UNLOCK THE SECRETS.
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.
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.
Upgrade your experience today!
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
Copy Editor Billing
Contributing Writers
David Pogge david@headquest.com
Casey Patterson
Therese Galati accounting@headquest.com
Matt Weeks
Jonathan Branch
Jimmy Wohl
J.R. Johnivan
Emily Long
Karen Maina
Ryan Mills
Guest Contributor
Julia Hamieh
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 505-275-6049, or email subscriptions@headquest.com.
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HQ has no a liates or outside sales team. Any business or person contacting you and acting as an HQ Representative or claiming a liation with HQ Publications is unlawfully misrepresenting himself or herself.
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24
Smoke Signals
Quick reads, light quips, and made-up stats; it’s instant gratification at its finest.
42
Women in Cannabis
She thought it would take two years. Two decades later, Steph Sherer’s still fighting for safe access— and she’s not done yet.
Heads of Industry
54 Are you being Servd? Eric Recker and crew are bringing back a touch of humanity to our transactional world.
HeadSpace
Weedy topics for wonks and chin-scratchers.
64
Thus Always to Luddites
The next wave of tech is about to wash over us like a tsumani. Will you surf the crest or drown in the undertow? The exploration continues.
72 A Tariff-ying Reality?
The new administration is going all in on the promised trade war. Will we emerge the victors or will we be victims of the crossfire?
82 Altered States
Legal psychedelics? Oregon and Colorado are in. The rest of the country’s asking for directions. Welcome to the age of licensed enlightenment.
Puff, puff, class in session!
88
Tighten That Belt
As the saying goes, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Flip here for tips and tricks on navigating the tough times.
90 Accepting Plastic
It’s the age of the cashless transaction and if you can’t take part, you can’t compete. Resident banking expert, Ryan Mills spills the goods on keeping the digital payments flowing.
Say the “C” Word! Sig Distro’s Julia Hamieh is back with another illuminating treatise on commerce in the counter-cultural marketplace. 102
106
Smokin’ new products from the industry’s hottest brands. Take note, take inventory, take a sales call. Quest 4 the Best
108
There’s no better way to learn about an industry than from the industry leaders themselves. Get the word straight from the horsie’s mouth. Industry Associations
Available Now!
The short stop The short stop
Assorted Briefs and Blurbs from Left Field
Summer’s here. Time to grab the beach towels, oversized coolers, and uncomfortably revealing shorts—and yes, the DJ can finally spin some Jimmy Bu ett without dodging flying Corona bottles. Back when I first cut my teeth in the hazy retail underbelly of head shops and stoner stops, summer was a mixed bag. The weather heated up, but business often cooled down. Most shops were in college towns, and once students left, so did the customers. But it’s 2025 now, and with over half the country enjoying legal cannabis in some form, seasonal slumps aren’t what they used to be—at least from a bird’s-eye view. Add to that the rise of 710, a clever rebrand of the classic 420 celebration that centers on concentrates. Whoever coined that bit of marketing genius deserves a medal. Whether they meant to or not, they handed the industry a mid-summer boost during what used to be a ghost town stretch. We salute you—ma’am, sir, or however you roll. *Raises glass of hop-soaked suds*.
You’re holding another killer issue in your sticky-icky fingers, full of essential news, intriguing stories, and plenty of love from the best sponsors in the biz. Until next time, kick back, enjoy—and don’t forget to tip the bartender. Happy summer!
Cannabis vs. Cancer: What 10,000 Studies Say
The Cancer Playbook a new platform from the Whole Health Oncology Institute, just dropped what it’s calling the largest-ever meta-analysis on cannabis and cancer—over 10,000 studies deep. The results? Cannabis didn’t just ease symptoms like pain and nausea; a strong chunk of the research also pointed to potential anticancer e ects like reduced tumor growth and increased cancer cell death. The ratio of positive to negative findings? Three to one. Still, oncologists are urging caution—most of the data isn’t from rigorous clinical trials. Promising? Definitely. Proven? Not yet. But it’s a serious step forward in cannabis getting the clinical cred it deserves.
The States 2.0 Act: A New Hope?
Cannabis pros, take note: a new federal bill could change the game. The bipartisan STATES 2.0 Act was just reintroduced by Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH), Max Miller (R-OH), and Dina Titus (D-NV), and it’s aiming high—full federal descheduling, 280E tax relief, and the green light for interstate commerce. It’s the kind of policy shift industry insiders have been waiting on for years. Unlike sweeping legalization bills that have stalled in the past, STATES 2.0 leans on states’ rights, giving each state the power to regulate cannabis without federal interference—a framing that could appeal to conservatives and push it further than its predecessors. But don’t hold your breath—despite growing support, the bill faces an uphill battle in Congress. Want to help? Reach out to your reps, join advocacy groups, and keep the pressure on. The window’s open—but it won’t stay that way forever.
NM Lawmakers Say “Perhaps” to Psilocybin
New Mexico just made history as the first U.S. state to legalize psilocybin therapy through its legislature—not a ballot measure. Signed into law by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, the Medical Psilocybin Act establishes a regulated program for treating conditions like PTSD, depression, addiction, and end-of-life anxiety. Licensed clinicians will guide patients through preparation, administration, and integration sessions, using only naturally cultivated psilocybin. A nine-member advisory board—including veterans, Indigenous leaders, and mental health professionals—will help shape the rollout. The state’s Department of Health has until December 2027 to implement the program, with treatments expected by early 2028. Equity and research funds will support access and innovation. It’s a first-of-its-kind move that could inspire other states to follow suit—no ballot required.
The States 2.0 Act: Sponsors
Rep. Dave Joyce (R–OH-14)
more trouble in Tennessee
Tennessee lawmakers just passed a sweeping new hemp bill that’s got the industry talking. On the surface, it brings some much-needed clarity: hemp-derived delta-9 THC is still legal, as long as total THC—including THCA—stays under the 0.3% limit. That puts state law in line with federal USDA testing standards, which is a welcome move for compliant businesses. But the fine print hits hard: the bill bans delta-8, THCp, and high-THCA flower, e ectively shutting large swaths of the smokable and alt-cannabinoid market. Oversight now shifts to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission, with new licenses, taxes, and compliance rules. As of press time, the bill was on Governor Bill Lee’s desk—he hasn’t taken a public stance, but most expect he’ll sign it. We’ll dive deeper into what this means for your shop in our July issue, so stay tuned.
Colorado Opens Doors (of Perception)
Colorado’s long-anticipated psychedelic framework just crossed a major threshold: the state’s first licensed psilocybin healing center is o cially open for business. The Center Origin, based in Denver, marks the shift from policy to practice—where supervised, legal psychedelic therapy is no longer just a possibility, but a reality. This launch is more than a single opening; it’s a signal that the system is in motion. With more centers on the way, trained facilitators entering the pipeline, and new treatment models emerging, Colorado is setting the pace for what comes next. See more about developments in psilocybin legalization on on page 82.
Background: Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1957, Joyce served as Geauga County Prosecutor before being elected to Congress in 2012.
Political Stance: A moderate Republican, Joyce chairs the Republican Governance Group and co-chairs the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, advocating for states’ rights in cannabis regulation.
Rep. Dina Titus (D–NV-1)
Rep. Max Miller (R–OH-7)
Background: Born in 1988 in Shaker Heights, Ohio, Miller served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and worked as a senior advisor to President Donald Trump before being elected to Congress in 2022.
Political Stance: A conservative Republican, Miller is a member of the House Committees on Ways and Means and Science, Space, and Technology.
Background: Born in 1950 in Thomasville, Georgia, Titus holds a Ph.D. in political science and served in the Nevada State Senate from 1988 to 2008 before being elected to Congress in 2008.
Political Stance: A progressive Democrat, Titus is known for her advocacy on civil rights, education, and veterans’ a airs.
