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22
Smoke Signals
It’s like a light snack, but for your brain; all the information you can absorb in 4:20 or less.*
32
Women in Cannabis
Treasure Rose turned a once fledgling flea market stall into a countercultural gem.
46
Heads of Industry
The masterminds behind Ultimate Product Distribution were hawking vapes when you were still running around in short pants.
Into the Weeds on the Industry’s
Liquid Elevation: Fancy a toke? Put down your lighter. Take a sip instead.
Zero F-cking Deaths
AVMA VP, Allie Boughner weighs in on the FDA’s corporate backed vaping crackdown.
88 Puff, puff, class in session! EdQuest
The Hemp Report
The establishment’s war on hemp cannabinoids keeps raging.
92 What’s Your Point (of Sale)?
No one likes a Square, at least, until that square is tracking your cash.
96 Beyond the Buzz
A Head Shop is about more than just the pipes; it’s about the vibe—and there’s a world of possibilities for enhancing that vibe, not to mention, driving up that bottom line.
104 THCA
What exactly is THCA? And how is it legal? Brandon Schecter of Yin Yang Infusions explains.
AVMA weighs in on making the switch from combustion to vapor. Industry Associations
HQ After Hours
Our mini-mag within a mag that’s all about the fun side of adulting.
58
Pu & Pleasure
A little something to grease the wheels. “Wheels” is a euphemism.
60
Vendor Profile
Speaking of greased “wheels,” have you tried Cock Oil yet?
62
Marital bliss doesn’t have to mean monagomy.
Naughty fun for your tender bits, plus dirty air fresheners.
SLOW BURNING Smooth & Mild
CENTER PHOTOS: MURAL ON THE SIDE OF THE BOTANY BAY IN RICHMOND, KY, FEATURING THE LIKENESS OF OWNER, GINNY SAVILLE, WHO HAS MANAGED TO FLAWLESSLY INCORPORATE HERSELF INTO THE SHOP’S BRANDING.
PHOTO CREDIT: DAVID POGGE
Very Short Notices
Get Your Fix in 4:20 or Less*
Quick Stats: The Global Smoking Accessories Market
Market Growth: The global smoking accessories market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.0% from 2022 to 2030.
Product Demand: Vaporizers are the leading product segment due to their smoke-free alternative benefits.
Distribution Channels: The offline segment holds over 75% of the market share, emphasizing the importance of brick and mortar.
Source: Grandview Research
US Cannabis Council Puts Hemp in Crosshairs
The US Cannabis Council proposes redefining hemp to exclude products with detectable THC, threatening the $28 billion hemp industry. Good news; thus far, the 2024 Farm Bill frameworks from Senate and House Agriculture Committees do not include these stringent regulations, indicating a potential win for the hemp industry. Word is GOP house members are attempting to gather support to close the THC loophole, but have not managed to whip the votes . . . yet. See more on page 88
Tennesse Senator Catches a Scorching Case of Reefer Madness
There was a brief moment when cannabis reform became a bipartisan cause. Unfortunately, it appears that thanks to the ever-widening party divide, that consensus is beginning to dissolve. Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) is the latest to air his backward views. In May, Hagerty criticized Democratic efforts to legalize marijuana, calling it a “gateway drug” and claiming it would increase crime. Dear Senator: The 80s called. They want their failed, sh-tty talking points back.
Projected Market Share: 2024
Digital Vs. Brick & Mortar: 2021
Here we have Chuck Schumer basically lowering the barriers for gateway drugs like marijuana, and it’s going to damage society, and this is exactly what Democrats have been pushing. This is not good for America.
Clouds weigh 1 million lbs each on average. no Sh*t?
Australia is wider than the moon. no Sh*t?
Heading out to CHAMPS this month? Be sure and hit up the Counter Culture Awards Ceremony while you’re there. The CCA, sponsored by industry giants like CHAMPS, Drip Drop, Hush Kratom and many more, is an event that brings the industry together and celebrates the game changers in the space in true counterculture fashion, with performances from platinum artists, a raging party, and a love and appreciation for the herb that brought us all together. Find out more here.
Visual Literature
Scan for passive consumption
Trade Show Roundup
Love HQ but hate reading? We get it; phonetics can be challenging—but you’re in luck! 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 onthe-go listening. HQ isn’t just a magazine anymore; it’s a full sensory experience.
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TREASURE: EVERY MOMENT
On Art, Community, & the Magic Behind Fort Myers’ Hottest Smoke Shop
By Matt Weeks
I
t was 4/20 when the pirate ship finally emerged from the fire.
Of course, that was what was supposed to happen. Created live before a crowd, the craft was the work of a father-andson glass-blowing team who regularly twirl and huff their creations to life at the Treasure Chest in North Ft. Myers, Florida.
Live pipe-making demonstrations are just one of the ways shop owner Treasure Rose is expanding the idea of what a smoke shop can be.
“This is just something we do for the community,” she says. “When we have in-house glass blowing, you can come in and sit and have a cup of coffee or get a beer. We have a tap wall that features a lot of local breweries.
It’s not that you can just come in and shop. You can come in and see the art, listen to live music, and enjoy the vibe.”
While it remains a friendly and clean space to pick up vapes, dab rigs, and tobacco products, the Treasure Chest has become the anchor of the counterculture scene in Southwest Florida. With regular visits from local food trucks and an alcohol license, it’s as much a gathering spot as a storefront.
Started From the Bottom
The hustle and bustle of the Treasure Chest is the culmination of a hard-fought career. Treasure Rose (yes, it’s her real name) started by selling smoke shop goods at local flea markets. She spent five years manning fold-out tables before starting her first store, then another 10 before opening a second.
Her business acumen includes the enviable ability to see around corners. She’s been at the leading edge of cannabis culture for decades, always supplying consumers with something that fits their needs—even when it seemed to cut against the grain.
It’s almost funny, she says, to think back on her early days. Nestled among purveyors of skater jeans, Beanie Babies, and second-hand Creed CDs, it was Rose’s glass pipes, candles, and essential oils that brought allegations of bad taste.
Luckily, times have changed.
“I remember sitting out at those flea markets so many times when people would walk by and say, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe she’s allowed to sell this stuff.’ And I remember peeking out my door when I first opened my shop, wondering if I was going to get arrested. I was always living by the seat of my pants,” Rose says.
“But I don’t worry anymore. I feel confident that everybody sees it as medicine, and I’ve always followed everything by the book. But to not have to worry in that same way is really just huge.”
As society moved toward a more agreeable perspective on cannabis, Rose embraced the newfound freedom that social acceptance brought. Though she began by supplying accessories to an underserved client base, she never settled for doing the bare minimum. As state laws relaxed, she searched for new and more interesting ways to serve her customers’ unmet needs.
Beyond the Standard Shop
“We bought an old Pizza Hut for our third store. It was perfect because it had the whole pizza kitchen with a big oven hood, which made great ventilation for the glass blowing,” Rose says.
Continued on Page 36
“I remember sitting out at those flea markets so many times when people would walk by and say, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe she’s allowed to sell this stuff.’ And I remember peeking out my door when I first opened my shop, wondering if I was going to get arrested. I was always living by the seat of my pants.”
We bought an old Pizza Hut for our third store. It was perfect because it had the whole pizza kitchen with a big oven hood, which made great ventilation for the glass blowing.
“We were able to use that as our glass blowing studio and then we built the bar around it so people could sit and enjoy it and out back and we have a stage and a seating area.”
Now, she’s no longer limiting her goods to vaping products, smoking accessories, and smoke shop goodies. She’s creating a space for the community. The Treasure Chest in North Ft. Myers functions as a gathering spot for the counter-culture set, the de facto front porch of a community that not long ago was pushed to the fringes.
“We do everything. We’ve had people painting. We’ve had people making clips with feathers. We’ve had so many people that come in off the street—tie-dyers and candle makers and all sorts of different artists,” she says. “We’ve had bakers making great, great desserts and treats. There’s so many, so many great artists and we really love all of it. You can come to watch fire dancers while your next piece is being created. It is unbelievable.”
The Green Mile
Shortly after artists Matty White and Kyle White put finishing touches on their glass pirate ship, it’s time for a demonstration.
Matty leans forward and exhales into the craft’s stern. A second later, smoke oozes out of the cannon ports on both sides. It works! The 4/20 crowd erupts in cheers, and the Treasure Chest has a new mascot piece.
It’s a moment that resonates with what Treasure Rose has been building toward since she started in the industry. While her methods may have changed, her work remains driven by the same interests and values that initially propelled her to open a flea market booth.
“I like to call it green medicine. It grows from the ground and it’s the best way to handle your illness, as opposed to the pharmaceutical industry, which is one of the biggest killers out there,” she says. “I love that people are finding natural medicine, that they’re able to partake, that it’s helping a lot of people with their pain on so many levels. I think that’s my favorite thing. But I also love the culture. I love the industry. I love the people. I love the art. I think it’s all pretty awesome.”
URINE FETISH • VAPORIZERS
ULTIMATE.
THE ULTIMATE.
By Matt Weeks
Jon Resneck on the Rise of Ultimate Product Distributors & Possible Super Hero Status
If you’ve ever bought a vape at a convenience store or smoke shop, you can thank Jon Resnick.
