June 2024 #289 Futurola

JUNE 2024 | ISSUE 289

HQ Magazine

As the industry’s leading publication for over two decades, we want to remind you all that we are more than just another magazine; WE are the nexus of commerce for the counterculture marketplace; headshops, smoke shops, vape shops, adult novelties, and dispensaries. Both publisher and platform, HQ exists to facilitate the continued evolution of a once-marginalized industry now on the cusp of legitimization. As a publisher, we are your advocate and your advisor, your continual stream of all information that matters to you; from product knowledge, to business insights, to how it all fits into the panorama of the bigger world. As a platform, we are your connection. We are the bullhorn, the billboard, and the bridge; the perfect bullseye of your target market. And as this industry continues to come into its own and navigate the coming seismic shifts in the landscape, we’ll be the light to guide its steps.

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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 o ers from our advertisers, and periodic sample boxes from the industry’s most trusted brands.

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Editor-in-Chief

Account Executives

Sandy Caputo

Monica Frésquez monica@headquest.com

C: (505) 489-3285

Marc Toretzky sales@headquest.com C: (213) 304-3751

Creative Director

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Contributing Writers

David Pogge

david@headquest.com

C: (404) 477-7009

Therese Galati accounting@headquest.com

Sofia Noillif

Matt Weeks

Rudy Carrillo

Kim Airs

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.

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24

Smoke Signals

Fun-sized blurbs for when you want to absorb information, but just don’t have time for all those words.

36

Women in Cannabis

Looking for a classier line of accessories? Go West, young man.

52

Uplift’s VP of Sales Joe Teyssier Jr. opens up about past challenges, future plans, and the importance of having the right team behind you. Heads of Industry

Into the Weeds on the Industry’s Stickiest Subjects. HeadSpace

72

The Leaf That Relieves All eyes are on the FDA for the future of kratom. Meanwhile, industry leaders look inward.

78 The Good Liars? Spotting media bias might be harder than you think.

EdQuest

Puff, puff, class in session!

88

The Hemp Report The future of hemp: outlook uncertain.

92 Who’s Your Data?

The data train resumes. This month: converting digital sales into physical foot traffic.

104 Watch Your Language Retailers weigh in on what you can and can’t say in a smoke shop in 2024.

108

Quest 4 the Best

Pre-rolls, bevvies & gadgets . . . But wait, there’s more!

HQ After Hours

Our mini-mag within a mag that’s all about the fun side of adulting.

64

Pu & Pleasure

Quality “me time” in the great outdoors.

66

Vendor Profile

Viben: They listen, they learn, and they lavish.

68

Feature 71

Getting your sex life back on track with Dr. Mindy DeSeta.

PleasureQuest

Come again? These toys might just help.

The collection honors our 144-year heritage, drawing inspiration from the historic artwork featured in our booklets and ads.

WE READ SHORT SHORTS

The Information You Crave; Now With Reduced Fat Statistics Don’t Lie (But They Often Mislead)

The beauty of numbers is they are an exact science, and thus can be relied upon when the onslaught of contradictory information from the modern media ecosystem begins to bend reality around you. However, statistics are an entirely different beast. Though based on numbers, they can be easily manipulated to further a false narrative, via selective presentation or strategic omission of context. For

example, consider the following statistic: “Ten out of ten cancer patients have consumed significant amounts of H20 in their lifetime.” This statement is obviously 100% true. However, based on the rudimentary facts of biology, we know that this doesn’t mean that we should cut water consumption to avoid a cancer diagnosis. Yet, it is this sort of statistical manipulation we encounter every day,

Distortion: “Between 2000 and 2015, hospitalization for marijuana rates increased 116%.”

often without realizing it, leading to a distorted understanding of the world. Anticannabis propagandists in particular have made a playground of the practice, using isolated statistics to manipulate the public and shape drug policy for decades. Below are three examples of manipulated stats currently in wide use among prohibitionists and drug warriors. 1

Distortion:

“Reported exposures to children less than age 10 sharply increased in Colorado following recreational marijuana legalization, jumping over 100% between 2009 and 2015.”

Distortion:

“After legalization, the prevalence of marijuana or marijuana-in-combination identified by Colorado State Patrol officers as the impairing substance in DUIs increased from 12% of all DUIs in 2014 to 31% in 2020. The number of traffic fatalities where a driver tested positive for any cannabinoid rose 140%, from 55 in 2013 to 132 in 2019.”

Perspective:

Between 2000 and 2015, hospitalization for marijuana rates increased from 274 to 593 per 100,000 hospitalizations. By percentage, this means marijuana hospitalizations increased from .274% to .593%; still a mere fraction of a percent.

Perspective:

The mean rate of marijuana-related visits to children’s hospitals increased from 1.2 per 100,000 to 2.3 per 100,000. This means that on the high end of this comparison marijuanarelated visits represented a mere .023% of total hospitalizations.

Perspective:

This figure fails to note the expansion of marijuana testing of impaired drivers over relatively the same period. For example, between 2012 and 2020, the number of officers trained to administer such tests increased from 129 to 221. Note also, the testing listed in the statement is for “any cannabinoid,” meaning CBD would have also created a positive result. Moreover, studies examining the impact of marijuana legalization on traffic safety have shown mixed results. While some studies have observed an increase in crash rates following marijuana legalization, others have found no significant increase in crash risk associated with marijuana use alone, except when combined with alcohol

By Sofia Noillif

Nebraska’s Industry-Killing Hemp Tax: Crash and Burn

Nebraska’s legislative bid to tax hemp products at 25%, a significant reduction from the initial 100% rate, has crumbled. Republican Senator Lou Ann Linehan (Pictured) conceded the lack of necessary support, retracting the bill, LB 388, amidst calls for deeper discussion on the state’s fiscal strategy. While aimed at lessening dependency on property taxes for education funding, the bill faced criticism for potentially burdening lower-income residents. Amidst ongoing debates about alternative revenue, including legalizing marijuana, a special session appears imminent to address Nebraska’s tax quandaries, with stakeholders urging more competitive and sustainable tax solutions.

in the game since 2004

VPR Brands: Innovation & Adaptation

This month, we had the opportunity to sit down with VPR Brands’ Chief Operating Officer, Dan Hoff—and the results were epic. What was intended to be a quick conversation to highlight their brand turned into an hour-long conversation, the results of which were far too lengthy to fit in the space allotted here. Never ones to deprive you, we’ve decided to offer the full conversation. You’ll find the introductory portion here, with a QR that will take you straight to the remainder online. Read on for the inside track on the company that brought you, Honeystick, ELF VPR, and more!

VPR brands, from what I understand, started in 2004. That’s early as it gets for a company in this space. Tell me about the beginning.

So the company, even though it was founded in 2004, didn’t really start actively getting involved in the vapor space, which is currently its primary focus until really mid 2008 . . . In 2008 and 2009, we had some electronic cigarettes that looked more like those Cigalikes that you would see. You don’t really see them much at all anymore, but they were two-part electronic cigarettes where you would have the battery, which was a vaporizer component, and then you would also have a cartridge that was pre-filled with either tobacco or menthol flavor, and you would put them together and they got sold in gift boxes. That was really the infancy stage for the company, and it’s really evolved from there.

Were those the ones that looked like cigarettes when you screwed them together?

Yeah, correct. They actually had the same coloring too, and the paper with the white battery and kind of the tan cognac colored kind of backing and then different color rings or different color paper to indicate the flavor that it was, whether it was tobacco or menthol, and at that time you really only had tobacco and menthol flavor.

Maher

I think it’s safe to say that our readers are traditionally more accustomed to working with the scrappy underdogs. The industry somewhat of a gray area of you had to keep it small. It VPR started out as fairly white collar from the beginning. That’s kind of a different beast for this space. Would you agree with that?

Honestly, I’m happy that you got that façade, because we have had to fight and struggle and do everything that everybody else did really from the beginning. When we got into it,

Home Blown Glass | @homeblownglassaz

Children “Saved,” VA Hemp Industry Devastated

In Virginia, where anti-cannabis crusader, Glenn Younkin sits in the Governor’s Mansion, the legislative battle over Delta-8 has reached a crescendo with a new bill severely restricting hemp cannabinoid products.

Proponents say the bill aims to tighten regulations to ensure consumer safety, especially for children, after reports of unintentional intoxications, but business owners and activists say its draconian new restrictions will destroy Virginia’s hemp sector. Instead of directly mentioning Delta-8, the bill simply eliminates “Delta-9” from all mentions of THC, thereby extending the original restrictions on that compound to all its analogs (Delta-8, Delta-10, THCP, etc.) Moreover, the bill also specifies a testing method that requires post-decarboxylation potential to be considered, thereby eliminating THCA as a viable product in the state. The small measure of good news: An amendment to the bill, advocated for by

Safety Meeting (Cont.)

we were a very, very small company . . . if you’re somebody who innovates generally, you incur all the learning curve costs. So we were behind a lot of the pioneering that happened throughout the industry . . . We’ve always been kind of a small-knit team and really had to push for everything. At the time that e-cigs and vaporizers came out, many banks didn’t even want to open up a bank account for you. You didn’t have the things available to you that traditional businesses would, lines of credit, things like that . . . It always limited our growth. People didn’t really know who VPR brands was until now, but starting from 2008, we probably dealt with a lot more struggles than most of our competitors did to be able to build a sustainable business, especially with how quickly vaporizers change. I mean, we’re not making paper cups.

