survival. I didn’t want nobody to know I was a dummy.”

The first thing that I ever wanted to read was my indictment.

I never wanted to read before.

watches. Most of his income went straight into real estate—it was the easiest way to hide his earnings from his mama.

While he’s telling his life’s story, he pauses for a beat, as if he’s trying to zoom out to a bigger philosophy on life. “I don’t really do stuff for the money. Money is not my motivating factor, and it never has been,” he says. “My motivating factor is to be great, to be a legend. I want to be talked about 100 years from now— and not for selling drugs, either.”

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For a man who earned more than $300 million net profit from selling drugs, that’s a big ask.

Thirty Miles and a Lifetime His new cannabis shop—L.A. Kingpins—sits in Sun Valley, a short drive from his childhood home. Physically, the distance between the two is about 30 miles. Emotionally, they couldn’t be further apart.

It wasn’t until he was 28, when he was facing a life in prison, that Ross truly began his education.

Realizing that nobody would be as serious about his case as he was, he set his mind to action.

That’s when he sat down on a government-issued cot and began to learn his ABCs. “The first thing that I ever wanted to read was my indictment,” he explains. “I never wanted to read before. When I was coming up, I thought ‘What I’m gonna do with reading?’ I never saw myself as being somebody that reading would benefit, if that makes sense. I always thought I would be, you know, digging a hole. I never saw myself doing no real estate or anything like that.”

Once he started reading, Ross didn’t stop. He blazed through his legal documents, then a library full of law books, searching for anything to get him out of his cell.

Continued on Page 34

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The Green Room

It was through his research in the prison law library that he spotted an irregularity in his case.

The School of Hard Rocks

Ross was sentenced to life in prison under California’s “three strikes” law, which mandates harsh penalties for multiple convictions. Since he had already faced jail twice, his fate was sealed. It was his third strike—he was

Ross left prison after devouring more than 300 books, ready to put his new knowledge to the test. He dreamed of opening his own business and transforming his neighborhood

Nobody wanted to hire a two-strike felon with a high school education and a notorious name. He went from driving an old car to sleeping in one.

But part of his prison education was patience. He’d just waited 14 years.

He could wait a little longer.

He’d been betrayed by a friend, set

I K N O W T H AT M Y E D U C AT I O N I S PA S T A M A S T E R ’ S D E G R E E - A N D I K N O W W H AT T H E Y D O N ’ T T E AC H Y O U I N H A R VA R D L A W S C H O O L .

out.

But after poring through the California Code, Ross realized his prior convictions stemmed from the same incident, which meant they should have counted as a single strike. The realization struck him like a punch. He double-checked it, then he triple-checked it, then he called up his lawyer, who … promptly laughed him off the phone.

Undaunted, he petitioned the court for a new attorney. Together, they succeeded in persuading a judge to reduce Ross’s sentence from life to 20 years.

He was out in just 14.

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again—but this time, he would be a force for good.

“I’d read all those books in prison. I read Napoleon Hill 25 times. I read ‘The Richest Man in Babylon’ 25 times. I read ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’ three or four times.

I read ‘The Millionaire Next Door,’ ‘Who Moved My Cheese?, ‘From Good to Great.’ I know that my education is past a master’s degree,” he said. “And I know what they don’t teach you in Harvard Law School.”

But when he strolled out of his cell, he walked straight into homelessness.

His connections from his dealing days had dried up. He struggled to secure seed money for his business.

up by his government, abandoned by his legal counsel. While he was in jail, someone else started using his name to get rich. Whatever trouble Ross had caused, he’d paid for it in full. He never questioned that he’d be back. It was his due.

What he couldn’t imagine was what that redemption arc would look like.

To be continued.

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Women in Cannabis

Shayla Windstar steps from behind the torch to talk transformation, motherhood, and the mystical allure of fire.

Photo: Alex Reyna | @areysocal

Photo: Alex Reyna | @areysocal

Glass blowing is very healing and nurturing. People have been staring into fire - praying and meditating for thousands of years.

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BEHIND THE BLAZE Shayla Windstar and the Seduction of the Flame

By Ryan Mills

S

he’s been staring into the flames for more than a decade—and it’s paid off. Shayla Windstar picked up the flameworker’s torch at her mother’s Pueblo, Colorado head shop in the mid-aughts and never looked back. Perhaps you’ve witnessed her triumphant moments at national competitions or even possess one of her exquisite creations.

Regardless, Shayla has made a name for herself in this industry, and her future plans are smokin’.

I

t was at her mother’s shop, Mary Jane’s Haberdasher, that Windstar was first introduced to the craft. The shop regularly hosted traveling artists who would sit for glass blowing demonstrations in the front windows, enticing customers, and as it turned out, Shayla as well. As a creative kid with a bit of a self-described pyro streak, she felt a spark. If you’ve ever lost time staring into a campfire, you can begin to understand the draw.

Glassblowing is an ancient art. Syrians as far back as 300 BCE are credited with creating the blow pipe that modern glass blowing is built on, but humans have been working with glass since 4000 BCE when our prehistoric ancestors used naturally occurring obsidian from volcanic eruptions in tools and amulets. “Glass blowing is very healing and nurturing. People have been

staring into fire - praying and meditating for thousands of years.” Windstar said. And it’s no different for her.

Throughout her ten-year journey, she’s undergone profound personal growth, transitioning to being a mother and embracing her power both as a woman and an artist. This journey hasn’t been without its challenges. The glass art and cannabis sector, though evolving, remains predominantly male-dominated. However, she emphasizes the growing support network among women in the industry – a bond that she believes creates resilient women. “It’s really centered the way I feel about not only my art but my life and the path I’m walking. It’s all kind of intertwined - a dream of discovery and growth and just, I don’t think it’s ever gonna stop,” she added.

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Women in Cannabis

. . . there is this beautiful energy behind the women in this community . . . we’re all willing to reach out and help those around us.

Pyro to Pioneer Shayla began to learn the very basics of the craft through sporadic artist interactions at Mary Jane’s Haberdasher. Having never had a formal apprenticeship, this is how she learned. “I worked with multiple artists who would come in to sell their glass who’d spend maybe ten to fifteen minutes showing me something on the torch and then move on,” Windstar said. “Brock Sibley was the first one to show me drawing with glass on glass and was very influential in my career.”

What she’s referencing is the stringer technique, which is the use of thin rods or threads of glass to create intricate patterns and detail on a glass piece kind of similar to pulling taffy. The stringer technique requires a steady hand and a keen eye for detail, and it’s one of the many techniques that glass artists use to bring their visions to life. It became the foundation for what would eventually become Windstar’s signature style, what she refers to as stained glass technique. “I would watch my dad creating stained glass as a child, which was very influential,” she continued.

In the beginning, it was a grind.

Shayla was churning out glass pipes working minimum wage for 40 hours a week, and not least of all, a new mother to an infant. Now nearly 10 years old, Shayla’s daughter grew up in the shop for at least the first year and a half of her life, often tucked into a pack ‘n play with her toys while mom worked, honing her skills, and building a business alongside it. “I’m lucky that I went to business school and could translate those skills into pursuing something that I loved.”

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Women in Cannabis

There’s just something about being able to stare into the fire. The rest of the world just melts away and it allows you this little piece of control over one of the hardest mediums on the planet.

It’s like magic.

Pictured: “Owl Medicine”; a solo piece created by Shayla and donated to the Michigan Glass Project (MGP) for their November 2023 auction. The MGP is a collaborative initiative that partners with Art Road, a Detroit nonprofit aimed at reintroducing art classes into Detroit Public Schools.

Photos: Jamie Zill | @jlzill

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With a background in business management, she had an edge when managing the commercial aspects of her art, but Shayla sees success on multiple levels. Financial success, sure, but there is an intrinsic value in creating beautiful things working with a medium that you love. “I feel truly blessed that I get to be a part of this incredible industry. And to be something of a spokesperson for women in the industry - because there aren’t a lot of us. But there

is this beautiful energy behind the women in this community . . . we’re all willing to reach out and help those around us.”

Windstar’s commitment to altruism and community engagement shines through her collaboration with several charitable organizations, all of which are making tangible differences in the lives of the people they help. Organizations like the Michigan Glass Project,

whose mission is to unite artists through charitable events and introduce art into Detroit classrooms to foster positive community change—or the Injured Artist Fund, sponsored by Glass Vegas, which aids artists facing personal catastrophes through donated and auctioned off works from contributing artists.

Photo: Wind Home | @windhome

Photo: @pipeclassic

Photo: @pipeclassic

Photo: D Mill | @dmilldigital2

Looking ahead, she envisions herself traveling globally, collaborating with artists, and focusing on teaching—particularly veterans and those battling PTSD—in a larger home studio that can accommodate more students. For now, her plans remain two-pronged: short-term strategies alongside long-term dreams. As she readies herself for forthcoming competitions like Glass Vegas and CHAMPS, her message to budding artists is clear: Never give up. The world of glass blowing is challenging, but the results are incredibly rewarding. “I just want to convey how blessed I feel. And I’m incredibly proud of what this industry has done. There’s just something about being able to stare into the fire. The rest of the world just melts away and it allows you this little piece of control over one of the hardest mediums on the planet. It’s like magic.”

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Heads of Industry

A KNOCKOUT PRODUCT JBrands Comes out Swinging

With an iconic celebrity spokesman and a globally minded brain trust, the company wants to take its success across the globe. -By Matt Weeks What do you get when a vaping Question: entrepreneur partners with consumer electronics experts and Mike Tyson?

Answer: JBrands.

The parent corporation of companies such as bluumlab, Juicy, and Snoop Dogg’s Dogg Lbs, JBrands has built an impressive roster of charismatic and high-quality products. But it’s ambition that really sets them apart.

With a solid foothold in the American marketplace, JBrands is looking to expand. A single country isn’t enough, nor is a continent.

The founders aim to establish a global empire, drawing on their diverse expertise from past careers.

