HQ January 2025 #296 - Hydroxie

January 2025

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JANUARY 2025 | ISSUE 296 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.

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 Lanette Sullivan lanette@headquest.com Creative Director

Social Media

Copy Editor

Casey Patterson

Intern/Court Jester

Jonathan Branch

HeadQuest.com

Billing

@HQMag1998

Contributing Writers

@hqmag4u

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!

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David Pogge david@headquest.com

Magazine January 2025

Therese Galati accounting@headquest.com Matt Weeks Berlin Sylvestre Ryan Mills

We welcome feedback! If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please email us at 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 505-2756049, 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 86

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76

82

64 22 Smoke Signals

None of the articles in this section are very long, but they’re really girthy.

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HeadSpace

Weedy topics for wonks and chin-scratchers.

Women in Cannabis

South Florida head shop legend, Julie O’Steen: Build a community and the commerce will follow.

50 Heads of Industry

An HQ exclusive: one-on-one with RAW’S eccentric, enigmatic, and evercharismatic founder, Josh Kesselman.

HQ After Hours

Come explore the fun side of adulting.

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Don’t Buy Cheap Sex Toys There are plenty of places in this world where it’s acceptable to go cheap, but your orifices are not one among them. Find out why.

PleasureQuest We wrote about some f*cking toys. No, seriously.

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the World’s a Stage 76 All The U.S. may be a world leader

in many ways, but not in cannabis policy. Dig in for some insight.

Not Inhaling Doesn’t Suck “Products endorsed by Tucker Carlson selling in head shops” wasn’t on our 2025 bingo card . . . but here we are.

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EdQuest

Puff, puff, class in session!

the Store 86 Buying Thinking about snagging that

local shop that just went up for sale? Read this first.

Diversify!

Sure, you should probably hire outside of your race, religion, etc., but that’s for another issue. We’re talking about your product offering, and yes, it should be as diverse as a UN General Assembly Session.

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96 Quest 4 the Best

Is the Hotbox Elite your new best friend? Will Randy’s Black Label Cleaner banish your bud buildup like it never happened? These questions answered, and more. Don’t touch that dial.

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Smoke Signals

A Span

of few words Intellectual Appetizers for Fans of Reading

Your 2025 Survival Kit Detrumpify Chrome Extension No matter your politics, we can all agree this election has been exhausting— and 2025 isn’t likely to bring peace. Love him or hate him, we know who’ll dominate every debate. Thankfully, the Chrome Web Store offers browser extensions to erase all mentions and images of the incoming president, replacing them with something delightful—like kittens. Politics aside, we think everyone deserves a break (since the media won’t give us one). Take yours. The most popular is Detrumpify, but there are several, so take your pick!

Satisfactory (A Video Game) If the Chrome extension isn’t enough to escape the noise, consider the more drastic measure of escaping reality entirely. Well, not entirely, really—but at least momentarily.

Realistically, psilocybin is the best option for this, but we’ve been told by Legal that we need to cut down on the frequency of Schedule I drug recommendations, so try a video game instead and make that trip intergalactic rather than chemical.

Boot up Satisfactory and let conveyor belts, alien landscapes, and factory-building chaos transport you to a realm where efficiency reigns supreme and the only thing you’re mining is fun.

Raw Spacesuite Speaking of planetary exploration, the RAW Spacesuit is an essential get for 2025, and not just because it proves that grownup onesies can be cool too.

While not recommended for extra-vehicular activity, the Spacesuit is still equipped to aid in your blast-off, with built-in pokers, multiple stash spots and a nonstick rolling tray, plus a removable face mask in case an interstellar zombie virus breaks out aboard the ship. Bonus: If we all end up living in bunkers by the end of the year, you won’t find a better mix of fashion, function and comfort to accommodate underground living.

GanjaLand Board Game If 2025 does take us underground, nothing passes the time like a good old-fashioned board game—especially one designed for laughs, not arguments.

Ganjaland is a 21+ adventure where players journey through a mystical world of fun, friendship, and crown-worthy bragging rights. With magical vibes and no cutthroat competition, it’s the perfect way to survive family time. Finally, a game where you can stomach your family.

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Magazine January 2025

As we hurtle toward 2025, the world feels more unpredictable than ever. Whether you’re trying to find sanity, or you just want to enjoy your tax cuts quietly, this curated kit has you covered. From stress-relieving tools to laughter-inducing games, it’s everything you need to survive—maybe even thrive—in the chaos ahead.

High Resolutions It’s a new year, and as such, the team here at HQ is setting our sights high—both literally and figuratively. From personal growth to professional goals, these are the aspirations that will keep us inspired, motivated, and maybe just a little hazy in 2025!

My resolution is to become more resolute I have a feeling I won’t My New Year’s resin my conviction that I have a resolution olution for 2025? To don’t do resolutions. fully thought out until become a black-belt -Casey Patterson, mid-February, but it in the art of running Copy Editor will likely be to stop a magazine—beprocrastinating. cause apparently, -David Pogge, chaos doesn’t manage Creative Director itself—while raising two sassy and active I gotta be honest: tween girls, surviving I think the next 12 Texas traffic, and months are going keeping my husband to be good to me.

A consummate Gemini, convinced I have it all The number 2025 a Berlin really needs to under control. And if perfect square, just wrangle the duality that plan goes off the like me. It’s also the of her clanging and rails, I’ll just resolve Year of the Snake, crashing brain that to drink better wine which is the nickname says, “Sure, yeah, I can and call it self-care.

I tried to give myself do that” to too many Cheers! when I was 9. And my things at once, only -Sandy Caputo, dentist recently sent to cry when deadlines President me a bill for exactly detonate all over her $2,000.25. As a steely calendar. Basically, eyed realist, I don’t go learn to say “no” in for coincidence. This sometimes in 2025. means something. So I A little you time is Do a backflip. guess my resolution is warranted—that goes -Jonathan Branch, obvious: I’m gonna get for both of ya!

Intern & Chief a new dentist.

-Eva Berlin Sylvestre, Merrymaker -Matt Weeks, Staff Staff Writer Writer

Futurola Knockbox 50 Let’s just stick with the bunker theme; we’ll have a lot of time to kill—and what better way to pass it than rolling perfect joints in bulk? Enter the Futurola Knockbox 50, a futuristic machine built for efficiency, precision, and convenience. This automated gem is your bunker buddy, filling up to 50 pre-rolled cones in record time. Pair it with the Futurola Shredder Machines for a seamless prep-and-pack experience.

Whether you’re planning for a cozy smoke sesh with your roommates or supplying the entire bunker block, the Knockbox ensures you’ll be rolling in style and surplus.

A RAW Umbrella??

Yes, that really is a branded RAW umbrella, but no, it’s thankfully not made out of the unbleached paper. It is, however, a fully functional smoking device for a solid hit of dry herb on a wet day. Find out more about RAW on page 50!

My resolution is to spend more time with my dogs, as I find them infinitely more tolerable than humans.

Clients excluded, of course.

-Monica Fresquez, Account Manager

My resolution is to spend more time in nature.

-Marc Tortetzky, Account Manager

Unfortunately, Ryan could not be reached for comment, but would likely tell us that her 2025 resolution is to bring her punctuality more in line with her literary prowess.

-(not) Ryan Mills, Staff Writer

Stealie Fan?

A very special thank you to our pals at West Coast Gifts, who were kind enough to ship us our very own Grateful Dead X GEAR 12” 7mm Steal Your Face Beaker Base Water Pipe. This masterpiece of form and function is built to survive long, strange trips with its durable 7mm glass, while its stunning design—complete with the iconic Stealie—reminds us that even in the toughest jams, beauty and craftsmanship endure. Truly a touch of Deadhead heaven!