Between that time and now, a lot of major brands have come and gone. What has been your secret sauce for the staying power you’ve had?

I think that being the early player and witnessing a lot of the market trends helped us . . . Present day decisions are made off of historical data and trends. We developed a formula of how to try to get in and out of things as trends pop up. I would just say it’s survival of adaptable, and we’ve been able to adapt and evolve through the trends.

cartridges. It’s a really cool, unique system.

This interview is far from over. Scan here to keep reading!

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Jane West: The Industry’s Ambassador of Class

UNCONVENTIONAL VIEWS

By Rudy Carrillo

Jane West is on Fire. Not literally, mind you. But the cannabis pioneer and activist’s new bubbler and water pipe designs are legitimately burning up the market (and a heap of flower too). West’s latest set of creations, the Twenties Collection, has taken the cleansing, healing flame of flower consumption to a new level of class .

Just in case you don’t know, in the cannabis space, Jane West is synonymous with her brand. And that brand represents West’s belief that “cannabis use promotes wellness, prevents against illness, and gives her a general overall feeling of well-being to her often hectic life of wife, mother, and CEO of her lifestyle brand, Jane West, Inc.” That’s what OG weed authority High Times Magazine wrote when they profiled West last year

“. . . everyone thought we were crazy. Only Colorado and Washington had legalized . . . so I decided I wanted to do an event . . . I wanted to engage cannabis in an art gallery, for instance, with live music and catering, like something you’d go out and do on a Friday night.”

– but we wanted to know more. West, after all, is responsible for giving women in the cannabis industry an active and affirmative voice, among many, many other professional accomplishments.

So, one Saturday afternoon, while a cooler-than-average springtime blew through the mountain west, I gave Ms. West a phone call. And our chat was nothing like the weather; it was warm and affiliative, sharp and sweet, like the summer to come.

West began by getting us all up to speed on her recent creative activities, but also wanted to remind readers about her storied background, telling me, “I have a master’s degree in social work. I worked with the United Nations in New York, before 9/11. But I moved to Denver and got my

master’s in social work. I was working a social work position with high school students when Colorado legalized [recreational cannabis] in 2013. I’ve always enjoyed cannabis unashamedly, as a mom and whatnot.”

How West got involved with cannabis culture and the cannabis space was part of her personal and professional evolution, she continued. “This was a decade ago, and everyone thought we were crazy. Only Colorado and Washington had legalized [cannabis] … so I decided I wanted to do an event, a cannabis event, because the events I had been to . . . well I wouldn’t recommend to anyone. They were back-alley affairs, not my scene. I wanted to engage cannabis in an art gallery, for instance, with live music and

catering, like something you’d go out and do on a Friday night. So, I produced a series of events; I called them ‘Edible Events.’ This is what began my journey towards finding beautiful glassware.”

West’s events caught more than just the eyes and hearts of Denver residents, though. The local police got involved and quashed West’s foray into public smoking events, after three monumental, mediasavvy iterations. “The mayor sent a SWAT team and put an end to my cannabis events,” she recalls. But the rough actions of the local government did little to discourage West. Spurred on by the concept of aesthetically pleasing smoking environments that she had developed and championed, as well as her newfound, national public visibility

Coninuted on Page 40

(West was famously interviewed by NBC’s Brian Williams on her evolving cannabis views, and told the nation that as a mom, she smoked marijuana and thought that was just fine) she began to think seriously about the ultimate smoking apparatus.

“For those events, I wanted to have a bong bar. All they [Denver head shops, circa 2014] had were these standard bongs, which were mostly made from scientific glassware manufactured in China that was all stuck together. I was finding absolutely nothing that fit my aesthetic. I wanted something that was beautiful, that might change perceptions of the cannabis consumption experience. When I did find items I liked, they were often handmade, one-of-a-kind bongs –difficult to replace or reproduce. That’s another issue I identified when I entered the glassware space.”

The end of live cannabis events opened the door of opportunity, West relates, and gave her time to gauge her path forward.

Among her best ideas at that threshold: “I realized I could start designing and making the types of glassware that are not only fitting for cannabis events, but really speak to the postmodern cannabis experience. Consumers aren’t hiding bongs anymore; they’re putting them out when guests come. Ten years ago, this was a forbidden ritual with objects that were designed to be easily hidden... I propose the opposite.”

With the Twenties Collection, West is right on target with that concept, having designed and delivered a product that is truly epic. The materials she chose, including 100 percent borosilicate glass, make

these pieces sturdy in a way lab glass can never aspire to, and the stunning design upends the entire way consumers have viewed and used bongs since time immemorial. The Twenties Collection consists of alluring art objects that are as beautiful as they are useful. West is keen on these concerns, and told us, “In designing, I take into account every aspect of functionality, especially the cleaning part. I’ve seen a lot of beautiful bongs out there that are impossible to clean; the Twenties Collection addresses this common concern through design. It’s not just a functional object that’s aesthetically pleasing . . . I want something that kindles memories of the past, that fits into the aesthetic of our homes— but also something that is “new” and “wow,” in the sense it’s something you haven’t seen before.”

Coninuted on Page 42

Consumers aren’t hiding bongs anymore; they’re putting them out when guests come. Ten years ago, this was a forbidden ritual with objects that were designed to be easily hidden... I propose the opposite.

That sense of freshness, that postmodern newness that West Aspires to, she reminds us, is lighting up this year. “We all want to maximize our cannabis experience,” West opines. “Really, nothing compares to the ritual that goes along with grinding your flower, releasing those terpenes, smelling that flower, putting it into a bong, lighting it, and inhaling the smoke. The high that results is really unique. Nothing compares to that experience. A decade ago, when I started, big time companies were like, ‘flower’s gonna be dead, that’s over.’ I’m so glad it hasn’t gone that direction; now, across the country, it’s still the way for most consumers. The Twenties Collection is the perfect way to keep that fire burning.”

Everybody says this, but we really do feel like family. I believe if you talk to anyone on my team, everyone will say that . . . We are nothing without our entire team behind us,

BACK TO THE ROOTS

Uplift: A ‘Pipe Dream’ the Pandemic Couldn’t Crush

By Matt Weeks

I

magine you’ve custom-built your dream car, painted it fresh, and are finally sitting behind the wheel of your first ride when—BAM!—you’re sideswiped by a semi. That’s what happened to Uplift CBD. Months after launching, the healthfocused cannabis company came face to face with the COVID-19 pandemic.

But that didn’t stop Sales VP Joe Teyssier and the team from moving forward. It just altered their timeline.

“We had the concept in 2018, but we didn’t launch until 2019. We finally got to our first show at CHAMPS Orlando—and we killed it. Everything started exploding after that,” he said. “Then the pandemic hit, and trade shows started getting canceled. And then we were just four people working in a small room.”

While every business took a hit from shutdowns of 2020-21, it was especially challenging for new operations to absorb the blow. But even if they

Continued on page 54

couldn’t hit trade shows, the Uplift team wasn’t about to go gentle. They maintained their manufacturing lines, kept selling what they could, and they turned the rest of their energy inward.

The four-person company spent the shutdown reworking their brand’s image by overhauling the website and refashioning their look.

“We tried to stay away from a ‘smoke shop look’ on our website and in our product designs because we came to this from a health and wellness background. We always wanted to keep it clean looking. We have colors, but nothing too distracting. We don’t have any mascots,” Teyssier said. “We really try to keep everything looking clean. We wanted to consider ourselves as a Bed Bath and

Back in Business

The facelift worked, and it wasn’t long after the masks came off that Uplift turned things around. As soon as he could, Teyssier went back on the road, pressing the flesh and inking deals at trade shows.

But as he mingled with retailers and manufacturers, he realized his company had re-emerged into a new reality. He noticed the ground beneath them was shifting. Postpandemic consumers were interested in new products: minor cannabinoids.

Using the muscles they had built during their quick pivot during the pandemic, the Uplift team began testing their own versions of Delta 8, HHC, THCP, and THC-A.

Education has always been a big thing for us. We try to be as transparent as possible. Even when providing products to shops, we give them educational information so that their employees are able to sell their product as well as we can.

Beyond or like an Apple of the CBD space so that when we were able to go to shows again, we could show people that we have a good product and a good brand. And we were pretty much prepared for that for when the world opened back up and we could reintroduce ourselves.”

“At first, we weren’t really producing anything that had a euphoric effect. We were more focused on CBD for the health benefits, whether it be pain relief, or help with sleep or anxiety, and we still are true believers in that and care about that, but it was kind of adapt-or-die market where we had to move into the uplifting cannabinoids to move forward,” Teyssier said.

But Uplift needed to do it their own way. They continued to self-manufacture products to maintain a consistently high level of quality and poured new energy into educating their partners.