“The background that we come from is what makes us unique,” says Masoud Wardak, one of three partners who run JBrands. “One of our partners is from the vape industry, and he brings the knowledge and expertise in that sector. Our other partner and I are from the consumer electronics world. We understand trading products globally, which gives us a nice advantage in moving into new markets around the world.”

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We are doing business everywhere, from South America to Europe to the Middle East and Africa to Central Asia.

Multiply and Conquer To accomplish their goal of world domination, JBrands has adopted a work-hard, play-hard culture.

“We have large distributors that are distributing the products to small mom-and-pop retail shops, convenience stores, gas stations, smoke shops—a little a bit of everything,” Wardak said. “We have our own sales team that handles the smaller accounts.

We have 16 sales guys that are pounding the phones nonstop every day. And then we have two massive distributors that are doing the distribution sales to other distributors across the U.S. and we’re expanding to the international market right now. We are doing business everywhere, from South America to Europe to the Middle East and Africa to Central Asia.”

This area—the international arena—is where Wardak shines. With expertise in international markets, he is particularly thrilled to head the massive global push that JBrands is making this year.

“We work hard just to be able to understand the logistics, the financial aspect of how different countries operate. And we pay attention to the customer bases in those countries as well. Different customers have different mentalities across the globe. It changes a lot from region to region,” he said. “If you’re dealing with somebody in Germany, they’re very law-abiding.

They want everything above board and on the books, in terms of compliance aspects. They want to make sure products are registered fully and that there are no issues. And we want to get that right because, in their markets, if they catch you with a small detail wrong on the packaging—or the warning sign is not as big as it should be, it’s a $50,000 fine per product, per incident. And that adds up very quickly.”

The Mike Tyson Thing For any company with big goals, it helps to have a certified A-list celebrity in the corner. And if there’s one thing JBrands is known for, it’s their association with Mike Tyson.

But the partnership with the former Heavy Weight Champion of the World almost didn’t happen at all.

“To be honest, it was a little bit of dumb luck,” Wardak said. “We got an introduction from somebody, and we basically ran with it and sold ourselves and our abilities . . . he liked what he heard and saw. He was really thrilled and amazed at what we’ve done with the product in such a short period. You know how they say you should under promise, and over deliver? Well, we kind of over promised—but then delivered beyond their wildest imagination. So, it was kind of a win-winwin for everybody in that regard.”

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Of course, JBrands didn’t pioneer the concept of a celebrity-sponsored vaping product. It’s been tried many times before. But few other products have risen to the level of recognition the Tyson Vape enjoys.

When asked how JBrands finds the success that eluded similar products, he doesn’t chalk it up to luck. The success, he said, was purely the result of hard work.

“When these kinds of products fail, it’s a combination of things. It could be that the company hasn’t picked the right partners, maybe they don’t have the right device.

Maybe they haven’t put the time and effort into building a product that the consumer actually wants. And that’s where the difference kind of comes in on our end,” he said. “We built [the Tyson Vape] from the ground up, then we got the celebrity to back it, after we already had an amazing product. So, it was the overall experience of an amazing device combined with the marketing plan.

The celebrity side of things really was the last thing. It helped us to really catapult the product last year.”

The Future As JBrands expands, it plans to bring Iron Mike along for the ride. With his appearances in movies and on television, his best-selling books, and his increasing internet fame, he’s become a known quantity in all parts of the world.

But he’s not the whole of their strategy. The more immediate focus is on creating high-quality vapes that will appeal to users from Beirut to Seoul to Rio de Janeiro.

“You know, it’s easy to put a product out into the marketplace. But to actually have the consumer pick up the product and enjoy it, to actually build a customer base, that’s difficult,” Wardak said.

“There are plenty of brands that pop up and just put products out there. But to really become a major brand and to push the product into a marketplace, you need to have a lot of things aligned, like marketing strategies. But at the end of the day, if a consumer picks up a device and they don’t enjoy it, that’s the last time you interact with that consumer. So we’re very focused on having a quality device and making sure the quality is good, that the flavor profiles are good, and that the customer experience is good.”

“We spend a lot of time on the small details, so that it plays well across all the senses, from sight to smell to taste to touch,” he added. “Then we start to look at the marketing and the logistics people we can partner with in the region who have the proper reach and pull with the audience.”

“[Mike] was really thrilled and amazed at what we’ve done with the product in such a short period. You know how they say you should under promise, and over deliver? Well, we kind of over promised—but then delivered beyond their wildest imagination. So, it was kind of a win-winwin for everybody in that regard.”

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AfterHours

PUFF & PLEASURE Ho Ho Ohhhhhhhh: Gifts to Make More Than Spirits Rise

By Kim Airs

W

elcome to December, the month when gifting is in order, no matter your religion (or lack thereof).

It’s the perfect month to gift someone that item they’ve been hinting at all year—or, for that matter, to surprise them with something you’ve always wanted them to enjoy.

Santa references printed right on them. No, you’re not stoned—that vibe DOES say ‘Santa’s Bitch” on it!

And there are plenty of red and green vibes which can fall into both the yuletide them. Or, break them up and you have Valentine’s day on one hand and a year-round celebration of your favorite plant in the other.

a white elephant party? Well, we have just the thing—and it’ll tickle them pink (nudge, nudge, wink, wink).

What about selling a non-vibe adult item? There is a large variety of dice and card games from our friends at Kheper Games, that have plenty of naughtiness written all over them.

Cannabis, in its many forms, allows Many of their card, dice, and board us to let those on the nice games require a sex toy in list, try something new: Selling sex toys with knowledge and the mix so this gives you an a new variety, a different enthusiasm during the holidays is an excellent reason for crossway to deliver the high, effective way to wear down that uptight selling. While we’re on the a different level or type resistance. It’s a time to celebrate and subject, flip over to this month’s indulge. Why not throw that special friend of high that might be a Hours feature for a few for a loop? Going to a white elephant party? After unique twist to what they Well, we have just the thing—and it’ll tickle more twisted takes on tabletop usually experience. diversion. Ooh. La. La. them pink (nudge, nudge, wink, wink).

Now how about adding something else to really create a different experience? I’m sure you’re familiar with the different sensations your skin and mind go through when indulging, so just imagine adding vibration sensations to those precious cells in your body, no matter where they are.

If you own a brick and mortar outlet, it’s easy to pass off smaller vibrators as stocking stuffers while gently dropping the hint to your customers that ‘hey, this could be fun to use’ either under the spell of your favorite strain. To make that upsell a little easier, many distributors carry holiday themed toys, the latest of which comes to us from Global Novelties. They even have clever 66

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During the holiday season, both regular and new customers are sure to show up and ask for gift suggestions for the friends on their shopping lists. Why limit the selection to vapes, glass and gummies? Try slipping in the line “Oh! I know what would make your gift extra special!” or “Are they on the Naughty List?” and lead them over to your pleasure product section. If they question why, suggest that it’s something that can enhance their experience, whether high or not. Selling sex toys with knowledge and enthusiasm during the holidays is an effective way to wear down that uptight resistance. It’s a time to celebrate and indulge. Why not throw that special friend for a loop? Going to

As I’ve said before, in adult shops, the winter holiday season is just a dress rehearsal for Valentine’s Day—and any of the toys you offer now that are red can be easily remerchandised for that Hallmark holiday come mid-February.

May you prosper this holiday season!

THE SOUND OF SATISFACTION Screaming O’s Odyssey of Intimacy Founded in 2005, the adult toy company promulgated a new way of empowering individuals, fostering closer connections, while championing a design philosophy centered on non-phallic forms, ensuring their products feel inclusive and universally approachable.

Screaming O isn’t simply a curator of evocative designs; they’re a champion of an ethos that centers on heightening human connection.

Founded in 2005, the adult toy brand didn’t just introduce new products; it promulgated a new way of empowering individuals and fostering closer connections, while championing a design philosophy centered on non-phallic forms, ensuring their products feel inclusive and universally approachable. The brand stands firmly behind the belief that pleasure is a right, not a luxury. This isn’t about occasional indulgence but an everyday celebration of the self and the shared.

Most important to consumers are the easy-to-use, fun-to-try products made of quality materials and construction they can trust, at prices they can afford. Every Screaming O product is meticulously designed with body-safe materials and quality construction, ensuring that users not only experience pleasure, but also peace of mind.

According to founder Justin Ross, responsible manufacturing, clear and correct labeling, and accurate consumer education are three pillars of any pleasure toy company that’s deserving of consumers’ trust — and gaining that trust is imperative for sales.

Screaming O’s approach to product development is rooted in understanding market needs, recognizing global trends, and proactively adapting to regulatory changes. Ross initiated this idea by directly engaging potential users to discern their interests, ensuring products were aligned with genuine consumer desires. The award-winning brand has consistently demonstrated its ability to innovate and adapt, such as when they adjusted one of their products to comply with Australian regulations on button cell batteries.

Company president, Dan Holman explains that foreseeing similar regulations on the horizon for the U.S., Screaming O made the decision to pivot to a different battery type for their electric toys.

At the heart of the Screaming O brand lies its ability to meld quality with

quirk. Take their name, for example, a cheeky nod to that ultimate crescendo of pleasure. From their signature vibrating ring—which quickly became an electrifying delight in couples’ accessories—to a diverse range of products that encompasses everything from vibrators to lube, there’s a consistent thread: pleasure should be unabashed, fun, and most importantly, accessible to all. And the buzz is real— Screaming O has made appearances in Cosmopolitan, The Doctors, and the Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Diving into their extensive product catalog is akin to exploring a treasure trove of intimate wonders. The SoftTouch Bullets, Charged Vooom vibrators, and the discreet Lipstick Vibe are an invitation to explore, experience, and embrace one’s deepest desires.

Their expansion into lubricants with the Screaming O Lube and the introduction of the colorful ColorPoP line of vibrant vibes isn’t a mere diversification strategy; it’s a commitment to cater to every facet of intimate pleasure.

“Our aim is simple: quality, affordable products within a bit of fun,” says Holman. “We’re all about promoting a sex-positive vibe that’s comfortable for everyone—from retailers to consumers—to embrace.”