The CEO and founder of Ultimate Product Distributors (UPD) was the first to suggest that vaping products should be sold alongside cigarettes. If that seems obvious, well, that’s how the greatest ideas always look in the rearview mirror.
“At that time, about 15 years ago, they weren’t selling e-cigarettes in convenience stores or smoke shops. They were only selling online,” he says. “Keep in mind the big national tobacco companies and distributors were not interested in electronic cigarettes, so there was no distribution for it.”
Building off that success, Resnick now heads a massive company from an office adorned with comic books. That makes sense, too. Despite his calm presence and low speaking style, Resnick is somewhat of a superhero himself.
Tyson came to me, and I formed a partnership with Midwest distributors where we successfully sold the entire country. The success we had there led to us working with other new names, like Snoop Dogg, Chris Brown, and Ric Flair.
The Origin Story
Resnick’s rise to the top was far from guaranteed. He admits he never seemed like the type to break big.
“When I was young, I got my Series 7 license when I was working under the wing of the Wolf of Wall Street. Of course, I didn’t know it at the time,” he said. “I learned how to sell there, but I realized I can only sell things I believe in. I didn’t really believe in the cockamamie they were selling, you know, these penny stocks. So, I quit and sold fax machines door to door.”
As he pounded the pavement, Resnick would regularly stop in to talk shop with convenience store owners. Those conversations led him to know the business on a level that was rare for sales agents at the time. Over time, he put that knowledge to work, finding new products for shop owners that would sell.
“After I finished with fax machines, I did a few odd things. I sold real estate for a friend of mine. But I always came back to working with the smoke shops and convenience stores,” he said. “Now, they’re the core of all my products.”
His inflection point came at the dawn of vaping products.
“My big breakthrough came with blu eCigs,” Resnick recalls. “I went to them and said that I’d like to put their product in smoke shops and convenience stores. And that became a big hit. After blu, O.P.M.S. Kratom came to me. I felt it was a good product, so I worked with them, and we made kratom a household name by putting that in retail outlets nationwide. Then, in ’16, I was asked to take on Juul e-cigarettes, and I became the largest distributor they ever had. We’ve easily done over a billion dollars with them.”
Avengers Assemble
But it’s not just the idea to sell vapes next to cigarettes that made UPD a success. To hear Resnick tell it, success is as much about the execution as strategy.
Continued on Page 48
“I pick good items and I use a very specific master distribution method,” he says. “I choose distributors around different states who I can rely on, and they sell to smaller distributors who go directly to stores. We all work together to make sure the price stays consistent, and the stores get coverage.”
That teamwork is key. It’s what allowed blu to grow, and what today draws companies toward the magnetic pull that UPD exerts on the market.
“I have very strong teams of guys that work with me. They’re smart, and they watch what’s going on. We go to the shows. We keep our eyes open. And quite frankly, the success that I had with Juul and the kratom and blu early on has led companies to seek me out. Most of the time, we just do our research,” Resnick says.
“My latest thing is VAE energy. Somebody came to me saying they’ve got this VAE Energy pocket coffee spray that’s been on Shark Tank,” he says.
“It’s a Binaca Blast, essentially; a coffee spray. It’s strictly caffeine and just super effective. I’m going to be running the entire country on it. I see it as like the next big thing. Everyone does coffee; there’s no restrictions.”
As he discusses the product, he radiates a calm enthusiasm that feels infectious. While he may wear the suit of a CEO, that’s just his alter ego. Resnick is, at his core, a natural salesman.
“It’s very useful. It’s the evolution of drinking coffee—just having it on you, in your pocket. You only need three sprays. I use it every day.
I have very strong teams of guys that work with me. They’re smart, and they watch what’s going on. We go to the shows. We keep our eyes open.
“Tyson came to me, and I formed a partnership with Midwest distributors where we successfully sold the entire country. The success we had there led to us working with other new names, like Snoop Dogg, Chris Brown, and Ric Flair. Everybody comes to us!”
To Infi nity and Beyond
What’s one more world-changing idea?
From his desk beneath a giant painting of Thomas Edison—a personal hero—Resnick is still paving the way for new products to reach consumers. He’s got his eyes set on the future, something that won’t get bogged down with regulations.
Everybody in the office uses it. We’re giving it to everybody—businesses, college sports, anybody. Just take three sprays, and you’re wide awake. End of story,” he says.
“I’m gonna be the Walt Disney of this product. I’m gonna take it, market it, make it big,” he says. “I put a few million into it. People already like it. We’re just working on awareness right now.”
SLICK
MERCHANDISE
Ease the Friction With Lube, Glorious Lube!
By Kim Airs
When you sell smoke products, there’s often different kinds of consistencies of the products you sell. Think about it: glass, metal, plastic, and more— and other products that are liquid based—often for vaping, sometimes for cleaning, and more and more, for sipping.
But have you thought about one of the easiest upsell products when a customer is throwing sex toy in the bag with the pipes? It’s called lubricant. Personal lubricant, to be exact.
Just about every purchase of a sex toy or other sex accoutrement should have some good ol’ lube on the receipt, no matter how small the toy is or how many dick pills they’re buying. Lube is like what tires are for cars; sure you could hypothetically buy a car without tires, but you won’t get very far driving it. Lube will let you slide on for hours and hours of pleasure without dealing with that pesky burning sensation or testing the fragility of those rubbers you’ve been hanging onto well beyond their expiration date.
propylene glycol, etc. There are organic lubes and natural lubes, both of which have indicators like wearing the incredibly non-sexy FDA Organic symbol on its label. Natural is, well, whatever the company wants to say it is and if a consumer is more comfortable with wanting to purchase the lube that boasts “natural” on its label, then so be it.
Silicone based lube is another story. It
silicone and water-based lubricants in one handy bottle. The lubes in this category are easy to wash off yet typically stay impressively slick at the same time. I like the hybrids, that’s for sure.
Just about every purchase of a sex toy or other sex accoutrement should have some good ol’ lube on the receipt, no matter how small the toy . . . they’re buying.
Let’s look at lube, my favorite sex toy.
I’ll briefly go into the ingredients in lube to educate not only yourself but also your hungry customers.
Water based lube has a variety of ingredients depending on what kind you buy. Typically, those ingredients include glycerin, water and a host of other things—and too often, those other things are ingredients customer may not want in their lube such as parabens,
has no water in it and is basically made up of three or more, long syllabled ingredients that are tricky to decipher. Basically, the chemical makeup of silicone lube is like little ball bearings that just roll on each other but don’t stick to one another. Or your skin. Or your toys. It has the qualities of an oil-based lube but is latex (condom) compatible. But it’s oftentimes a bitch to wash off your hands, especially when you have to use your fingers for things like handling glass bongs (CAREFUL!), opening condom packets (thank god for teeth but that’s another thing), and a host of other in-the-moment sex or smoking tricks that you require agile (and un-siliconed) fingers. Silicone lube is not my personal favorite, but I know I’m significantly outnumbered because I know plenty of people who love it.
Then there’s the hybrid category which blends together the best qualities of
There is also a plethora of hemp based, CBD, and THC lubricants, which are available at many dispensaries. The benefits of both the CBD lubricants and THC lubricants is that they act as vasodilators, increasing blood flow to the genitals and increasing sensation by other contributing factors. There are several on the market, including the popular THC lube by Kush Queen. Hemp based lubes such as Coconu’s Hemp Infused Body Oil are smooth and silky, On by Sensuva has Hemp Arousal Oil, and the CBD Intimacy Sex Oil by Foria is also an excellent product.
The best thing about many of these products is that they are available in packets or small bottles, making them portable and giving your customers an easy way to try something new to enhance their “pleasure high.” Just ask your distributor what brands they offer; the possibilities are legion.
So be sure to add personal lubricant to your offerings and have your customers slip it into their bag with their next purchase. They’ll love you for it!
Want to nerd out about on the chemical makeup and function of CBD and THC based lubricants? Check out this interesting article from Verilife.
COCK OIL?
The Smokebuddy Creator Has Done It Again. With Lube.
By Ryan Mills
Some ventures are so audaciously provocative they can’t help but captivate. That’s the driving premise behind the launch of Cock Oil—an ultra-premium water-based personal lubricant that mimics the body’s natural moisture, and Gregg Gorski’s newest innovation.
“We immediately trademarked Cocka-Doodle-Goo,” Gorski said. “And the logo had to be a cartoon chicken with a hand around its neck getting choked, with eyes bulging and spit flying.”
In other words, choking the chicken.
If you’re not familiar with Gregg Gorski, you might be familiar with his flagship product, Smokebuddy—the gold standard in personal air filtration for nearly two decades. Often imitated, never duplicated, Smokebuddy allows people to smoke when and where they want, not when and where they can.
Gorski is a serial entrepreneur, compassionate chief executive, Le Mans-style race car driver, and creator of some of our industry’s most compelling and best-selling products.
“But don’t put the spotlight on me,” Gorski states, preferring to instead direct focus to the products, the mission, and the culture that goes on behind the scenes.