Stars Aligned CBD, a familyrun company, is bringing kindness to the consumable hemp community, with a commitment to affordable pricing and a passion for healing. Through compassionate employees and quality products, they’re making CBD accessible for those who need it most.

Jason, the company founder, spoke with us about how their CBD products are helping people and pets find relief and comfort every day.

Tell me a little bit about Stars Aligned.

What’s the story behind it?

Stars Aligned is actually my daughter Alli’s brand.

We’ve sold CBD for years in my smoke shop, and Alli saw how it helped her mom, who has seizures.

One day, she asked me, “Dad, why is this stuff so expensive?” We live in a low-income area, and she wanted to create something affordable for people on fixed incomes, those on social security, or minimum wage earners. That’s really how Stars Aligned came to be.

So affordability was a big driver for you both?

Absolutely. We wanted CBD products that anyone could afford. I was originally partnered with someone else, but he wanted us to price things much higher than we thought was fair. I ended that partnership and decided to go all in on Alli’s vision.

We price everything in the shop so regular people can afford it. We cater to the 95% of blue-collar folks, not the rich 5%.

What kind of products do you offer under Stars Aligned?

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Will AI eventually achieve singularity, perceive humanity as the planetary threat and thus begin the process of extermination, a la The Matrix or Terminator? It’s not impossible—and according to at least a few tech luminaries, not all that improbable either. But that’s not your problem. You can’t change the inevitable, and in the meantime, an extra brain around the house could really help you out. That’s exactly what the ChatGPT mobile app is: a brilliant, albeit neurodivergent brain in the palm of your hand.

Sure it’s only 88% accurate, but hell, that’s already better than Fox or CNN.

We have everything from regular CBD and fullspectrum gummies to sleep gummies that include 10% CBN. Pets are a big part of our line too; Alli loves animals, so that was non-negotiable. We have CBD pet treats and drops. The pet treats are incredibly popular. We go through about a thousand of them a week in our store alone.

Why do you think the pet products have been so successful?

We live in Lake Havasu, where there’s a lot of fireworks and pyrotechnic testing, which can really Continued on Page 24

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Smoke Signals

Safety Meeting, Cont. stress out pets. CBD helps a lot of dogs with anxiety, especially during those events. My own dog had severe anxiety from abuse as a puppy, and the pet treats have made a big difference for her.

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Yes, we’re working on a 3000 mg CBD salve in a fourounce jar with beeswax and natural herbs. It’s super potent—a little goes a long way. I actually use it on my own back, and it helps a lot. We’re always testing and developing new products to add value for our customers.

Do you have any memorable stories from customers using your products?

Definitely. One of my favorites involves Alli’s baton teacher, who rescues small, elderly dogs. She had one dog with rheumatoid arthritis that could barely walk.

We gave her our CBD drops and treats, and that little dog went from barely moving to running around like a puppy. It was incredible. And with our own dog, who had a tumor, the CBD seemed to stop its growth, which gave us more time with her.

What would you say to head shop owners interested in selling Stars Aligned?

We put a suggested retail price on our products so stores can double their money but keep prices fair for customers. It’s about building loyalty. You won’t make a ton of money right away, but you’ll get customers who keep coming back. Our philosophy is simple: be kind, treat customers with respect, and don’t price-gouge. That’s why we’ve been in business for 14 years.

I love that approach. How can people find Stars Aligned products?

Read less. HQ2:Literature absorb more. for your earholes

Don’t forget! You can now absorb all the brilliance of HQ without even sounding out the vowels (besides these). Introducing HQ2, the official podcast channel of the top publication in the counterculture industry. Tune in for in-depth bi-weekly conversations where we nerd out hard on the space’s stickiest topics, or just pop in for audio versions of our top feature articles, perfect for on-the-go listening.

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We have a website, starsaligned.shop, and we’re also on Facebook and Instagram. Alli created and manages the website—she’s the tech expert now. There’s even a wholesale link on the site for smoke shops and other retailers who want to carry our products.

It sounds like Stars Aligned has a lot of heart behind it.

It does. At the end of the day, it’s about making CBD accessible and affordable for everyone. Always be kind—it’s our motto, and it’s the reason we’re still here.

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Women in Cannabis

The Art of

GOOD VIBES

YB Norml’s Julie O’Steen Keeps the Dream Alive

B

By Ryan Mills

ack in the early ‘90s, starting a business was a radically different game. This was pre-Google, presocial media—a time when a little innovation and a lot of grit were the key factors. In the small beach town of Palm Harbor, Florida, an art school phenomenon with a massive entrepreneurial streak turned a passionate side gig into one of the region’s most effervescent smoke shops, YB Norml. No tech shortcuts, no wholesale catalogs—just a phone call to the operator (stay with me, kids) asking, “Hey, where can I find beads and wire?”

With her love for the wild, artistic vibe of the early ‘90s DIY scene, Julie O’Steen has built YB Norml to defy every mold. “I was determined to build something unique,” O’Steen said. “There were no plans, no

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budget, just a dream and a lot of creativity.” A born entrepreneur, she initially channeled her artistic talent into the local scene. “I was making paper-maché hats and little clay hair clips. I’d set up booths at music festivals, sell my hand-crafted jewelry, and make just enough to keep the dream alive. I was desperate to make a living from what I loved.”

And soon enough, O’Steen outgrew her festival booth and humble beginnings. Her unique handmade crafts developed a following, and she soon found herself dreaming of a permanent space. “It was time for a real setup, somewhere I could create a vibe,” she added. After saving up from festival gigs, she rented her dream location and, in 1996, officially

opened YB Norml, creating a space that was part retail store, part immersive experience.

In O’Steen’s words, “I’m an artist first, an entrepreneur second,” and YB Norml was her canvas. The shop became a haven for the freespirited and an example of what authentic countercultural retail looked like before bigbox corporate interest.

With murals on the walls, an incense room draped in Indian tapestries, and a small blacklight room, neé installation, YB Norml became a sanctuary for quirky, countercultural goods at a time when Florida’s cannabis scene was still largely underground.

“I wanted it to feel like a little house you’d want to live in,” O’Steen explains. This wasn’t just a store; it was a place where people came to connect, buy vintage clothing, incense, and hand-blown pipes—and stay to chat about art and activism.

THIS WASN’T JUST A STORE; IT WAS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAME TO CONNECT, BUY VINTAGE CLOTHING, INCENSE, AND HAND-BLOWN PIPES — AND STAY TO CHAT ABOUT ART AND ACTIVISM.

O’Steen’s approach to building her store offers a powerful lesson for today’s cannabis retailers: create a community, not just a customer base.

“People were looking for a space that felt personal, a place with character,” she stated.

Smoke shops, she believes, should offer more than products — they should offer an experience that customers can’t get anywhere else.

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Driven by Cannabis Innovation. Elevating the Consumer Experience.

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Magazine January 2025

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Women in Cannabis

Customers today have too many options.

They’re looking for something real, a shop that feels like it has a soul. And if you can give them that, they’ll come back – even in a world full of convenience store vapes.

Surviving Change By the late 2000s, YB Norml had become a local legend, with a fiercely loyal customer base. But with the cannabis industry moving mainstream, the landscape was changing fast.