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After Hours

LET THE GAMES BEGIN Steamy Selections for Spirited Soirees

A

s purveyor of counter-cultural retail, you’re already skilled at offering adult enjoyment, and now it’s time to take the fun up a notch with a variety of games, from dice and card games to board games, all with a sexy twist!

But why should you consider adult games? Well, imagine this: They’re the life of the party, transforming ordinary gatherings into unforgettable adventures filled with laughter. These games are tailor-made for twosomes (or threesomes or foursomes, if you’re

into that sort of thing), promising a good time that brings people closer (if you know what we mean). Affordable and entertaining, these adult games also make for fantastic gifts (just maybe not for Grandma).

These games are tailor-made for twosomes (or threesomes or foursomes, if you’re into that sort of thing), promising a good time that brings people closer Getting Naked! Card Game This flirty and playful game from Cal Exxotics is all about Getting Naked! Complete with 52 Getting Naked playing cards, a rule book, and straightforward instructions, it’s a breeze to get the fun started. Whether it’s about igniting a new romance or spicing up an existing one, this game encourages letting go, shedding inhibitions, and sharing in sensuality. Shuffle the cards, deal them out, and discover a new level of intimacy as you strip away layers and ignite passions. Not only is Getting Naked! a great pastime for couples, it’s a fun game for bachelorette parties and family reunions (seriously. . . just kidding about that last one, cousin Eddie). calexotics.com 68

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Scan for a free sample!

Check out our entire Natalie’s Toy Box line!

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After Hours

XXXTra Naughty Nights Dare Dice Seductive sessions and passion play with your partner - that’s exactly what XXXTra Naughty Nights Dare Dice from Creative Conceptions promises. This sultry dice game is tailored for couples who relish in a bit of spicy, intimate fun. Just roll the dice, and let the sensuality unfold. With each toss, you’ll uncover alluring tasks and tempting tasks that encouraging you to indulge in your partner’s deepest desires. From teasing touches to fiery encounters, these dice guarantee an electrifying addition to your intimate rendezvous. It’s the ideal recipe for a night brimming with desire and passionate fun. creativeconceptions.com

ADULT FEATURE

Lovehoney: Position of the Week Try to maintain your poker face while you’re playing Lovehoney: Position of the Week. This daring deck is Kama Sutra in card format with each visually explicit card featuring a different intimate position to put on your calendar. On the flipside of each card, you and your partner get to play the role of critics and rate the positions.

It’s all part of the fun as you explore together! And if you ever find yourselves in a provocative pickle, don’t worry—there are handy instructions to help you navigate the ins and outs. This steamy twist on Twister promises to keep you both limber and playfully adventurous. lovehoney.com

LOOPY Say goodbye to boring evenings of TV binging. With music, candles, and LOOPY Couples Game, you’re in for some unforgettable memories. LOOPY ignites personal and physical connection, unlocking your senses. The set includes a playing board and spinner, 150 cards and a blindfold. Choose from four levels: TALKS, KISSES, FONDLES, and FUN ACTIVITIES, plus a thrilling bonus deck. The LOOPY questions and dares were carefully crafted with input from over 10,000 couples making them unpredictably exciting. A silk strip adds a sensual twist. In this sexy game, you’re always a winner, no matter what. supplyleader.com

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AfterHours

Sizzling Sellers that Put the “F” in Functional

Cake Eater Clit Flicker Stimulator

French Kiss Elite Romeo

Maia Toys Trippy Toys Display

Let them eat cake!!! That’s the orgasmic cry from those who’ve tried the Cake Eater vibe from Natalie’s Toy Box. The soft tongue at the top of the cupcake-shaped stimulator flicks the sweet spot – clitoris, nipples, or anywhere you please – for enhanced pleasure.

Crafted with high-quality, nontoxic, and body-safe ABS silicone, the Cake Eater has 10 flicking modes, mimicking the feeling of oral or finger play, for some of the most delectably delicious – and nonfattening –- sensations. Available in pink, blue and purple. With fast magnetic USB charging you’ll get up to two hours of pulsating pleasure.

Put some frosting on the cake by pairing with your favorite stimulant or supplement for enhanced sensations!

Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? The French Kiss Elite Romeo is a flickering and thrusting teaser-bullet combo designed with 10 tantalizing functions of vibration, pulsation, and escalation that will drive the user wild with desire Crafted from luxurious silicone, this velvety tool is waterproof, ideal for aquatic fun. Its smart memory chip recalls your last chosen setting, ensuring continuous pleasure.

A travel security lock promises discretion, and recharging is effortless with a magnetic charging cord, providing a full charge in just 1.5 hours to deliver up to 60 minutes of intense stimulation on high speed–or 80 mind-melting minutes of blissful pleasure on low.

Let this pleasure tool tickle and sweep your customers away into a world of unforgettable ecstasy.

Maia Toys is already a well-known brand, and with the Trippy Toys display, you can boost their product sales to new heights. The colorful, attention-grabbing countertop display package includes two each of the following: Jessi Trippy Bullet, LUCY Mushroom Pattern Rechargeable X-Long Bullet, Grateful Deb 25-Speed Rechargeable Bullet, and Shroomie Rechargeable Mushroom Vibrator.

As you can tell by the cheeky names, these pleasure products are a perfect fit with the alternative smoke shop vibe–-all part of Maia’s unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction, refining products based on user feedback. With the Trippy Toys Display, your customers can be sure you’re keeping their hottest desires close to heart!

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HeadSpace

A High Sobriety Adventure

FROM GOOSE TO GREEN

How “California Sober” might be the Golden Bridge between alcohol excess and harm-reduced living.

I

’m gonna shoot straight: Mama likes the sauce. In good times, I’m reaching for the Grey Goose to celebrate. In bad times, I’m reaching for the Grey Goose to commiserate.

Bored? Goose. Anxious? Goose. Goose on TV? Goose.

It’s a problem.

So when the wife—who drinks red wine on occasion and usually with dinner—insisted I try the “Sober October” trend with her, I offered a “Sure, why not?” so cavalierly that she side-eyed me. She knew (like I denied) how hard that was going to be for me—and she was right. As it was mid-September when she proposed the idea, I immediately began the dreaded “taper.” For the uninitiated, going cold turkey if you’re a habitual drinker can be medically dangerous, so you’ll want a gradual cutdown before you dismiss the booze entirely.

But even the taper was treachery.

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Since this story will live in the bountiful and hazy realm of HeadQuest, let’s imagine it thusly: The nightly routine of packing a nice, full bowl after work has come to an end. In its stead, you’re granted half a pinky nail’s worth of a nug—two feeble little hits, tops—and not even a coke pinky nail. After that shitty commute and typing “as per my last email” six times, all you’re granted at day’s end is just enough herb to make you stare at the instant ash disdainfully and wonder why the hell you agreed to this. Now, imagine the substance you use to unwind is actually addictive.

That was me for the last week of September. I was constantly antsy and craving sugar so badly that I attempted to eat the caramelized parrot turds known as candy corn.

I also found myself sighing on the couch, wide awake at 3am with telltale quitter’s insomnia, for which the only remedy was to accept my fate and begrudgingly hop in the sack with ‘John Cougar’ Melatonin.

Did I mention it’s a problem?

The first week of Sober October was a bitch. The witching hour would come around and my body would instantly cry out for the Goose-and-La Croix Continued on Page 82

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HeadSpace

“I was working as a primary care doctor at a prestigious Harvard clinic [and] had been successful in hiding my severe addiction to prescription opioids for a decade,” he recalls.

He finagled the scripts on his own, having written bogus “I spent a lot of time, money, and effort prescriptions perfecting the product to make sure its that ultimately effect unfolded in a way similar to that of went into his alcohol.” - William Gibbs, HempBevCo pocket. “In February of 2005, the state routine. I learned a decent response police and the for this from some basement dwellers DEA raided my office, and filed felony on Reddit: “Touch grass.” Turns out, drug charges against me in response,” when you do that, you also breathe he says. “This set off a phenomenally fresh air and can watch a chipmunk try painful cascade of punitive interactions and eat the scratch-off ticket someone with all of the establishments which tossed into your yard. Jokes aside, oversee my medical career—not to getting out into nature reminds me mention dealing with the criminal that I live in magic — I just don’t take charges themselves.” Thankfully, his the time to see it. I think a lot of us misfortune righted itself: “A decade have gone blind to it. later I was invited to work for the Massachusetts Medical Society to help Think about it: Do you remember other physicians who were struggling being small and perfectly happy to sit as I had been.” in the dirt and play with toy cars, or have parties with your stuffed animals The second week of Sober October, because they were (in your wonderfully still with the tight shoulders imaginative mind) very much real? We and teeth-grinding that a full lose that as we get older, trading Tonka workload can imbue, Dr. trucks for tax bills, stuffed animal Grinspoon’s words rushed to banter for bitching about inflation. I the fore. Armed with a few theorize that most of us are attempting chapters of his book “Seeing to recreate that magic as we disappear Through The Smoke,” I decided into a bottle of booze or (in other cases) to try a form of “touching a bottle of opioids. grass” that had a little more pizzazz. I’ve heard about going Someone who knows the latter struggle “California sober,” in which well is Dr. Peter Grinspoon, a primary your only source of “headchange” care physician, instructor of medicine comes from cannabis, so I thought, at Harvard Medical School, and “Why the hell not?” A few weeks prior, cannabis specialist at Massachusetts I’d procured a little something from General Hospital who found himself in HempBevCo—Cannabis Mocktail the throes of opioid addiction.

Creator—which is liquid THC derived

Head Sapce Caliso

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from legal USA hemp. A QR code on the back gave me 10 mocktail suggestions from coladas to cosmopolitans. I went with the Mai Tai. Though the label says fast acting, I didn’t feel a thing the first 30 minutes.

I was tempted to try another drink, but after another half an hour, I was well into Disney+’s brand-new Goosebumps reboot (shut up) and was having a tough time paying attention over my inner dialogue: “This show is waaaaaaay good. The writing is superb.