“Education has always been a big thing for us,” Teyssier said. “We try to be as transparent as possible. Even when providing products to shops, we give them educational information so that their employees are able to sell their product as well as we can.”

And it’s not just talk. Ask him about what separates one cannabinoid from the others and Teyssier will deliver a clear, informative explanation off the cuff. But he’s just as sharp when explaining the market, and where he thinks it’s going.

All in the Family

Uplift grew out of the longtime Florida smoke shop Pipe Dreamz St. Pete.

Teyssier worked there while earning a degree in business management. Just as he was about to graduate and move toward bigger, the owner approached him with the idea for a homegrown, health-focused CBD company.

Continued on page 58

Pictured (left to right): Uplift CEO & Founder, James Moore, Sales Director Nicole Ault & VP of Sales, Joe Tessiery Jr.

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It was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.

“Everybody says this, but we really do feel like family,” he said. “I believe if you talk to anyone on my team, everyone will say that. We do a lot for our employees. We do events for them once a quarter and buy food for them on Fridays. We try to make sure everyone has an outlet, where they can speak and be heard.”

He’s not just blowing smoke, aside from maybe a bit of that THCA flower. The team dynamic is strong, and the love, unmistakable.

“We are nothing without our entire team behind us,” Teyssier states warmly. “From our production staff to our graphic designers, we appreciate every single member of our staff who moves Uplift forward.

“I should also mention Nicole,” he adds, referencing their Sales Director. “She was essential in getting the brand off the ground.”

Now that Uplift has entered financial maturity, he’s concentrating on the problem of scaling. He wants to make sure their growth doesn’t cause a drop in quality. And he’s keeping a watchful eye out for the next market shift.

Back to the Future

“Cannabinoids might be popular now, but their future is unclear,” Teyssier said.

Our biggest sellers right now are the THCA products, by far. Our THCA flower is a dispensary-grade flower. It’s honestly amazing. I can’t say enough good things about it

“Our biggest sellers right now are the THCA products, by far. Our THCA flower is a dispensarygrade flower. It’s honestly amazing. I can’t say enough good things about it,” he said. “That’s been our best seller, but there are a bunch of laws going on in Florida right now, and some of these products are coming under more scrutiny.”

This change, however, might be less of a new idea than the re-emergence of Uplift’s original plan.

“We’re trying to bring more back from our roots of doing different CBD products,” he said. “But as we move forward, we’re looking at more health-centered ideas, like re-innovating like a lot of our CBD products. And we’re looking at functional mushrooms, different vitamins, anything like that. It’s great for us because health is where our core really is. We live in Saint Petersburg, which is a very open city, very artistic and healthy. So, we’re reflecting the culture of our city already and we definitely want to feed off that and stay authentic to who we are.”

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HOT FUN IN WARM PLACES

Enjoying Your Personal Biology While in Nature

By Kim Airs

It’s finally summer. I don’t know about you, but I sure have been looking forward to it! It’s the time of year that we can get away with wearing less, doing less (maybe) and being in a happy mood more often, sparked by an extra blast of sun and even more cannabis fun! And a few other things, for sure.

As the sophomoric, but insightful chant goes, “Hey, hey! It’s the first of May – outdoor fucking begins today!” Granted, it’s past that date, but hopefully you’ve been making up for lost time.

into the Sierras (no kidding). I want to have a sex toy at the ready, so I’ll pack a small bullet vibe with me and a slender, more all purpose one when I want to do an inside job, if you know what I mean. I’ll bring rechargeable ones because I’m gonna eventually be near a power source and I don’t want to have to schlep batteries with me. I mean, flashlight batteries don’t fit in a bullet vibe! Plus, they hold a

kind of hanky panky or sex toy frenzy. Or even if you need to wipe your face after an outdoor snack or hell, even to wipe a baby’s ass!

I like the little Nixie Smooch because if I leave it in a pocket or out somewhere, I don’t have to be embarrassed by it. And it’s pretty powerful.

Maybe you’re gonna start your summer off with a camping getaway or aforementioned outdoor play or even wet sex that involves rivers, streams, pools, skinny dipping… good ol’ clean (but dirty) fun!

You’ve probably figured out how many pre-rolls, lighters, vapes, and extra things that you’ll take that will contribute to an even more fun experience, no matter where you have it. So why not take some of your trusty sex toys with you when you pack your high?

I like keeping things simple when I go camping, which is usually what happens when I toss my gear on the back of my motorcycle and head north

charge for a long time. I like the little Nixie Smooch because if I leave it in a pocket or out somewhere, I don’t have to be embarrassed by it. And it’s pretty powerful.

I have a new friend, too. It’s by Selopa and it’s compact enough to bring with me. It’s the Lemon Squeeze.

Yeah, I know you’re thinking that maybe that’s kinda small for an insertable vibe but what it lacks in size, makes up for in power and compactness. I like to slip it inside for g spot fun but it’s versatile to use on the outside or even over any kind of action you have between your legs. It’s silicone, too, making cleaning up a snap. Speaking of which, make sure you have baby wipes handy–it makes for a quick cleanup after any

Now what about a comfy cock ring? I think that not only would they be comfortable to wear during a hike, keeping your junk from rubbing against your sweaty crotch, but could come in handy as an emergency something, which can easily happen when you’re camping. Need a ring to hold two things together? Need to tie your long hair back? Need to hang something from a ring? Some of the cock rings out there can be very useful when you just need, well, a ring!

There’s no need to leave your pleasure devices at home when you head outside for adventure. Think of these as accessories to the good time you’ll have in your head and the experiences you’ll have in your physical body. You’ll thank me later.

See you next month!

Nixie Smooch Lemon Squeeze

VIBEN OUT

VIBEN OUT

Viben: A Veritable Pleasure Playground for Women

The vibes are right! Viben is a woman-owned and run company and would like to introduce you to a world of sex toys tailor-made for a woman’s pleasure; a wonderful land of opportunity where every product is tested and perfected to accommodate any needs that may arise.

Viben makes toys that are a veritable pleasure playground created for women, by women. It’s not just a tagline but an ethos for the company, with women making up nearly 85 percent of its total workforce, including every leadership role and a majority of warehouse staff.

The creation of Viben was a response to an industry that, despite its target demographic, had long been dominated by male-centric designs and perspectives. “When I got into the industry 20 years ago, it was very male-centric, which just doesn’t make much sense given that a majority of the products are geared towards women and women-identifying people,” President and CEO Bonnie Feingold stated, highlighting the shift she hoped to bring about with Viben.

The brand set out to ensure that its products weren’t just effective but also reflected the needs and tastes of its primarily female audience. Viben prides itself on offering products that are safe, luxurious, and pleasurable –and it’s a quality over quantity game that Viben is playing.

By Ryan Mills

“It has to be perfect,” Feingold continued, emphasizing the brand’s commitment to high standards. “We don’t look anything like we did 10, or even five years ago—we are constantly improving, constantly upgrading and evolving our methods, tech and product offering. Perfection isn’t just a lofty goal, but an everyday pursuit.”

Viben is ramping up the pleasure principle with a smart, seductive, and unapologetically feminine touch. Its mission is clear: to shake up the space while delivering delight at level 10.

Mixing Business with Pleasure

Saunter into the domain of Viben and you’re in for a treat. Each product is an audacious statement of style, punctuated by an equally vibrant display of sensuality; a feast for the senses dressed up in sultry purples and teasing florals practically begging to be touched. But it’s not just looks; these toys pack a punch where it counts.

of all shapes and sizes with a pliable silicone construction and a few extra bells and whistles to adapt to whatever need is at hand.

True to its mission, Viben doesn’t just acknowledge diversity—it celebrates

Viben would like to build relationships with its customers like it builds orgasms—thoroughly and thoughtfully—and they may have just tapped into what makes people tick, purr and come back for more.

“We listen, we learn and we lavish them with the next big thing,” Feingold adds.

. . . we are constantly improving, constantly upgrading and evolving our methods, tech and product o ering. Perfection isn’t just a lofty goal, but an everyday pursuit. —Bonnie Feingold

I’m sure you’re familiar with The Rabbit; the exciting little contraption that does so, so much. Well, Viben has brought that storied toy into the year 2024 by giving it a body inclusive makeover. Essentially, the toy has been reimagined to accommodate people

it, designing products that conform to and flatter every body shape and size –think premium silicone, rechargeable capabilities and designs that are as intuitive as they are indulgent.

“Our designs aren’t just sexy; they’re designed to fit into every curve and contour of our diverse clientele,” Feingold continues.

The future for Viben? It’s looking lush. Every new release is meticulously curated. From the product design to the materials to the packaging, every component is meant to be crafted and craved. In the vast expanse of the adult toy industry, Viben is the bold whisper in the dark, promising pleasures not just made, but deliberately designed, for the ultimate satisfaction. Turn the lights down low and let Viben show you just how delicious they can be.

MIAMI SEXOLOGIST: YOU CAN DO BETTER

Dr. Mindy DeSeta is Breaking the Barriers Between Mental Health & Sexual Wellbeing

By Ryan Mills

Mental health and sexual wellness go together like sex toys and… well, you get it. And if Dr. Mindy has anything to do with it, that sex toy is going to be the perfect fit—for your anatomy, your wants and needs, and even your budget. As a licensed mental health counselor with her own practice in the heat of Miami, along with the resident sexologist for XGen Products, Dr. Mindy is on a mission to change the narrative around sex.