“People just wanted to grab a vape and go,” she said with a hint of nostalgia. “The magic of a cozy, artsy shop was lost on the new crowd.” CBD, Delta-8, and vapes became the new currency, and suddenly, mom-and-pop shops were competing with corporate chains that could sell at a fraction of the price. It wasn’t just the products that changed. The very culture was shifting from a community-driven, artisanal approach to a hyper-competitive, price-cutting landscape.

O’Steen’s experience speaks directly to today’s smoke shop owners facing similar challenges.

As big-box stores entered the market and e-commerce giants 40

Magazine January 2025

became the go-to for accessories, the traditional head shop culture of curated goods and personal connection began to fade. “Smoke shops used to be places where people gathered, connected, and explored. I used to sit right down on the rugs covering my floors with my customers and distributors and just chill out,” she says. “Now it’s just about transactions, and I find that disheartening.”

The Fire That Almost Ended YB Normal — and the Rebirth That Followed In 2017, disaster struck. A fire broke out on Thanksgiving morning, devastating YB Norml and leaving O’Steen standing in front of a burned-out building with nothing but memories of the shop she’d poured her heart into. “I’d just had a baby, and here I was, trying to figure out if it was even

possible to start over,” she recalled.

But O’Steen’s resilience saw her through. She found a smaller location, albeit more generic, across the street, salvaged what she could, and began the process of rebuilding. “I wasn’t ready to let go of the community we’d built,” she said. Customers followed her to the new location, proof that YB Norml was more than just a store; it was a vibe that couldn’t be replaced.

While trying to adapt to the vape boom and shifting customer expectations, O’Steen realized if she wanted to stay relevant, it was time to evolve. She leaned back into her artistic roots, creating a new line of YB Norml-branded products, including holographic grinders, color-changing pipes, and artistically designed rolling trays.

Her goal was to bring the artistry of YB Norml to a wider audience through wholesale distribution. “I wanted my products to stand out, not just sit in a display case next to generic pieces,” she says.

At trade shows, her booth has become as much of an attraction as the store once was, with Persian rugs, fairy lights, and a vibe that transports visitors back to YB Norml’s heyday.

“People come to trade shows and sit on the floor in my booth, just like they did in the shop,” O’Steen added. “I wanted to bring the vibe of YB Norml to these shows, make it feel like a mini-store. And honestly, it’s working.

For those who remember the quirky, hole-inthe-wall headshops, YB Norml’s evolution is a poignant reminder and valuable blueprint for staying true to your roots while adapting to a changing market. There’s still a place for authenticity, artistry and passion. “If you’re in this business just to make money, people will see through it,” O’Steen emphasized. “Customers today have too many options. They’re looking for something real, a shop that feels like it has a soul. And if you can give them that, they’ll come back – even in a world full of convenience store vapes.”

In O’Steen’s view, retail may be changing, but the spirit of community is as essential as ever, even if that community now stretches across trade show floors and online platforms. “The shops that will survive are the ones that create a memorable experience, not just a transaction,” she concluded.

For YB Norml, the journey is far from over.

O’Steen is an endlessly passionate artist who continues to create, design and push forward the brand she built from literal ashes.

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Heads of Industry

the

By Matt Weeks

RAW's Josh Kesselman Delivers

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t’s not often that a spark of interest is literally a spark. But that’s how it all started for Josh Kesselman, the energetic, shaggyhaired force behind RAW. “When I was a kid, I remember my dad used to do this magic trick with his rolling paper. He had this old Spanish brand called Marfil Arroz. He’d light it on fire, throw it up in the air, and it would disappear—like nothing would come down no ash or anything. It was the only magic trick he knew, but I was amazed. I remember that feeling of wonderment, ‘Wow! Magic is real!’ It was the first time I had that feeling, and it really stuck with me.”

The experience lodged deep inside him. Years later, when his high school clique would get high and discuss various strains, effects,

and smells, Kesselman wanted to talk about rolling papers.

“I became a collector. I was just enamored with rolling papers,” he says. “Any chance I got, if I saw a pack I didn’t have in my collection, I would buy it immediately. I was studying them and learning all about them, learning the history, where they came from.”

I became a collector. I was just enamored with rolling papers, Any chance I got, if I saw a pack I didn’t have in my collection, I would buy it immediately. I was studying them, and learning all about them, learning the history, where they came from.”

Editor's Note: Throughout the interview, Kesselman made it clear that this was all from his personal memory and a few details might be hazy.

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Heads of Industry

Raw Beginnings In his early 20s, Kesselman sold nearly everything he owned to open Knuckleheads, a tiny smoke shop in Gainesville, Florida. Rent ran around $450 per month.

By mid-’90’s standards, it was a success. Kesselman made enough to move out of his friend’s storage shed. He met interesting people.

And, through the early Internet, found like-minded souls—other

rolling paper fanatics—across the ocean. Soon, he began trading with them and began selling exotic European-made papers in his store.

He ran the business like a mission, believing it work could improve lives, create joy, and make the world better. He even had a Golden Rule: If someone asked about a product he didn’t stock, he’d find it and have it in the shop within 2 weeks.

“One day in 1993, a customer asked me to carry a certain brand of ‘natural’ cigarettes. It wasn’t easy to find back then, but I managed to get it,” Kesselman says.

“The customer was going on and on about how natural and incredible they were, so I was expecting something amazing… but when he offered me one, I was disappointed. It looked like just a regular cigarette wrapped in the same bleached white chalk-filled paper as all the others.

That’s when I realized that no one had ever made the type of paper I had in mind: an unbleached, natural rolling paper. That was the beginning of Raw.”

That’s when I realized that no one had ever made the type of paper I had in mind: an unbleached, natural rolling paper. That was the beginning of Raw.”

Makin’ That Paper His idea was simple: Create a rolling paper without all the bleachy chemicals and unpleasant effects. But the execution proved to be more complex than he expected.

Many mills laughed at Kesselman right out of the factory. He spent years making pitches and developing other rolling paper brands that never quite lived up to his ideals.

Finally, in the mid 2000’s, after extreme perseverance a small mill agreed to make the base sheet for RAW and a Spanish company agreed to produce a small run of booklets of Kesselman’s vegan, unbleached rolling papers. The name inspired by a Big Daddy Kane song and proudly boasting its eco-friendly bona

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Heads of Industry

fides, RAW fully launched in 2005 to…very little fanfare.

“It wasn’t an instant success, but it gained immediate respect in the market,” Kesselman recalled. “The people who tried it really liked it.

And they shared it with their friends in sesh circles, and it slowly caught on that way.”

Fast forward a dozen years, and RAW was everywhere. Wiz Khalifa

I love making new things. It goes back to my days in those sesh circles with friends, where someone always brought something cool. I wanted to create things that made people happy, that enhanced their experience sang about it. 2 Chainz reaches for a pack as soon as he wakes up. Both High Times and Esquire have listed the brand on their Best of All Times lists. Its paper package design is what springs to mind whenever someone mentions rolling papers.

As RAW carved its own niche in the market, Kesselman gained license to bring his other ideas to fruition.

Beyond the Roll These days, RAW is a full-scale stoner laboratory. With the ethics of Thunberg, the vision of Edison, and the drive of young Steve Jobs, Kesselman oversees a team of inventors who follow his goal of improving the lives of smokers through better products.

“I love making new things. It goes back to my days in those sesh circles with friends, where someone always brought something cool. I wanted to create things that made people happy, that enhanced their experience,” he says. “That’s why I keep creating. I’ve made all sorts of devices, contraptions, and even lighters that are designed specifically for smokers. It’s about 56

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constant innovation. I’m always learning, improving, and making things better.”