Buckle Up
It’s a wild ride that takes us from personal air filtration to personal lubrication. More than 17 years ago, Smokebuddy launched and immediately carved out a niche for smokers who value discretion and personal freedom. It quickly became an essential and gained a loyal following with its effective, user-friendly design. With a highly advanced HEPA filter
made from post-consumer recycled plastic, activated carbon core, and ceramic bead technology, Smokebuddy filters away contaminants exhaled directly into the device rather than the entire room.
Nearly two decades later, the spark for Cock Oil was ignited at an event when Gorski jokingly asked his thengirlfriend to pass the cock oil. Her intrigued response—“Do they even
make that?”—led him to discover the domain cockoil.com was available. With a quick purchase, Cock Oil was born.
Rising to the Occasion
Fast forward to present day and Gorski is flying around a race track with a choked chicken emblazoned on the sides of his car and a QR code that encourages you to ‘scan here for a good time.’ After the race, IndyCar officials are waiting patiently outside for a Cock Oil branded hat.
“We are navigating a saturated lube market,” Gorski added. “In order to not blend into the wall of lubes present in most shops, we are emphasizing an alternative and distinctive strategy: apparel. Lube merch featuring our unforgettable logo quickly becomes a conversation piece which we are using as a form of guerilla marketing and a catalyst for our rewards program.”
every single customer promoting the brand while getting paid for it.
“We’re impossible to ignore,” Gorski continued. “Wear a Cock Oil hat, and you’re guaranteed to get a comment every day – and get rewarded.”
Lube merch featuring our unforgettable logo quickly becomes a conversation piece which we are using as a form of guerilla marketing and a catalyst for our rewards program.
Gregg Gorski leads with integrity and innovation. He actively supports charitable causes, is active in the local community, and sponsors (often anonymously) up-and-coming athletes and teams. Proudly based in Southern California with American-made and eco-conscious products where available, both Smokebuddy and Cock Oil resonate with customers who value quality and sustainability.
“We don’t want to be a part of the pollution, we want to be a part of the solution,” Gorski concluded. It’s a testament to doing good while doing business—and is indicative of the man behind the brand.
This organic promotion, coupled with a rewards-based system, turns fans into ambassadors, spreading the word and earning money for everyone involved. Does your current lube make you money? I bet the answer is no.
With a name like Cock Oil, it comes as no surprise that social media has effectively shadowbanned the company and all attempts at advertising. Which is why each hat or t-shirt sold includes a QR code offering discounts and rewards for both the wearer and the viewer. This innovative approach creates a self-sustaining marketing network, with
Summer vibes impulse buys
WHEN WE SWING
Open relationships are so hot right now. However you dice it— polyamory, ethical non-monogamy, and swinging are all alternative approaches to traditional relationship architecture. Or are they?
It’s nearly impossible to pinpoint the start of a cultural evolution. According to some sources, actual, literal Pilgrims during the Colonial era were happily swapping partners. Other accounts
Marital Bliss: Is Monogamy Necessary?
By Ryan Mills
claim swinging originated in California in the 1950s among Air Force officers. Still others are convinced it, in fact, developed during the sexual revolution of the 1960s—coinciding with the introduction of the contraceptive pill and treatments for STIs.
The pineapple, long known as a symbol of welcome, was turned on its head in the ‘60s and ‘70s to indicate a welcome of a different kind. Arguably, a much
more fun kind. And like any good secret society, swingers have adopted the upside-down pineapple as a symbol to alert others to their sexual preferences. Basically, cum on in!
The curious and the bold have been exploring unconventional overtures for decades if not centuries. Nonmonogamy is nothing new. So why is it so taboo?
Happily Married, Child-Free, and on the Hunt for a Unicorn
Tom and Christina have been married since 2014. The idea of opening their marriage all began when Christina wanted to explore her bisexual side more than hetero marriages traditionally allowed. Her husband Tom, a supportive partner and deeply in love, consented.
“What idiot man doesn’t want a threesome with two beautiful women?”
Christina’s bisexuality was the gateway drug (if you will) to the couple eventually getting neck deep in the lifestyle. Opening their marriage was not a hail-mary attempt at saving a relationship in its death throes, on the contrary, it was a journey born out of love, mutual respect, and the straightup pursuit of mind-altering sex. Armed with good intentions and a raging sense of . . . adventure . . . they started exploring different partners and different approaches to, essentially, sex.
They found a match in their state, but five agonizing hours away. But swingers are, if nothing else, tenacious. Their new friends drove these five hours just for a chance to mix things up, and a few drinks later, things (i.e., people) were definitely mixed up. Leading into the interaction, Tom was a little trepidatious, but surprisingly, the presence of another guy wasn’t as awkward as he had feared. In fact, it turned out to be pretty great.
“One of our favorite, and unexpected, aspects of being with other people is the absolute raw, primal energy we have with each other once me and my wife debrief and reconnect after playtime is over,” Tom added. “We can’t keep our hands off each other.”
Friends with Benefi ts
Ethical swinging isn’t just about getting our rocks off; it’s about transparency, consent, trust, and ensuring that all parties involved are willing, informed, and ready.
“But we’re not just horny f-cks looking to screw around,” Tom adds. “We want to make sure that we do things right. Ethical swinging isn’t just about getting our rocks off; it’s about transparency, consent, trust, and ensuring that all parties involved are willing, informed, and ready.”
There’s an App for That
The couple eventually decided to take it deeper. But how do you find willing partners? Walking up to someone and asking, “Hey, want to f-ck me and my husband?” isn’t exactly a viable option. Enter SwingLifestyle.com, the world’s largest swinger community and an app dedicated to connecting like-minded individuals. But finding a unicorn— single women interested in couples—proved more elusive than a perfect Tinder date, or, hear me out, a unicorn.
After a few disheartening attempts and a global pandemic that put a damper on things, Tom and Christina decided to try their luck with couples.
Ideally, the couple aims to establish a small, close-knit group of friends with benefits to create a kind of socio-sexual kinky network. They want partners who can be friends in “vanilla” settings—think paddling down a river or grabbing a drink—while also indulging in the occasional romp. But reality often has other plans; scheduling conflicts and mismatched expectations sometimes get in the way. Despite the challenges, they still cherish the connections they make, even if the benefits sometimes outnumber the friends.
As they explore these depths more and more, swinger-only cruises and resorts like the aptly named Secrets, Hedonism, and Desire become tempting destinations. Carnival Cruise Lines, for example, offers swinger-exclusive cruises with playrooms and mingling-focused poolside events. Upside-down pineapples not needed.
Tom and Christina are excited about their future. They look forward to meeting new people and watching their relationship develop even further. For them, swinging has been an awesome, liberating, intense, and insanely gratifying experience.
“My wife is my best friend and my partner for life,” Tom concludes. “I think it’s a testament to our partnership that there has never been any concern of jealousy. Just go enjoy yourself and have fun. See you on the other side.”
PLEASURE quest Insert Here for Grown-Up Fun
Cock Oil
From the creator of the legendary SmokeBuddy—the gold standard in personal air filters—comes Cock Oil, a premium water-based personal lubricant with body-safe ingredients for those with sensitive skin or any who have felt betrayed by lesser lubes. It’s suitable for the nuts and bolts of solo missions all the way up to that adults-only cruise you’ve been eyeing. And because it’s designed to mimic the body’s natural moisture, you can keep it real during your next Netflix and chill.
Let’s talk staying power. Cock Oil is designed with a long lasting formula so you won’t need to pause the action for a reapply. With an easy to grip squeeze bottle for targeted application, you can shoot it right where you want it, no mid-play pit stop necessary. This lube plays well with others, making it safe for all your personal toy and protection options: silicone, rubber, latex—it can take whatever you throw at it. So whether your evening plans involve a tight squeeze with delicate equipment or a full on workshop with rugged hardware, this lube’s got your back . . . and front.
WOOD ROCKET AIR FRESHENERS
WoodRocket has got your adult novelties, books and apparel needs covered—even those you didn’t know you needed. For example, I didn’t know I needed XXX Golden Girls merch until I saw their Golden GILFs air freshener. Hang this premium cardboard conversation starter from your rearview mirror and travel in style with a bikini-clad Blanche, Dorothy and Sophia. And the scent? Rose, of course.
If GILFs aren’t your thing, you can pass on the Golden Girls for the brand’s Purr Purr Pass air freshener featuring a cute kitty smoking a joint. Breathe easy and make your passenger princess purr with adorable graphics and a green grass scent. At 3.5 x 3.5 inches, these unique air fresheners are a functional, fun and fragrant addition to any space.
A NEW SIP
Hemp Beverages: Fad or Future?
By Rudy Carrillo
I
magine that legalization is like just about anything else in the postmodern world: when humans have access to cannabis in its many forms—whether through CBD, hemp, THC, or any number of derivatives thereof—everything associated with that form grows and blossoms. For consumers looking for their own best method of cannabis interaction, the varieties of experience continue to multiply. Some favor combustion while others like to imbibe the stuff directly—and the market continues to expand to reflect that simple fact.
Hemp and cannabis beverages are the latest in this consumer-driven quest to find the perfect method of getting the essential chemicals found in the cannabis plant— from the garden to the body, the body to the mind. Their newfound popularity, especially among
(of all molecular varieties) infused beverages adds a tasty, flavorfully efficient, and more predictable product for customers to latch onto, while providing the potential for sustained profitability to small business owners.