Light Work, Big Upgrade
Meet the RAW Extendo™—a lighter with an extended wand for deep bowls, flintless ignition for clean hands, and a secret second life as a rolling tool. It’s smooth, sturdy, and way more useful than it has any right to be. Just don’t let your buddy walk off with it. S ee more in the Quest 4 the Best on Page 106.
black ball’d
Black Ball Corp: The OG of Counter-Cultural Merch
Let’s start with some background on who you are and what you do.
I’m Alex, and I started Black Ball Corp. back in 1994, when the scene was still raw and underground. There were maybe 40 of us back then, and we all knew each other. A lot has changed, but we’ve stayed true to our roots— and remain a front-runner in the counterculture space.
Alongside Black Ball Corp., we also run Scorpio Posters, a legend in the blacklight poster game since 1972. Scorpio helped bring blacklight art to the masses, and today we license iconic imagery from artists and brands like KISS, Johnny Cash, Megadeth, Rocky, and Marilyn Monroe. Every poster we make is officially licensed—no knockoffs, no shortcuts.
My wife, Paulie and I run the business together. She’s the brains behind product management and operations, while I handle sales, trade shows, and product development. I love being on the ground and building relationships. It’s a true partnership and a big part of why we’ve lasted this long.
What Sets Black Ball Apart?
We protect the brands and artists we work with. In a space where bootlegging runs rampant, we take pride in doing things the right way. Integrity isn’t cheap, but we believe creators deserve to be respected and paid. Every design we offer is either created in-house or legally licensed, so you won’t find any fake cereal mascots or stolen cartoon art in our lineup.
What’s Hot Right Now?
We’ve teamed up with The Original Cones® to launch something we’re really proud of: the Orale El Gordo Cone®, a 2.5-gram cone with a Latin flair. It fills a major gap in the market and has serious game-changer potential. Retailers have been loving it, and we’re just getting started.
Vaporizers won’t put the joint out of business, but I think that they preserve more of the effort that the cultivators are putting into it. It goes along with the founding beliefs behind HoneyStick, and how we want to create a device/accessory that celebrates the product.
Continued on Page 26
Trade Show Roundup
Chicago, IL
Morgan MFG
401 N Morgan St Suite #100; Chicago, IL 60642
Begins: 6/10/2025
Ends: 6/12/2025
CHAMPS Trade Shows
Nashville, TN
The Fairgrounds
625 Smith Ave, Nashville, TN 37203
Begins: 6/19/25
Ends: 6/21/25
Alternative Product Expo
Las Vegas, NV
Convention Center
3150 Paradise Rd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Begins: 7/23/25
Ends: 7/26/25
CHAMPS Trade Shows
Las Vegas, NV
Convention Center
3150 Paradise Rd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
ASD Market Week
HHC in the crosshairs
Begins: 8/3/2025
Ends: 8/6/2025
In a landmark move, the UN’s Commission on Narcotic Drugs voted to classify HHC as a Schedule II substance—triggering a countdown for the U.S. and 183 other nations to act. Backed by the WHO, the ruling targets HHC for its psychoactive punch and legal murkiness. But how will the U.S. respond? With cannabis policy caught between farm bills, circuit courts, and federal agencies, the future of hemp-derived cannabinoids just got a lot messier. Retailers, manufacturers, and distributors are on edge—and rightly so. Could this set the stage for a broader crackdown on Delta-8, THC-O, and other lab-born highs? We break it all down in our online feature. Scan below to learn more!
What’s Coming Next?
We’re expanding our Burning Rage® Soapstone Incense Burner line and rolling out a new batch of pop culturethemed Tin Signs. We’re also adding fresh designs to our Stash Tin® lineup, all featuring standout counterculture artwork you won’t find anywhere else.
And that’s not all—we’ve got a vibrant new set of cones coming soon from Original Cones®, available in bold pink, green, and blue. They’re bright, fun, and perfect for turning heads on the shelf.
Over at Scorpio Posters, the hits keep coming. From KISS to K-Pop, Dead Kennedys to Blondie, and cult classics to anime, we’ve got thousands of titles that resonate with every corner of smoke shop culture.
Why should retailers work with you?
We’ve come a long way since our garage-start days, but our core values haven’t changed. We’re still family-run, still focused on building longterm relationships, and still committed to delivering quality products with integrity. Whether it’s posters, cones, Zippo lighters, or incense, everything we carry reflects our passion for creativity and counterculture.
How can a retailer place an order?
It’s easy. Head to blackballcorp. com, set up a wholesale account, and order anytime. The site is open 24/7 so you can browse and buy on your schedule. Prefer a personal touch? Give us a call at 800- 695-2868— we’re happy to help you directly. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and X for product drops and updates.
What’s Next?
We’re always dropping something new. From next-level cones to fresh blacklight designs, we’re pushing the envelope with licensed Zippos, incense burners, and more. We’ve also got a few exciting licenses in the works—we can’t say more just yet, but trust us, they’re big.
Black Ball Corp. is built on the idea that counterculture should be celebrated, not commodified. And as long as there are shops out there that vibe with that mission, we’ll keep bringing the heat. Safety Meeting, Cont.
POT, POLITICS &
Changed the Game PATIENCE
Steph Sherer vs. the System: How Americans for Safe Access
Emily Long
When Steph Sherer founded Americans for Safe Access (ASA) in 2002, she never expected she’d still be doing this work more than 20 years later. At the time, she was a recent college graduate living in Southern California. She was also taking a high dose of antiinflammatories every day for a painful chronic injury. And despite her young age, she was experiencing early onset kidney failure because of it.
Although medical marijuana was technically legal in California at the time, the feds were fighting it hard, with only 11 dispensaries in the whole country. Meanwhile, Steph was running out of tenable options. When her doctor closed the office door and quietly suggested she try pot, it was a much more attractive option than a kidney transplant.
So, Steph became a medical cannabis patient. And with her background in politics, she quickly saw the need for political organizing in the medical legalization space. “I had never worked on an issue with 80% support nationwide,” she says. “As a cocky 25-year-old, I thought [federal medical legalization] would take a couple of years.”
After relocating to the Bay Area, however, she quickly realized it would be much more difficult. The “War on Drugs” was raging. Medical marijuana providers were being raided by the federal government and facing lengthy jail time. “People were risking a lot,” she says. “These people are committing civil disobediences to provide me medicine.”
This realization led Steph to do what she does best: she organized a movement. Pulling from the tools she cultivated as an organizer, Steph started leading “know your rights” training sessions for dispensaries and growers so they would be prepared in case of a raid. Since raids are just “glorified search warrants,” Steph wanted to make sure people didn’t give up information they didn’t legally have to. “I did thousands of those trainings,” says Steph. “Not exaggerating.” She also set up phone trees and helped groups organize internally.
Concurrently, ASA was meeting with healthcare stakeholders to drum up support both within the state and nationwide and organizing within nearly 100 local communities to change the pervasive—and discriminatory—“War on Drugs” rhetoric. Steph reached out to city mayors and local press where raids were happening, getting cities to protest if there was another raid.
When a raid subsequently happened in Santa Cruz, California, ASA got the community ready. “Patients sat in the road and blocked them in,” Steph says.
Continued on Page 44
I LOVE TO LEARN, AND I LOVE PLANTS IN GENERAL. I’VE ALWAYS BEEN THAT GIRL WITH 50 HOUSE PLANTS, SO IT GAVE ME A MUCH BIGGER APPRECIATION FOR THE WHOLE GROWING PROCESS.
-Steph Sherer
Do you know a powerhouse woman making waves in the cannabis industry? Whether she’s leading, innovating, advocating, or inspiring, we want to hear her story!
Our Women in Cannabis spotlight celebrates the trailblazers, changemakers, and unsung heroes shaping the future of the industry. Nominate someone who deserves the recognition—because their work deserves to be seen!