RAW cranks out the usual fare— rolling machines, pre-rolls, tips— but it also produces some of the most brilliant stoner technology on the planet. There’s a Solar Light that uses two mirrors to focus sunlight toward the tip of a joint; an adjustable windscreen to help you light up in the wind; and the RAW Perspector, which combines a white AND UV light and a magnifying glass with a rolling tool holder to help with the rolling process, just to name a few.

And if inventions embody something of their creators, Kesselman’s products share his commitment.

While the flagship papers are minimally processed, unbleached, vegan, and made to prevent uneven burns, the other contraptions are just as dedicated to improving the lives and everyday experiences of cannabis consumers.

“I recently made a stoner umbrella.

It’s a badass double layered metallic sun and rain umbrella, but the handle is also a joint holder with an integrated mouthpiece so that you can smoke out in the rain,” Kesselman says. “We were so excited, but when I was using mine the other day, I dropped it, and the mouthpiece broke. It crushed me because I had worked on it for years.

Now, we’re working on a rubber mouthpiece that won’t break. When it’s ready, I’ll make sure everyone who bought the old version gets the updated mouthpiece. It’s all about making things better and uplifting people with what we create.”

He explains the umbrella idea, and then—Poof!—it’s gone. Kesselman’s talking about another idea, something that hasn’t come out yet.

All that’s left behind is the feeling from that momentary flash. No ash or anything.

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After Hours

I

have some bad news. Those spicy toys in your nightstand might be packing more than the heat. New research published in Microplastics and Nanoplastics—you see where I’m going with this—suggests that popular sex toys such as vibrators and anal toys might contain some seriously sketchy chemicals and microplastics too. With an industry expected to top $50 billion this year, that’s no small percentage of compromised behind the scenes action.

Turns out, some of our favorite playthings come with an uninvited guest: phthalates, a class of chemicals that make plastic softer and more flexible. Phthalates have been found in everything from shower curtains to that questionable rental car air freshener— and they’re also making appearances in dual vibrators, anal beads, and more.

Hold onto Your Harnesses

By Ryan Mills

UNWANTED VISTIORS Microplastics in the Bedroom?

Study Finds Sex Toys May Come with Unwanted Baggage

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These chemicals are linked to a host of health issues, like damage to the liver, kidneys, and reproductive system, especially when exposure levels get high. Researchers have found that several types of sex toys contain concerning levels of phthalates and are linked to some pretty unsexy health risks. Many of these products also shed microplastics under regular use as well. The thought of any chemical potentially putting a dent in our sex lives is definitely not a turn-on.

What’s a Phthalate?

Phthalates are commonly added to plastics to make them more flexible and durable; you’ve encountered them in vinyl flooring, shampoo bottles, and medical tubing. But when it comes to products that come into close contact with sensitive body parts, phthalates’ chemical profile raises some major red flags. Research suggests that high levels of phthalate exposure can harm the liver, kidneys, and reproductive system, and animal studies have shown concerning effects on fertility.

Here’s the problem: in the U.S., regulatory oversight for these chemicals in sex toys is basically nonexistent.

And while toys for children, for example, must follow strict limits, adult toys aren’t subject to the same protections. In this study, researchers found that levels of phthalates in certain sex toys exceeded limits allowed for children’s toys in the U.S. and EU. It’s a loophole in consumer safety that leaves a major gap in the health of people who use these products regularly.

If you think buying “phthalate-free” products gives you an easy out, I hate to break it to you, but the fine print doesn’t mean much here.The study found that even some toys labeled as free from phthalates actually contained the chemicals, and not at low levels.

Essentially, the “phthalate-free” label in this industry doesn’t always mean much— it’s a reminder that there’s still a serious lack of transparency and accountability for what goes into these products.

the body’s express route.

Despite their soaring popularity and the fact that they’re used on some of the body’s most sensitive real estate, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) doesn’t require manufacturers to disclose the presence of phthalates or microplastics on sex toy labels. Meanwhile, studies continue to show that people are increasingly incorporating these products into their lives. The lack of transparency means most consumers are flying blind when it comes to what they’re putting on (or in) their bodies.

And honestly, if there’s ever been a product that needs a “what’s inside” label, it’s this one.

Moving Forward with Awareness

Look for companies now, you don’t have to that prioritize body- For panic or trash everything in safe materials like your nightstand–nor do you have to clear out the adult Shedding medical-grade of your shop. But it’s Microplastics: The silicone, glass, or shelves worth remembering that, as Long-Term Risk liberating as it is to bring toys stainless steel — the bedroom, as well as these are generally into The study didn’t stop at your retail outlet, some of them phthalates.

Researchers safer bets. come with invisible baggage of also tested if the toys shed microplastics during use— yes, wear and tear in the most personal sense. Using an abrasion machine to simulate what happens over time, they found that all four toy types—dual vibrators, external vibrators, anal beads, and anal toys—shed plastic fragments. Anal toys topped the list, shedding the most particles.

While this kind of exposure to tiny plastic fragments is not well understood, what this means in practice is that the sensitive areas of our bodies may be exposed to these microplastics that could get absorbed through the mucous membranes in the vagina or rectum. And given that these membranes are excellent at pulling things straight into our bloodstream, we’re talking about microplastics potentially hitching a ride through

their own. Look for companies that prioritize body-safe materials like medical-grade silicone, glass, or stainless steel—these are generally safer bets. And, as frustrating as it may be, it might be worth steering clear of novelty items or products from brands that don’t disclose their materials or manufacturing processes. So keep having fun, keep exploring, but stay aware—and push for an industry that takes our health as seriously as our pleasure.

The story doesn’t end here. Next month, we’ll dig deeper, connecting with industry experts to explore the challenges facing adult toy manufacturers and the innovative ways they’re tackling them. Stay tuned!

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After Hours

quest

PLEASURE

Insert Here for Grown-Up Fun

Drink If... For Lovers, from Kheper Games Kheper Games has taken their wildly popular Drink If… series to new and naughty heights with their latest release, Drink If… For Lovers. Designed for two or more couples, this is the fourth installment of the series, but with an adult twist: the prompts on these cards are geared towards romance, intimacy, and the occasional eyebrow-raising confession.

The rules couldn’t be simpler. Roll the dice, read out a statement like, “Drink if you own any toys that vibrate,” or “Drink if you’ve had a pair of underwear in your mouth,” and if the answer is “Yes,” bottoms up!

Anyone who’s guilty takes a sip—or a gulp, depending on just how proud they are. And with over 1,200 prompts, it’s got enough content to keep you laughing through multiple rounds (with plenty of time to find who among your friends is just as freaky as you suspected).

The series is about more than just drinking, however, it’s about bonding with your partner (or friends!) and sharing a laugh over those occasionally embarrassing secrets. With Drink If… For Lovers, things can get hilarious and a little wild in record time, all while encouraging couples to connect beyond the usual dinner-and-movie routine. So grab a bottle, roll the dice, and spill the spicy tea.

Oh! Vibrator from OhDoki A standing “OH!” for Ohdoki’s new Oh! Vibrator, a bona fide symphony for the senses. With this latest launch, the same brand that brought us The Handy has upped the ante, turning vibration into a multisensory experience that’s all about syncing up with your favorite tunes, video content, or, let’s be real, the steamy scenes we all know and love.

With ResoTouch tech and a voice coil motor, Oh! vibrates in sync with your favorite tunes, whether it’s Beethoven or Beyonce. And it’s as simple to use as your favorite app—use it with Spotify, YouTube, or even VR content, and let the rhythm do the rest. Each bass drop or romantic ballad is felt right down to the core. It’s even globally remotecontrolled, so couples can share the vibes from opposite sides of the world (or the living room).