I wish I wrote this. Way to go, whoever wrote this. You’re friggin’ awesome. I gotta share your work.” I went to take a pic of the screen to get my friends to watch it, but the camera was set to front-facing. I got a good look at my mug and the chick smirking back looked zooted to the hilt, complete with a soft, goofy grin, tell-tale lowered eyelids, and an “Everything’s mad chill at the moment” aura. Yeah.

The mocktail does the trick; cravings absolutely yeeted. It was time to talk to the Creator’s creator.

William Gibbs, the founder of HempBevCo, relayed his reasons for the product’s inception, revealing that he, too, loves alcohol, “But I’ve found I just can’t consume it like I used to because it’s so hard on my body.” One of the standout features of his creation is its ability to provide a sensation not

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entirely dissimilar to alcohol. Gibbs says, “I spent a lot of time, money, and effort perfecting the product to make sure its effect unfolded in a way similar to that of alcohol.”

While the market for cannabisbased products is vast, his company primarily targets the alcohol consumer, emphasizing the importance of educating consumers on their perfect dose.

“The big market for a product like this is not the cannabis consumer, but the alcohol consumer.”

W h e n I mistakenly called his product a tincture, G i b b s politely clarified that the Mocktail Creator

is not a tincture. “The problem with a tincture is that it’s not water-soluble, and when put in a drink mostly made of water, it usually floats to the top or sticks to the sides of the glass,” he says.

“In general, you’re not going to get an even distribution.”

To right the wrong, HempBevCo uses “a nano-emulsification process that not only makes it water-soluble, but also shrinks the size of the oil droplets down to about the size of 40 nanometers,” Gibbs elaborates, pointing out its

HeadSpace - Caliso

positively about her experience with the Mocktail Creator, which actually contains “the good stuff.” Most likely because of her super-fit frame, it hit fast. “It [took] about 30 minutes to feel the effects, but then, the change was substantial,” she said. While the beverage did cause her some anxiety, its impact on her booze craving was significant. “I didn’t think about alcohol,” she said.

Eliza’s experience underscores that she, like many, is navigating an evolving landscape of alcohol substitutes. “It’s always been alcohol at family events,” she said, “but there’s room to explore and find balance.”

Cannabis, in my opinion, is unsurpassed for opioid withdrawal symptoms, and it treats many of the underlying conditions that were fueling the addiction such as insomnia, anxiety, and pain.

-Dr. Peter Grinspoon superior bioavailability compared to traditional tinctures. I guess that’s why it hit nice and smooth that night.

A week prior, I went in halfsies on the concoction with Eliza, who was embarking upon Sober October as well. She opened up to using alcohol and cannabis for relaxation. “It’s a decompression ritual,” she said, noting that cannabis elevates her senses, making even mundane experiences enjoyable.

Eliza recalled her less-than-pleasant encounters with Delta 8 gummies, the only OTC cannabis offering her state will allow. “The first time was ambiguous because I mixed it with alcohol,” she said. “The second time was a complete misfire, leading to paranoia and nausea.”

In contrast, she spoke

So, “California sober” aside, are you really off substances if you’re high on THC? It’s still a mind-altering substance, but so is coffee, right?

That’s something else Dr. Grinspoon touches on: the hypocrisy of how we categorize some substances as illicit, and normalize some of the most addictive ones. I venture to say that many people, given the opportunity, would have more of a fighting chance at kicking fatalistic habits if they could walk into a recreational marijuana dispensary instead of a bottle shop or the office of a local pill-pusher to unwind and/or come off the hard stuff.

(Are you listening, federal gov?)

I ask Dr. Grinspoon about the neuroscience of addiction and where it lives in the brain. Could it maliciously blanket our prefrontal cortex—responsible for reasoning— and commandeer the wrinkle-ship to prioritize getting high above all else?

Is it shushing the amygdala, which we use to sense danger, and lead us to places the sane avoid? Dr. Grinspoon says it’s “complicated, with many theories” but it often comes down to our “reward center and how much Continued on Page 86

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“We need to meet people where they are and not judge . . . [we should be] open to the use of Suboxone, cannabis and psychedelics.” - Dr. Alan Grinspoon

dopamine is released” when we get up to our mischievous bullshit.

“Drugs of misuse can ‘hijack’ [our reward center] by flooding our brains with neurochemicals that make us feel good,” he says. Healthy, normal brains get those kinds of neurochemicals from the legitimately good stuff: sex, working out, meditating, performing good deeds for others, hanging with people we adore, being out in the sunshine. To the addict, those are boring wastes of time and effort when we’ve got a couple Oxycontins, or say, a handle of bourbon to fire up the feelgoods. We’ve found the shortcut, you lame nerds, so have fun with your goofy little bicycle ride around the lake.

It’s a sad existence, even if we pretend like this is what we’re choosing. “I 86

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can quit anytime I want—I just don’t want to,” is perhaps the biggest lie we tell ourselves, and that monkey on our back feeds us what we think are convincing lies.

“My back hurts, doc. I really need those Percocet.”

“I’ve only had one drink, officer. Okay, three, but that was over a 49-hour period!”

“I have a high stress job and Xanax bars help me focus. Do you want my children to starve, doc?!”

But the charade, if we’re lucky, gets really tiresome.

So what’s an addict to do when they’re sick of the “I’m fine!” facade and all the negative consequences that chase us around? Alcoholics Anonymous, please hold your tongue, but now 17

years in recovery, Dr. Grinspoon has a lot to say on the efficacy of cannabis to mitigate the unrelenting havoc that coming off drugs can wreak.

“Cannabis, in my opinion, is unsurpassed for opioid withdrawal symptoms, and it treats many of the underlying conditions that were fueling the addiction such as insomnia, anxiety, and pain,” Dr. Grinspoon says.

Apart from knowing how effective cannabis can be when it comes to kicking opioids, the storied doc has a deeply, more personal connection to its medical benefits. His younger brother Danny was a pioneering medical cannabis patient while battling childhood leukemia in the early 1970s.

Dr. Grinspoon recalls, “Cannabis vastly alleviated the ravages that he was undergoing from the chemotherapy [and] enabled him to maintain his weight and to actually play with his little brothers.” His parents took a significant risk by illegally purchasing cannabis for Danny, putting their careers on the line to alleviate their son’s suffering. Dr. Grinspoon emphasizes, “There’s nothing more impactful than witnessing firsthand the alleviation of suffering in a family member.” This formative experience

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deeply influenced his career and advocacy for cannabis as a medical treatment.

I ask him if he can speak to how we’re made for cannabis, as our brains house an uptake region specifically and expressly for cannabis, referred to as the endocannabinoid system.

Dr. Grinspoon clarifies: “It’s more like cannabis is designed for us! It bootstraps on to our endocannabinoid system (ECS). Further, “All animals have an ECS—it’s 500 million years old. Humans have been using cannabis for 5,000-10,000 years.” On the topic of smoking versus ingesting marijuana, he notes, “Yes, when you eat it, your liver changes delta 9 THC to delta 11 THC which people can find to be stronger and ‘spacier,’ but, it can give you longer relief from pain than smoking can,” he says. He

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also addresses misconceptions about addiction, stating, “We need to meet people where they are and not judge,” and suggests being “open to the use of Suboxone, cannabis and psychedelics.”

He stresses, “This is not ‘substituting one addiction for another,’” as is an idea parroted in certain recovery forums and programs, but is rather “harm reduction and will save lives,” he says.

At the time of my formerly Sober October (and now California Sober October), I feel physically fantastic.

I’ve lost bellyfat, I wake so rested and bereft of the strange back, neck, and hip stiffness that I feel like I’ve been doing yoga for a few weeks, and I find more time in the day to whatever-thehell I want (okay, sleep and eat parrot turds). But I can’t dishonor you with an untruth, HeadQuesters; There’s still

an itch that darkens my door during the witching hour. I hope against the rationale of statistics that it’ll leave me sooner than later, but in the meantime, I gotta keep trucking.Tonight, I’m gonna hunker down and stave off the Goose-and-La Croix ritual with some TV. I need to finish the remaining four episodes of the new Goosebumps, anyway.

Wait. Goose … bumps?

Goose on TV? Son of a mother!

At the time of submission, Berlin hasn’t had another drink, despite finishing the Goosebumps reboot. #shade

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HIGH HOPES

Peering through a hazefilled crystal ball, our predictions reveal the highflying future of cannabis over the next decade.

By Matt Weeks

Cannabis Predictions for the Next Decade

I

t’s been almost 10 years since the Pew Research Center first reported a majority of Americans were in favor of legalizing cannabis. Since then, the industry has seen more growth, innovation, and acceptance than at any time in its 30-year history (or thousand, depending on your scope).

Once the purview of the counterculture, cannabis has gone mainstream. New products, like CBD gummies and Delta 8 vapes, have widened the industry’s appeal just enough for legalization to get its foot in the door.

And while no one could have foreseen dab rigs, THC-laced carbonated water, and the continuous, high-quality output

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of Seth Rogen, they’ve all become welcome additions to the family.

So, in the spirit of those impossible accomplishments, here are seven (well, six and a half) predictions for what we’ll see over the next decade.

Prediction 1: Research Will Get Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger When President Joe Biden signed the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansions Act into law in December 2022, he effectively rewrote the rules on cannabis research.

The new law put in place provisions that

will supercharge cannabis research in a few important ways. First, it strips the University of Mississippi of its monopoly on supplying research cannabis. A deeper roster of suppliers will provide researchers with access to higher-quality samples that will open new doors in research. For the first time, scientists will study high-THC strains, examine fresh cannabis buds, and compare how similar strains grown miles apart differ.

And that’s just the start. The new rules will allow for more robust, efficient, and effective research in all sorts of cannabis-related realms.

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bottleneck isn’t likely to bring new cannabis-based drugs to the consumer market by 2033. However, what it will do is just as consequential.

Better research will further our understanding of cannabis and the human body, capture consumer attention, legitimize cannabis within the medical community, and point drugmakers down more effective avenues.