Submit your nomination now! Scan the QR code to share their story.
“We were also able to negotiate getting the owners out of jail.” This local resistance helped reframe the legalization issue on a national scale, leading to actions organized in 97 other cities. And when state agencies in California weren’t implementing newly passed medical marijuana legislation, ASA sued every single one of them until they did.
As Steph’s understanding of the problem evolved, so did her tactics. Since there were huge barriers to having a national medical cannabis program, ASA also created triage programs at the state level to get patients the access they urgently needed. That’s what Steph and ASA have been doing for 23 years.
“What’s on the other side of this fight is redefining medicine in this country,” Steph says. “A lot of the health issues crippling our society are these scary chronic conditions that we don’t understand fully. Pharmaceuticals aren’t working, but cannabis can help regulate multiple systems at once, which is exactly what’s needed to treat these complex diseases.”
Despite all the bumps in the road, Steph stays rooted in the hope and tenacity of the patients she’s worked with.
“I’ve met the most amazing people through ASA,” she says. “This space we’re in was built on the backs of medical patients. I know more than 50 people who spent the last weeks of their lives in a courtroom or statehouse testifying. It’s pretty amazing. It also makes it very hard to settle for ‘privileged Americans for safe access,’ which is what we have right now.”
This article continues online
Steph Sherer’s fight for medical cannabis access is far from finished—and she’s calling on patients, retailers, and advocates to get involved.
Scan the QR code to read what’s next.
We’ve got a unique distribution model . . . where all of the sales reps basically provide a 360 service—not only hand delivering products and selling products, but also merchandising for them.
ARE YOU BEING SERVD?
Living IndaCloud: Customer Service isn’t Dead; It Just Moved to the Midwest
By Matt Weeks
It’s not a coincidence that the company’s name is Servd Distribution. The entire operation rests on the concept of customer service.
“We’ve got a unique distribution model. It’s called a DSC distribution model, where all of the sales reps basically provide a 360 service—not only hand delivering products and selling products, but also merchandising for them,” explains Eric Recker, the company’s executive vice president.
“In a very transactional world, things have changed dramatically over the course of the past 20, 30, 40 years, but the old-school mentality of servicing a customer and making sure they’re having a great experience is what we pride ourselves on.”
As the makers of Indacloud and Cream hemp wraps, Servd sells its internal brands across the nation but focuses its distribution efforts on the heartland. With one warehouse in Cincinnati, Ohio, and another in Madison, Wisconsin, Servd caters to retailers throughout the region with a Midwestern mix of modern technological knowhow and people-first values.
Continued on page 56
“We’ve taught our sales reps very well,” Recker says. “The sale is important, but once the product is in the store, the customer selling the product is more important. We want to make sure we’re doing everything possible to have our product front and center. It’s displayed nicely—we have acrylic displays and other types of displays for certain products. We want everything presented the way we want it presented. That’s a very important piece of our process to ensure we can see success in our customer stores.”
While some distributors end service when a product is dropped off, Servd trains its people to work differently.
“We’re very intentional on the sales reps that we hire,” Recker says. “We like to hire sales reps that have previously serviced the industry that we’re in. A lot of our sales reps come from Red Bull or PepsiCo— sales reps that are used to running a route. Their main role in a lot of those companies isn’t necessarily sales-first. It’s truly built around the customer experience, customer service, and merchandising of a store.”
The sale is important, but once the product is in the store, the customer selling the product is more important. We want to make sure we’re doing everything possible to have our product front and center . . .
Servd started as a CBD-based health and wellness company in March 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic emerged. Recker was there since the beginning, first as a consultant while he worked a day job in sports technology, then eventually as a full-time executive, overseeing sales and operations.
“We were quick to pivot, which I think as entrepreneurs, you have to be,” he says. “You have to react quickly—especially in a space that’s ever-changing. You’ve got to pivot very quickly. That’s one thing we’ve been able to do over the course of the past five years. And hey, we don’t have any outside funding coming in. It’s all been
Recker, EVP—Sales & Operations, Servd Distro
Eric
organically funded. A lot of our growth took us a little bit longer than we would’ve liked, but at the end of the day, we did it the right way. We carry no debt. It’s been an awesome experience to see.”
After getting its hands dirty in the CBD startup space, the company saw its model wasn’t sustainable. The industry was moving away from their expectations. So, they adjusted. Servd moved into distribution and began developing brands specifically for the smoke shop market.
“We actually started making our own products pretty quickly. We started out with a brand called Cloud Ace, and then we noticed a couple of copycats in the industry, so we pivoted and moved to IndicaCloud. Then we eventually rebranded—maybe two years ago—into IndaCloud.”
As the cannabis sector continues to reorient itself, Servd leans on the abilities that brought it early success. The company’s agile nature and farsightedness continue to guide its direction five years on.
“The industry is constantly fighting regulation, so we consistently have to pivot on what kind of products we can sell and stay ahead of what the regulations are state by state,” Recker says. “Luckily, we have that local model in the Midwest where we’re able to really be up to speed on the states around us. But it takes quite a bit of work to stay up to date on states throughout the country because every day there are changes being made.”
The story doesn’t end here.
Servd’s people-first model may have put IndaCloud on the map—but what’s keeping it there is a behind-the-scenes commitment to compliance, legal agility, and regulatory foresight.
With dispensaries on the way and a zerotolerance policy for noncompliant products, Servd is making sure its next moves are as solid as its foundation.
Scan the QR code to read the rest.
GLASS / QUARTZ
SOLID COLORS • TRANSPARENT COLORS
FREEZABLE PIPE OPTIONS • BUILT-IN SCREEN OPTIONS
3” - 10” PIECES
CHILLUM TASTERS & BATS • STEAMROLLERS • SPOONS • SHERLOCKS
HAMMER BUBBLERS • GANDALFS • CONCENTRATE CHILLUM TASTERS
VAPOR STRAWS & NECTAR COLLECTORS
By Joe Reefer
The Digital TAKEOVER
The Future of Counter-Cultural Retail, V2
Believe it or not, some head shops and vape stores have yet to fully realize the benefits of technology. Many brick-and-mortar establishments still follow the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality, and they want to keep it that way.
. . . while their traditional, manual business processes might not be broken per se, they’re just not sufficient enough to meet the demands of today’s consumers. In order to stay competitive, businesses of all kinds are starting to implement retail tech in various ways.
However, while their traditional, manual business processes might not be broken per se, they’re just not sufficient enough to meet the demands of today’s consumers. In order to stay competitive, businesses of all kinds are starting to implement retail tech in various ways.
Integrating PoS Devices & Systems
Some brick-and-mortar shops are already using next-gen technology without even realizing it. Modern point-of-sale (PoS) devices, in-store kiosks, barcode scanners, receipt printers, and countertop terminals are amongst the most common PoS devices seen in retail stores today. Even if you don’t have one in your establishment, there’s a
good chance you’ve had one of your own purchases processed with PoS technology at another store.
Mobile PoS devices exist, too. These include tablets and even smartphone apps, which are great for those who regularly sell their wares at flea markets, trade shows, concerts, and festivals. With the help of modern software, nearly anyone can turn their smartphone into a mobile PoS device with just a few taps of the screen.
In order to achieve their plans of expansion, the popular vape store based in Toronto, Canada, 180° Smoke, needed a PoS system that could integrate multiple retail outlets and warehouses with their online storefront. After implementing the new technology, they grew from their original brick-and-mortar establishment to a total of 10 locations within a span of two years. They also created a strong base of online customers that brought in even more sales.
Continued on Page 66
Since they’re based in Canada, 180° Smoke had the unique challenge of offering tax-exempt sales to First Nations members. Thankfully, they were able to find a customizable solution that met their specific needs.