For all its high-tech capabilities, Oh! also boasts an ergonomic design with comfort in mind. Gone are the days of hand-shaking discomfort. The focused vibrations target precisely where they’re needed, leaving your hands free to give yourself a round of applause or whatever else feels right in the moment.

For those tech-curious folks who’ve been waiting for a reason to pair playlists with pleasure, Oh! is an invitation to play.

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JOINT EFFORTS

By Eva Berlin Sylvestre

Did Foreign Influence Give U.S. Cannabis Policy a Lift?

L

egalization in our country goes further than states simply writing their own scripts—it’s a saga with cameos from all over the globe as countries shake up cannabis laws and give American politicians considerations to allow We The People our own pursuits of happiness. (Whatta concept! Someone should have written that down a long time ago.) As the USA slow-walks its own policies via patchwork, we aren’t exactly isolationists when it comes to inspiration. But first, a super-brief look at our history.

Freedom Rolled Up

The overbold Marijuana Tax Act of 1937—introduced by Rep. Robert L. Doughton (D-NC) and signed into law

by President Franklin D. Roosevelt (D-NY)—took effect on October 1 of that year. The new law enabled the government to slap an expensive and nearly impossible-to-obtain “tax stamp” on cannabis, essentially 76

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Coffeeshop Culture Shock In 1976, the Netherlands decided to take a relaxed approach, allowing Amsterdam’s “coffeeshops” to sell small amounts of cannabis. For many Americans, the Dutch model was eyeopening—a chance to see a society manage open cannabis sales without falling apart. When tourists return, some carry the impression that cannabis doesn’t need to be strictly prohibited, especially if a coffeeshop setup can work successfully overseas.

Fast forward 23 years: In 1999, the

It wasn’t until the early 20th century, when “moralists” and bureaucrats started to clamp down, that cannabis faced its first real roadblocks.

Continued on Page 78

The founding fathers had no interest in banning marijuana. As a matter of fact, back in the late 18th century, cannabis was just another crop— hemp, mainly for rope and fabric.

There were no bizarro campaigns about its psychoactive “happiness pursuit” side. As such, there was no need for government meddling or legal restrictions; people were free to grow and use it as they saw fit. It wasn’t until the early 20th century, when “moralists” and bureaucrats started to clamp down, that cannabis faced its first real roadblocks.

outlawing it without ever saying so outright. Sneaky, sneaky. That was the government’s first big overreach into what had been, up until then, a matter of personal freedom. Somehow, the moralists had the sexier marketing, and the US fell in love with marijuana prohibition. Other countries, however, would eventually take a different path.

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GOP-led House held a hearing on harm reduction programs. Robert Maginnis of the conservative thinktank Family Research Council criticizes the Dutch model, joined by Rep. Bob Barr (R-GA), who portrays the Netherlands as a cautionary tale, pointing to increased addiction, public health risks, and visible drug use as consequences of “quasilegalization.” In contrast, Scott Ehlers of the Drug Policy Foundation sees potential in the model, suggesting it could offer insights into crime reduction. He argues that America’s strategy of mass incarceration has neither reduced drug availability nor curbed crime.

to Portugal’s progress and declared, "The US government [should] pilot the Portugal decriminalization program in three US cities and apply the lessons learned…throughout the United States." In 2015, the Drug Policy Alliance described Portugal’s decriminalization model as a remarkable success, reclassifying drug possession as an administrative issue and expanding access to treatment and harm reduction services.

setting was just right. From Rand Paul (R-KY) arguing for states’ rights to Bernie Sanders (I-VT) citing mass incarceration for victimless crimes, leaders rallied for reform across party lines.

Oh, Cannabis!

2001 sees Portugal becoming the first country to decriminalize all drugs, rethinking the common approach to personal drug use and possession.

Rather than treating these cases as crimes, Portugal sees them as health issues and offers people support through treatment and harm reduction services.

By 2015, Spain allowed private cannabis use, and Jamaica joined in with decriminalization. The real fireworks came in 2018, when Canada became the first G7 country to legalize recreational cannabis nationwide. Canada’s move made waves in the US, and around the same time, Georgia, South Africa, and the UK implemented medical or decriminalized cannabis laws.

In 2001, Canada takes North America by surprise and goes official with medical marijuana, launching the first federal program of its kind.

That same year, Gov. Gary Johnson (R-NM) discussed marijuana laws during an online forum hosted by the New York Times Drug Policy Forum, wherein he references Canada. Johnson stated, “I have to believe this will have a positive impact here. I recently testified before the Canadian parliament on drug reform. The testimony went great. I'm optimistic that their initiatives will advance the elimination of prohibition.” He also expressed that many other parts of the world are "way ahead of us regarding drug reform.”

For example, 2001 saw Portugal becoming the first country to decriminalize all drugs, rethinking the common approach to personal drug use and possession. Rather than treating these cases as crimes, Portugal saw them as health issues and offered people support through treatment and harm reduction services instead.

Subsequently, Portugal saw fewer drug-related deaths, lower rates of HIV, and increased access to treatment.

Fervently calling out the “war on drugs” and its for-profit prison system bedfellow, the NAACP pointed 78

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From Red Tape to Green Light By 2010, the Czech Republic is also decriminalizing personal use, and places like Croatia and Chile are rolling out medical programs, giving US reformers more ammo to push for change back home. Five years later, the Drug Policy Alliance took a look at statistics in the country and cited the Czech Republic as a success story in harm reduction and drug policy.

The year 2012 was the big year for US recreational legalization, with Colorado and Washington saying “yes” to adult-use cannabis. Sure, they had their own reasons—like reducing criminal justice issues and adding tax revenue—but the global

Uruguay went a step further in 2013, and became the first country to fully legalize cannabis, giving Colorado and Washington a timely nod of approval.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau both reference Uruguay’s regulatory framework, using its successes and challenges to support similar legalization efforts in their own countries.

It took almost two decades for the Portuguese to reach America, but Oregon shows up. State Representatives Anthony Johnson and Earl Blumenauer along with Sen. Ron Wyden (all Democrats) advocate for decriminalizing all drugs in the state. They argued it will reduce overdose rates, increase access to treatment, and redirect resources from enforcement to recovery services.

The people agree—58.5% vote yes to Ballot Measure 110, which decriminalizes the possession of small amounts of all drugs throughout Oregon in 2020.

This concludes the first half of our exploration into how global cannabis policies have influenced the US. Next time, we’ll dive deeper into recent international reforms and see how these shifts continue to shape America’s evolving stance on cannabis. Stay Tuned!

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Put a Sack

IN YOUR

MOUTH Nicotine Pouches: What’s the Deal?

By Jonathan Branch

People are turning to this re-emerging category as an alternative to . . . cigarettes and vapes. Are we watching another fad, or are we seeing a n o t h e r monumental shift in the market?

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L

ip pillows are back, baby! Nicotine pouches have made a comeback, with all the innovations, influencers, and creativity to keep up with popular culture. If you listen to podcasts, use social media, or just leave your house, you’ve seen nicotine pouches advertised—probably by an edgelord podcaster or a professional influencer on Instagram. The market for nicotine pouches has skyrocketed, now valued between $3 billion and $6 billion, depending on whom you ask. People are turning to this re-emerging category as an alternative to overly regulated, inhalation-based nicotine consumption methods, such as cigarettes and vapes. Are we watching another fad, or are we seeing another monumental shift in the market?