Prediction 2: Investor Confidence Won’t Crumble The mid-air turbulence of the cannabis industry’s flight toward sustainability will continue, so keep your seatbelts fastened (and maybe pop some CBD to relax).

Whichever Wall Street hustler founds the Amazon of cannabis will rake in a disgusting of amount of money and will probably lodge themselves firmly in American pop culture right beside Elon Musk. That’s enough payoff to keep the faucet flowing for at least 10 years.

rolling papers and glass bongs. Then college-aged stoners pioneered foundobject engineering practices, leading to the development of smoking devices made from household detritus like hollowed-out apples and Coke cans.

However, nothing compares to our current Golden era of cannabis t e c h n o l o g y .

Vaporizers, gummy candies, dab rigs, sodas, and dermal patches have given medical patients and recreational users new, more efficient, and safer ways to partake.

Cannabis is hardly controversial. On the scale of Thanksgiving topics likely to cause a rift in the family, legalization rates below veganism, driverless Ubers, and giving poor kids a free breakfast at school (really).

In the next d e c a d e , headlines proclaiming the death of the cannabis business will certainly proliferate, but Chicken Littles are wrong to fear a reckoning.

Investors won’t be clamoring for their parachutes. Even as some market corrections determine a few winners and losers, the well-heeled crowd will continue to pump money into cannabis ventures.

Why? Because the promise of a massive payout is just too great to resist.

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Prediction 3: A Better Mousetrap is Coming In the beginning, there were pipes.

And they were good.

But as hippie culture grew, mid-century manufacturing techniques allowed for the proliferation of new ideas, like

Far from bucking the trend, the next 10 years will produce an unrivaled exploration of weed-delivery options.

New technology will range from the imminent (THC-laced breakfast cereals and dino nuggets) to the bizarre (teeth whitening strips?) to as-yet unimaginable (bathroom air fresheners that mist CBD).

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Prediction 4: Things Will Get Personal

Prediction 6: We’ll Start Asking the Right Questions

The effects of cannabis are simply too powerful not to follow the path of the paramedical business. Taking a cue from quasi-scientific promises, the next decade will offer consumers hyper-personalized recommendations for cannabis strains, delivery devices, and dosages.

The future of cannabis’s legality is no longer a question of “if.” It’s hardly a question of when. The real question is how.

Through genetic tests, personal gurus, and internet quizzes, a sub-industry of catering to personal tastes will bloom.

Imagine: a personalized strain, named in your honor, promising to cure your very specific ailments. Or a licensed cannabis coach whose $500 fee includes a three-week dosing plan to improve sleep, reduce muscle soreness, and unlock your creativity.

Prediction 5: The Names Will Improve The cheeky names for cannabis strains and products have been part of a long and storied tradition. Unfortunately, they get worse by the day. While names like White Widow and Sour Diesel were once semi-descriptive and harmlessly irreverent, the de-evolution has led us to sophomoric monikers, like Monkey Balls or MILF. As the industry professionalizes, it will bend the knee to inclusivity. The days of users trying to pronounce names like “Zkittlez” will be over, replaced by naming conventions that appeal to wider audiences and those looking for specific effects. Imagine someone’s great aunt wants a little cannabis to help her sleep. Will she choose Bubba Kush or Plush Slumber?

Of course, the other shoe will drop. Suggested change: “We’ll see celebrity-sponsored strains, corporate tie-ins, and services that provide “one-of-a-kind” varietals for weddings. This will all get tiring, too. But at least it’ll be different.

We’ve already reached the tipping point of the issue the moment it gained a critical mass acceptance. According to Gallup, 2020 marked the first time that a plurality of Americans in every demographic approve of cannabis legalization (at a total rate of 58 percent in favor of recreational legalization). As that number continues to grow, it’s hard to picture any executive branch—progressive or backwards—can long hold out against the coming tide.

So, the talk of when is just fluff. Preseason speculation.

Texas tea. Cannabis legalization is marching on with the force of a juggernaut, imminent in all its hazy glory.

Cannabis is hardly controversial. On the scale of Thanksgiving topics likely to cause a rift in the family, legalization rates below veganism, driverless Ubers, and giving poor kids a free breakfast at school (really).

But the question of how cannabis will be legalized (such as whether it will include license caps, anti-corporate measures, criminal justice reforms, and/or allow for home growth) will come to dominate our discussions.

Prediction 7: Infighting Will Get Worse In the before time, when things were simpler, and we were younger, there were two sides to the Great Cannabis Debate. You were either pro- or anti-legalization.

Now, as the pro-cannabis side expands, its big tent has made room for a million little factions. And they’ve got plenty of differences to quibble over.

In a sense, this is already happening. The “Suits vs. Roots” debate torpedoed Arkansas’s 2022 bid for legalization.

When the issue came before voters, progressive-leaning cannabis enthusiasts chafed at the bill’s proposal to limit new dispensaries and allow the already established medical cannabis industry to dominate the recreational market.

Further, the measure didn’t address the social justice aspect of legalization. Those in prison for cannabis-related crimes would continue to stay behind bars with no hope of finding their way back into the industry. In the end, 56 percent of voters checked “No.” We can look for more of this in the future. When we start asking more complicated questions, we’ll get messier answers that require tough compromises. Even if we all want to order a pizza, how long will it take us to decide on toppings?

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EdQuest

By Joshua Scott Hotchkin & David Pogge

THESE BOOTHS ARE MADE FOR WALKING

Making the Most of Your Trade Show Travel

The intricate art of trade show mastery, from selecting the right events to post-show strategies.

Y

eah, we get it, it is not a good time. You are smack dab in the middle of the holiday season, the busiest time of the retail year, and it is all you can do to stay focused on keeping everything running smoothly while the cash registers are running hot. Nonetheless, the 2024 tradeshow season is upon us, and it is time to start planning now so that you can make the most of it. Staying in the know gives you a competitive edge; the tradeshow is where you go to sharpen it.

To help us get our minds in the right place for the new year’s coming events we spoke with Mike Sessoms, founder and CEO of Smoke Shop Events, whose expert advice checks an item of our very own 2023 holiday wish list.

Before You Go First thing’s first: Pick the shows you want to attend. That’s a bit obvious, but there’s no better place to start than the beginning. CHAMPS is always a solid choice; they’re the OG, the biggest, and

most well-attended. However,TPE’s upcoming collaboration with Glass Vegas makes for one helluva contender.

Take note and consider adding this one to your list. They have carpet.

Next, mark down the preregistration dates for each show on your list. Then, when the date arrives—you guessed it—preregister. I know, commitments are scary. But preregistration saves you a world of headaches when you arrive; no unforeseen hurdles, no painfully long lines, and no misunderstandings.

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Most importantly—and this goes especially for Vegas shows, which is almost all of them —if there are people with whom you absolutely need to meet, whether for business or pleasure, don’t assume it will just happen by chance.

That’s for the craps tables.

Just peace of mind and the ability to sail through doors with ease.

Next, make a plan of attack. Mike’s strategy really hits the nail on the head here.

“I would look at the vendor list prior to the show and highlight any particular vendors I want to see . . . if I’m being strategic, I would then find out booth numbers on all set vendors, and then I’d map them out so I’m not zigzagging across the show floor from aisle to aisle.

This way you’re going up and down and hitting all your vendors that you want to meet along the way, in order.”

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Got your agenda? Great! Now, let’s shape up a schedule. Plan for pre-booked vendor meet-ups, but also, make sure to leave room for those spontaneous visits and new discoveries. Follow a similar pattern for the after-hours activities as well. You’ll want to make some solid plans, but you’ll also want to leave room for those random moments that can only happen when the plans fall apart.

Most importantly—and this goes especially for Vegas shows, which is almost all of them—if there are people with whom you absolutely need to meet, whether for business

or pleasure, don’t assume it will just happen by chance. That’s for the craps tables. Las Vegas is a series of human-sized lab rat mazes, tailor engineered to keep you distracted, disoriented, and lost for as long as possible. If you take a “play it by ear” approach to catching up with friends or business associates, your odds of success are only slightly higher than hitting the jackpot on the slots. Make a plan, set a time, and call a damn cab.

Crunch the Numbers Before you invest in attending an event, consult your accountant.

Find out which travel expenses are tax deductible, under what conditions, and the documentation required. Keep in mind, these laws frequently change, sometimes even between shows.

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While maximizing expenditures, you still want to stay budget-conscious.

Compare prices for transportation options like planes, trains, and rental cars. Also, check rates for hotels, motels, and Airbnbs. What may seem pricey could be more affordable during certain seasons. Always research thoroughly and avoid making assumptions.

Consider the location and local travel needs. Ideally, find a budget-friendly room near the show. However, with a rental car or dependable public transport, you might opt for cheaper accommodation or a place that suits your preferences better.

Get Equipped Hold up, we aren’t quite done with geography yet. Have you checked what the weather is like during the time of year you will be at the show’s location?

Not only is this going to inform your travel wardrobe choices, it is going to help you decide on the above transport questions.

Once again, since Vegas is the primary destination, we’ll use that as the example. Pay very close attention to the weather ahead of those winter shows in Sin City. January weather in Las Vegas is wholly unpredictable.

You could be in shorts one day and battling an ice storm the next. Don’t make assumptions based on location.

Other items you should consider essential: business cards, comfortable shoes, a roller bag or ergonomic backpack to carry essentials, journaling materials, and a camera (or just use your iPhone like a civilized 2 0 2 3 adult; we’ll get to why you need a camera in a bit.)

Stay Nourished Bring some sustenance with you so you can stay nourished and hydrated. Sure, you could grab lunch, but there are hundreds, if not thousands of booths to see and only about 12-18 hours total to see them all. While we’re on that subject, could someone please lobby CHAMPS to install a train?

“I generally never eat lunch at shows,” Mike tells us, “because that’s an hour that I just wasted walking out to the lobby, getting in line, getting my lunch, eating, and then going back in…

Try to eat breakfast before the show.