Finding the Right CRMs for Your Needs
Many head shops and vape stores are starting to implement customer relationship management (CRM) software, too. These are versatile platforms that often provide numerous key functions within a single application. Some of the most common features of CRM software include:
• Customer/contact management and recordkeeping
• Lead management
• Data analytics and reporting
• Productivity and collaboration tools
• Sales pipeline management
• Regulatory compliance
Additionally, most CRM platforms can be expanded even further with the use of third-party integrations. These apps let you add functionality, accounting, marketing, workflow automation, inventory management, PoS support, and more.
Making the Most of Inventory Management Software
Never underestimate the importance of inventory management software. Whether you’re running a small, medium, or large business, these platforms can benefit your retail store in many different ways.
AB Works Vape Shop in The Philippines had been using a physical logbook to manually track and monitor inventory up until a few years ago. Even though electronic inventory management systems are commonly used in nearly every developed nation, AB Works stuck with their traditional processes for as long as possible.
Unsurprisingly, human error was the source of many of the store’s inventory problems. Some records would be updated incorrectly, reports were often delayed, and a lack of digital recordkeeping meant that paperwork was easily lost or misplaced.
As part of their capstone project with ACLC College of Marbel, a team of IT students recently banded together to transition AB Works’ manual inventory management processes into a full-scale digital system. Following the overhaul, AB Works now enjoys accurate recordkeeping, timely reports, and quicker customer checkout speeds.
CRM IN ACTION: WHAT IT CAN DO FOR YOUR SHOP
Implementing a CRM system isn’t just about keeping track of customers—it’s about making smarter decisions, automating repetitive tasks, and building a more engaged, loyal customer base. Here’s how head shops can take full advantage:
Keep Your Customers Close
CRMs help you track customer purchases, preferences, and behaviors. Use this info to send personalized promotions—like a discount on their favorite gummies—or reminders when they’re due for a restock.
Turn Data Into Insight
Modern CRMs o er built-in analytics tools that show you what’s selling, who’s buying, and when. You can spot patterns like peak sales days or which products drive repeat visits—and adjust inventory and sta ng accordingly.
Automate Outreach
Plug in your favorite email or SMS marketing tool (like Mailchimp or Klaviyo) to automate abandoned cart messages, new product drops, or VIP birthday deals. All while staying compliant with marketing regulations.
Sync With Your Point-of-Sale
Many CRMs integrate with PoS systems, so customer info and purchase history flow directly into one profile—no duplicate data entry, no missed opportunities.
Streamline Your Workflow
Integrate tools like Trello, Slack, or QuickBooks to centralize tasks, internal communication, and finances. That means less time chasing down to-dos and more time focused on your customers.
Stay Compliant
Need to keep age verification records or manage sales compliance by region? CRMs can help automate these tasks and keep your records in check.
Get the full story!
From free accounting platforms to automated age verification and compliance tools, the right software can streamline operations and protect your business.
Scan the QR code to explore the tech solutions head shops are using to stay compliant, scale up, and stay competitive in a changing market.
CONTAMINANTS
ORIGINS
PRODUCT
WHOSE BILL IS IT ANY WAY ?
Making Sense of Trump’s Tari s: Economic Boon or Entreprenurial Millstone?
By Matt Weeks
The way distributors,retailers, and product makers respond to the chaos of policy proposals and the cold reality of a remade global trading system could decide the next decade’s winners and losers.
Given the popularity of its products, it’s odd that America’s cannabis industry feels so brittle. Smoke shops seem to teeter on the edge of annihilation due to a constellation of government and societal pressures. But Trump’s tariffs present a new kind of danger—one that threatens the materials, manufacturing, and supply chains that keep the counterculture’s lifeblood flowing.
Although they scan as tough guy economic policy, tariffs are likely to weaken America’s markets, according to the majority of economists. Whether that pain is worthwhile, however, remains debatable. Harsh trade policies could provoke shortterm market corrections or trigger a recession. Either way, price tags on several smoke shop standbys are going to swell.
The way retailers, distributors, and product makers respond to the chaos of policy proposals and
the cold reality of a remade global trading system could decide the next decade’s winners and losers. Demand for cannabis products won’t cease, but how and what customers buy certainly will. Understanding the most likely effects of the tariffs is crucial to planning for changes in customer preferences.
Chinese Manufacturing: The Biggest Hit
Nothing strikes the industry harder than taxes on Chinese imports. A great many U.S.-based brands rely on China’s factories to manufacture their wares and paying an extra 25% or more to bring those goods home erases profit margins.
But while the effect is large, the response will be predictable. For more cannabis businesses, it might feel like déjà vu. The last time Trump imposed tariffs on China, a 10% hike back in 2018, the intended effects didn’t
take. American manufacturing decreased, prices rose, and the trade deficit ballooned. In fairness, much of that was blamed on the pandemic— and it’s important to note that Biden opted to keep them in place.
But while the first term shocks were modest, they still changed the industry. Companies like Pax and Aspire pulled some of their manufacturing out of China and plopped it into other places in Southeast Asia. Whether the administration decides to impose tariffs on these new manufacturing sites (as he’s done in India) is unclear. Regardless, it’s unlikely that vapes will ever fully leave China: too many components, including materials like borosilicate and product packaging, come from there.
To abandon Chinese factories also often means settling for lower-quality goods. Once upon a time, “China-made” was basically synonymous with “garbage.” Now, however, with years of experience, most Chinese manufacturers have stepped up their game to an
impressive level. Places like Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia have built impressive operations in a short window, but without experience, their quality control isn’t as finely tuned.
If prices of high-quality vapes rise once again, will consumers stick with them? There are certainly cheaper (and illegal) alternatives available everywhere. Enforcement crackdowns across the industry could reduce the supply of knockoffs, but no one seems to be concerned about it. Even before the tariffs, the future of vaping felt cloudy. And though it’s comforting to believe nicotine products are recession-proof, nobody wants to find out exactly how true that is.
The Can Crush
Aside from nicotine pouches, hemp beverages were the buzziest counterculture products of 2024. As Americans shook off the hangover from overspending on alcohol during the pandemic years, cannadrinks emerged as healthier
Continued on Page 76
THE OTHER SIDE
A n Argument for Tariffs
It is a true honor to have been invited to write for HeadQuest “HQ” magazine. While I have not been in this industry long, I have had an extensive career path that has allowed me to run $200M companies and sales forces in 13 countries and leverage almost every type of marketing conceivable. That experience has given me significant insight into how businesses run, and markets operate, as well as a generous amount of gray hair. I am excited to share my experience, insight, and advice in a new monthly column on how I see this market evolving and growing. Hopefully, it will help you succeed in retail, manufacturing, or even development.
Tari s are a drug, too!
Cheap products are addicting especially for first world countries that are hooked on consumption and indulgence. The absence of tari s allow products to flow in from other economies without any checks or balances. Is that important? Do we care? Or is the price of the almighty iPhone all that matters at the end of the day?
There has been a lot of chatter over tari s these past few weeks, and plenty of articles have been written. Almost every one of them focuses on the negative impact of tari s, becoming political quickly and ending up with the cost being passed down to the consumer. All true. But with all things, there is always a second side of the coin. I think the years I have lived and the mistakes I have made have given me a gift: the recognition of balance in the world. Tari s also have an upside. There are dozens of just as compelling reasons to have them as there are not to have them.
While I could go on and on, I am going to give you two rock-solid reasons why tari s are important and required for a balanced global economy and humankind.