“Sex is between the ears, not just the legs,” she states. “Everything impacts the libido. If something affects you mentally, most likely it will have a direct impact on your libido as well.”

What that means in plain language is that if you’re stressed about your sexual performance, you’re more likely to encounter performance-related issues. Not to worry though! “This is something that is easily treatable,” Dr. DeSeta reassures.

Embracing the Heat

It’s no accident that Dr. Mindy ended up in Miami. The unapologetic celebration of beauty and sensuality in a melting pot of cultures drew her in like a moth to the flame. After practicing traditional therapy for several years, she quickly realized the profound impact of sexual challenges on individuals and couples alike.

“Everyone can live an enjoyable sex life,” Dr. DeSeta continues. “There are so many stigmas and barriers that prevent people from experiencing the depth of pleasure available to them, or from reaching out for help when that pleasure can no longer be accessed for whatever the cause.”

This revelation led her back to the University of Miami where she obtained her PhD in human sexuality – which happened to coincide with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. As the world grappled with lockdowns and loss, Dr. Mindy noticed a trend: a significant drop in libido among her clients, particularly those in their mid-20s to mid-30s. If you’ll recall, it was predicted that there would be a “baby boom” after lockdown, but what Dr. Mindy saw was the exact opposite.

This period of global uncertainty and the anxiety it caused her patients underlined her understanding that libido is directly affected by the state of our mental health. Miami, with its passionate culture and high societal expectations, presented a unique backdrop for these challenges. Dr. Mindy found herself navigating a landscape where

Sex is between the ears, not just the legs. Everything impacts the libido. If something affects you mentally, most likely it will have a direct impact on your libido as well.

performance anxiety thrived, fueled by the perceived expectations displayed in porn, lingering cultural traditions that discourage therapy, and the deep spiritual and religious ties that may handcuff someone to guilt.

Sexpert Witness

Dr. Mindy’s dedication to breaking the stigma around seeking help for sexual challenges is tangible. Not sure about therapy, or need help choosing the right therapist? Dr. Mindy offers free 15-minute consultations with potential clients in order to help find the right fit. Or if YouTube is more your speed, check out her cadre of tips on everything from which sex toy can up your oral sex game, to how to navigate sex with strangers or even that hookup with a friend that you have a lot of questions about. Shattering

those stigmas led her to a partnership with XGen as their resident Sexologist. For three years now, Dr. Mindy has brought an educational and mental health perspective to the adult product market, hosting “Ask a Sexologist” nights and reviewing new-to-market products, toys and lingerie.

“I love working with the people in this industry and this is such a fun role,” Dr. DeSeta added. “Every time a new product drops, XGen sends it to me to review so I can help determine what demo it’s best for and help guide people through choosing the right toy for them. Yes, it’s a sex toy, but it’s also a tool for sexual health and can be incorporated into every type of relationship.”XGen even offers courses designed by Dr. Mindy that are enjoyable, bite-sized offerings that cover a range of topics to guide you to a deeper knowledge and understanding of the mental health

Everyone can live an enjoyable sex life. There are so many stigmas and barriers that prevent people from experiencing the depth of pleasure available to them . . .

component related to the products they offer. These courses are engineered to provide a pleasure-based overview of anatomy, sexual response, and ultimately how to help your customers purchase their next perfect product.

Despite the strides made in normalizing the use of sex toys, Dr. Mindy acknowledges the lingering stigma, especially when introducing toys into couple’s play. Her advice: Communication is key. Having an open dialogue about desires and boundaries can transform the experience, making it a journey of mutual exploration and discovery.

Dr. Mindy’s mission is clear: to empower individuals and couples alike to embrace their sexuality with confidence and joy, regardless of stereotypes. By blending professional counseling with a deep understanding of sexual wellness, she is helping to create a world where pleasure and mental health are not just connected but celebrated. Her dedication is paving the way for a future where talking about and exploring sexuality is as natural as sex toys and… well, you get it.

Digital booklet available for free on Dr. Mindy’s Website! Scan here.

Viben Symphony Rabbit

We’re living in the golden age of sex toys and the Viben Symphony is literal, physical proof. It’s an insertable rabbit vibrator for the year 2024 designed with sexy body inclusivity in mind. People of all shapes and sizes can access stratospheric pleasure with its pliable, silky smooth silicone construction that conforms to, and flatters every type of body, with three powerful speeds and seven intense vibration patterns.

But the way to find yourself all the way down the rabbit hole is through the toy’s swiveling extension that can be used for either clitoral vibration or suction. This is a master’s class in harmonizing insertable vibration, customizable clitoral stimulation, and suction to reach those peaks–or depths–that pack a punch. Perfect for either single or couple’s play, USB rechargeable and splashproof, and available in luscious violet.

GOAT Strips

Go from zero to hero in record time with The GOAT male enhancement sublingual strips. Fast-acting in five to ten minutes, The GOAT’s proprietary blend easily outperforms the competition so that size, stamina and performance are available precisely when you need it–not in hours. Not only does The GOAT offer the sprint, but it’s also in it for the marathon with sustained effects that will last longer than a director’s cut of Lord of the Rings. And because safety and quality are prioritized in every aspect of the product, you can enjoy some good, clean fun, ensuring that the only thing you’ll need to worry about is your performance review at work the next day.

Whether you’re trying to impress someone new or looking to keep the fire burning at home, The GOAT promises a performance so potent, your partner will want to enshrine you as the greatest of all time.

SWEET RELEAF

Amid Calls for Regulation From Both Inside & Outside the Industry, Feds Ponder the Plant’s Future

One look at the official US Food and Drug Administration web page devoted to kratom makes clear that the Biden administration is certainly interested in the leaves of the plant known scientifically as Mitragyna Speciosa. The thing is the attention that the federal agency is giving kratom is not really positive. In fact, as pointed out by members of the American Kratom Association, much of the FDA’s language regarding the plant and its use by Americans is skewed towards a viewpoint that sees kratom as a potential threat to consumers.

But Kratom is everywhere; products containing the plant, whether in the form of leaves, tinctures, or concentrates are sold in shops spanning America from coast to coast – unless you happen to live in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, or Wisconsin, where the plant has been totally banned. Additionally, city or county ordinances in San Diego, California; Denver, Colorado; Sarasota County in Florida; and Union County in Mississippi have deemed the plant illegal for human consumption.

Given those parameters, it’s still likely that there’s probably a shelf or an aisle devoted

By Rudy Carrillo

to the product at your shop. Even the feds admit that “Kratom is often used to self-treat conditions such as pain, coughing, diarrhea, anxiety and depression, opioid use disorder, and opioid withdrawal.” The fact that “an estimated 1.7 million Americans . . . used kratom in 2021” seems to point to the fact that such use is safe and effective, if mostly unregulated.

And that’s the operative concept here regarding kratom: regulation. Users and retailers all speak of the plant’s effectiveness, but until the feds commit to further testing and a clarification of their policies surrounding kratom, its status as a legal, regulated substance available to consumers remains murky at best.

But there has been some progress. Recent news releases by the FDA indicate an evolution in their stance on kratom. This slow movement forward—the FDA is planning on releasing the findings of its recent studies on kratom dosages as well as on the plant’s potential for abuse and addiction in the fall—has been countered with a growth in lawsuits related to consumer deaths and injuries resulting from kratom’s alleged misuse.

According to some members of the kratom manufacturing and wholesale industry, concrete plans —and ultimately regulation—would not only help guide consumers in their purchases, but would also afford the industry a level of oversight that would guarantee freshness, purity, and safety while also fencing out manufacturers of adulterated and sometimes dangerous kratom-derived products. This sort of regulation would be a starting point toward eliminating the dangers some see in kratom use.

“I think that for me, speaking for myself, regulation is part of doing business in the United States,” says Drake Fischer of Durity Distribution. No stranger to

our readers, Durity, based in Boise, Idaho, is a leading manufacturer and distributor of kratom products, including Mit Therapy Extract Enhanced Kratom and Vital Elements Kratom. “I don’t view regulation as a bad thing,” he continues, “It helps stabilize markets. Overall, regulation of the kratom industry could be good in terms of helping the consumer deal more confidently when buying kratom products. Consumers view regulation as a good thing; they know that it means that some guy isn’t making this stuff in his garage.”

An informed entrepreneur, Fischer knows the importance of labeling and testing, adding, “Having some way to verify exactly what’s in the bag or jar that they are purchasing, whatever it is that your kratom comes in, is important. Being able to confirm that the product is exactly what it says it is, what it is advertised as, that it’s healthy and not harmful, leads to consumer satisfaction. Nobody can complain about that because consumers really appreciate the right information.”

The lack of labeling guidelines established by an authority like the FDA has led to problems, Fischer reasons. “Unfortunately, in this space, there are people who get away with lying about their products. Some of them flat out don’t know anything about the product they’re manufacturing or wholesaling. A bit of federal regulation will help that.”