That’ll give you some energy to make it through the day and power through.”

For Mike, if he brings anything, it’s little more than a bag of peanuts.

PRO TIP:

At a show in Vegas? Make dinner plans early. Las Vegas is a peculiar place in that it has an endless selection of diverse and amazing restaurants, but A) they are often hard to find and B) many of them have an annoying habit of closing before the real fun begins. Hesitate but a little and you may end up at McDonalds.

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I generally never eat lunch at shows, because that’s an hour that I just wasted . . . I’m really not thinking about food. I’ve got business to do. My stomach will gurgle and growl and I’ll tell it to shut up.

-Mike Sessoms, SSE 108

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EdQuest

“I’m really not thinking about food.

I’ve got business to do. My stomach will gurgle and growl and I’ll tell it to shut up.” You don’t have to take it that far, though. Bring a few power bars, or maybe a trail mix and then enjoy the ever-loving f--k out of your dinner.

You’ll have carved out one helluvan appetite.

When hitting a trade show, keeping track of all the info can be a real headache. But Mike’s got a hack for it. “I take a journal with me,” he says, “and the moment I step out of a booth, I jot down notes—quick shorthand about the company, contacts, their roles, and any other details that seem relevant.”

Think about it: after meeting hundreds of folks, things blur. As Mike points out, “You’ve met loads of people and visited hundreds of booths. Without notes, you’ll be lost.” After the show?

Crack open that journal. You’ll remember so much more, making follow-ups a breeze. Mike swears by it: “It’s memorable, boosts your productivity, and not enough people do it. It’s golden.”

PRO TIP:

Let’s dive into the camera bit. tasks to your team. A solid followSnapping pics of cool products or through ensures all that intel you booths can be a game-changer. When snagged doesn’t go to waste. you flip through your journal later, those photos will be a major memory One last golden nugget: stash another boost. Once again, business cards journal in your workspace. Use it to can be useful here. Snap a jot down broad takeaways from each pic of the card, t h e n s n a p show. This way, every new event the products.

Always have becomes smoother and way more fun than the last. a buffer s h o t between booths so Pro tip: Bring a small stapler and slap the you know the business cards right on the same page what is you scribble notes about that company or what.

PRO TIP:

After t h e Show

Dive into your materials (photos, business cards, you name it) as soon as you touch down at home.

Everything’s still vivid, so strike while the iron’s hot. Chart out a game plan to reconnect with the awesome folks you met. Rank ‘em, pencil them in your schedule, or even hand off some

Now it’s super tech-savvy tip time: Got an iPhone? Great. Snap a pic of the card, and then snap pics of the products that interest you. Then, load them all into the notes app and type in any additional information.

This is especially effective if you have a MacBook and you’ve synced it with your iPhone. You’re welcome.

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product. Remember, you’re there to gather info, so make it easy on yourself to recall it all later.

Alright, folks, enough of the trade show talk. You’re free to resume with the jingle bells and Yule sales swells, just as that Julian calendar guy intended.

Cheers to making the most out of every trade show!

EdQuest

SURVIVING THE POST-HOLIDAY SLUMP

Planning for January and Beyond

By Darin Burt

H

ey, we get it. It’s the busiest time of the year for smoke shops, and every minute counts. With the holidays in full swing, your store is buzzing, and taking a break to read an article might be the last thing on your mind. But trust us, as the rush winds down and January’s quieter days roll in, you’ll want to have this information under your belt.

We’re digging in to make the most of the postholiday quiet time. You’ll thank us later.

Understanding the Winter Chill When the holidays wind down, things naturally slow down a bit. All those crazy deals and discounts? Gone. And let’s be real, after all that festive spending, a lot of us are trying to keep our spending in check. While it’s a phase shared by retailers across industries—many retailers can generate up to 40% of their annual sales during the holiday season, making the post-holiday period seem quite stark in comparison—smoke shops can feel the pinch more acutely, given the niche customer demographic and unique product range.

Transforming the Slump into Opportunity So, how can a smoke shop thrive during these lean times and turn them into growth opportunities? The answer involves four key strategies: customer engagement, staff empowerment, product expansion, and well-planned promotions.

The holiday high can’t last forever; find out how to keep the buzz alive through the post-holiday hangover.

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For many, an overload on giving brings a chill on spending.

Yet, well-crafted promotions can be just the temptation they need. Continuing discounts, especially on excess holiday inventory, can keep the cash register ringing.

Introducing fresh products and exclusives—from the latest in vaping tech to the newest rolling accessories—can pique interest.

While customer engagement sets the external stage, the post-holiday lull can serve as a backdrop for a critical internal transformation: staff training. Consider it an investment. When was the last time your staff had a refresher on the latest products or Continued on Page 116

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sales techniques? Now’s the moment. Empowering staff with in-depth product knowledge effectively equips them to offer personalized service. It’s the difference between making a sale and making a customer—and that makes all the difference.

As we bid farewell to the holiday hustle, let’s unwrap the strategies that will keep your smoke shop thriving in the new year.

Embrace the Bundle Offering combinations of complementary products can drive sales. For instance, create a “Beginner’s Bundle” with a basic vape pen, a starter set of e-liquids, and cleaning materials. Alternatively, think about a “Cigar Essentials Pack” that pairs a selection of premium cigars with a cutter and a portable humidor.

Launch a Loyalty Program Loyalty incentivizes repeat purchases.

Think about offering tier-based rewards. As customers climb the tiers through purchases, they unlock better rewards. For instance, after spending a certain amount, they could unlock exclusive discounts, early access to sales, or limited-edition products.

Time for Some Adulting Blending novelty with need. If insights from “HQ After Hours” have caught your attention, then you’re aware of the enticing potential of adding adult products to a smoke shop’s range. Now’s the perfect time to pivot towards pleasure seekers, and showcase your intimate offerings.

With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, it’s a golden opportunity to tap into the adult demand.

Double Down on Digital Marketing Digital is the new storefront. Run themed campaigns on platforms like Instagram or Twitter. A “Throwback Thursday” series could feature classic smoking accessories.

Utilize email marketing, sending out newsletters detailing the benefits of newly stocked products, or exclusive online-only discounts. Take it a step further: Start a blog or video series on evolving cannabis regulations, vaping’s evolution, or the art of rolling. Such content not only educates but also positions your shop as an authority in the field.

Redefine the Sale Section Turn sales into an experience. Consider theme-based sales, such as ‘Mellow Mondays’ with discounts on calming CBD blends or ‘Flavorful Fridays’ spotlighting a variety of e-liquid flavors. Such themes can create anticipation and regularity among customers.

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Upsell and Cross-Sell

Seek Feedback and Adapt

Maximize each transaction. If someone is buying a hookah, suggest flavored coals or a set of premium hoses.

Equip staff with knowledge about the benefits of add-ons to make these suggestions more authentic and convincing.

Customers are the best compass. Launch a ‘Sunday Survey” initiative, encouraging customers to share their thoughts in return for a small discount on their next purchase.

Their insights can illuminate areas of improvement and potential trends.

Optimize In-store Layout Retail space is a visual story. Post-holidays, rearrange the store to spotlight non-seasonal products. Place highmargin products or new arrivals at eye level or near the checkout counter. Highlighting different products can refresh the store’s appearance and draw attention to overlooked items.

New Year, New Strategy Think of the post-holiday slowdown as a reset button.

Whether it’s sharpening your customer service skills, brewing collaborations with neighboring businesses, or just sprucing up your store’s vibe, there’s magic in the calm — so harness it and blaze a trail into the new year.

Now’s the moment. Empowering staff with in-depth product knowledge effectively equips them to offer personalized service. It’s the difference between making a sale and making a customer—and that makes all the difference.

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TAXING TIMES

Morale-Boosting Tax Deductions That Make (Dollars &) Cents.

With the right moves, you can boost team morale and your bottom line at the same time. Read on to find out how.

I

By Joshua Scott Hotchkin

can remember the moment that I first got hired in a head shop.

I was 21 years old, and I felt like I had been chosen for a sacred calling. For me and my friends, selling incense and water pipes was living the dream, a source of both identity and pride. It was a privilege and honor which paid about 10% over minimum wage.

Besides the recognition and modest pay, there were additional perks. I was fortunate to work in shops where the owners offered benefits to us that also yielded tax deductions for them.

Sadly, many of those deductible benefits have been kerplunked by shady legislators who would rather provide tax breaks and bailouts for major banks and large corporations than small

businesses and their workingclass employees. However, there are still a few loopholes at your disposal to slide some extras to the folks who keep your business up and running. A boost in morale is a boost in productivity; the more appreciated your employees feel, the more effective they’ll be at their job—which can only boost your bottom line. Here’s a quick list of ways you can make your people feel the love, while possibly saving a buck or two, come April 15th.

Meals & Snacks It used to be that meals and snacks bought for employees working on the premises were 100% tax deductible, but unfortunately,

this is no longer the case. Starting in 2018, the laws were amended to provide a 50% deduction on snacks, beverages and meals provided to employees in store, under the condition that they are provided for at least half of your employees present at the time of purchase—or for those working overtime. Although not as helpful as these breaks used to be, they are still something, and fully worth utilizing. At the very least, providing things like coffee, pastries, and other refreshments is a great way to boost morale while scoring some tax deductions, however small they may be.

There are a few situations in which food and drink are still 100% deductible for retail employers.

Office parties and outings held Continued on Page 124

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for the benefit of your employees allow you to write off food and beverage purchases completely. You can apply these fairly liberally if you have weekly office parties and celebrations for holidays. It doesn’t just stop with food and beverages. You can also foot the bill for entertainment, provided your employees agree to report those benefits as taxable income in addition to their hourly wage or salary.

Professional Publications Purchasing informational materials related to your business is another way to claim tax deductions. For our

t-shirt with your logo does count as a uniform. But why stop there? Industryspecific apparel like hemp pants or shoes could count as a uniform too.

That’s especially a win if you’re already selling those items; suddenly, your employees are doubling as models for the products. You can also write off the cleaning of these items if you are inclined to do so.