First, and I believe most importantly, tari s maintain a balance in manufacturing capabilities. They are an equalizer for countries that don’t care about basic needs, job growth, or even such crazy ideas as a livable wage. China allows employees to be captive in work camps; they don’t enforce wage controls and even punish employees of private companies for leaving their posts. As a result, they can make things cheaper and easier to consume. So, we allow it to happen. Our manufacturers go out of business and sell the manufacturing equipment to foreign entities. Manufacturing jobs represented about 32 percent of American jobs in 1953. It halved to 16 percent in 1990. In the 20 years from 1990 to 2010, it nearly halved again, from 16 percent to 9 percent. Safe to say manufacturing in America is marginalized. Why do you care? Well, we now rely on China for almost every product we consume. Even when we say it is made in America, the parts still come from overseas. Nothing to worry about in good times, but during the COVID pandemic, we had no latex gloves, masks, aspirin, and MRI replacement parts. That should scare you to death. How do you fix it? We charge tari s to encourage US manufacturers to make some of these products here.
Glitter Bomb
Mendo Breath
Purple Tesla Orange Creamsicle Guavanade
Tropicana Cherries
alternatives. But just as the market was preparing to take off, tariffs threatened to ground the flight.
On February 11, President Trump announced a 25% import tax on aluminum, regardless of its country of origin. With just one month to prepare, canna-drink companies rushed to adjust their predictions and business models. While international operations can absorb the shocks by buying in bulk, the move sent small companies into a spiral. Because many cannabisadjacent businesses lack access to traditional banking services, their options are limited. Tariffs forced several to choose between ratcheting up prices or joining forces with corporate bottlers, sacrificing control and profit.
The U.S. imports about 60% of its aluminum (or bauxite, the mineral used to produce aluminum) from Canada. But the Great White North isn’t just an ore dealer. It’s also the potash supplier to nearly every major U.S. hemp farm.
The U.S. imports about 60% of its aluminum (or bauxite, the mineral used to produce aluminum) from Canada. But the Great White North isn’t just an ore dealer. It’s also the potash supplier to nearly every major U.S. hemp farm.
Potash is an element-rich fertilizer, and Canada’s supply rates are unarguably the best in the world. (Russia is the second-leading supplier, but their offering is lower in quality, higher in greenhouse gas production, and there’s a lot less of it.) Tariffs raised the cost of buying potash by about $100 per ton, which is a body blow for hemp farmers. Already operating on thin margins that run between 2 and 10% at best, hemp farmers don’t have the extra cushion to afford higher prices. And while the U.S. retains its own potash stockpiles, the supply chain isn’t mature enough to handle farmers’ needs.
Realizing the size of the impact it would have on the agriculture sector, the Trump administration lowered the tariffs on Canadian fertilizer. As of April 1, there were no tariffs placed on potash that meets the USMCA rules
Continued on Page 78
T he Other Side (Continued)
Secondly, tari s help mitigate environmental impacts. Most countries that hang their hat on manufacturing don’t enforce environmental laws. Why? They are expensive to adhere to. Cleaning wastewater and filtering air is not easy or cheap and drives the costs of products up. China and India produce three times more greenhouse gasses than the US. They do this because while we talk about environmental concerns, we don’t act on them. They dump toxins into the ocean, pour poisonous gasses into the air, and don’t consider the cost of the damage to the Earth in their prices. Tari s force countries to respect the values of other nations. Don’t pollute, or we are tripling the cost of your products coming into America. That is impactful and works.
I ran a manufacturing facility that exported products to 41 countries around the world. We of course priced out manufacturing in other countries but could not get the quality we wanted. I can say with ridiculous certainty that other countries tax our products significantly more than we tax theirs. Mostly for reason number one above, but it is time we started flexing our consumption muscles to force our agenda into the world.
Sam Galati is equal parts strategist, storyteller, and market mechanic. With a career that’s zigzagged through boardrooms, international sales hubs, and more than a few marketing war rooms, he’s developed a knack for spotting what moves the needle—and what’s just noise. New to the smoke shop world but no stranger to navigating evolving industries, Sam approaches the counterculture market with curiosity, candor, and just enough irreverence to keep things interesting. His monthly contribution brings a fresh perspective that packs the punch that only a seasoned entrepreneur could bring.
High Hopes, Enlightened Minds, & Red Tape:
A Controlled Substance, Loosely Controled
By Jimmy Wohl
Are we there yet? Are we there yet?
Not quite. The trip is just getting started. But it’s starting to look promising.
The national conversation about this once-taboo topic is shedding its stigma and making its way into the mainstream with real-world results. So how did we get here, and where is it likely heading?
While only two states, Oregon and Colorado, have legalized psilocybin and a few other psychedelics, many other states are nipping at their heels with their own legislation pending. The national conversation about this once-taboo topic is shedding its stigma and making its way into the mainstream with realworld results. So how did we get here, and where is it likely heading?
Follow the Oregon Trail
In November 2020, COVID was raging. A presidential election was on. You’d be forgiven for forgetting that was also when Oregon passed Ballot Measure 109, the first time psychedelics had been legalized in the US. More specifically, it directed the Oregon Health Authority to license and regulate the manufacturing, transportation, delivery, sale, and purchase of psilocybin products and the provision of psilocybin services. This set the stage for a legal market where people could get psychedelic therapy from licensed practitioners.
By 2023, the Oregon market was up and running. Sessions were pricey, but it was a start. And over time, they became way more affordable and available to more and more patients.
In November 2022, Colorado caught up with Oregon and passed Proposition 122, which decriminalized psilocybin mushroom possession for adults, along with mescaline, ibogaine, and DMT. It eventually allowed for state-licensed treatment centers to administer the medicine under the supervision of trained staff.
Now in 2025, Colorado’s psychedelic industry is open for business. Supervised healing centers are planning to open within weeks or months, and licences for healing
practitioners are being issued. There will be paths for people to train to be facilitators and a growing variety of possible healing services from microdosing to extensive journeys— all within a regulated framework.
Same but Di erent
Oregon and Colorado’s approaches diverge in a few ways. The primary difference: Oregon has been focused on medicalized treatment, whereas Colorado’s framework includes the potential for services that hone in on personal growth and well-being.
For example, Colorado will offer clinical licenses, which means any medical practitioner can administer psilocybin services to treat
Sure, the US federal government’s current Secretary of Health and Human Services has said that his “mind is open to the idea of psychedelics for treatment,” which is a promising sign. But other states are way ahead of him.
issues that are within their scope of practice when they earn a clinical facilitator license. And patients can visit micro-healing centers that are allowed to keep a more limited amount of mushrooms.
That means there’s more flexibility in how people can find help for a wide range of mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Colorado also lets people explore psychedelic services in their homes. But there are some strict conditions that have to be met. They must get a permit for services in their homes. And they must be residents of the dwelling and consent to a video recording of the session.
New Paths Sprouting
How’s it going so far? Here are some numbers.
As of March 2025, 21,246 psilocybin products have been sold in Oregon, which may include secondary doses. And in the same month, Colorado received 15 applications for healing centers, nine cultivation
licenses, four manufacturer licenses, and one testing facility license for growing and preparing mushrooms. The experiment is becoming an enterprise.
And that’s just the beginning.
Sure, the US federal government’s current Secretary of Health and Human Services has said that his “mind is open to the idea of psychedelics for treatment,” which is a promising sign. But other states are way ahead of him.
State-level legislation to expand the role of psychedelics has been proposed in Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Washington. The variety of potential new laws varies, and they could include many legal, therapeutic policies, including decriminalization, funding for research, licensing treatment professionals and centers, protection from being absorbed by large industries, and rules around cultivation and sales—to name a few.
Continued on Page 86
And while these states have yet to adopt many of the laws they’re proposing, an archipelago of cities throughout the US have taken steps forward by decriminalizing psilocybin. These municipalities include Denver, CO; Santa Cruz, CA; Washington, DC; Somerville, MA; Cambridge, MA; Northampton, MA; Seattle, WA; Minneapolis, MN; and Detroit, MI. They’re planting seeds–nay, the spores–for change by showing it can be done there.
The trip doesn’t end here.
The legal groundwork may be in place, but what do the experts think? Psychiatrists, neuroscientists, and legal scholars are weighing in on the risks, rewards, and realities of psychedelic reform.