Nick Zavakos, the co-founder of Know Naturals, a quickly rising edibles manufacturer and distributor, addressed these issues in a recent conversation. Speaking to the age-old question of edible intensity, for example, Zavakos reminded us that the heavy feelings and unpredictability sometimes associated with edibles come from the human body’s metabolic processes. Edibles like gummies are metabolized in the liver, changing the THC to a much more potent form in the process. “Most standard edibles take a long time for the body to metabolize. Then,
Hemp and cannabis beverages are the latest in this consumerdriven quest to find the perfect method of getting the essential chemicals . . . from the garden to the body, the body to the mind.
millennials and post-millennials, has spurred innovation among manufacturers and retailers eager to meet the demands of aficionados seeking their best personal experience by indulging in a liquid variation of an age-old botanical ritual.
And though edibles have long been a part of dispensary and smoke shop spaces, their intensity and unpredictability have sometimes limited their use among the general public. Meanwhile, the introduction, proliferation, and popularity of hemp-derived CBD and THC
there’s a delayed effect, couchlock. Some people get severe anxiety. That was our first R&D hurdle from an edible, and later, a beverage standpoint.”
The solution, of course, is to use mediums that allow THC to be absorbed before it gets to the liver, where it’s chemically intensified. For gummies, that meant switching to a more soluble lipid than gelatin or other medium-chain triglycerides. The end result, he says, is a product with “a ten-to-fifteen-minute onset and a 90-to-100-minute duration, when properly used.”
For beverages, the question became a matter of introducing watersoluble THC into the mix. Both practices had a very practical goal in
In the settings we’re targeting—bars, concerts, festivals, summertime activities—people don’t want to just pop a gummy and get on with it. They want to sit and enjoy their friends’ company, be refreshed . . .
mind: providing the opportunity for a positive consumer experience that was socially based and sustainable.
“It’s the whole social nature of drinks and drinking,” Zavakos explains, “the consumer psychology related to that. We kept coming back to it. In the settings we’re targeting—bars, concerts, festivals, summertime activities—people don’t want to just pop a gummy and get on with it. They want to sit and enjoy their friends’ company, be refreshed; having a drink in hand is part of that experience. Realizing that really steered us toward beverages. And the water-soluble THC we’re working with has a better onset time and is just as predictable as our reformulated gummies.”
Nick adds that Know Naturals plans to launch their new brand of fast-acting, water-soluble THC beverages, dubbed “MoodShine,” this summer.
Getting immersed in this emerging market comes with the understanding that there is a transformation going on in American culture. It started with legalization and social acceptance and is evolving toward a new culture where alcohol has been replaced in many social situations by a happier and healthier drink.
Once they get on board with this blazing new trend, consumers are likely to run into a heady brew of manufacturers, distributors, and retail outlets dedicated to this potent off-shoot of the edibles market. We took the time, however, to do the research, speaking with industry experts and conducting our own scientific inquiries. Of course, Know Naturals is at the top of our
list, mostly because of innovation and a commitment to R&D that’s focused on everyday imbibers—but also because they’ve been working with us on a steady stream of hemprelated content over the past three months and have demonstrated a deep knowledge of the space. We also thought it prudent to mention some of the other business forces shaping this emerging market.
High Rise Beverage Company, currently one of the most popular hemp beverage outfits, offers real fruit-infused CBD and Delta-9 THC seltzers marketed as plantbased alternatives to alcohol. Well, alcohol is plant-based too, but the difference here is more about health and risk reduction, and finding one’s personal bliss. Founders Matt and Libiss Skinner based their business model on “genuine connections and natural healing,” very much in contrast to the American liquor industry. Their products reflect both attention to craft and a sense of well-being that can be accessed with just a few sips of seltzer, a place “where life unfolds as a celebration of bold, imperfect moments infused with magic.”
Their Delta 9 beverages contain between 5mg and 20mg of THC and 10mg of CBD per 12-ounce can, while their CBD seltzers are infused with 20mg of CBD and 10mg of CBG per 12-ounce can. All of High Rise’s products are designed with the consumer experience in mind.
“Our mission at High Rise is to craft hemp-derived cannabis beverages that evoke the essence of natural purity and connection,” says High Rise founder, Matt Skinner. “Each can encapsulate the joy of sharing
Nick Zavakos, Know Naturals
laughter around a bonfire, the enchantment of vibrant sunsets, and the soothing symphony of crashing waves—all moments woven with camaraderie and a splash of free-spirited fun.”
Cycling Frog has also caught the attention of those in the know, you know: the 20-and-30-something American consumers who dig a certain hemp or THCinfused twist to go along with their near-constant seltzer drinking ways while participating in any number of social occasions. One of the brand’s big catchphrases is “Ditch The Hangover.” The brand markets itself as a lifestyle choice and has a super cool manifesto confirming that youthful attitude, telling potential drinkers of said frog juice that, “Cycling Frog isn’t just a brand. It’s a statement. It’s the belief that cannabis consumption should be normalized.
the manufacturer. They’re also available in a variety of potencies, ranging from 5mg THC/10mg CBD flavored seltzers to 50mg THC/50mg CBD Ice Tea Lemonade.
The brands mentioned in this brief report are but the tip of the ice cube in a refreshing medicated seltzer. Dozens of hemp beverage brands are popping up around the country, showing up in smoke shops, bars, and liquor stores, offering consumers a new social lubricant that features all of the fun, with none of the hangover. Turn the page for a more exhaustive list of the products available in this promising new sector—and then pray Congress doesn’t take the American Cannabis Council’s industrydamning suggestions (see page 90) when they revisit the Farm Bill this year.
solvents, and harmful microbes, according to
LIFTED LIBATIONS
7 High-Minded Hemp Beverages to Spice Up the Ice Box
Hemp beverages are gaining popularity in smoke shops, bars, and liquor stores offering a range of flavors and wellness benefits. This list is but a starting point to help you find refreshing alternatives that cater to health-conscious customers seeking something that will enhance their evening without sacrificing their morning.
Sipz THC Seltzers
Sipz THC Seltzers from Five CBD provide a balanced buzz with 2mg each of THC and CBD, perfect for relaxation without overwhelming e ects. Each 40-calorie can comes in three tasty flavors, o ering a hangover-free indulgence.
DELTA Cannabis Water
DELTA Cannabis Water o ers a euphoric, relaxing, and calming experience with zero sugar. Each 12 oz can has 20mg Delta 9 THC, 2mg or 10mg CBD, and is infused with Maui Wowie or Wedding Cake terpenes. Ideal for expert users.
Tre House D9+ Syrup
TRE House Delta 9+ Syrup packs 1000mg of Delta 9 and Delta 8 per bottle, available in Bussin’ Berry or Watermelon flavor. Vegan and o ering 23 servings, it gets you impressively baked and chillaxed. Energetic e ects included. Caution: That’s a lot of THC. Hot. Damn.
CannaElite Lemonade
CannaElite Confectionary Lemonade o ers 150mg Delta 9 THC in organic, globally sourced confections. Available in five lemon flavors, each 1/3 bottle serving delivers 50mg THC with a 4575 minute onset. Slip slowly; it packs a punch.
High Rise Seltzers
One of the more popular brands in the space, High Rise o ers real-fruit infused beverages with 20mg CBD/10mg CBG or 10mg CBD/5mg THC. Designed for healthconscious enjoyment, these bubbly bevvies come in multiple delisious flavors.
MoodShine
Know Naturals introduces MoodShine, an eclectic, terpene-rich infusion of Delta 9, CBG, and beneficial mushrooms to bring you a liquid concoction that’s as fun as it is functional. Available in shots, mineral water, or in their fullstrength liquor alternative.
Cycling Frog
Cycling Frog Beverages o ers artisan cannabis extracts, including mints, seltzers, and iced teas. With options from 1mg THC + 5mg CBD to 50mg of each, they aim to normalize cannabis use and cater to varying preferences.
PUFF PUFF DON’T PASS
How Smoke Shops Are Fighting Anti-Vaping Laws
By Matt Weeks
Alli Boughner sees the way people look at her. The stares she gets have changed recently.
As President of the South Carolina Vapor Association and Vice President of the American Vapor Manufacturers Association, she’s been busy fighting legislation that could sink vaping stores. But what she’s up against isn’t just misguided laws. It’s a smear campaign.
“People used to look at me and say, ‘You’re doing such a great thing. You’re helping so many people quit,” Boughner says. “Now they look at me like I’m selling nicotine to their children.”
A Case for Quitting
A former smoker who struggled to quit until she tried vaping, Boughner brings a convert’s passion to her work. She stridently advocates for what she calls harm-reduction strategies— anything that helps people kick cigarettes.
“With all of the misinformation coming out around public health, I feel really lucky that
I got started on vaping when I did,” she says. “As a smoker, you’re always looking for an excuse to keep smoking. Every time your life is a mess, it’s like, ‘I’ll just have a cigarette.’ I almost died from a blood clot at 30, and then I went through a really bad period of my life, and suddenly I was back to smoking. I tried patches, Chantix, gum—none of it worked for me. Life keeps happening, and you think, ‘Stress is here. Time to smoke.’ Nothing worked until somebody put a vape in my hand.”