Bike To Work If your employees ride a bicycle to work, you can pay them for their travel time, which can then count as tax deductible wages. It may not sound attractive to pay

A boost in morale is a boost in productivity; the more appreciated your employees feel, the more effective they’ll be at their job—which can only boost your bottom line. world, that could mean employee subscriptions to MJBiz, Marijuana Venture, or even High Times.

You can also use this to build a small library of books and magazines which inform your employees of the ins and outs of your products and business model, which will inform them of history, current trends, and provide a broader picture of how their place of work operates from top to bottom.

Tools & Uniforms Items used by your employees to more effectively or efficiently complete their work are tax-deductible. While there are not a lot of tools used in this profession, you might find that things like box cutters or a multi-tool get enough use to justify purchasing them for each employee, which they may see as a benefit since they can take those items home and keep them beyond the terms of their employment.

Uniforms also count here—and a 124

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y o u r employees for the time they take to get to work, but there is an additional benefit for you: You get to tell your community that you’re doing what you can take

care of both your employees and the environment—which is a fantastic way to step up your local PR game.

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Student Loan Payments If you cover an employee’s student loan payments, they are tax deductible for you, but non-taxable for the employee. With that in mind, keep an eye out for employees already making such payments. You both may be able to benefit from a new arrangement.

Deductions are available for education assistance programs, which can benefit you, as well as employees such as accountants or managers who need ongoing education.

Achievement Awards

Disclaimer

Things like certificates and trophies purchased to reward top-performing employees are tax deductible. This may seem absurd on the surface, but if you are creative, you can find fun ways to honor employee achievements while building a thriving workplace culture.

Consider tongue-in-cheek awards that

Keep in mind that I am not a CPA. My credentials here are limited to experience in bookkeeping with a few certifications. I did, however, consult a tax expert, as well as multiple sources, while researching this article.

Moreover, these laws change regularly, so by the time this is published, some

If you cover an employee’s student loan payments, they are tax deductible for you, but non-taxable for the employee. With that in mind, keep an eye out for employees already making such payments. You both may be able to benefit from a new arrangement. have a sense of humor and keep your employees amused and productively competitive.

Discounts E m p l o y e e merchandise discounts are tax deductible, and given that your employees likely enjoy your products, this is sort of a big deal. If you sell clothing and food items, then your employees can make many of their normal purchases from you, which makes things cheaper for them, and provides you not only with extra income but also with more deductions.

Employee discounts are a win for everyone.

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of this information could already be obsolete. Set up a meeting to talk to your accountant about which of these tax-deductible employee benefits may apply to you, and find out if there are others I may have missed. Happy employees lead to happy customers, and that combination is invaluable to you as a small business owner.

Editor’s Note: This is article is for information and entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or tax advice. Please consult a certified tax professional before considering any information in this article as factual.

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For more Information on this or any other of our Events, call 877-220-9502, visit www.ssegroupllc.com, or email info@ssegroupllc.com December 2023

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THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM How Our Bodies Accept the Medicine

By Dario Sabaghi

The endocannabinoid system and cannabis merge in a dance of therapeutic possibilities, promising a brighter medical future.

L

ooking for a 101 guide to the endocannabinoid system that is easy to digest? Good news: This article is just for you.

wildfire, and understanding how the compound works has unexpectedly led us to understand more about how our bodies work.

Maybe the topic was broached at a dispensary, or in a smoke sesh behind your workplace. Or, maybe you’ve never even tried the sticky icky, but you heard about it’s amazing power to interact with our bodies’ systems on TV or on a TikTok video. Whatever the source, we’re going to fill in the blanks for you.

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is an intricate network within the body, playing pivotal roles in regulating functions such as memory, emotions, sleep,

The fact is that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) has been gaining attention in the past few years. While the ECS wasn’t unknown in the cannabis community, Google search trends show a surge in interest since 2018.

This is likely due to two reasons. First, more and more U.S. states have legalized both adult-use and medical marijuana in the last few years, leading people to understand how they could use it to help treat their health conditions, which likely led them to facts about the ECS. Second, since the legalization of hemp through the Farm Bill of 2018, CBD products have spread across the country like 132

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neurotransmitters. They influence key bodily processes like hunger, body temperature, and mental alertness.

The activation of these receptors can produce psychoactive effects.

On the other hand, CB2 receptors are largely situated in immune tissues.

They play a vital role in controlling immune responses and managing inflammation and pain, especially in ailments such as inflammatory bowel disease. Notably, activating CB2 receptors doesn’t lead to the psychoactive effects associated with CB1 receptor activation, making them an appealing focus for pharmaceutical research.

To activate these receptors, our body produces endocannabinoids, which as the name suggests, are structurally similar to cannabis compounds.

temperature, pain, inflammation, immunity, and appetite.

At the heart of this system are two primary receptors: CB1 and CB2.

CB1 receptors are predominantly found in the brain and are responsible for modulating various

The discovery of the ECS is relatively recent. In 1992, several researchers, including Raphael Mechoulam, who isolated THC in the 1960s, discovered a new neurotransmitter initially called “endogenous cannabinoid” or “endocannabinoid” for short, which binds to the same brain receptors as THC. They named it “Anandamide” (AEA). In the 1990s, Mechoulam’s group, alongside Japanese researchers, identified Continued on Page 134

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The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is an intricate network within the body, playing pivotal roles in regulating functions such as memory, emotions, sleep, temperature, pain, inflammation, immunity, and appetite. another crucial endocannabinoid, “2-arachidonylglycerol” (2-AG), which binds not only to CB1 receptors in the brain but also to CB2 receptors.

These discoveries spurred extensive research and the formation of the International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS) in the 1990s.

The discovery of the ECS brings extraordinary implications for almost every area of medical science.

The ECS, woven into the fabric of our bodies, can be likened to a vast web. Just as each strand in a web contributes to its overall strength and stability, the ECS’s complex network ensures our internal equilibrium. This intricate system is not exclusive to humans;

it is integral to animals too. No, those CBD dog treats aren’t just a gimmick—but don’t go giving them full THC edibles. Dogs have a higher concentration of CB1 receptors in their brains, which makes them vastly more sensitive to THC than humans. So remember, unless your dog spells his name “D-ODouble-G,” you should steer him clear of the THC. (Or her.)

Cannabinoids, like THC, promote homeostasis1 at all biological levels, from cells to organs and organisms.

Understanding the ECS and its components offers insights into treating various pathological conditions by restoring normal cannabinoid balance. Let’s go a bit deeper.

THC is the main psychoactive compound responsible for marijuana’s effects. It interacts with ECS by binding to CB1 and CB2 receptors, leading to physiological and psychological effects, including pain relief and appetite stimulation.

And what about CBD? Cannabidiol (CBD), the second major cannabinoid in the cannabis plant, doesn’t produce the typical ‘high’ of THC. While the precise interaction with the

endocannabinoid system (ECS) remains uncertain, studies confirm that CBD doesn’t directly bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors like THC. Some experts believe it blocks endocannabinoid breakdown or binds to an unidentified receptors.

Research suggests CBD can alleviate pain, inflammation, nausea, and various symptoms.

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CBD enhances the ECS by extending natural cannabinoid activity, regulating and weakening signals triggered by THC or natural cannabinoids, and indirectly influencing CB2 receptor activity, potentially benefiting metabolic issues, obesity, liver problems, and promoting overall health.

pain relief through the use of medical marijuana.

Another way CBD is believed to interact with our bodies is it’s interaction with specific enzymes, particularly fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which breaks down these endocannabinoids after they’ve fulfilled their roles in the ECS.

Research is increasingly exploring the potential of marijuana in treating conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. While anecdotal evidence

Moreover, by engaging with cannabinoid receptors on brain cells, THC and CBD may improve shortterm sleep quality in individuals with insomnia linked to pain, fibromyalgia, MS, and anxiety.

legalization of both recreational and medical marijuana, has broadened the scope of marijuana research.

Consequently, our grasp of the ECS’s function has deepened.

However, it’s crucial to note that medical marijuana doesn’t guarantee positive outcomes for all these conditions. Continued research is imperative to better understand how medical marijuana interacts with the ECS and to optimize its therapeutic potential.

The journey of uncovering the secrets of the ECS and the myriad potential applications of cannabinoids in medicine has only just begun.

As we continue to unearth and appreciate the vast complexities of this intricate system, the possibilities seem boundless. With each new discovery, we come closer to harnessing the full medicinal potential of the cannabis plant, promising a future rich in innovative treatments and solutions for a multitude of ailments.

Dogs have a higher concentration of CB1 receptors in their brains, which makes them vastly more sensitive to THC than humans. So remember, unless your dog spells his name “D-O-Double-G,” you should steer him clear of the THC.

CBD has been observed to inhibit FAAH, and by doing so, can potentially increase the levels of endocannabinoids like anandamide in the body.

Anandamide is sometimes referred to as the “bliss molecule” as it plays a very positive role in mood regulation, among other functions. By slowing down its breakdown, CBD might prolong its effects.

As we have learned how THC and CBD influence the ECS, it now becomes clearer why medical cannabis can help treat various health conditions.

Chronic pain is one of the most prevalent reasons for using medical marijuana. Patients dealing with painful health conditions, such as neuropathic pain, HIV-related pain, cancer, muscle and joint ailments, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis (MS), have reported signifcant

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is compelling, current scientific data from small studies presents varied outcomes.

Medical marijuana has been effective in managing side effects of cancer treatments, including nausea, appetite loss, and weight loss. It also offers promising relief for muscle spasms related to multiple sclerosis, making it a preferred choice for many MS patients.

Moreover, the potential benefits of marijuana are being examined for conditions such as migraines, fibromyalgia, Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, Crohn’s disease, and glaucoma.

The recent relaxation in prohibition policies, spurred by the

Homeostasis is the process by which organisms maintain a stable internal environment, regardless of external changes. It involves physiological mechanisms that adjust to keep factors like temperature and pH within specific ranges.