Scan the QR code to explore where it’s heading next—and how close we really are.
NAVIGATING THE LEAN TIMES
Lessons from the Front Lines of the Industry
By Joe Reefer
Economic downturns can be disastrous for any company—including retailers, distributors, and manufacturers of smoking accessories. But there are a number of steps you can take to keep your business on track without losing momentum and, in some cases, maybe even pick up some muchneeded steam in the process.
Economic downturns can be disastrous for any company—including retailers, distributors, and manufacturers of smoking accessories. But there are a number of steps you can take to keep your business on track without losing momentum and, in some cases, maybe even pick up some muchneeded steam in the process.
Protect Your Current Revenue Streams
The last thing you want in the midst of a financial drought is to jeopardize your current revenue streams. When faced with poor customer retention and a lower regional market share, Smokers Choice, a popular chain of tobacco stores and head shops
throughout Pennsylvania and New York, took swift action. Their goal? To protect their current revenue streams as much as possible.
Firstly, Smokers Choice needed to create a customer loyalty program. They integrated their program with a customized pointof-sale (POS) solution to automatically apply manufacturer discounts to some of their best-selling products. Next, they utilized a loyalty app, Loyal-nSave, to provide mobile connectivity to better cater to an increasingly younger demographic.
Smokers Choice began seeing the benefits of their loyalty program almost immediately. They experienced 184% market share growth within the first six months alone, and they soon saw a revenue increase of 448% across their entire chain. Not only did they protect the revenue of their most popular products, but they also built a loyal and dedicated base of customers— many of which still provide repeat business to this day.
Cut Unnecessary Expenses
You’ve probably already heard the most common suggestions for reducing business expenses. Tips like cutting your production costs and eliminating low-value activities can be helpful, but in some cases, you really need to think outside the box.
According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), retailers in the U.S. pay an average electric bill of $1.50 per square foot of space. But this amount can be reduced by replacing old appliances and fixtures, minimizing daily usage of televisions, radios, and computers in your store, and turning off the lights in unused rooms and areas.
. . . cutting your production costs and eliminating low-value activities can be helpful, but in some cases, you really need to think outside the box.
Businesses can also cut expenses by re-negotiating with suppliers and distributors. Buying in bulk can help reduce costs over a long-term basis while reorganizing and optimizing inventory levels helps identify the bestselling products that keep customers coming back for more.
Consider re-evaluating your current leasing situation, too. If you’re currently in a large building, you might be able to downsize and relocate to a new area. While you might lose a few customers during the move, you’ll likely gain some new ones after you’re all settled in.
Embrace Your Creative Side
Our industry is known for embracing creativity of all kinds, so try to tap into your creative side as much as possible. Not only will it help you stand out from the crowd, but it might even help your company survive during those lean times.
Foggy Gorilla Vape Shop, based in Canada, had to get creative in order to maintain their competitiveness in an oversaturated market. They took a multi-pronged approach that included a complete website redesign, a highly targeted SEO campaign, and social media marketing. Once their plans were in action, they tied everything together with consistent brand imagery in their stores and online.
The results speak for themselves. On a monthly basis, Foggy Gorilla Vape Shop now sees approximately 6,000 website visitors, more than 100,000 pageviews, and 3,000 unique customer actions. They’ve also increased the online followings of their location-specific Facebook profiles, which, in turn, brings even more foot traffic into their brick-and-mortar stores.
This article continues online.
The first steps to surviving an economic downturn are protecting revenue and cutting costs—but that’s only part of the picture. What about your people? Your culture? Your long-term identity?
Head over to the full version of this article to learn how top shops are keeping employees motivated, reinforcing their values, and building community—even when times get tough.
THE SMOKE Swiping Through
By Ryan Mills
If you’ve ever wanted to live right on the edge, try managing a payment processor relationship as a “high-risk merchant account,” where even if you follow all the rules, you can still get hit with higher fees, longer payout times, and enough paperwork to qualify as a second job – or lose the relationship entirely, and most likely suddenly. Selling perfectly legal products like glass pipes, rolling papers, or CBD shouldn’t feel like applying for a top-secret security clearance. Yet, in the eyes of the financial industry, smoke shops live in the high-risk lane.
While securing and managing a credit card processor can feel like being stuck in a bureaucratic maze with a blindfold on, it is navigable – with the right map. Here’s an all-in-one guide to understanding how to process plastic without pulling your hair out.
What You Need to Know About Credit Card Processing
While securing and managing a credit card processor can feel like being stuck in a bureaucratic maze with a blindfold on, it is navigable – with the right map.
High-Risk Realities
First things first: it’s not personal. Being labeled “highrisk” has less to do with personal business practices and more to do with the products being sold and the federal uncertainty around them. This category includes everything from tobacco and CBD to glassware and kratom. Even if you’re operating entirely within state laws, many banks and processors get jittery around anything remotely connected to the industry.
Mainstream platforms like Square, PayPal, and Stripe often approve accounts quickly and then just as quickly shut them down when their algorithm catches on. And when they drop you, it’s usually without warning or recourse. Is
by a processor worse than getting ghosted by a date? Probably. Better to avoid those heartaches from the jump.
Instead, canna-businesses should look to payment processors that specialize in high-risk industries. Companies like Durango Merchant Services, PaymentCloud, High Wire Payments, and Easy Pay Direct have built their reputations around navigating this exact space. They understand compliance hurdles and aren’t shocked by your inventory list. These providers come with better approval odds, real humans who understand compliance red flags, and generally fewer surprise shutdown emails.
Be prepared to pay for the privilege, however. Expect fees in the four to six percent range, compared to the two to three percent that low-risk merchants enjoy. It’s the price of doing business in a misunderstood industry. Annoying? Yes. But a small price to pay for the stability and support these providers offer.
Working with high-risk processors does come with some caveats. Beware of the dreaded rolling reserve – where a portion of sales (often around five to 10 percent) is held back for a set period, like six months, to protect against chargebacks or fraud. Before signing anything, get crystal
clear on reserve terms. How much will be withheld? For how long? Can it be renegotiated down the line?
After all this, be prepared for more intensive compliance requirements looming right around the corner. Being a high risk merchant comes with more paperwork than a tax audit, with banks and processors requesting documentation like business licenses, supplier verification, age verification systems and product details. It’s a hassle, but staying transparent builds trust with the processor and helps prevent surprise shutdowns.
On top of that, all merchants, high-risk or not, must comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, or PCI DSS. This industry-standard framework ensures businesses securely store and transmit customer card info. Even if you’re not handling the tech side directly, your processor is, and they’ll need you to follow protocols. If you’re taking any payments online or saving customer data, you’ll want to make sure you’re covered from a cybersecurity standpoint.
Still with us? Good—because there’s more to the story.
Getting a high-risk payment processor is only half the battle. You’ve read about the fees, paperwork, and compliance headaches—but that’s just the surface. In this space, even legal businesses get flagged, and staying afloat means navigating rules most retailers never face.
What happens when your processor quietly shuts you down? Or when plug-and-play platforms freeze your funds? The answers—and ways to protect yourself—are in the full version.
JUNE
19-21,
2025 | THE FAIRGROUNDS NASHVILLE
Are you stuck with the same old strategies and outdated products, or are you looking for innovation and deals to meet today's consumer demands?
1 2 3 4
Break the mold and explore a new trade show experience. Discover offers crafted exclusively for businesses like yours Revamp your stock with the latest and greatest from this season's lineup Tune In & Gain clarity on today's top consumer desires and trends
THE SALE, V3 The Art of
By Julia Hamieh
Alright, let’s get one thing clear: I know what you’re thinking when you hear the “C word.” But don’t worry, it’s not what you’re imagining. The C word I’m talking about is C onsignment— every brand’s nightmare and every distributor’s best friend. And yes, I’m a fan of it! So, what’s the deal with C onsignment, exactly?