In over two dozen states, advocates are fighting off two kinds of anti-vaping bills. The first would ban flavored vapes. The second, collectively known as PMTAs (Premarket Tobacco Product Applications), targets the 99% of vaping products that have
not been officially endorsed by the FDA. If passed, these laws would stop shops from selling nearly all vaping products except for the 23 that have (as of April) been approved by the FDA.
For independent shop owners, it’s a matter of survival.
Think of the Children
The idea that advocates like Boughner want to hook children on nicotine is, of course, ridiculous. But that’s the story told by special interest groups pushing a torrent of anti-vaping bills through the nation’s state legislatures.
She blames Big Tobacco. With deep pockets and the world’s best (and
least ethically challenged) lobbyists, the conglomeration has concocted a story about flavored vapes that paints the industry as drug pushers hanging out by the schoolyard, Boughner says.
While there is debate over who’s behind the narrative that flavored vapes are targeting children, Bougher’s analysis is salient. Proposed laws targeting flavored vapes would prohibit the sale of all vapes except those that taste like tobacco and menthol. What’s different about those flavors? They’re almost always made by (you guessed it) Big Tobacco companies like Altria or R.J. Reynolds.
Proponents of the legislation claim the sweet and fruity flavors are meant to entice teens, not smokers trying to Continued on Page 84
“Vaping is Just Creating New Addicts”—Debunked
Contrary to the claims of anti-vaping activists, the statistics reveal that vaping has not led to a significant increase in new nicotine users, but rather serves as an alternative for those who already smoked.
Data sourced from EcigIntelligence US Vapers Survey on Casaa.org
Vapers who previously smoked
Vapers who currently smoke
Vapers who never smoked
I
tried patches, Chantix, gum— none of it worked for me
. .
. Nothing worked until somebody put a vape in my hand.
—Alli Boughner, AVMA
Public Perception: Not Reality
Although 12 million people vape with zero reported deaths, public perception unfairly targets vaping while ignoring the 480,000 deaths annually caused by smoking-related illnesses.
Data sourced from CDC 2023 NIH Study
Vapers/never smoked Cigarette smokers
Vapers/ex-smokers
Dual users (vape & smoke)
28 million smokers, 480k deaths/year
12 million vapers, 0 deaths
COMBINED TOTAL, CIGARETTE/VAPE USERS: 40 MILLION
kick the habit.
But Boughner sees it differently. She points out that vaping continues to be a gateway to a life free from nicotine. And the flavors serve a real purpose on the journey. The sweet tastes of vape pens help smokers transition away from nicotine by providing a taste that’s distinctly different from cigarettes.
The rise in flavored vape sales coincides perfectly with the decline in adult smoking habits, suggesting that many people use them as intended.
Laws That Don’t Work
Flavored vaping products represent over 90% of all products sold. However, the other laws, the PTMA bills, would do away with almost all the rest.
To be clear, vaping advocates want to sell products that are approved by the FDA. The trouble is the regulatory agency has simply stopped approving
In states that have already passed such laws, it’s easy to find off-brand vapes. Most of these technically illegal products enter the country through China without being tested. They’re created by shell companies that will simply close shop if they get hit with a regulatory letter or fine. And, instead of being sold at reputable shops, off-brand vapes hit the market through gas stations.
“These things are cheap to make, they’re easy to rebrand, they’re easy to duplicate, and obviously, they’re easy to conceal. So now you have this illicit market that’s booming. The industry didn’t start turning that way until the FDA started denying everything. A lot of people that own small vape companies didn’t even try to fight the FDA because they just can’t afford that,” Boughner says. “So now you have a lot more people going into convenience stores, which is where they carry a lot of those off- brands.”
new products. Out of all the vaping products available, less than two dozen have finished the approval process. At this rate, hundreds of thousands of products exist in regulatory purgatory.
But even worse, these laws accomplish nothing.
Teen vaping declined by 10% in 2022, according to the most recent CDC report study. Teens who reported vaping within one month of the survey also identified a strong preference toward Chinese-made gas
Continued on Page 86
Big Tobacco is not going to stop trying to push every competitor out of the market because they want to sell more of their products.
Allie
Boughner,
AVMA
Crony Capitalism? Corporate Welfare? Whatever the cause, the only authorized e-cigarettes in the U.S. are owned by Big Tobacco.
station brands over the more costly varieties available elsewhere.
The same week the report surfaced, the FDA fined 20 different stores across the nation for selling illegal vapes. That’s the government in action.
Why Ban Vapes?
If these bills won’t curb vaping, who do they benefit? Mostly cigarette makers, Boughner says.
“Big Tobacco is not going to stop trying to push every competitor out of the market because they want to sell more of their products,” she says. “If you take vapes off the shelf, many of those people in the process of vaping are going to pick cigarettes back up.”
She pointed to a 2024 report by Barclays Research, which noted that tobacco companies need laws targeting vapes to increase cigarette sales and meet fiscal year earnings expectations. It’s also important to note that Altria has thrown its support behind proposed PMTA bills. And if these don’t pass, it’s likely more regulations will be coming down the pike.
In the meantime, Boughner suggests that people who want to keep up to date on news or get involved (or quit smoking) should visit the Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives (CASAA) website at casaa.org. While these products are authorized to be
Scan to visit CASAA now
THE HEMP REPORT
July 2024 Edition
Navigating the Changing Currents
By Nick Zavakos & Jeff Beverly
As we continue to chart the course through the ever-changing waters of the hemp industry, recent legislative and regulatory developments have given rise to both challenges and opportunities for business owners and stakeholders. This article provides a synopsis of the most crucial events from the past month, alongside emerging concerns posed by new legislative proposals, particularly from the US Cannabis Council (USCC).
It’s been another gauntlet of the good, the bad, and the ugly across the 50 experiments in democracy for the hemp industry. State trends & highlights
Nebraska
The hemp industry in Nebraska narrowly escaped a potentially crippling 100% tax on CBD and hemp products. After strong opposition and a spirited filibuster, the proposal wasreduced to 25% before being ultimately defeated. This is good news for consumers and business owners alike, as excessive taxation would have driven prices up and pushed customers online to avoid state tax.
Cannabis Civil War
The US Cannabis Council has recently made headlines with its contentious proposal to Congress concerning the redefinition of hemp in the upcoming Farm Bill. The USCC advocates for excluding products containing detectable levels of THC and other intoxicants from the definition of hemp, effectively reclassifying them as marijuana. This move could jeopardize the $28
billion hemp industry and the livelihoods of over 328,000 workers involved in it.
This also shows that the marijuana industry is ready to wage war on the hemp industry. What we are seeing is the vested interests of large-scale multi-state operators that seek to have a stranglehold on all things Cannabis Sativa Calls for consumer safety are a red herring
Coninuted on Page 90
New mexico
Down in the Land of Enchantment, the developments are around recreational marijuana, but it’s all cannabis, so we’re covering it here. As New Mexico celebrates two years of legalized cannabis, the state faces setbacks with repeated seizures of state-legal cannabis by U.S. border officials. These incidents began in February and have persisted, highlighting the ongoing conflict between state rights and federal law enforcement. Business owners are unfortunately in the crossfire of this conflict, with seizures totalling over $300,000 in product.
US Cannabis Council Fires First Shot
Municipal Overraction: Chicago Plays Safety Card
Chicago is taking steps to regulate low-THC hemp-derived products. Proposed ordinances aim to restrict sales to licensed cannabis stores only, in response to concerns over product potency and
A Call to Vigilance and Action
As we stand firm against the tides of corporate pressure, our commitment to advocacy and proactive engagement has never been more important. Now is the time to amplify our efforts and ensure our industry’s voice is not just heard but is influential. Engage with legislators, participate in public hearings, and keep the dialogue open and assertive.
As Bill Hicks said, “This isn’t a war on drugs, it’s a war on personal freedom.” Let’s continue to champion our rights and ensure hemp thrives in a supportive legislative environment. Together, we can overcome these challenges and safeguard our industry’s future.
consumer safety. This is another clear example of the marijuana industry making protectionist moves to ensure maximum bottom lines at the expense of the hemp industry.
US Cannabis Council (Cont.)
and moot in the light of substantial existing state regulations on hemp products. This is about the bottom line of large corporations, not the safety of children.
This just in: Right at press time, Republican lawmakers have moved to redefine hemp in the next U.S. Farm Bill to eliminate intoxicating cannabinoids like Delta-8 THC. New provisions distinguish between hemp for cannabinoid extraction and industrial hemp, aiming to close loopholes from the 2018 Farm Bill. This amendment could wipe out a $28 billion industry, affecting both synthetic intoxicants and non-intoxicating CBD products. Pro hemp advocacy groups are urging opposition to these changes.
Nick Zavakos and Jeff Beverly are founding partners at Know Naturals, a brand that offers an assortment of federally compliant, hemp-derived Delta-9 consumables, actively working to help steer stateby-state legislation, as well as provide products that remain compliant within those new frameworks . “Stay in the Know with Know Naturals!”