Now, these aren’t the same old Snus from 2006. These nicotine pouches have been researched and developed to bring you a product that you might actually want to use. They come in an insanely diverse variety of flavors, which was a model that worked great for vapes. They have the classics like wintergreen and spearmint but have now expanded to offer tantalizing flavors like pink lemonade, strawberry watermelon, and coffee, just to name a few. In other words, flavors that actually taste good–once again, a proven method, thanks to vapes.

I spoke with Joey DeStefano, the CMO for both Puff Brands and NYKD nicotine pouches to find out more about the emerging “lip-pillow 2.0” trend, beginning with flavor development.

“We did 12 rounds of sampling with over 2000 testers,” he told me, “and we were looking for an overall 89% approval rating from the testers before moving forward with a flavor.”

The new pouches aren’t just smokefree; technically, they’re also tobaccofree. I know–that doesn’t even make sense. Allow me to elaborate. The old Camel Snus was just a basic pouch with tobacco, while the new lip pillows contain pure, synthesized nicotine in powdered form. Even the pouch material has been upgraded. Some are made from organic cellulose material or wood pulp, while NYKD’s offerings are made from natural coconut fibers.

The pouches still come in a tin that mostly resembles a mint or gum container and are easy to store in your pocket, so you can pop a pouch wherever and whenever.

The market for nicotine pouches has grown at a phenomenal rate.

As previously mentioned, the total market value is estimated at as high as $6 billion for 2024 and is expected to only increase in 2025. The compound

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annual growth rate from 2024 to 2030 is estimated at right around 34%, driven by consumer interest in smokeless alternatives.

“A lot of people convert when they try this type of product, especially if you’re into any form of athletics or you are feeling that strain on your respiratory system from traditional combustion,” DeStefano explains.

“It really is night and day after a couple weeks, even a couple months how differently your breathing feels and just overall your general sense of well-being is greatly improved.”

Few saw it coming, but these pouches are quickly edging out vapes as a top-tier alternative to cigarettes. According to a Rutgers study, smokers who are most

Segura, Bert Kreischer, and Tony Hinchcliffe have made talking about nicotine pouches part of their programming. The Nelk boys invite you to “Zynbabwe.”

Yes, people on the internet have created such a meme culture around Zyn pouches that they’ve started coining portmanteaus with the brand name. There are literally hundreds of Zyn puns sneaking into pop culture. It’s basically the new shizzle from Snoop Dogg. The power of influencer marketing has been an important tool for pouch products. Inhalable nicotine is nearly impossible to market, but nicotine pouches are in a strange gray area. They are considered an ‘Other Tobacco Product,’ but since they’re not an inhalant, savvy companies are free to market

It really is night and day after a couple weeks, even a couple months how differently your breathing feels and just overall your general sense of well-being is greatly improved. —Joe DeStefano, Puff Brands; NYKD interested in using pouches are either planning to quit smoking or have tried to quit smoking and failed. The increase in government regulations around e-cigarettes has made switching to pouches even more enticing.

Social Media and influencers have played a huge role in the product genre’s growing popularity.

Products like Zyn have become an internet sensation and have attracted the attention of popular podcasters and athletes alike.

“There’s been a cultural shift back to traditional masculinity, I think, for a good portion of the demographic that uses these products, which is males ages 18-35,” DeStefano says.

Podcasters that promote traditional masculinity have made pouches part of their culture. Internet Zynfluencers like Joe Rogan, Tom 84

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on streaming TV, podcasts, and however else they want. Tucker Carlson (Tucker Carl-Zyn) was given a 20ft container of Zyn. These bad-boy lip pillows have a bright future in the marketplace.

Innovations are on the horizon for nicotine pouches, and the inhabitants of Flavortown are hard at work to bring you even more variety. Celebrities and athletes are jumping on the trend, so you’ll be seeing more pouches in your newsfeed soon (especially if you’re male between 18 and 35).

The combination of being smokefree, tobacco-free, and having all the flavors you need makes this an obvious solution for anyone looking for a cigarette alternative.

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January 2025

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EdQuest

ALL SALES FINAL

By Matt Weeks

Purchasing a Smoke Shop?

Here’s What You Need to Know

I

f you live in any town in America, there’s a good chance somebody is selling their smoke shop—or will be soon.

And if you’re an industrious soul with some spare change, you might feel the magnetic pull of Opportunity.

It’s not a bad idea. The industry is fun, constantly changing, and, for some people, quite lucrative. It’s also overregulated, crowded, and wobbling on the edges of legality.

So before you invest your nest egg into reviving a sinking business, it pays to think through a few things first. After speaking with more than a dozen past and current smoke shop owners across the country, we’ve compiled the pearls of wisdom that stood out most for your edification and entertainment.

01 Mind Your Business.

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Not only do you need to know the business of smoke shops—the products, distributors, the state laws, the attitude of local law enforcement—you need to know what contribution your store will bring to the marketplace.

Magazine January 2025

It’s not a bad idea. The industry is fun, constantly changing, and, for some people, quite lucrative.

It’s also over-regulated, crowded, and wobbling on the edges of legality.

Many owners suggested not to compete on price—a new business starting a price war rarely works out—but that doesn’t mean not to compete at all. Whatever it is that draws you to the counterculture should be the feeling that customers get from your store. One owner

explained that “calmness” is his differentiator. With gentle music, mellow lighting, and wide aisles, his store embodies the soothing effects of a CBD bath. Your store should probably be different, but it needs to have an identity.

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Pivot!

Stock Up.

Get Online.

Nearly every owner interviewed expressed surprise with some part of the business. From the big sellers to the overlooked items, it’s hard to predict what will make customers

go gaga. Whatever it is, embrace it—even if it’s not your favorite item.

Newcomers often try to save cash by going light on product. But nothing repels repeat business like a store that’s sold out. Don’t get caught out of stock. If you need to open light, it’s

a smart idea to invest initial profits back into inventory. It’s a crowded market, so nobody will wait for you to get a fresh shipment when they can find what they need down the street.

Smoke shops are blessed to traffic in the real world, but that doesn’t mean it’s okay to neglect the digital world. Think of your website and social media accounts as the modern storefronts.

They’re how customers know you exist, and

they provide a quick taste of what you do.

It’s also how modern word-of-mouth works.

Some stores live and die by Google Reviews.

An Instagram account won’t be your most important asset, but it is necessary.

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The counterculture moves quickly. New products come out all the time, and a significant part of the customer base is extremely online. It’s best to stay ahead of the game. So keep up with the online forums and the influencer reviews.

Continue the Education.

06

Get Out There.

Nearly every owner said they learned something vital through networking. Go to trade shows. Join industry associations. Talk with people who’ve walked in your shoes. “I couldn’t believe I never thought of putting LED lights in my display cases until about year four when I saw someone else doing it,” one owner said. “It made everything a lot easier to see.”

One shopkeeper recalled equivocating over e-cigarettes when they first came out.

He ultimately

decided to read up on the brands, side effects, and technology.

Quickly, they became his bestseller, providing enough profit to allow him to open a second location.

It’s also smart to educate your staff on how to help customers.

The benefit of brick-and-mortar stores is the sales experience.

Sometimes, walk-ins think they want one product but might be better served by something else.

If you can steer someone toward a product that really works, they’ll come back.

The owners who treat the business like a get-rich-quick scheme don’t tend to last.

Strip malls are haunted by the ghosts of smoke shops past.