To break it down, C onsignment is essentially a situation where a brand gives someone—like a distributor—permission to sell their products, but the brand still owns the goods until they’re sold to the end customer. It’s like saying, “Here, take my stuff and sell it for me, but I still technically own it until it’s gone.” The distributor takes care of the product, and the brand gets paid once it moves off the shelf.
Personally, I like to think of C onsignment as the ultimate “no strings attached” deal. If the product sells, great—everyone’s happy! But if it doesn’t, guess what? You’ve got nothing to lose. That’s where the beauty of C onsignment lies. It takes the pressure off you because you don’t have to worry about getting stuck with products that just aren’t moving. Of course, You’ll have to push the product as hard as you can, but if it doesn’t sell, well, it is what it is.
The C Word: Consignment - A Distributor’s Best Friend
LEVEL UP ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLE BRANDS AT MJBIZCON
DEC. 2-5, 2025 | MJBizCon | Las Vegas
The Culture+ Neighborhood at MJBizCon is where counterculture thrives.
Join together with manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, product developers, press, influencers and advocates to support the growth of smoke, paraphernalia, hemp/CBD, functional mushrooms and alternative lifestyle businesses.
WANT TO ATTEND THE SHOW? INTERESTED IN EXHIBITING?
When you bring a new product on Consignment, you get a pretty good idea of how well it will perform in the long term. You push it, see how it sells, and start to get a feel for whether it’s a good fit for your audience.
Now, let’s talk about the terms of C onsignment. This is where things can get interesting because it’s ultimately up to the brand to decide. Some brands prefer to do net 20 or net 30 deals—meaning the distributor pays after 20 or 30 days, regardless of whether the product has sold or not. But then, there’s the sweet spot: pay as you sell. That’s my favorite. It’s the golden ticket because I’m only paying for the products that actually move. Pretty smart, right? Sadly, not every brand is willing to go this route. It’s mostly smaller brands that need a little push and are open to C onsignment because they can’t afford to just give their products away upfront. But when they’re willing to take that risk, it’s a win-win.
Another reason why C onsignment is clever is that it lets you test the waters. When you bring a new product on C onsignment, you get a pretty good idea of how well it will perform in the long term. You push it, see how it sells, and start to get a feel for whether it’s a good fit for your audience. Once you know the product is moving and trust has built up between you and the brand, it’s easy to transition out of C onsignment and into a pay-upfront process.
Julia Hamieh is the Marketing & Sales Manager for Sig Distro, the industry’s leading East Coast distribution company. As part of a forward-thinking leadership team, she plays a key role in marketing, sales, and strategic growth. With a sharp eye for industry trends and a passion for innovation, Julia is helping shape the future of the business in a fast-moving market.
At that point, you’ve built a solid relationship with the brand and proven that the product can sell. The fear of being stuck with a product no longer exists because you know it works, and you know that you’ll continue selling it. That’s the sweet spot of C onsignment—the ability to test out a product without the financial risk and then move into a more stable, predictable arrangement once you’re confident in its success.
So, while C onsignment might be a dirty word for some brands, it’s honestly one of the best strategies a distributor can have in their toolkit. You get to test, sell, and build trust—all without worrying about getting stuck with products that won’t move. What’s not to love about that?
Attention : Smoke Shop Owners
Are you really getting the best pricing?- or the best value - are you price protected against sudden price drops in the market?
Some shop owners thrive on the hunt. They love the negotiation, the hustle, the back-and-forth. But for others, that process is a draintime-consuming, inconsistent, and sometimes unnecessary. That’s where META steps in.
At META, we’ve built direct relationships with leading manufacturers and top-tier vendors in the smokeshop industry. We’ve done the legwork - so you don’t have to. By ordering with META, you’re getting direct from the source, without the markup games or mystery middlemen.
If you're ever wonder whether you could be getting better deals on your core inventory, let’s talk. A quick 5-minute call could uncover serious savings, streamline your buying process, and help you focus on what you do best: running your business.
Let’s find out if META can unlock potential for your business to
you competitive when you need to be.
The RAW Extendo™
The Wand Chooses the Wizard
The RAW Extendo™ Lighter does what every lighter should—without singeing your knuckles. The extended wand is clutch for lighting deep bowls and long rolls, and the flintless ignition keeps your fingertips clean. But the real heads know it’s more than a lighter. That wand doubles as a rolling tool: wrap your paper around it, slide in your crutch, pull it off, pack it, done. It’s smooth, sturdy, and surprisingly useful for something that lives in your junk drawer until 4:20. RAW gave a classic piece of stoner gear a functional upgrade without making it feel like a gimmick. You’ll wonder how you got by without it—until someone “accidentally” walks off with yours.
QUEST
Debowler Narwhal Silicone Ashtray
Cute, Stabby, and Dishwasher Safe.
Finally, an ashtray with a personality—and a purpose. The Debowler Narwhal Silicone Ashtray isn’t just cute, it’s cunning. That majestic little horn? It’s actually a billet aluminum debowling spike, anodized and ready to gut your gunked-up bowl without mercy. The body’s made of heavy-duty, heat-resistant silicone that can take a hit and still laugh it off. It’s dishwasher-safe, made in Reno, and unapologetically weird—in the best way possible. At 5.25 inches across, it’s big enough to handle your sesh, but compact enough to toss in your gear bag. High Times gave it props, and for good reason: it keeps your space cleaner and your vibe sharper. If your current ashtray isn’t stabbing resin demons with a narwhal horn, what are we even doing here?
4 the Best
Geek THC Pulse
Smart. Sleek. Slightly Obsessive.
The Geek THC Pulse is a disposable with ambition—think high-capacity vapor meets high-tech customization. With 8.3g of premium cannabinoids (Delta 8, THD, THC-P, and more), a 400mAh USB-C rechargeable battery, and up to 35,000 puffs, this thing has more range than your group chat on edibles. Choose from three voltage settings, preheat for a silky draw, and track your session with a smart screen that shows battery life and puff count. The Pulse also
features C-Mesh coils and SGT Tech for smooth, flavorful hits every time. Available in three vibe-forward collections— Frozen (indica), Presidente (sativa), and Zodiac (hybrid)—each with strains as punchy as the branding. Bottom line: if your current cart doesn’t light up like a spaceship, it might be time to upgrade.
The Puffco Proxy
Terrapipe
Homey Vibes, High-Tech Fit
The Puffco Proxy Terrapipe (Chestnut) gives your hightech Proxy rig some old-school soul. Slipcast from ceramic and finished with a hand-dipped, two-tone glaze, it feels more like a favorite mug than a gadget accessory—which is kind of the point. This is a dry pipe, so no water filtration, but plenty of cozy, tactile vibes. Designed specifically for the Puffco Proxy (sold separately), it slides in snugly and elevates the session with earthy charm and satisfying heft. Ideal for the laid-back user who wants their cuttingedge tech wrapped in something that feels handmade and homey. Bonus: the glaze on each piece is unique, so no two are exactly alike. Currently available in Chestnut and Matcha for $80. High function meets high design—without trying too hard.
Innovation is seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought.
— Dr. Albert Szent-Györgyi
Slightly Elevated Formulated for High Function
Slightly Elevated Gummies are formulated like someone actually read a book—or ten—on plant compounds and brain chemistry. Each one targets a different state of mind: VIBE brings a sativa-style buzz with fast-onset Delta-9; ENGAGE stacks CBD, CBC, and CBG with Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps to clear the fog; ADAPT focuses on balance with a fullspectrum mushroom blend; RELIEVE is the
Hi On Nature – 74ml THC-P Shot
Tiny Bottle. Titanic Buzz.