Fischer knows what he’s talking about. As he puts it, he’s involved in the industry “from tip to tail.” His direct presence includes five retail outlets and a massive wholesale operation. “We carry 30 or 40 brands of kratom and 70 or 80 different products, and we manufacture our own brand of kratom, Mit Therapy,” he qualifies, while describing the current regulatory environment, which he says is mostly selfadministered–without the benefit of government support.

“We do in-house production of capsules, powders, liquids . . . we

Poison Control Center Calls, 2020-2022

Kratom Populartiy by Search Rate,

4/2019-4/2024

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.

Continued on Page 76

Source: American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC)

do everything we can to maintain GMP-certified practices. I really try to keep our processes above the standards, and I’m realistic about that. Also, there are standards that have been set by the American Kratom Association. We follow those guidelines. There are a lot of people trying hard to self-regulate the space. But having federal backup would help out. It would level the playing field.”

But, despite a recent evolution in the federal regulatory environment, like last month’s government admission that their testing was unable to determine dose-based toxicity levels for kratom, there continues to be pushback from the FDA.

Kratom concentrates are the focus of current FDA inquiries into product safety, as well potential

legal liabilities in today’s consumer environment. A number of lawsuits, particularly in Florida have recently resulted from human deaths due to alleged misuse of kratom— specifically due to improper labeling and product concentration claims. Fischer has some good ideas about those situations, adding, “I think water can be dangerous if not consumed reasonably. I don’t think we should be telling people what they can and can’t put in their bodies. That said, I understand that some of these alkaloids can be scary to people, that they could be potentially harmful. Some of them might be beneficial. The key here is that we have to look out for the consumers that might act like idiots with the potentially harmful stuff. That’s why regulation is so important to the entire space. Ideally, manufacturers (who have

questions about the safety of their product) should take their case to the AKA, where some regulatory basics can be determined and used. Instead of that, we’ve got all sorts of brands bypassing that framework.”

Enlisting government support to regulate kratom would aid the AKA’s efforts and lead to less controversy, safer dosing, and happier consumers, Fischer concludes.

Until regulators understand the nature of kratom and the consumer demand for its well-recognized benefits, self-regulation and responsible business owners, such as Drake Fischer, are the only defense against the ongoing and often unjustified backlash.

I don’t view regulation as a bad thing. It helps stabilize markets . . . Consumers view regulation as a good thing; they know that it means that some guy isn’t making this stu in his garage.

Kratom State-by-State Legality Map, 20242

2Additionally, there are specific city or county bans in place, such as in San Diego, California; Denver, Colorado; Sarasota County, Florida; and Union County, Mississippi. These regulations can change, so it’s advisable to check local laws if you’re looking for the most current information on kratom’s legal status in specific areas. Note: This is not legal advice and laws are subject to change. For the specifics of your state or region, consult with a lawyer.

-Drake Fischer, Durity Distribution

WHAT DO WE REALLY KNOW?

Volume 3: Finding the Slant

By Matt Weeks

Author’s Note: This is the third part of HQ’s investigation into “What Do We Really Know?” Part II examined how social media impacts our perception of reality and ourselves, and suggested a more mindful engagement with technology as a way to counteract these influences. To catch up, scan the QR below

“Chumps prefer a beautiful lie to an ugly truth.” — Iceberg Slim, hustler extraordinaire

Nearly everyone alive believes the media is biased. Most of us can name the bias of every major newspaper and cable channel as easily as we can recite the ABCs. If you’re in that majority, certain that you can determine slant from a distance, this test is for you.

It’s simple: See if you can identify the publications (and thus the bias) from their headlines alone.

To make it fair, the selected frontpage headlines all cover the same story (when a case about government influence over social media platforms came before the Supreme Court) and were all published on the same day (Monday, March 18, 2024). Two liberal and two conservative newspapers were chosen: the New York Times Washington Post , Street Journal , and the Washington Times if you can match the headline to its publication.

No cheating.

A: Justices Skeptical of GOP Claims of Censoring | Plainti s allege that government pressure led online platforms to muzzle their views

B: Justices consider tech contacts | MOST SEEM TO BACK BIDEN EFFORT | At issue: O cials’ ability to push for post removals

C. COURT SKEPTICAL OF STATES’ CLAIM ON FREE SPEECH | CASE ON SOCIAL MEDIA | Justices Wary of Curbing Federal Bias to Sway Tech Platforms

D. Justices wary of limiting government communications with social media

Was that as easy as you thought it would be? By all accounts, any political slant should show up in these headlines. After all, they concern both the Biden

certain of your answers. In fact, it’s hard to spot the slant at all. The answers, in order, are W SJ, WaPo, NYT, WT

The purpose of this little quiz is to demonstrate an uncomfortable truth. Almost to a person, our country is very bad at identifying bias, even though we think we’re great at it. That combination primes us to believe in misinformation.

Ask any conman who’s the best mark, and they’ll tell you it’s the guy who thinks he’s too smart to fall for the trick. The only people who pony up money for a shot at three-card monte are the ones who are sure they’ll get it right.

But it’s hard for any of us to accept that we might be chumps. Awfully hard.

Continued on Page 82

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We have to recognize that spotting media bias is less a skill and more a practice, one that demands continuous attention and a readiness to update our own viewpoints in light of new information.

Accepting the Truth

If you did poorly on the quiz, there’s a better-thanaverage chance you’ve already rationalized away the lesson. You may have told yourself the stories are not reflective of these papers’ normal output, or that they were chosen exactly because they were tricky, or that a headline doesn’t provide enough context to reveal slant. There is a kind of ego preservation tactic, and it prevents us from accepting information we don’t like. If you spend time in any comment section, you can watch this place out ad nauseum.

But don’t lose hope. You’re actually better at this than this exercise might imply. If you were to look at the website for Fox News and CNN, you could quickly identify the bias—even if the site names were blacked out. It’s only when you see a headline out of context that it’s suddenly difficult to discern it’s lean.

In other words, our inability to spot bias is really a problem of incomplete information.

Confronting the Other Bias

If we’re going to overcome our inability to spot media bias, we must begin by understanding it’s something we’re bad at. That part isn’t really our fault. Media outlets have become extremely adept at hiding their biases. They’ve had to.

That means we’re going to have to overcome our own bias, the one that makes us think of ourselves as betterthan-average readers. We must accept that whether we’re scanning the headlines from Apple News or scrolling through Facebook, we’re not as sophisticated at ferreting out bias as we think.

Unfortunately, the way we consume news now is almost exclusively through formats that provide incomplete information. (Full confession: the author of this piece had to look up the answers as well, even though he had typed the exercise up just one day before. He had the answers and couldn’t get it right. He is not judging you.)

In a presidential election year, it’s easy to see how our blindness to bias can lead to real consequences.

As we increasingly turn to social media apps and headline aggregators to keep us informed, we’re more likely to encounter nugget-sized snippets instead of full, well-reported stories. This means it’s likely that we—the smart, sophisticated readers of this magazine—might get totally hosed.

Unless, of course, we learn a few lessons.

The latest data estimates that Americans burn through 3 to 6 hours every day staring at mobile screens. During that time, we’re not browsing news apps. Instead, we encounter news by thumbing social apps—the breeding grounds for those McNuggets of misinformation. We’re rarely given the time and space to consider the news. We read a short burst of a story— just enough to register an emotional reaction— then get pushed forward. Today’s apps want to keep us moving, watching another video, scrolling to the next headline, reading a new comment.

We have to recognize that spotting media bias is less a skill and more a practice, one that demands continuous attention and a readiness to update our own viewpoints in light of new information. We can’t assume that our technology is one step behind us anymore.

Before we share, comment, or become incensed by another headline—we need to stop and consider that we’re likely falling for the latest twist on the oldest con in the game: falling for the beautiful lie instead of the ugly truth.

THE HEMP REPORT

June 2024 Edition

Industry’s Future: Outlook Uncertain

By Jeff Beverly & Nick Zavakos

It’s Red Alert for the hemp sector, as impending legal and regulatory shifts across the United States threaten to all but eliminate its key products. From Iowa’s legislative adjustments to the collective push by 21 state attorneys general for stricter hemp product regulations, business owners find themselves navigating a complex maze of statespecific laws and looming federal adjustments.

Iowa’s Choice: Protect MMJ

10mg container, alongside introducing age restrictions and warning labels.

Meanwhile, Iowa’s Senate passed a bill doubling the maximum number of licenses available for medical cannabis dispensaries. There is a clear desire to promote the medical marijuana industry at the expense of the state’s functional hemp marketplace.

State Specific Trends: A Patchwork of Regulations

The legislative fabric across the states presents a patchwork quilt of regulatory approaches, each with its unique implications for hemp business owners:

South Carolina

The Palmetto State has signaled a supportive stance towards the hemp industry, aiming to foster growth with favorable regulations. This is a boon of optimism for businesses within the state, suggesting a trend towards recognizing the hemp sector’s economic potential.

Georgia

The Peach State finds itself embroiled in a legal battle over mislabeled hemp products, highlighting the critical need for rigorous testing and accurate labeling. The lawsuit against major cannabis brands for selling marijuana as legal hemp is a grim reminder of the importance of legal compliance and integrity.