Massachusetts
Recent regulations imposed by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) have introduced stringent controls over hemp processing and sales, affecting everything from packaging to the types of allowable products. Products containing “any synthetically derived THC variants such as delta-8 THC, THCO, THC10, HHO, etc.” have been banned for sale. This leaves delta-9 products under 0.3% as the most compliant and long-term viable path for business owners in Massachusetts. MDAR also sent a cease and desist letter to a hemp manufacturer ordering them to stop production of THCV products and destroy existing inventory. They claim THCV is “semisynthetic,” which is inacurrate, to say the least. Do they also know it is non-psychoactive?
Louisiana
In Louisiana, contrasting bills HB 952 and SB 495 reflect a state deeply divided on hemp regulations. While HB 952 aims to clarify existing laws concerning consumable hemp products, SB 495 proposes more restrictive measures that could isolate the state’s hemp market from national trends, chiefly instituting a permit process that would limit out-of-state operators and proposing a ban on any THC in hemp products. SB 495 poses a serious threat to the Louisiana hemp industry. Local business owners are implored to reach out to your representatives to express their concerns.
In the future, all your in-store point-of-sale transactions will be handled by computer software designed to maximize consumer experience and heighten retailer profit. That future is now . . .
Dear small business owner: there are two items on the table for discussion here with regard to retail transactions, which we hope are a big part of your day-to-day operations.
First thing’s first. In the future, all your in-store point-of-sale transactions will be handled by computer software designed to maximize consumer experience and heighten retailer profit. That future is now, in case you’ve been too busy
selling merchandise and minding the warehouse to notice.
And two, Are you a square? No, not like that, heaven forbid. Let me rephrase that . . . do you or your business use Square or any sort of similar POS software to make life at the shop just a little bit easier?
If you do, we’d like to hear from you. You see, this article is a two-parter. In the first half, we’ll take a look at
what the interwebz says about POS software in terms of ease of use, cost per transaction, and ability to drive profit upward. There’s plenty of data on that, but we hope that your responses to this article will provide some real-world insight into the choices made by small business owners across America as the race to go digital takes another leap forward.
Point of Sale (POS) vs. merchat services
A Point of Sale (POS) system is the hardware and software that manages sales transactions. It is the place where a customer makes a payment for goods or services. Merchant Services, on the other hand, refer to the financial services and products that allow businesses to accept payments, especially from credit and debit cards.
Point of Sale (POS)
Hardware: This can include a cash register, barcode scanner, receipt printer, card reader, and sometimes a tablet or computer.
Software: This runs the transaction process, manages inventory, tracks sales, and can offer analytics and reporting.
Features: Modern POS systems often have features like customer relationship management (CRM), employee management, and integration with other business systems.
Merchant Services
Payment Processing: This involves the handling of credit and debit card transactions, ensuring funds are transferred from the customer’s bank to the merchant’s account.
Payment Gateway: An online service that authorizes and processes payments in e-commerce transactions.
Merchant Account: A type of bank account that allows businesses to accept payments from credit and debit cards.
Additional Services: Some providers offer fraud protection, PCI compliance assistance, and various financing options.
PLEASE
PLEASE TAKE MY MONEY Sourcing a POS That’s Not a POS
By Rudy Carrillo
So, back to square one, as it were. Square is a very popular POS software; some authorities rank it number one as far as POS software goes. Let’s start there. The nation’s leading business magazine, Forbes, recently ranked Square as the number one POS app for small American businesses. From internal chatter, we’ve also learned that it’s at the top of the list for hempfriendly businesses. According to the experts, Square is at the top due to its low monthly service charge, competitive transaction fees, customizable environment, and overall ease of use. The only drawback: portable terminals cost a minimum of $300 each.
Point of Sale Merchant Services
Clover
If you’re looking for software that has advanced capabilities, including invoicing and employee management, then consider Clover. Starting at about $150 per month, you can use a Clover terminal to complete transactions, manage inventory, set up online selling, and create reports that provide insights into company costs versus sales.
Point of Sale Merchant Services
Another highly reviewed and ranked software to consider for your small business POS needs is Shopify. No, we’re not getting mixed up; Shopify is widely known as the go-to development tool for shopping cart websites, but they’ve expanded into the brick-and-mortar world as well. Like Clover, Shopify offers inventory management. This software suite also offers a host of other retailer-friendly features, including 24/7 live tech support, a unified ‘back office” program that unifies sales, customer, and inventory data; and transparent pricing with no hidden fees or long-term commitments.
Point of Sale Merchant Services
Lightspeed
Lightspeed POS made the Forbes Spring 2024 list because of the software’s innate intuitive environment, which makes for ease of training and everyday use. It’s also an affordable option for budget-minded managers; plans start at about $90 per month and include the ability to manage multiple retail outlets through a central location. The best inducement for this POS system is personalized, “white-glove” installation and support.
Point of Sale Merchant Services
Square
Shopify
If none of the previous options seem doable, for whatever reason, but you’re still considering POS software, then check out the basic but very serviceable eHopper, a free POS software that retailers can start using upon download. For between $10 and $25 per month, users can expand the software’s capabilities. eHopper shares many of the features available on more expensive, elaborate platforms, but for this service, it’s pay-to-play; unlimited access ranges from $35 to $75 per month.
Point of Sale
Ultimately, personal experience is what counts. The small business owners we talked to in the Albuquerque, New Mexico, area had much to say about their interactions with the latest in POS systems. An employee at All the Smoke and Vape told us, “Since management installed Square, it’s made my job a whole lot easier. We have tons of merch here, from water pipes to hiphop t-shirts, cigarettes, and candy. The POS software streamlines every transaction, and the customers like the details.”
Next door, at the recreational cannabis dispensary, Score 420, a manager told us that, though the business was still using an old-style amber screen
Merchant Services
program to track sales, they were planning to install Shopify over the next couple of weeks. “Everyone has seen the writing on the wall. It’s only a matter of time,” he admitted. “In an oversaturated cannabis market like this one, the dispensaries that survive will be the ones that have up-to-date computers and software helping to build great customer experiences and loyalty. We’ll be more competitive, more profitable as a result.”
So, the future really is now.
And whether you’re a square or not, we hope to hear from you, too. What are your experiences with the next generation of POS software? What’s important to know about platforms
like Clover or Shopify? What challenges have you faced working with these new-fangled business toys? Finally, as a business owner, do you see the potential for increased income as a reason for embracing the latest POS software?
After we hear from more than a few of you, be prepared to continue this essential discussion.
Take the survey!
7 O beat Items to Expand Your Reach
By Matt Weeks
Unlike the ubiquitous vape shops that spawn like flies, headshops aren’t cookie-cutter operations. They do more than dole out smoking devices and accessories. As equal parts hobby shop and curiosity cabinet, a headshop isn’t just a store; it’s a vibe.
For most owners, taking the safe route won’t cut it. Customers don’t want sterile efficiency. They can pick up
THE PERIPHERY
Delta 8 pens and one-hitters from the corner Kwik-E-Mart. They come to a headshop to be dazzled. They come for product advice from an aging hippie. They come for that feeling you get when incense, old records, and a cashier with face piercings intersect. Coming to a headshop is a life-affirming experience.
Victoria’s Secret launched an empire by creating lingerie stores that
Records never went out of style. Since the advent of cassettes, pressed wax has lingered around the edges of pop culture. For music appreciators, the impracticality of vinyl is a feature— not a bug. Owning an LP is a kind of shibboleth, a signal to other insiders that one’s musical appreciation goes deeper than the ephemeral nature of a Spotify playlist.
With fewer music stores around today, music fans have limited ways to procure their wares. Head Shops have become a logical choice for record hunters. They find real joy in rifling through a stack of vinyl and discovering a gem in the rough. Consider adding both new and used options to enhance the experience.
made customers feel sexy instead of seedy. Headshops should follow suit, guiding consumers to celebrate a lifestyle that’s always been more mainstream than society tells us.
If your store needs a jolt, here are 7 items to stock that can help attract new customers and expand your appeal:
Owning an LP is a kind of shibboleth, a signal to other insiders that one’s musical appreciation goes deeper than the ephemeral nature of a Spotify playlist.
CULTIVATE
ENTICE PALATES
For head shops, it pays to o er a funky variety . . . stocking specialty snacks can lead to droves of repeat business for customers who just can’t find their preferred munchies anywhere else.
2 FUNKY SNACKS
Photographs coinciding with items 2-7 taken by David Pogge at The Botany Bay in Richmond, Kentucky
Nearly every retail outlet, from the gas station to the toy store, stocks impulse buys next to the cash register. It’s simply a tactic that works.
For head shops, it pays to offer a funky variety. Not only does this contribute to the sense of wonder that every good headshop creates, stocking specialty snacks can lead to droves of repeat business for customers who just can’t find their preferred munchies anywhere else.
Wholesalers like Exotic Soda Company can help you fill your counter with far-flung goodies to pique palates and satisfy cravings. Options like matcha fig Oreos from China, potato chips flavored like scallops from Thailand, and elderflower-and-lemon Fanta from Germany encourage experimentation and remind customers that the world is a big, yummy place.
Part of the appeal of a head shop is that it’s a place specifically not for children. Lean into that mindset by embracing the cultural taboo around naughty fun.