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20 Products We Loved in 2023 It’s that time of the year once again when we salute the inventors, innovators, and entrepreneurs propelling our industry forward. As stoners, we’ve always been masters of the improvisational engineering projects, ready to MacGyver our way into a toke session from whatever random material happens to be on hand. Apples? Soda cans? 2-liter bottles? Butterknife and a stove top? We got this. Let’s get baked. The modern entrepreneurs in this space honor that legacy, bringing fresh innovations every year that offer new, ever more sophisticated ways to elevate. So here’s to you, trailblazing toker (emphasis on blazing), for another year dedicated to keeping us lit.

Sure, we could still work some magic with an ice pick, avocado and a snorkel if we needed to, but thanks to your efforts, we no longer need to.

ZIGZAG ZIGZAG has been a rolling paper maestro since 1980, captivating cannabis aficionados with their smooth, consistent papers. Their extensive range includes classic hemp, ultra-thin blunts, pre-rolled cones, and luxurious glass tips. Offering unparalleled quality, variety, and affordability, ZIGZAG guarantees one hell of a smoking experience. zigzag.com

Pulsar ECF Electric Cone Filler The Pulsar ECF Electric Cone Filler is a bona fide party starter and festival must-have! This little dynamo transforms tedious cone-filling into a moment of zen, and comes in a handy travel case with all the cool gadgets for grinding, packing, and showing off. Its zippy 350mAh battery means it’s always party-ready, while the innovative grinder and storage solutions make for flawless cone execution. afgdistribution.com

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JustCBD JustCBD brings premium quality with fun and wellness in equal parts offering a vibrant product range range sourced from organic hemp, and rigorously third-party tested for purity and potency. With selection including flavored gummies, potent oils, and pet-friendly options, JustCBD scores high on diversity, affordability, and excellent customer service, consistently trending as a top-tier brand. justcbdstore.com/wholesale

Dabtech Trio Retailers will find this remarkable 3-in-1 vaping device a gamechanging addition to their inventory, as it revolutionizes dab enjoyment for consumers.

It effortlessly connects to any glass-on-glass water piece, delivering outstanding performance in a swift five seconds, eliminating the need for a torch or dealing with exposed nails. The ceramic bowl promises a flavorful experience, making this innovative device a captivating, transformative item that’s sure to attract attention and boost sales. shopdabtech.com

Blown Glass Goods BLOWN GLASS presents its Bubbler Attachment, tailored for the Puffco Proxy, showcasing impeccable craftsmanship and innovation.

Each draw offers smooth, flavorful clouds, while the sleek design elevates vaping sessions with elegance. Intricate glasswork guarantees durability, captivating discerning vapers with a perfect blend of function and artistry. phreshpicks.com

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This 16oz powerhouse swiftly eliminates toxins with its unique blend of B-Vitamins, Creatine, and herbal extracts. Effects kick in within 30 minutes, offering up to 7 hours of peace of mind. Keep your customers hydrated and detoxed with High Voltage Premium Detox Drink, a must-have addition for every retailer. highvoltagedetox.com

Canna-Elite

Infyniti Prism Digital Scale

Canna-Elite fuses gourmet innovation with top-shelf, hemp-derived THC, presenting a lavish range of cannabis-infused delights catered to the grown-up palate. From velvety truffles to rich chocolates and refreshing drinks, their expertise in culinary artistry combined with cannabis innovation crafts a distinguished collection that captivates every palate. canna-elite.com

Boasting a sleek design, this pocket scale brings precision and panache in copious and equal helpings. Its vibrant blue backlit digital display ensures clarity, while the auto shutoff feature facilitates efficiency.

The spacious stainless-steel platform promises durability, and with standard weight auto calibration, accuracy is never in question.

The Prism; it’s the weigh of the future. infynitiscales.com

Mushroom Lyfe Functional Mushroom Blend Doggy Treats The latest in pet wellness is here, and it’s Mushroom Lyfe Functional Blend Doggy Treats!

These innovative, NEW treats merge a powerful mushroom blend with CBD, offering expanded options for our furry companions. It’s a woof-tastic blend for a new generation of pet enthusiasts. mushroomlyfe.com

Maia 420 Series Get ready to ride the 420 wave with Maia Toys’ playful 420 Series! It’s a fantastic bridge for any head shop retailer stepping into the pleasure toy game, offering an array of adult products that perfectly vibe with the 420 culture. From funky colors to eye-catching designs, this collection has something for everyone. Step up the fun factor in your shop today with the Maia Toys 420 Series. maiatoys.com

Traditional Stick Starter Kit Wildberry’s Traditional Stick Starter Kit is treasure trove of scents with 90 fragrances, all hand-dipped in Ohio to offer an irresistible sensory journey. This is more than just incense; it’s a gateway to an enriched atmosphere, a boost in sales, and hopefully a bit of cover for that one employee that doesn’t like to bathe. Transform your space with this fragrant extravaganza. wholesale.wild-berry.com

Knockbox 50 The Futurola Knockbox 50 brings a fusion of innovation and efficiency to boutique pre-roll production. With its cuttingedge technology and precise engineering, it’s set to transform your manufacturing process. And if you’re looking to scale up your production, Futurola offers the Knockbox 100, 300, and 500, ensuring a perfect fit at any level futurola.com.

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Tyson 2.0 Iron Mike Tyson packs a punch with the Tyson 2.0 Heavy Weight disposable vape. Echoing Tyson’s strength, this hitter delivers up to 7000 flavorful rounds while its sleek design pays homage to the boxing legend’s signature style, making it a standout in performance and prestige.

Retailers, meet the titan of disposable vapes. jbrands.com

STNR 3 Gram Stoner’s Blend Disposable STNR Creations’ 3 Gram Disposable is a pocket-sized flavor explosion packed with their signature Stoner’s Blend of Delta 8, Delta 10, THC-P, and THC-B, and kissed by nature’s finest terpenes. And the Kandyland Flavor? Think fruit meets candy in a sweet, tropical dance-off. Yummy AF. stnrcreations.com

GAGS Cordless E-Rig Desktop vaporizing is getting a fun-sized, quippy makeover. This lightweight champ tackles wax and oil carts, ditching the cords for easy group sessions and quick clean-ups.

Featuring a unique dome bowl for passing clouds of joy, GAGS turns any gathering into a legendary vape party. Get ready; the revolution is here. thekindpen.com

Smokebuddy Original The Smokebuddy is the OG of stealthy smoke sessions, a staple for travelling professionals sneaking low-profile tokes since the mid-2000s.

Now Smokebuddy’s offering that same ninjalevel clandestine smoking experience in a paper version. Embracing sustainability, this all-paper Smokebuddy filters smoke and minimizes odor just like the original, but in an ecofriendly format. Join the green revolution! smokebuddy.com

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Doob Tubes The Doob Tube is your discreet pocket pal for storing pre-rolled treasures. Compact, clever, and keen on keeping things confidential, these containers are on-the-go guardians for your medicine. Available in various sizes and a kaleidoscope of colors, the Doob Tube is customizable, durable, and downright indispensable for smokers on the go. So, roll on and roam free; Doob Tube’s got your back. doobtubin.com

Piece Water Piece Water is an all-natural concoction that battles resin like a champ, ensuring bongs and water pipes stay spotless. It’s a 100% natural, non-toxic marvel that guarantees cleaner, smoother hits. Stocking this magic elixir means offering customers an easy cleanup and an unparalleled smoking experience. Help them say goodbye to resin and hello to pure, unadulterated bliss with Piece Water Solution®. piecewater.com

Sheesh!

Sheesh! It may be a 2oz shot that packs an invigorating punch, but don’t call it an energy drink. Sheesh forsakes the tired artificial caffeine and B-vitamin formula entirely, striving instead for total body wellness.

Developed by an industry veteran who is equal parts hiking enthusiast and avid toker, Sheesh provides a balanced, all-day jitter-free focus and vitality through a unique and intricately curated assortment of functional herbs and compounds sourced the world over—and sheesh, does it ever work. sheeshshot.com

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74-75

Skeye Wholesale

59

7 Pipe

159

HERBA RE LEAF

102-103

Smilyn Wellness

35

AFG

12-13, 144

Hi On Nature

23

Smoke Buddy

89

ALS

64

High Voltage

138

6-7

ANNBIZ

107

Infyniti Scales

152

Smoke House Distribution

Smoxy / Big Apple

135

Bio Hazard Inc.

26

Kashmir Rolling Papers

135

Sol Trading

149

Botana Way

99

Kr8om

38

Spectrum Labs

74

Cake

IBC

Krave Kratom

51

SSE Group

Calexotics

71

Miami Distro

128-131

STNR Creations

3, 50

Canna Aid

91

Mikes Worldwide

93

Supreme Whip

70

Controlled Chaos/ Stone Vikings

8

Modern Day Miracles

121

Tasty Puff

Creamright

11

MT Brands

10

The Monster Group

Natalies Toy Box / Like a Kitten

69

Toker Poker

151

OPMS

54

TPE

123

Orange Chronic

142

Unishow

101

14-15

Uplift CBD

1, 83, 144

Vapor Tech

52-53

DANK SHOP/ BREEZE

154-155

Scan for website

Death By Gummy Bears

IFC

Drip Drop Distro.

76-79

Durity Distribution

31

Partynuts

Esco Bars

129

Payless Distro / Vape in the Box

32-33, 118119

FoAmerica

47

Phresh Picks

94-95, 145

18-19, 121, 159

Piece Water

140

40-41

Puff Brands

9, 37, 63, 45

Four Seasons Trading / My Smoke Genrev / Vape Clutch Glass Vegas Got Vape Green Man Papers

156

5

SBK International

24-25

110-111

Serious Monkey Business

48

111

Www.realDBG.com

Magazine December 2023

92, 127

109, 133 60-61

West Coast Gifts

87

White Diamond Kratom

97

Whole Herbs

49

Zig Zag / TPBI

16-17

Zone Wholesale

143

Zydot

137

December 2023

Magazine

157

158

Magazine December 2023