Florida

Going right down the seaboard, industry players in Florida are bracing for the impact of Senate Bill 1698, a new hemp regulation bill poised to unravel the current legal framework for hemp and hemp extract products. The Coninuted on Page 90

The Federal Call for Action: A Unifying Voice Needed

Amidst state-level adjustments, a collective push by 21 state attorneys general for stricter federal regulations on hemp products raises concerns over the industry’s future. Especially with the Farm Bill

being reauthorized at the end of fiscal year 2024. The ambiguity surrounding the 0.3% THC threshold and the proliferation of alternative cannabinoid products prompts a reevaluation of the legal definition of

hemp. Business owners are encouraged to advocate for regulations that balance consumer safety with industry growth, with an emphasis on the need for a harmonious federal and state regulatory framework.

Delta-8 Populartiy by Search Rate, 4/2019-4/2024

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.

Forward Together: Navigating the Legal Maze

State Specific Trends: (cont.)

Florida (Cont.)

legislation’s stringent THC concentration limits (Delta-9 only, max 5mg per serving/50mg per package) and packaging standards loom ominously as businesses scramble to adapt.

South Dakota

Legislation has been passed prohibiting the chemical modification of industrial hemp, aiming to curb the sale of psychoactive substances. This law emphasizes the distinction between naturally derived cannabinoids and those resulting from chemical processes, compelling businesses to adopt natural extraction methods.

Tennessee

The South’s bastion of country music and Christian rock has proposed serious limitations that threaten to impact the local THC-A market and trigger shifts in consumer behavior towards out-of-state or online purchases. While products with delta-9 THC levels below 0.3% are still legal, THC-A products are in danger of facing strict regulations.

As business owners in the hemp industry, the path forward involves not just compliance but active engagement in shaping the legal environment. By understanding state-specific regulations, advocating for sensible federal policies, and ensuring product integrity, businesses can navigate the complexities of the legal landscape while continuing to foster growth and innovation.

The call to action is clear: stay informed, engage in

advocacy, and adapt to the evolving regulatory environment. Together, we can steer the hemp industry towards a future marked by responsible business practices, consumer safety, and continued prosperity.

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 state-by-state legislation, as well as provide products that remain compliant within those new frameworks . “Stay in the Know with Know Naturals!”

Minnesota

With the state moving towards legal adult-use cannabis, heightened scrutiny is on the hemp industry, especially regarding compliance with THC limits. Enforcement efforts aim to ensure hemp products do not surpass legal THC concentrations, with significant fines for violations.

Jeff Bezos saw it before the rest of us, mere mortals. His visionary instinct fundamentally changed consumer behavior globally, setting new standards for the retail industry and significantly accelerating the adoption of online shopping. I mean, raise your hand if you do not enjoy the leisure and pleasures of Amazon Prime.

Adding to this already enduring trend, the COVID-19 pandemic sealed the e-deal, driving more and more consumers to their screens for their various consumer urges and impulses. According to a survey conducted by the United Nations Conference on

Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the pandemic has accelerated the shift towards digital commerce and changed online shopping habits in a way that is expected to have enduring effects. Beyond the convenience of the digital experience, we need to dig deeper to understand its impact on shopping behavior and why it matters. Nowadays, nearly half of US shoppers rely on user-generated content like ratings and reviews to inform their purchasing decisions, which only further highlights something we already know: Social proof in the digital shopping experience is crucial (Fit Small Business). This has huge implications for the retail industry,

and the cannabis industry is no exception to this digital frenzy with platforms like Dispense, Dutchie, Jane, Leafly, Tymber (via BLAZE), Sweed, and Weedmaps at the forefront of facilitating online sales.

You may be thinking “But my small business can’t compete with these giants.” Understandable, but don’t turn the page just yet; there is hope. True, it’s an uphill battle for local stores to enter and compete in the national online marketplace, but good news: You don’t need to! What you can and should do instead is develop an e-comm strategy that helps you beat out your local competition.

Five Effective Ways to Utilize Digital Media for Customer Engagement

By Matt Weeks

Let’s be honest: digital media is seductive. It slyly promises to make marketing easy— frictionless, even. You already own all the equipment you need. Your customers are addicted to it. You can’t lose!

But every deal with the devil begins with a bargain that’s too good to be true.

The truth is that digital media might be easy to learn, but it’s

IN WE TRUST

The Small Shop Shu e: Converting Digital Sales Into Foot Tra c

hard to master. Many businesses flounder around various apps, randomly uploading content without any strategy. And all promised rewards (engagement, enthusiasm, interest) fail to materialize.

If you want to make the most of today’s most powerful marketing tools, don’t fall for the sweet nothings that

By Sofia Noillif

Now, let’s seize that opportunity by jumping on the e-train.

Know Your Place: Stay Local and Do You

Once again, we turned back to our data science guru, Dr. Gaby Pogge, and pinned her down for the goods, asking her point blank, how a small business can implement an e-commerce store effectively.

“E-comm offers an opportunity to extend your inbound methods for driving traffic to your website. Doing this effectively means establishing a localized, targeted online presence in your surrounding areas. You should see your e-comm opportunity not just as an additional source

businesses a shipping-only e-comm model actually works against a localized, inbound sales strategy.

Assuming you’re not trying to shutter the doors of your storefront, you need your e-comm store to drive more foot traffic to your physical locations in addition to facilitating online purchases.

“You need your online store and physical storefront to work handin-hand, not compete against each other,” Dr. Pogge explains. “To get the most out of your e-comm store, consider offering an option to place orders online but pick up purchases in-store.”

You need your online store and physical storefront to work handin-hand, not compete against each other

Facebook and TikTok whisper in your ear. They are goliaths masquerading as coquettes. If you want to play the game, you need to be crafty. Here are five ways to get more from your socials.

Become 100% That Niche

Too many business owners dive facefirst into digital media without first checking the waters. As a business owner, your goal should be to join a community that already exists, not simply pump out content and blast it into the void.

As many of our readers can confirm, this model for fulfilling online orders became popular during the pandemic – and continues to persist.

For people who prefer to peek at their options before walking in, e-comm stores offer a chance for them to think about what they like, see pricing, and figure out any questions they might have before going “live shopping.”

Although shipping is (generally) hassle-free for consumers, it lacks the personalized experiences that have long been central to transactions in this industry. Not to mention, have you ever tried to deal with UPS customer service over the phone? Of course, you have—and you know what a nightmare it can be. That’s a drag for your operations, but a boon for your local appeal. At Dr. Pogge’s behest, let’s pause here for a moment to think about why this in-store pickup option for online orders has persisted in our return to (relative) normality post-pandemic. What added benefits might consumers experience when they follow up an online order

So, before you post, it’s important to spend time observing the space. Watch how your target customers interact with other accounts. Note who they follow. Maybe the local library’s Instagram is popular. It could be that everyone keeps tabs on the roaming Vietnamese food truck. Pay close attention. Note which local accounts (business and personal) have large followings. Observe the language they use, the accounts they interact with, the way they post. Only once you have a sufficient understanding of your local discourse community is it smart to get involved.

Post Product Reviews

This is one of those tips that’s almost more of a necessity. In this space, there is simply too much stuff for consumers to keep up with. New products come out every month. But your customers don’t want to hear what was in your latest order. They want the inside track, expert advice.

If you’ve got something new and cool, film an unboxing video. Discuss what the product does well, what kind of quality a consumer can expect from the brand and, crucially, talk about its drawbacks. Honesty is invaluable in fostering customer trust, and showcasing this through product reviews can be very effective.

If you’re a little down on a product, bring in an employee or two to toss in their two cents. The idea is to foster a dialogue, let the customer know what’s available, provide them with the vocabulary to discuss products, and let them know you’re a trusted source for questions.

with an in-store pickup at your physical location? Maybe that looks something like expert staff advice, opportunities for customers to touch before they buy, promotional deals, personalized offerings, or simply “good vibes.” Whatever it is that sets your store apart from the others, your website and web store should clearly demonstrate these added benefits to your potential customers.

“Leverage the enduring drive for human connection—especially in this industry—is your strategy,” Dr. Pogge says. “Once consumers put a foot in your store, you can work your good old magic.” And there’s your opportunity for the upsell. Customers who walk in to pick up online orders are 100% more likely to make additional, unplanned purchases than customers who choose to ship to home—purely because they have the opportunity to do so. Offering in-store pickup allows you to capture sales that otherwise would not occur with a purely online model.

Beyond immediate revenue generation, whether online or in-store, e-comm also offers opportunities to boost both customer retention and the insights you can gain about your customers. A loyalty program enables you to collect much more detailed customer data than POS systems typically offer, beyond the product IDs

critical to informing your marketing and sales strategy and allows you to create personalized experiences and offerings for them.”

In a previous article, we discussed the importance of tracking and measuring website performance and how you can do that with Google Analytics. Integrating your website’s performance metrics with actual sales data is crucial—otherwise, how can you know if your web strategy is actually paying off? Fortunately, Google Analytics offers a userfriendly way to achieve this with both free and paid accounts.