Let’s be honest: weed and sex go together like, well, weed and sex. Today’s soccer parents aren’t only looking for a hit of CBD to relieve stress. Many couples turn to weed to re-ignite their passions. Make the adult toys a typical part of the experience, and customers won’t feel weird buying them.
3 ADULT TOYS
Let’s be honest: weed and sex go together like, well, weed and sex . . . Make the adult toys a typical part of the experience, and customers won’t feel weird buying them.
4 OUTDOOR GAMES
If the Olympics were composed of pot smokers (other than Michael Phelps), the most-watched events would be hacky sack, disc golf, corn hole, and bocce ball.
There’s a paradox to smokers. They want to be outside, but they don’t want to be active. Ergo: stoner games.
If the Olympics were composed of pot smokers (other than Michael Phelps), the most-watched events would be hacky sack, disc golf, corn hole, and bocce ball. Stock up on these activity sets, and you’ll soon be a go-to place for summer fun.
We live in a golden age of board games. An entire generation has grown up believing in the social nature of tabletop gaming.
Even better: Many titles are geared toward cannabis enthusiasts. For the couch-locked crew, this is pure catnip. Titles like “Suddenly Stoned,” “Yo Cannabis Comedy,” and “Stonerland” are low-cost party supplies for customers who want to be social without leaving the house. But even more traditional board games, like the always-hilarious “Cards and Against Humanity” and “Secret Hitler” carry the promise of transforming giggly smoke sessions into laugh-outloud riots.
We live in a golden age of board games. An entire generation has grown up believing in the social nature of tabletop gaming.
5 INDOOR GAMES
STIMULATE FASHION
6 CLOTHING
Remember: You’re not competing against Saks Fifth Avenue. Your goal when selling clothing should be to o er your customers something funky and unique.
Remember: You’re not competing against Saks Fifth Avenue. Your goal when selling clothing should be to offer your customers something funky and unique. If you don’t plan on installing fitting rooms, keep your garment choices simple: band shirts, weed-slogan tees, hoodies, stoner-themed socks, and handkerchiefs are items that are easy to stock, display, and sell.
There’s something about rocks and gems that draws a crowd. From geode bookends to heart-shaped pendants, consumers like the tactile feeling and earth-drawn powers that crystals carry.
Put a few next crystals (with explanatory cards) next to your incense and watch how they fly off the shelves. If they do well, the possibilities to expand this area are limitless.
CRYSTALS
Put a few next crystals next to your incense and watch how they fly o the shelves. If they do well, the possibilities to expand this area are limitless.
2TIPS FROM AN O.G.
Mitch Kirsner spent 35 years in the industry. He got his start selling used goods at a flea market and worked his way up to a 6,600-square-foot shop that became the de facto headquarters for the counter-cultural set of Newport News, Virginia.
Even after shuttering, the name Fantasy is still invoked by locals, who recall the owner’s quirky sensibility with a twinge of pre-pandemic nostalgia. He boils his success down to two ideas.
The first rule is simple: Listen to your customers.
“I had a policy that if I got a request for an item three times, I’d do what I could to get it,” Kirsner said.
But his real genius was in how he viewed expansion. Instead of looking at the customers he had, he thought about
the types who never darkened his door.
“I saw that most of my customers were teenage and older guys. And I thought that I need to get more women in here. So, I added dresses and Manic Panic hair dye, and that brought in more people there,” he said. “Then I looked around and saw that we didn’t have many Black customers. So, I started talking more with the Black customers we did have because I wanted to include them, and I bought things they needed. Then I thought we should appeal to older people, so I added New Age stuff, like rocks and crystals and Tarot cards and essential oils.”
“With any one of those items, it might’ve been hard to attract new folks,” he said. “But when we had everything together, it really brought in a variety of customers over the years.”
Clearing the Haze on One of the Industry’s Hottest Selling Products WHAT IS THCA?
By Brandon Schechter
THCA or Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid is the acidic form of THC that is naturally occurring in all varieties of the cannabis plant. THCA is nonpsychoactive and has to be heated to be converted to THC in order to become psychoactive.
THCA has gained substantial attention over the last year due to a loophole in the Farm Bill that has allowed countless hemp companies to sell traditional (what would otherwise be considered) psychoactive cannabis as a legal hemp product. In this column we will look at the compound from a scientific, medical, and legal standpoint and pick apart the logic that gave rise to THCA hemp flower as a viable product in the marketplace.
What is the Di erence Between THCA and THC?
THCA or Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid is the acidic form of THC that is naturally occurring in all varieties of the cannabis plant. THCA is non-psychoactive and has to be heated to be converted to THC in order to become psychoactive. This is why cannabis consumers don’t get high from eating raw cannabis;
without heating the plant matter, the THCA will not cause a psychoactive effect. THC, short for Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol, is the main molecule in cannabis responsible for the high or psychoactive effects produced by the plant. Delta-9 THC works in conjunction with terpenes, other cannabinoids, and naturally occurring compounds to produce the psychoactive effect.
When cannabis users smoke cannabis, they are actually conducting chemistry as their lighters, vaporizers, and various heat sources, heat THCA and activate it to become THC, the form of the molecule that produces psychoactive effects. This heat activation process is known as decarboxylation, and all forms of cannabis inhalation and edible manufacturing employ this process to make cannabis psychoactive.
SCIENCE @ HOME
1. PACK BOWL WITH THCA FLOWER. (PAPERS, VAPORIZERS, ETC. ALSO ACCEPTABLE) HOW TO CONVERT THC IN THREE SIMPLE STEPS:
2. IGNITE CONTENTS OF BOWL WITH LIGHTER OR MATCH (OR TURN ON VAPORIZER AND SET TEMPERATURE).
3. INHALE (REMOVAL OF GLASSES NOT REQUIRED.)
Search Rate Comparison: THCA vs. Delta-8
1/2019-4/2024
Source: Google Trends1
The distinguishing factor between cannabis hemp and the psychoactive varieties of cannabis is supposed to be the THC levels, but THCA is a narrow loophole that blurs the line between the two.
Source: Google Trends1
1Google Trends measures the popularity of search terms relative to the highest points in a given region and timeframe, scaling the data from 1 to 100. A value of 100 indicates peak popularity, while a value of 50 means the term is half as popular. This system helps compare relative interest in terms and normalize data across different regions and periods, making it ideal for identifying trends and shifts in public interest.
tiny air bubbles. This is a sign that the process is working, and you will want to continue heating the plant matter or extract until there are no more air bubbles produced when you stir. Once this is done you can filter the plant matter out and you are left with full activated cannabis-infused oil.
Is THCA legal under the farm bill?
THCA has gained substantial popularity in 2023/2024 due to a loophole in the 2018 farm bill which implies that THCA is legal in every state that does not have hemp regulations. The 2018 farm bill separated hemp from the Controlled Substance Act which bans Cannabis at the federal level. In doing so, they legalized “the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, with a [THC] concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.” There are two separate phenomena at play here which are the intent of the law and the language of the law.
The intent of the Farm bill was to legalize non-psychoactive hemp compounds like CBD and CBG and only allow non-psychoactive levels of naturally occurring THC. However, THCA is a separate molecule from Delta-9 THC that needs its own separate regulations, and once the hemp industry discovered that they can market traditional psychoactive cannabis indica and cannabis sativa buds as “legal THCA hemp flower,” the THCA industry absolutely exploded.
To clarify, there is technically no naturally occurring THCA hemp flower. The vast majority of “THCA flower” being sold on the market is indistinguishable from psychoactive cannabis, and is labeled as “hemp” based on the narrowest of legal
Continued on Page 110
loopholes in the Farm Bill. Some THCA hemp flower may be actual hemp buds rolled in cannabis-derived THCA powder, but that still makes it more of a cannabis product than a hemp product. The issue is that we think of as hemp, and what we think of as cannabis are both the same species. They both produce terpenes, CBD, and THC to varying levels, making the only distinction between the two a legal one, as outlined by the Farm Bill’s .3% THC threshold. The distinguishing factor between cannabis hemp and the psychoactive varieties of cannabis is supposed to be the THC levels, but THCA is a narrow loophole that blurs the line between the two.
Do the levels of THCA change over time in THCA fl ower?
The THCA loophole holds strong for a very short window while the plant matter is fresh and the levels of THCA are high compared to the levels of delta 9 THC. However, THCA converts to the psychoactive compound THC through time, heat,
and oxidation (exposure to oxygen), and exposure to sunlight. This means that from the second the THCA flower is packaged it is slowly converting, and it does not take much time, light, or heat exposure to spike the THC levels above the legal limit of 0.3%.
THCA is not a stable molecule; it naturally converts to THC over time. Measures can be taken to slow down the decarboxylation process like keeping THCA flower away from light, airtight, and freezing the plant matter rather than storing it at room temperature. Taking these steps just delays the inevitable; the THCA is eventually going to convert to Delta 9 THC. If you are planning to sell THCA flower, know the risks, know the ideal shelf life, and conduct your own lab testing to confirm that the Delta 9 THC levels are below 0.3%. One thing to keep in mind, if THCA vendors are sending you lab tests that are more than 1 month old, the THCA has started to convert to THC, and the flower should be retested.
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!
