NORTHEAST
AS NATURE INTENDED.
AUTHENTIC AROMA TRUE TASTE CAREFULLY CULTIVATED INDOOR GROWN
Indoor grown in state-of-the-art facilities and overseen from seed to store by our best-in-class cultivation teams, our plants are handled with the utmost care. Extensive cultivar catalog research allows us to optimize the growing conditions for each cultivar, ensuring our buds retain their true-to-nature characteristics. Rigorous research and development ensures the selection of big, beautiful buds with full trichome coverage for premium aroma, avor and enhanced e cacy—a full sensory experience that’s authentic to each cultivar.
GROWING TOGETHER
Breeding Grounds is a project under which Sensi Seeds releases its cutting-edge strains. As part of this program, we join hands with breeders of Sherbinskis, Serge Cannabis, Champelli, Humboldt Seed Company, Fat Beans, and more.
We are proud to be at the forefront of developing ground-breaking genetics, working in collaboration with some of the best breeders worldwide.
SENSISEEDS.US
@SENSISEEDS_US
@SENSISEEDS.US
WES ABNEY CEO & FOUNDER
wes@leafmagazines.com
MIKE RICKER OPERATING PARTNER ricker@leafmagazines.com
TOM BOWERS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER tom@leafmagazines.com
DANIEL BERMAN CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER daniel@leafmagazines.com
JACKIE BRYANT CONTENT DIRECTOR jackie@leafmagazines.com
BOBBY BLACK LEAF BOWL DIRECTOR & HISTORIAN bobbyblack@leafmagazines.com
MIKE GIANAKOS ONLINE EDITOR mikeg@leafmagazines.com
MICHELLE NARANJO COPY EDITOR michelle@leafmagazines.com
CARA WIETSTOCK COPY EDITOR cara@leafmagazines.com
MATT JACKSON SOCIAL MEDIA mattjackson@leafmagazines.com
ABOUT THE COVER
The solar return of The Adventure Issue is our celebration of the many ways that Cannabis enhances the creative journey of our lives. The artist Alex Wight, aka Skully Vibes, has been drawing his whole life. He spent six years as the GM of a major Denver dispensary, where he says he developed a deep connection to the plant and the community. He was taking a dab break, and hiking in the Rockies with his wife, when we reached out for the assignment. "Get outside and catch a vibe!"
ILLUSTRATION BY SKULLY VIBES SKULLYVIBES.COM | @SKULLY.VIBES
CONTRIBUTORS
WES ABNEY, FEATURES
AJ AGUILAR, FEATURES
DANIEL BERMAN, DESIGN
BOBBY BLACK, DESIGN + FEATURES
TOM BOWERS, FEATURES
JACKIE BRYANT, FEATURES
JONNY FLOWERS, PHOTOS
DAVID DOWNS, FEATURES
JULIUS GUTIERREZ, PHOTOS
REX HILSINGER, FEATURES
ELLEN HOLLAND, FEATURES
MATT JACKSON, FEATURES
JAKE KERN, FEATURES
Editor’s Note
Thanks for picking up The Adventure Issue of Northeast Leaf!
Buying weed used to be an adventure; meeting a dealer in a fast-food parking lot or a smoky basement carried an element of criminality and suspe nse. Part of the experience was getting ripped off, or at least not knowing what you were getting for your money. An eighth was $40 back in the late ’90s, when a gallon of gas was $1.79, and a Big Mac was $1.50. Oh, how we all long for those simpler times — but not the waiting for a pot dealer part!
Today, the excitement around buying weed comes from the variety, which is immense, and the many ways Cannabis can go into or on the body. A modern dispensary might have hundreds of different vapes, edibles, concentrates, joints and topicals, along with all the ways to consume.
It’s easier than ever to find a product that is ready to puff on the go, and between vapes and gummies, nobody needs to know that you are floating up the hiking trail instead of climbing it.
Weed is the ultimate companion for adventure, no matter what flavor of life you are experiencing. Cannabis puts us in the moment fo r thrills, enhances appetite and sound for food and concert exper iences and helps us recover and relax for post-fun reflection.
"… NOBODY NEEDS TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE FLOATING UP THE HIKING TRAIL INSTEAD OF CLIMBING."
TERPODACTYL MEDIA, FEATURES + PHOTOS
JAMIE OWENS, FEATURES
BAXSEN PAINE, FEATURES
ALEX PEFFER, PHOTOS
BECK ROURKE, FEATURES
TIMOTHY VANDERWARKER, PHOTOS
BRUCE & LAURIE WOLF, RECIPES
KATHERINE WOLF, FEATURES
We are creators of targeted, independent Cannabis journalism. Please email us to discuss advertising in the next issue of Northeast Leaf Magazine. We do not sell stories or coverage. Email paige@leafmagazines.com to start advertising!
LEAF!
As I prepare for fishing season, topicals and vapes are right next to my emergency radio and survival belt. I feel most connected to nature and grateful for the natural gifts of God when I’m smoking on a river or in the woods in pursuit of a fish or a view.
As we head into the summer season, it’s important to pack your weed bags carefully. Remember that not every travel destination has the same laws regarding the green. You can generally get something where you are going in a checked bag or hidden away, but I recommend leaving it there on the way home. It’s never worth the risk of trouble for what we can buy here legally — unless your idea of an adventure is ending up on “Locked Up Abroad.”
So be safe, avoid sunburn, stay hydrated and thank your local pot shop for powering your next adventure!