It’s better to focus on serving your customers and let the money come from the process. It’s either that or watch your storefront become a Spirit Halloween.

Smoke shops have a relatively low barrier to entry but fierce competition. Before you buy a store, it pays to check out what’s nearby. Do a fact-finding mission to every store in a 10mile radius. Browse the goods, then get back in your car and write everything down.

TRAILS TO INNOVATION AT TOTAL PRODUCT EXPO!

Exercise Patience.

BLAZE

07 08

This is a booming industry. A new smoke shop moving in (or just changing names) isn’t enough to make anyone get out of bed.

Expect the first several weeks to be slow. Use that time to study.

Scope Your Competetion

Ready to roll? Learn more at totalproductexpo.com.

But—and this is crucial—don’t take what you see as gospel.

The brutal reality is that many smoke shops are poorly run.

Some are the result of an inheritance. Some represent the dreams of business school dropouts with obliging parents.

And some, of course, are profit machines. Know the difference. Success is won in the trenches.

09

The best way to start any business is with someone else’s money. But in this industry, that’s hard to come by. Despite the industry’s popularity, many banks are still wary about doing business in this sector. As recently as June, House Republicans axed legislation that would’ve shielded federal banks that worked with cannabis businesses.

Make a Plan.

Even if you have enough capital to buy a store yourself, disasters can strike. From police raids to product bans, unforeseen events can put you in need of a loan. So it’s important to have a business plan. A well-designed plan is the best way to convince a lender to stake your dream.

About Us: Our mission is to be your front-runner distributor for a true one-stop shopping experience. We offer the convenience of multiple brands for items that guarantee maximum profitability, recognition, and value for the retailer plus the consumer. Through our commitment and dedication to our customer’s needs, we strive to surpass competitors in quality, customer satisfaction, and superior financial performance!

Simply put, your success is our success! @phreshpicksdist @phreshpicks

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EdQuest

. . . WHILE AMERICAN CONSUMERS MAY REACH FOR THE BOWL MORE OFTEN DURING MARKET DOWNTURNS, THE INDUSTRY HAS MORE TO FEAR THAN MACROECONOMIC CONDITIONS.

T

he old joke goes that no economist ever goes broke by predicting a recession.

When they’re right, they look smart. When they’re wrong, nobody cares. The muchpromised recessions of ’23 and ’24 didn’t happen, but nobody lost a job over it.

Build your

But just like rainmakers and doomsday prophets, professional economic forecasters move the goalposts when their claims don’t materialize. They know that, eventually, they’ll be right.

Despite claims that “vice products” are recession-proof, there are real consequences for smoke shop owners who make bad predictions. And while American consumers may reach for the bowl more often during market downturns, the industry has more to fear than macroeconomic conditions.

Smoke shops grapple with product bans, police clampdowns, legislative changes, and complications from the rise of legal dispensaries. And while you might not always accurately decipher the writing on the wall, you can take steps to lessen the impact of the unknown.

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Herbin’ Legend Status: Key Tactics for Lasting Success

By Matt Weeks

Start a Diversity Initiative Diversifying your store’s offerings is a time-tested way to hedge against a recession and product bans. American consumers want choices, especially in a market as reactionary and innovative as smoke shops.

Some of the most popular products—kratom, Delta 8, shroom gummies—balance their legal status on a razor’s edge. Cities, counties, states, and the feds can decide at any point to eighty-six your wares without giving a rat’s ass about your bottom line. No matter what you’re selling, have a second option for customers who want to try out a product that just got axed.

Insulating your shop against a recession also means stocking goods beyond the standard glass, papers, and incense. Real diversity means stretching the definition of what a smoke shop can be.

The usual distributors can help you start, with many offering safe but interesting items like exotic snacks, candles, and cannabis-adjacent tchotchkes.

But taking things further can enhance both your business and your vibe.

Consider the customers you already serve. If you’re in a college town, music posters, funky clothing, and gag gifts can add a potent new revenue stream to your bottom line.

If you’re in the suburbs, consider marking off part of your store for adult novelties.

It can feel odd at first, but there are many people who want to spice up the bedroom but won’t step foot in a seedy adult store.

Keep it light and judgment-free.

Some shops find a niche in the quasi-spiritual, stocking everything from tarot decks and astrology guides to healing crystals and Reiki manuals.

Or try using the convenience store trick of stocking impulse items next to the register. The usual stuff works: candy bars, soda, caffeine supplements, breath mints, gum.

Take a Cue from the Mob That’s a nice store you got there. Be a shame if something happened to it. it. If you want real protection, you’ve got to pay… your customers. Loyalty programs work. You’re already competing against a small army of other shops in your zip code, so give your regulars a reason not to shop around.

There are models galore. Punch cards. A five percent discount on the store’s slowest day. The mafia that is Amazon perfected this idea. The company realized customers would buy more products if it meant avoiding shipping fees.

It can work the same in your store. Offering a discount on all purchases over a certain threshold can nudge customers

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EdQuest

to make that extra purchase they already want. The human mind is amazing at justifying this kind of spending.

Besides, everyone likes a freebie now and then. There’s nothing like getting rewarded for something you do anyway.

Customers who feel a relief in their wallet don’t forget it easily.

Capitalize on the Trends

THANKS TO REGULATIONS, THE DISPENSARY EXPERIENCE ISN’T GREAT. . . .

Cannabis legalization is changing the business. Some smoke shops are partnering with dispensaries; others are using the increased interest to their advantage.

Thanks to regulations, the dispensary experience isn’t great. There are bars on the windows, you can’t touch the products, and they scan your license like you’re some sort of felon. In many places, the wait is atrocious.

Smoke shops don’t suffer from those problems. That’s why you can win on customer service. Even if you can’t sell the sticky stuff, you can deal in everything else. If dispensaries are the doctor, you’re the pharmacist. You’ve got the over-the-counter options—and the time to get personal.

Shop owners have found success by

offering help on the edges of the space.

A few offer hydroponic growing kits and materials to help first-time growers get their first buds. Others traffic in social activities—board games to play under the influence, 420 party supplies, recipe books, and weird and wonderful curiosities.

Still, others find ingenious ways to offer a value-added bonus to legalized weed, like themed arts-and-crafts kits and self-care items like bath bombs, mood lighting smart light bulbs, and personal massagers. At least one stocks special teas (the owner brews a pot and offers free samples on cold, busy days).

A few stores carve out a niche among people who take the natural experience of cannabis to heart. There’s a whole lifestyle that goes along with this kind of outlook. It includes dietary supplements like probiotics, non-magic mushroom supplements, organic powders, and lotions—all organic, all natural, and all very complementary to a certain kind of cannabis culture.

. . . SMOKE SHOPS DON’T SUFFER FROM THOSE PROBLEMS.

No matter what the professionals say, rough times will happen. Even though you probably can’t prevent losing a bit of business to market trends, you don’t have to lose your footing when the economy stumbles.

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EdQuest

Sublime Delta-9

by Yin Yang Infusions Forget the “new year, new you” mantra—how about “new year, higher you”? Yin Yang Infusions’ Sublime Delta-9 THC gummies are here to make your resolutions a bit more...achievable. Vegan, lab-tested, and crafted by a CEO who started in a home kitchen to help cancer patients and vets, these gummies are as beneficial as they are mischievous.

The Cryptic

by Blown Glass Goods Looking to kick off the New Year with a resolution you might actually keep? Meet The Cryptic by Blown Glass Goods—a vape battery as mysterious as your love life and as reliable as your cellmate. Sleek and covert, it slips into your pocket faster than you can dodge your mom’s reminder that the “clock’s ticking” for grandkids.