Brandon Schechter is the founder of Yin Yang Infusions, Zen Delta 8 & Sublime Delta 9. Yin Yang Infusions was started in 2014 with the mission of making cannabis products for cancer patients and veterans in Connecticut. Brandon opened his hemp companies with the intention of making high-quality consumer products affordable and accessible nationwide. A portion of the proceeds from these products goes toward providing free products to cancer patients and people with debilitating conditions. Find out more: www.yinyanginfusions.com.
Editor’s Note: This article is in no way intended to cast shade upon the vendors in this space who deal in THCA products. Those individuals are simply answering market demand, and doing so through the deft legal maneuvering that has been used to keep this industry alive for the past 40+ years. Unfortunately, as more and more state legislatures begin taking action to curb the growth of the hemp cannabinoid market, THCA seems to be the first compound in the crosshairs at nearly every turn. It is with a heavy heart that we predict a forced migration away from THCA in the coming months as reactionary laws and regulations continue to close the marketplace, state-by-state. Keep coming back here for new updates on these developments and please be patient with your vendors, many of whom are now being forced to pivot due to the new legal constraints.
Moreover, this article should not be construed as legal advice. For insight on best practices, please consult with an attorney.
MaxxOut Kratom Shots
If you’re a maximalist who believes everything should be done to the nth degree with the most intensity possible, then have we got news for you: The the MaxxOut Kratom Extract Shot is here. MaxxOut is a new plant-based formula that offers consumers a powerful blend of Mytragynine speciosa extracts, boasting an impressive 75% concentration of Mytragynine, ensuring maximum effectiveness with every dose. Designed for convenience, this new product comes in 30ml (1 FL Oz) shot bottles, allowing you to pack the benefits of kratom right in your hip pocket. Explore their selection of five delicious flavors, including Cafe Mocha, Guanabana, Peach Mango, Bubblegum, and Passion Fruit—all designed to tantalize those taste buds while taking the edge off your day. Experience the difference for yourself and take your kratom experience to new heights with MaxxOut Kratom Extract Shots.
QUEST
4 the Best
Dug’s Dugouts
Galaxy Gas
Put the words Galaxy and Gas together. Now close your eyes and imagine the result: peacefully floating in an infinite space . . . or . . . having an ice cream feast where every scoop is topped with luscious, homemade whipped cream. Keep those visions in mind when considering Galaxy Gas for your whipped cream charger, dispenser, and gas needs. Galaxy Gas offers N2O products in various configurations and sizes, from small, flavored (watermelon-lemonade and Mango Smoothie, for example) 8-gram whipped cream chargers – available to retailers in boxes of 100 – to large 6-liter canisters, designed for multiple applications. The N2O from Galaxy Gas is food-grade and designed strictly for culinary use; infusing cocktails, making delightful whipped cream, enhancing mashed potatoes, or whatever brilliance your culinary prowess can muster.
Dugouts are cool. Just ask the kids in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Better yet, check out Doug’s Dugouts, exclusively available through Skeye Wholesale. With these pocket-sized customizable hitter boxes, you can smoke a few puffs anywhere with personalized sophistication. Doug’s is a complete smoking system in a handy wood case—a classy take on a classic accessory. Measuring 4” tall by 1.75” wide, each unit features a swivel top, space to store your choice smokable, and a spring-loaded cigarette pipe. But the clincher is the custom laseretched engraving available for each order—a fantastic branding tool for shops that makes for great promotional items, doorbusters and customer incentives, with a super-low minimum of only 25 to get started! Just send in your art, and they’ll take it from there. Ask for it by name . . . Doug’s!
How many times have you had a vape lock up on you and wished that you could save some of the precious extract left in the damaged vessel? Well, wish no more because a solution is at hand. With the all-new comprehensive Unlock and Reclaim Vape Cartridge Kit, consumers can maximize the value of their vape cartridges. The device is designed for users experiencing common cartridge issues such as clogs or locks, allowing for efficient extraction and recovery of trapped oils without losing potency. The kit includes precision-engineered tools tailored to safely unlock cartridges and a system to reclaim and store oil, ensuring you get the most out of every cartridge. Ideal for regular users, this kit ensures that none of your oil goes to waste. Value is an understatement here; the kit pays for itself with just one use. It’s engineered to eliminate mess and simplify the process and is perfect for both novices and experienced users alike.
As we enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others, we should be glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours, and this we should do freely and generously. Benjamin Franklin
Grateful Dead 510 DL Series by Pulsar
The Dead will live forever in our hearts—and now, thanks to Pulsar, they can live in your pocket, too. Make your love for Jerry and Co. known while keeping your consumption preferences on the downlow with a 510 pen that’s designed to look like any standard nicotine vape and adorned with the timeless artwork of the supergroup that keeps on Trucking. Choose from the 510 Dl Auto-Draw with a 320Mah battery, the DL 510 Auto-Draw 2.0 with a 1000mAh battery, silicone mouthpiece, and an LED display screen, or finally, the 510 DL 3.0 Twist Variable Voltage that features a handy dial for instant voltage adjustment with a 650mAh battery and a 6-month end-user warranty. If you find yourself sneaking tokes while tracks like “Fire on the Mountain” or “Scarlet Begonias” kick in the background, Pulsar’s Grateful Dead 510 DL series might be your ticket to a Sunshine Daydream.
VAE Pocket Coffee
VAE is a caffeine spray that packs a hearty punch with an ease of use that’s almost as much of a pick-me-up as the contents of the bottle. By combining natural caffeine from coffee beans and key amino acids into a potent sprayable liquid, the folks behind this novel and effective new caffeine delivery system can practically guarantee brighter days ahead. That’s because each spray contains 20mg of natural caffeine from coffee formulated in such a way as to immediately increase energy while providing ideal balance to minimize jitters, anxiety, and crash while enhancing focus. VAE is safe to use, too; the spray is fully FDA-compliant and made in an FDA-registered, cGMPcertified facility, and contains only all-natural ingredients and flavoring. VAE undergoes triple gold standard testing to maintain the highest quality standard before reaching retailers and consumers. What are you waiting for? Coffee’s on—and it’s in your pocket!
MAKE THE SWITCH
A Beginner’s Guide To Nicotine Vaping
If you’re a smoker, you’ve probably tried to quit a dozen times using everything from nicotine gum to prescription medications. I had the same frustrating experience, but I finally abandoned cigarettes forever once I discovered vaping. Since then, I’ve turned helping smokers quit into my life’s work.
If you’re truly ready to quit, here’s a beginner’s guide to help you make the transition that could save your life.
First, the Basics
“Vaping” describes the process of inhaling nicotine vapor from an electronic device instead of smoke from a combustible cigarette. Vaping has become increasingly popular as it is demonstrably safer than smoking owing to the lack of combustion products in vapor. The smoke produced by burning tobacco contains thousands of harmful chemicals. On the other hand, liquid used in vapor devices, generally known as “e-liquid,” contains only nicotine, flavorings, and a few other ingredients that help maintain the consistency of the product.
Choose the Right Device
dealing with the features of more sophisticated vaporizers.
Vape pens: These devices are slightly larger than cigalikes and offer more features, such as variable voltage and adjustable airflow, which influence the throat hit you experience when you inhale. They are suitable for those who want a little more control over their vaping experience.
Box mods: These are the most advanced vaping devices, offering a wide range of features such as temperature control, variable wattage, and other customizable settings. They are suitable for experienced users who want to finetune their vaping experience down to the last detail.
By Alli Boughner Vice President American Vapor Manufacturers Association
your preferred cigarette. If you are a light smoker or want to quit nicotine altogether, choose a lower strength or nicotine-free e-liquid.
• PG/VG ratio: E-liquids contain a combination of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG). PG provides a stronger throat hit, similar to smoking, while VG produces more vapor and a smoother hit. Choose an e-liquid with a PG/VG ratio that suits your preferences. Again, experimentation will be important here.
Patience is a Virtue
Put simply, you need to experiment to find out which combination of devices and e-liquids work for you. It’s going to be hard, but remember what you’re pursuing: a longer, healthier life.
Select the Right E-liquid
E-liquids come in various flavors and nicotine strengths. When choosing an e-liquid, you should consider the following options:
Like any major behavioral change, switching from smoking to vaping can be a challenge, and it might take some time to adjust. The best thing you can do is practice patience; as with a new diet or exercise routine, don’t expect results overnight. Although it’s best to switch entirely, many smokers initially become dual users and gradually step down their smoking over weeks or months.
Bottom Line
There are various types of vaping devices on the market, and it is crucial to choose one that suits your preferences. Some common types of vaping devices include:
Cigalikes: These devices resemble traditional cigarettes and were some of the first products to enter the market over a decade ago. They are suitable for beginners who want to transition from smoking without
• There are countless flavors available. Choose a flavor that appeals to your taste buds. Many people end up mixing flavors to create a blend they find enjoyable. Don’t be surprised if you end up experimenting as your sense of taste returns; this is one of the best parts of vaping.
• E-liquids come in different nicotine strengths. If you are a heavy smoker, opt for a higher nicotine strength comparable to
Put simply, you need to experiment to find out which combination of devices and e-liquids work for you. It’s going to be hard, but remember what you’re pursuing: a longer, healthier life