Particularly important to the current discussion, you can use Google Analytics to track both your website performance and your e-commerce store performance simultaneously. Integrating e-commerce operations allows for a more holistic view of business performance, linking website activity directly to sales outcomes. This is particularly valuable for businesses that traditionally operate offline, as it provides a clearer picture of the online channel’s contribution to overall sales, and again, it gives you a better picture of your customers’ buying habits.

“By marrying e-commerce with digital marketing efforts, businesses can establish a feedback loop where

Collaborate with Infl uencers

If you’re on social media, it pays to be social. So consider partnering with a few local influencers, especially if your target demographic is highly online.

The best way to build partnerships with local influencers is to let them come to you. If you have good foot traffic, put up a sign in your store that invites customers to apply to a brand ambassador program. And choose your partners with care. Look through their digital feed to see if they’re a good fit for your vibe and your customers. You’ll want to check their follower count, who they interact with, and how their online personality meshes with the vibes and your customers. You’ll want to check their follower count, who they interact with, and how their online personality meshes with the vibes of your operation. If everything is a match, go into business together.

The rewards for collaboration don’t have to be big. You can send them a sample—a new vape pen, a piece of glass—and ask them to post about it two or three times over the course of a month. Sunglasses brand hawkers created a Campus Ambassador program that provided free concert tickets and products to college students with large social media followings in exchange for posts. These collaborations can add a personal dimension to your digital presence as influencers share genuine stories and experiences with your products with their followers.

Leverage the enduring drive for human connection—especially in this industry—is your strategy. Once consumers put a foot in your store, you can work your good old magic.

Sales: Digital Vs. Brick & Mortar, 2022 Retail Sales Projection: Digital Vs. Brick & Mortar, 2025

Quick Facts:

Capital One estimates that brickand-mortar sales growth outpaced e-commerce sales growth 11.4% in 2022.

According to websitebuilderexpert.com, 40% of consumers make a purchase inperson every week.

The same website as above estimates that 59% of consumers are interested in shopping online and in-store pickup.

Despite the rise in digital shopping, physical stores remain crucial. Many customers prefer shopping in-store for items where they value the tactile experience, like clothing, furniture, and perishable goods.

influence broader sales tactics,” Dr. Pogge adds. “This synergy ensures that the e-commerce platform is not just a sales channel but a vital part of the strategic business ecosystem, enhancing competitiveness in the digital marketplace.”

From Analog to Neophyte

You might be wondering how to implement all this, especially if you’re pressed for time and not particularly tech-savvy. Starting from scratch might seem daunting, but here are some achievable steps to set you on the right track using Google Analytics. To fully leverage Google Analytics, incorporating Google Tag Manager (GTM) is essential. GTM allows you to track user behaviors or “events” on your site, some of which Google Analytics tracks automatically. However, GTM’s real power lies in its ability to monitor custom events that Google doesn’t automatically track, giving you deeper insights into user interactions.

Now, let’s get a little deeper into

five ways (cont.)

Embrace Emerging Trends

While it’s not worthwhile to hop on every TikTok trend, every year provides a half dozen memes that can be easily turned into value-added exercises for small businesses.

For example, from late 2023 through early 2024, the #ofcourse Trend flooded feeds. Hash-tagged videos with titles like “We’re plumbers,” “We’re Midwesterners,” and “I’m Kristen Chenoweth” allowed users to gently poke fun at themselves while ratcheting up views. The idea was to be self-deprecating, cheesy, and relatable—a perfect combination for a local business. Picture it now: “We’re a head shop, so of course we have a massive bong in the middle of our store.”

the weeds for the wonks out there. If you haven’t yet, setting up a GA4 account to monitor your website’s activity is a step you can’t skip. If you’re still using Universal Analytics (GA3), remember that it stopped tracking data in October 2023. It is critical to make the switch to GA4 as soon as possible to avoid losing historical data. For folks who are new to these tools, starting with Google Tag Manager is advisable. Resources like Measure School offer updated video tutorials for 2024 that break down the setup process into simple, manageable steps. Loves Data is another excellent resource, providing comprehensive insights into all things GA4, including helpful YouTube tutorials that guide you through each stage.

The setup process involves a few key steps: creating a Google Analytics account, setting up a GA4 property within your account, establishing a Google Tag Manager account, and configuring the container you’ll use for GA4 installation. Then, you’ll use GTM to tag and track desired web behaviors. Lastly, you’ll need to verify that the GA4 web tracking is correctly set up

Do Some Q&A Sessions

Here’s an easy one. Question-andanswer content does especially well on social media.

A one question, one answer video is perfectly tailored to social media users’ short attention spans. Best of all, you’re already practiced in the form. You know the annoying questions you get asked every day? They’re ripe for digital content. If you notice an uptick of customers asking about a new cannabinoid or hip brand, film a quick Q&A video and upload the short to your social media. If you can keep it brief, you’ll attract eyeballs.

through GTM. By following these steps, you’ll be on your way to effectively tying your website’s performance to your e-commerce store’s sales, providing a solid foundation for your digital marketing strategy—which can translate into increased foot traffic. Boom. Full circle.

The Takeaways

Navigating the e-commerce landscape for your cannabis accessory business can indeed seem daunting, especially when tech isn’t your forte. If diving into Google Analytics and Tag Manager feels like venturing into a digital jungle, remember, professional help is just a gig away. Hiring a freelancer to set up and manage your e-commerce analytics can be surprisingly affordable, and hey, who knows? Maybe your tech-savvy nephew could do it in his sleep. Gen-Z might break down at the thought of an eight-hour shift but put them in front of a computer screen and they’ll go all night. Plus, you might even be able to unload some of that worthless crypto they talked you into as payment. Win/win.

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!

@phreshpicks

WORDS. WORDS. WORDS?

RVol. 2: Retailers Weigh in On What’s Allowed

By Rudy Carrillo

ecently, we had gathered in this holy space called HeadQuest to talk about the ways we as consumers and retailers formally address the products we all cherish, whether those products are consumables or the hardware needed to access those consumables. That’s a fancy way of saying that we’ve been discussing hemp, cannabis and cannabis pipes—bongs too. But with language, you can’t be too careful these days, or ever, and we wanted to make it clear. We wanted to provide a baseline with a legal basis.

Because, as you yourself may have seen, the cannabis dispensary and smoke shop spaces in the USA are growing and evolving. The language related to them is sure to keep changing. That fact alone is reason enough to keep abreast of the latest cultural, linguistic—and most importantly legal—aspects of verbally invoking a certain plant and the tools associated with its use.

Headquest also recalled, with the help of legal guru Lenny Frieling, that within the past 20-plus years, there were times when the law required the use of words and terminology at the shop that didn’t associate merchandise with illegal substances, just to guarantee compliance with federal law. And yeah, like everything else in the world, times have changed. Legalization has arguably moved the goalposts.

As you may recall, in the last installment we covered language and its legal requirements, speaking to resident cannabis legal expert Larry Frieling. He had a lot to say about the legal structure that defines how and when we talk about hemp and cannabis in a retail setting— whether that setting is a headshop or a dispensary.

“There was, in order for head shops to operate properly, there had to be a protocol that was learned by both the consumer and the retailer,” Frieling recalled. “The consumer had to understand that set of rules before they went in there, they couldn’t say stuff like, ‘yeah, what’s the best way to get as high as possible right away?’ or ‘Would that be a bong or a gravity bong?’ In

such cases they might get thrown out. So the consumer needs to understand how to communicate just as much as the retailer.”

That’s a lot of information to digest without doing a dozen heady bong hits first, but basically what Frieling’s main idea comes down to is this simple set of ideas and practices: In spite of legalization, it important for retailers to understand that the government still maintains legal standards regarding the naming of cannabis-related products. It’s also important that retailers communicate clearly with consumers so that those standards are maintained during retail transactions—good communication means that retailers use legally approved language to describe their products to their customers and that consumers understand those words and use them too when talking to shop personnel.

As we told you at the end of the previous article on this arcane subject, our next job was going to be to reach out to industry leaders and our diverse community of retailers to see what words related to cannabis

Poll respondents: Embrace change, but approach with caution.

products were legally and culturally fashionable in 2024. Our respondents had some eye-opening comments on the subject at hand. For instance, Christie of Hempie’s, a chain of Hemp dispensaries popular in the Southern United States told us, “We only have allowed the words ‘Bong’ and ‘Weed’ since recreational was legalized … now if they use those words, we respond by selling them a pipe. That’s why they’re here.”

The thinking over at The Botany Bay, one of Kentucky’s premier gift shops and medical CBD purveyors, is a bit more nuanced. Brendon, a store representative revealed that, “I think it’s really funny to think people used to freak out over the word ‘Bong.’ Like none of the employees say it, but if a customer says it we just say, ‘Oh you mean waterpipe!’ They keep saying bong and we say waterpipe … We politely remind them that all of the products we sell are for tobacco and warn them not to mention the substance in question [except for medical CBD] again.” This communicative process not only strengthens client relations, but provides a framework that ensures both parties know what the other is talking about. This practice can be used with multitudes of different clients. Brendan’s boss, Ginny agrees that the language is changing, adding, “I’ve lightened up a lot about prohibited language in the shop.” She still notes that employees at The Botany Bay do their utmost to encourage proper language use among their thousands of happy customers.