Compatible with most 510 carts, it’s more versatile than your 2 a.m. Tinder swipes, and with a 900mAh battery, it has the stamina you wish you had on New Year’s Eve. The front-facing screen keeps you in the know, because running out of juice mid-puff is so last year.

For those aiming to stay uplifted, grab the Sativa Lover’s batch. With 12mg of THC per gummy and a juicy watermelon flavor, it’s like your office crush finally noticing you—except this time, it’s actually happening.

Perfect for those who want to see the New Year’s fireworks a little brighter.

Prefer to chill? The Indica Lover gummies are your ticket to a relaxed start. At 9mg THC each and flavors that would take the tang out of that holiday plate you left out for two days, they’re ideal for binge-watching About A Boy—and yes, it’s a New Year’s movie.

Available in five colors—enough to match every half-baked resolution you’ll forget about by January 15th. Start your year with a gadget as dependable as the “I miss you” text you keep sending your middle-school ex. Or join the VIP list at PhreshPicks.com for 10% off—because you’re definitely sticking to your budget this time, right?

QUEST 4 the Best Prism Water Pipes

If your New Year’s resolution is already hanging by a thread, let your bong be the one thing with some staying power. Prism Water Pipes lets you ring in the New Year with a modular bong as adaptable as your shifting ambitions. Build a towering glass masterpiece to match that brief fitness kick or go with something dark and edgy for when reality sets in. Founded with the mission to transform water pipes, Prism offers customizable options and ensures durability that stands the test of any lifestyle. And when the honeymoon phase of “being a better person” wears off, Prism’s effortless cleanup will keep things spotless. Just fill with cleaner (see Randy’s above), shake, rest, and voila: no tedious scrubbing required to erase the evidence. Whatever chaos comes, each 7mm borosilicate piece is engineered to survive the journey—even if your resolve doesn’t make it out of January.

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Randy’s Black Label Welcome to 2025, where last year’s haze can finally be scrubbed away—starting with your glass. Randy’s Black Label Cleaner is the ultimate tool for wiping out every sticky reminder of last year’s questionable choices. Unlike the group chat chaos you can’t delete, the resin in your bong is an easy fix.

So, what makes Randy’s the champ of cleaners? It’s all about precision. The two-part solution attacks grime with surgical intensity. Their powerful liquid formula dissolves residue, while the scrubbing particles get into every corner, banishing buildup like it never happened.

Mettle Breaking promises is easy; breaking METTLE isn’t. Peep the surgical-grade stainless steel bowl that laughs in the face of your clumsiness. Crafted from indestructible 304 stainless steel, METTLE fits most water pipes and promises a lifetime of reliable use—unlike your last resolution to “try yoga.” With a generous 33mm bowl that loads easier than your reasons for ghosting group chats, it’s compatible with 7mm filter tips and all common metal screens. Versatile? You bet. It fits 14mm and 18mm downstems and can even turn any bottle at home into a gravity rig. Clean-up is a breeze: METTLE disassembles effortlessly, unlike that tangled mess you call holiday lights. Available in sleek electropolish and mysterious black finishes, it’s time to upgrade your setup and maybe your standards.

This stuff goes to work like a mafia crime scene cleaner—no questions, no judgment, just absolute erasure. Every stain and every regrettable remnant is wiped out with surgical precision, leaving nothing but a clean slate. If only your conscience were this easy to rinse. Here’s to a new year!

“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”

—Steve Jobs

Hotbox Elite by Puff Brands Ready to ditch last year’s decadent habits for some newer ones? Meet the Hotbox Elite—the first vape on the market boasting an astonishing 50,000 puffs. Think of it as the gift that keeps on giving, much like your unsolicited advice.

What makes the Hotbox Elite your new best friend? Maybe it’s the stainless steel quad mesh coil or the automatic voltage optimization chip. Or perhaps it’s the three power modes tailored to your puffing preference—whether you’re a casual user or someone who treats their vape like a lifeline, the Elite has your big back.

And the flavors? Forget Grandma’s questionable New Year’s casserole—dive into 14 exclusive Puff Labs E-Juice flavors.

From the tropical vibes of Hawaiian Rainbow to the cool rush of Miami Mint, every puff is a journey away from last year’s mistakes. Plus, they’re all equipped with Nixodine, giving you the kick without the nicotine. It’s like a home run right when Auld Lang Syne hits at midnight, but without the whiskey dick.

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Industry Associations

BACK TO BASICS Debunking Popular Vaping Myths (Again) There’s no polite way to say this: public health experts continue to lie to adult smokers about the benefits of vaping.

Nicotine vapor products have been on the market for over two decades, and the evidence produced over that time has consistently shown that they are far safer than combustible tobacco.

But that’s not the message you’ll receive from agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Vapes “deliver harmful chemicals and contain nicotine, which is highly addictive,” FDA’s website declares. “Moreover, given the harmful chemicals found in e-cigarettes, further high-quality research on both short- and long-term health outcomes is needed.”

vaping is at least 95% less toxic than smoking cigarettes, and there has been no evidence of a causal link between vaping and any disease.

Simply put: the dose makes the poison. There are far fewer chemicals in nicotine vapor. The remaining chemicals that are present in vapor are there in much lower amounts than those found in tobacco smoke. As an agency staffed by scientists, FDA is well aware of these facts and continues to minimize them for ideological reasons.

Myth 2: Nicotine Vaping is Addictive and Dangerous for Non-Smokers

By Alli Boughner Vice President American Vapor Manufacturers

Myth 3: We Need More Studies on the Short-and-Long-Term Health Outcomes of Vaping.

Reality: We have close to 30 years of evidence from millions of people around the globe who have switched from smoking to nicotine vaping. Their experiences have been documented in hundreds of high-quality studies at this point. If the FDA thinks more studies are needed, the agency should explain why instead of implying that there is a serious health risk just waiting to be discovered.

Each of those claims is false. And as long as myths like these are amplified by powerful government agencies, we need to swat them down to ensure that Americans have access While nicotine is a stimulant, found in both to accurate information about vaping, a habit cigarettes and vaping products, the way that could save millions it is delivered to the body is significantly of lives. Let’s take FDA’s different. Cigarettes burn tobacco, claims one at a time.

Conclusion

While the FDA continues to wring its hands and speculate about the sofar entirely hypothetical risks of nicotine vaping, hundreds of thousands of continue to die releasing thousands of toxins and at least Americans smoking every year.

70 carcinogens, while vaping involves from The agency’s priorities are heating a nicotine-containing liquid, wildly out of order. Instead producing an aerosol that is far less toxic. of fretting about the much less harmful habit, let’s get as many people as possible to quit the far deadlier one.

Reality: Addictions are harmful behaviors that people engage in despite the serious consequences they carry. This standard does not apply to Reality: While nicotine is a stimulant, nicotine, which many people use for found in both cigarettes and vaping their entire lives without experiencing products, the way it is delivered to any ill effects. Smokers are harmed the body is significantly different. by chronic tobacco use, but that Cigarettes burn tobacco, releasing harm isn’t caused by nicotine itself. thousands of toxins and at least 70 While the drug “keeps people using carcinogens, while vaping involves tobacco products, it is not what makes heating a nicotine-containing liquid, tobacco use so deadly,” the FDA has producing an aerosol that is far less acknowledged elsewhere. toxic. Studies have shown that nicotine

Myth 1: Nicotine Vaping Delivers “Harmful Chemicals”

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