Hi On Nature’s 74ml THC-P Shot is a grape-flavored sledgehammer wrapped in a tiny bottle. Packed with a blend of THC-P, CBC, CBD-P, and terpenes, this fullspectrum formula delivers an experience that hits like 500mg of Delta 8—then sticks around for over 24 hours. It’s designed for seasoned psychonauts, not the mildly curious. Whether you sip or shoot, expect lift-off. The $21.99 price tag might fool you, but this little bottle has serious altitude. Effects vary (a lot), so follow the dosing guidance unless you’ve cleared your schedule and prepped snacks. Bold, sweet, and unapologetically strong, this shot isn’t playing around—it’s setting the tone for the rest of your day... or maybe tomorrow.
one you reach for when your joints are talking back; and DREAM skips the melatonin hangover in favor of CBN and Reishi. The effects are clean, the labeling is honest, and the flavors don’t taste like regret. Whether your customers are optimizing their workday or curating their sleep cycle, these gummies offer a thoughtful upgrade to the usual cannabinoid experience.
THE NEXT ERA OF MEDICAL CANNABIS
Returning to Elevate Patient Voices
Will You Join Me?
Over two decades ago, we founded Americans for Safe Access (ASA) to bring patients’ needs and voices out of the shadows and into the center of the national cannabis debate. Back then, patients were criminalized, stigmatized, and rarely heard—trotted out in courtrooms or used as talking points, then shut out of actual policy decisions. Our work at ASA began out of necessity: patients like me needed recognition, protection, and a clear path to access life-changing—and in many cases, life-saving—medicine.
As a political organizer, I did what I knew how to do: create a strategic plan and organize like hell!
In 2001, the DEA denied another petition to reschedule cannabis; we used their arguments as a roadmap to develop campaigns. Since then, we have made significant progress. Medical cannabis programs now exist in most states. We created product safety standards that many thought impossible. We even secured federal protections for these programs through the “CJS Medical Cannabis Amendment,” stopping federal interference. We got HHS to acknowledge cannabis’ medical value. We contributed to international reforms that could soon pave the way for U.S. rescheduling and regulatory frameworks that truly reflect cannabis’ therapeutic potential.
And yet, as encouraging as these milestones are, they do not tell the whole story. For every patient who can now access safe medicine in their state, there are countless others still
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shut out—whether by restrictive state laws, the high costs of treatments, the impossibility of traveling, or relocating for access and legal protections. Patients continue to pay out of pocket for treatments that insurance should cover. They routinely encounter stigma from healthcare professionals lacking proper training, and they’re often left to guess which products are safe and effective.
In recent years, I’ve worked abroad on federal medical cannabis frameworks and helped guide research pushing the boundaries of what we know about this plant. I’ve seen countries establishing safe, equitable, and effective medical cannabis programs. These experiences affirmed what I already believed: ASA’s strategic vision is sound! In December 2020, we achieved a critical milestone by changing the international scheduling of cannabis—removing the final obstacle needed to reschedule cannabis in the U.S. per our strategic plan. With HHS acknowledging cannabis’ medical use, we’re on the brink of transforming not just cannabis laws, but the very regulations that define what medicine is.
Yet here we are, 23 years later, and it feels more like a crossroads than a tipping point. Some have lost sight of our original vision for medical cannabis, while others never knew a strategic plan existed. Many patients feel marginalized and excluded from policy discussions—again. Many cannabis businesses are barely hanging on, unable to think beyond next week. And advocacy groups like ASA? We’re
By Steph Sherer Founder & Executive Director Americans for Safe Access
woefully underfunded, our budget down 900% from a decade ago.
As I step back into this role, I am supported by a new generation of leaders. Together, we’re forging a path toward comprehensive federal policies that include creating an Office of Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoid Control and introducing a new “Schedule VI” classification for cannabis.
It’s important to remember our roots: the patients who first stood up for cannabis did so in the face of possible arrest and public shaming, all without the legal safeguards we have today. Their courage and sacrifice laid the groundwork for our current opportunities. Privileged Americans for Safe Access is not the legacy we want to leave for the patients who fought before us! We owe them—and the countless names history may forget—a future where medical cannabis is an accessible medicine woven into our healthcare system.
That is why I’m returning to ASA. Our work is far from over. Because the strides we’ve made must be measured by how many people they help. Because we need to reshape the very definition of medicine, leaving a legacy of justice, compassion, and inclusivity.
Let’s finish what we started because the promise of medical cannabis is too vital to remain unfulfilled.
For over 20 years, Steph Sherer has been at the forefront of medical cannabis advocacy, transforming grassroots activism into policy change. As the founder and Executive Director of Americans for Safe Access (ASA), she has trained over 100,000 advocates, built powerful coalitions, and worked with lawmakers to ensure patient access to cannabis-based medicines. Under her leadership, ASA has secured critical protections for patients, medical professionals, and cannabis programs nationwide. Sherer has also been instrumental in setting cannabis product safety standards, guiding international cannabis rescheduling, and shaping regulatory frameworks that prioritize patients. After years of advancing global medical cannabis policies, she has returned to ASA to lead its “second act,” working to fully integrate cannabis into U.S. healthcare and ensure that patient needs remain at the center of policy discussions.
THE HIDDEN FLAWS IN SMOKING CESSATION ADVICE
A Call for Clarity
You’ve likely heard the message loud and clear: smoking is bad, and quitting is the best choice. But what if the advice given to help people quit smoking is based on shaky science? A thoughtprovoking article by Floe Foxon and Michael Siegel, titled “Scientific Inaccuracies in Smoking Cessation Guidance,” argues that some common claims about smoking and quitting may not be as accurate as they seem. Published in The American Journal of Medicine, this piece challenges us to rethink how we approach smoking cessation and highlights the need for honesty in public health messaging.
The authors focus on a major issue: many smoking cessation programs and guidelines rely on oversimplified or misleading information. For example, it’s often said that vapes contain just as much or more nicotine than cigarettes, the implication being that vaping will not encourage quitting. Foxon and Siegel point out that this is mathematically incorrect; they also note that people who vape tend to absorb less nicotine than smokers, allowing them to reduce their dependence and even eliminate nicotine use over time should they chose to do so.
Another inaccuracy the article tackles is the idea that all tobacco products are equally harmful. You’ve probably seen warnings that lump cigarettes, cigars, and e-cigarettes together as deadly. But the authors argue this isn’t true. Cigarettes, which burn tobacco and release thousands of toxic chemicals, are far more dangerous than vapes, which deliver nicotine through vapor without combustion—that is, with “fewer numbers and lower levels of most toxicants,” the article adds.
By Alli Boughner Vice President American Vapor Manufacturers
the decline in adolescent smoking actually accelerated as e-cigarette use increased.” they note. Moreover, both youth smoking and youth vaping have hit record lows in recent years. There is no evidence to support the vaping-to-smoking gateway. It exists only in the minds of tobacco control researchers.
Misleading information can make it harder for people—like family members or friends—who want to quit smoking. If they’re given advice that doesn’t match reality, they might give up altogether.
By equating smoking and vaping, public health campaigns discourage smokers from switching to less harmful alternatives that could help them quit and maybe even save their lives. This is a big deal because, as the article notes, many smokers fail to quit using traditional methods like counseling or medication.
Foxon and Siegel also debunk the claim that vaping increases youth cigarette use. “Not only is there no population-level evidence for … this claim, but evidence shows that
Why does this matter to you? Misleading information can make it harder for people—like family members or friends—who want to quit smoking. If they’re given advice that doesn’t match reality, they might give up altogether. The authors call for a fix: public health experts should update cessation guidelines with the latest science. This could mean promoting harm reduction options like vapes.
This article is a wake-up call. It reminds us to question what we’re told, even by ostensibly trusted sources, and to demand clear, accurate information. It’s a lesson in critical thinking: don’t just accept the narrative—dig deeper. Better science means better solutions, and that could save lives.