Given the variety of responses, one fact comes clear, whether talking about hemp, cannabis, or the tools needed by consumers to make use of these important herbs—and it’s all tied to Lenny Frieling’s initial observations about the law and language. What you, or your customers, can say or call with regards to the above is often strictly determined by the law. And that law varies from state to state, depending on the overall status of cannabis. In Kentucky, home of The Botany Bay, medical cannabis had been legislated to become legal as of January 1, 2025; recreational use will remain illegal per federal guidelines. Per Frieling’s legal reasoning, terms like ‘bong’, ‘weed’, and even words like ‘cannabis’ and ‘hemp’ should not be used until then.

Meanwhile over in Missouri, where recreational cannabis was legalized in 2023, the rules are substantially, different allowing retailers like Christie at the Hempie’s store to be more open and specific when communicating with clients, reiterating, “if they call it a bong, we’ll sell them a bong.”

Care to weigh in? Take the poll on this and other poignant topics here!

Pichincha

Pichincha is a volcano-rich province in north-central Ecuador; it’s also the name of a super cool wholesale gift company that specializes in handmade jewelry and other highly crafted items from all over Latin America. Based in Miami, Florida, Pichincha is a woman-owned business that has been around since 1986 and was founded as a mom-and-pop enterprise that operated out of Floridian flea markets. Founder Nancy Brook and her family have grown Pichincha into “one of the leading Latin minorityrun wholesalers of its kind in the industry.” With a simple perusal of Pinchicha’s website, retailers can find every funky flavor under the tropical sun, from colorful ashtrays to worry dolls, from woven anklets to carved peace pipes and children’s toys. As for jewelry, Pichincha has your shop covered with its wide selection of earrings, rings, bracelets, pendants and lanyards. Pichincha brings the spirit, mysteries, and essence of Latin America to retailers through its artisan-made crafts and handmade jewelry.

Cycling Frog Beverages

Stache is famous for their sleek, allin-one dab rigs. They also make a righteously-designed grinder–one that features rounded teeth for a smooth process–and a digital scale that’s perfect for use with concentrates and microdoses. The operative word, it seems, with this group of professional upstarts (they started out just 9 years ago, in 2015) is innovation. In fact, Stache founder, Rod, says that the company’s quest to bring innovative products to the public “will never stop.” This focus on new products for a new age first resulted in “the first portable dab setup for customers” and recently came full circle when Stache debuted the ConNectar charging system, which ensures convenience and portability with just a small battery. As founder Rod tells it, “Our desire to continue designing unique products will never stop.” Visit Stache online today for an assortment of some of the most inventive accessories on the market.

Who has ever heard of a cycling frog? Well, after sampling the artisan extracts available from Cycling Frog Beverages, you’ll probably be hopping on that old bike of yours (you know, the one in your garage) to spread the news. That’s okay though, because the founders of Cycling Frog are committed to normalizing cannabis use, and thus would probably be ecstatic to hear you sing out the praises for the company’s exciting and soothing beverages, mints, and brownie bites. Now that we’ve got that clear, a little more about the product: Cycling Frog sells its products by potency, so customers can take their normalizing, people-reaching efforts at their own pace. Starting with 1mg THC + 5mg CBD wintergreen mints, or 2mg + 4mg CBD canned flavored seltzer waters, cannabis aficionados can work their way up to Cycling Frog’s Sparkling THC Iced Tea Lemonade, which features 50mg of THC and CBD, respectively, in a refreshing 12 ounce can. Grab that bicycle by the horns and start your journey today!

Instabar

With the Instabar, Annbiz comes out swinging, leveraging deep industry knowledge and a penchant for innovation to offer a righteous combo of sophistication and personal choice. The Instabar disposable vape offers a harmonious blend of form and function. With its svelte, futuristic design that evokes the minimalist elegance of top-tier tech products, this vape delivers up to 5000 puffs from a substantial 12ml e-liquid reservoir, while the 650 mAh battery, rechargeable via USB-C, promises endurance to match its style. Each unit, encased in a removable silicone rubber for comfort and durability, comes in 15 scrumptious flavors, offering a nic salt vaping experience that’s tailored to the hilt.

Uplift THCA

Looking to discover the magical properties of THCA? Look no further than UpliftCBD! As many readers know, cannabis flower that has been grown to retain significant concentrations of THCA can still be very low THC content and doesn’t become psychoactive until heated, giving the compound a wide range of marketing and consumer possibilities. The stuff is great for addressing all the ailments the real thing alleviates, but without the federal law gumming things up. Uplift discovered these amazing traits and now offers consumers a wide variety of THCA flower and prerolls. They’ve got three amazing strains, too: Dynamite Cookies, Kush Cake, and Oreoz; each contains 100 percent Hemp and does not contain more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC; 3.5 gram packs will cost you $39.99 and quarter ounce containers are a deal at $69.99 (retail). As the folks at Uplift say, “This flower is sure to UPLIFT you and your friends!”

Jane West Twenties Collection Bubbler

West Coast Gifts is proud to feature the deliciously maximalist post-postmodern design work of cannabis activist, creative, and industry leader Jane West—whose life and work are currently featured in this month’s Women in Cannabis feature on page 36. Her Twenties Collection is notable for its strikingly solid aesthetic. Of particular note is the Bubbler, a sturdy art object/ handheld water pipe made with borosilicate glass that klutzy Gen-X consumers like this writer fell in love with on first exposure. With the Bubbler, West has combined a singular sense of sculpture, heavy-duty materials, an ergonomically designed mouthpiece, and a sharp-cornered bowl made to maximize the burning process, creating a marvel of functionality merged with classic aesthetic beauty. What’s most excellent though is the fact that this— and West’s work in general—really does look like something you’d find in an alternate throwback universe where your parents or grandparents broke out such treasures for get-togethers and bridge clubs.

REVILED WONDER DRUG? A PRIMER ON THE BENEFITS OF NICOTINE

Did Tobacco’s

Active Ingredient Needlessly

When public health groups want to attack vaping, they inevitably focus on nicotine. Attacks on this widely used but poorly understood stimulant are the justification for so many scare stories about and ill-conceived restrictions on e-cigarettes that can help millions of adults quit smoking.

“Most e-cigarettes (vapes) contain nicotine—the addictive drug in regular cigarettes,” the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) warns in a typical fashion. “Using nicotine in adolescence can harm the parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control.”

The CDC is no doubt wellmeaning in its warning about the dangers of nicotine, and I agree that teenagers shouldn’t use any vaping or tobacco products. That said, we need to dispel this kneejerk hostility toward nicotine because it distorts the public’s understanding of the important public health benefits the drug can provide.

By Alli Boughner Vice President American Vapor Manufacturers Association

Get a Bad Rap?

reviled.” It deserves the “wonder drug” designation but not the revulsion it regularly receives, for several reasons.

First, it is essential to understand that nicotine doesn’t cause disease. The primary health concerns associated with nicotine come from its usual delivery method, combustible tobacco in general and cigarettes in particular. These products contain thousands of other toxic substances that can cause severe health problems, including

Additionally, nicotine can increase dopamine production, leading to improved mood and overall well-being.

Another overlooked advantage of nicotine is its low-risk profile compared to other stimulants. While it can cause dependence, the potential for addiction is relatively low when compared to other substances like alcohol, opioids, or amphetamines, all of which carry very serious health risks. Importantly, there are other components in tobacco smoke besides nicotine that facilitate an addiction to cigarettes.

Discover Magazine went as far calling nicotine “the most unlikely wonder drug ever to be reviled.” it deserves the “wonder drug” designation but not the revulsion it regularly receives, for several reasons.

cancer, heart disease and respiratory illnesses. When consumed by itself, nicotine does not carry these risks.

Too much of a good thing?

Let’s briefly examine the science behind nicotine to develop a better grasp of how it can (and can’t) affect our health.

Nicotine, the “wonder drug”

Put simply, nicotine is a low-risk stimulant that can effectively boost cognitive function, mood and overall well-being. Discover Magazine went as far calling nicotine “the most unlikely wonder drug ever to be

“Nicotine is what keeps people using tobacco products,” the FDA notes. “However, it’s the thousands of chemicals contained in tobacco and tobacco smoke that make tobacco use so deadly.”

Lesser-known benefi ts

That explains why nicotine isn’t harmful, but why is it beneficial?

Studies have shown that nicotine can improve memory, attention, and reaction times due to its interaction with the brain’s neurotransmitters, particularly acetylcholine, which plays a crucial role in learning.

However, this does not mean that nicotine is entirely riskfree. As with almost any substance, excessive use may lead to negative side effects. In the case of nicotine, those could be increased heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety. It is crucial for adults who choose to consume nicotine to do so responsibly, in the same way that they moderate their intake of alcohol or marijuana.

Nevertheless, nicotine’s health benefits and very limited risks generally aren’t disputed by scientists. More adults need to hear that message—especially if it can help them quit smoking.