PHOTO BY DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
BARNEY’S FARM IS STILL DOING THE SAME WORK
Derry Brett started collecting Cannabis genetics in the early 1980s, moving through parts of Central and Southeast Asia and bringing seeds back from places where the plant had been grown for generations. Those lines are still in Barney’s Farm’s breeding program — artifacts, yes, but continually worked into whatever comes next as the seed bank's legacy grows.
ARNEY’S FARM now operates as a global seed company with decades of recognition behind it, but Brett doesn’t frame it that way. When the subject of competition comes up, he shrugs it off.
“The market being crowded is a compliment,” he said. “We showed the world what great Cannabis genetics could be.”
He’s more interested in what happens after that first moment of discovery. Finding a standout plant isn’t the problem.
“Anyone can find a fire pheno in a pack of ten,” he said. “That’s luck.”
The work is in getting it to show up again — reliably, under different conditions, for various growers.
That expectation runs through the entire operation. Barney’s Farm has expanded its facilities and invested in lab work, but the release process still comes down to a simple rule: If something isn’t right, it doesn’t ship.
The growers themselves have changed. Brett describes the early coffeeshop years in Amsterdam as a smaller, more exploratory moment.
Now he’s dealing with growers who arrive with a clear set of expectations.
“People know exactly what they want — specific effects, specific flavor profiles, specific cultivation traits,” he said.
That shift has pushed breeding in a different direction. Brett points to the level of terpene complexity now achievable, but doesn’t treat it as a finish line. It’s another variable to stabilize, another thing that has to hold up over time.
The company’s recent move into the U.S. has changed how closely that work is tied to the people using it. Barney’s Farm now handles distribution and is developing genetics in California, where Brett says the conditions allow for a slower, more deliberate pace.
“The quality coming out of that environment is exceptional,” he said, but the bigger shift is proximity — seeing how plants perform and adjusting in real time.
He doesn’t spend much time on the regulatory challenges that come with that shift, even though they’re significant. The U.S. market moves quickly and unevenly. That’s part of the landscape.
What stands out more to him is the broader shift in how Cannabis is treated.
“I’ve spent most of my adult life in an industry that was criminalized, marginalized and misunderstood,” he said.
The change isn’t total, but it’s enough to alter the context in which the work exists.
Brett doesn’t describe the industry as settling into a single shape. Larger operations will continue to expand. Smaller breeders will continue working independently.
“Cannabis has always had a craft culture at its heart,” he said, and he doesn’t expect that to disappear.
“The history of Cannabis is written in these plants.”
The older genetics remain part of that process. Brett still works from the landrace material he collected decades ago, folding it into newer lines rather than separating it.
“Those genetics are irreplaceable,” he said. “The history of Cannabis is written in these plants.”
His focus stays close to where it started. The work is still about taking existing genetics, crossing them and seeing what holds. Some of it traces back to those early collections in Asia. Some of it comes from newer collaborations. Brett mentions Africa as a region he’s watching, but he doesn’t present it as a pivot so much as a continuation.
“What defines us is that we’re still chasing it,” he said. “Still excited by what a new cross might become.”
INTERVIEW | FOUNDER DERRY BRETT
COURTESY
DERRY BRETT
MIMOSA X ORANGE PUNCH
AFGHAN HASH PLANT
GET YOUR VEAZY
FIRE FOLLOWER
Award-winning journalist/author and former Leafly Senior Editor David Downs’ monthly genetics intelligence dispatch.
ALIEN GENETICS REVEALS ADVANCED ‘ROTATIONAL TERPS’
THE INFLUENTIAL MAKER OF FRUITY PEBBLES OG, STARFIGHTER AND ALIEN ROCK CANDY IS BACK WITH FOUR CROSSES TO HIS KIWI SOURS.
HUNDREDS OF STRAINS bear Alien Genetics’ DNA, including MAC1 and Cookies and Cream. According to Alien and Lady Alien, the two-person team, Alien Genetics is in pursuit of unique terpenes that have a “rotational,” palate-staining quality.
The hottest release of the Kiwi Sours crosses is dubbed Laura Palmer for Alien Genetics’ love of the show “Twin Peaks.” Laura Palmer is (Paris Rock Candy x Marshmallowz) and Kiwi Sours. Get that one before it sells out. Alien made “hundreds” of packs, but that supply is already running low.
The key is the insanely pedigreed Kiwi Sours (Alien Genetics’ Bubble Belts x Moon Arc). What’s in that? Bubble Belts is Rainbow Belts 3.0 and Tahoe Alien Bubble Gum, and it contains some Indiana Bubble Gum. Moon Arc is Moonbow 112 and Alien Rock Candy.
It’s “my favorite thing I’ve made in a long time,” Alien said. “It has a terp profile I just could not get away from. It was sour all over the place, a lot of gas, a lot of kiwi fruit flavor and a ton of candy. It has a bit of a rotational smell: One thing leads you to another, and another, and back around — gas, bubble gum, the kiwi fruit, sour candy. It’s one of those jars you can’t stop opening because it’s a bit of a journey.”
Alien hit Kiwi Sours to (Paris Rock Candy x Marshmallowz), which is [(Perris OG x Alien Rock Candy) x (Hollywood Pure Kush x Moon Arc)]. It’s another epic one in the garden.
“It's one of the loudest flowers I’ve ever smelled. Being in the room while it is harvested is overwhelming and almost offensive to the senses,” Alien said. “I harvested a room of it this morning, and the best way to describe it is: sharp astringent gas, Pine-Sol OG Kush, bitter skunk. It’s got a complex perfume with a bit of candy deep in the background.”
Together with the Kiwi Sours? Yes.
Alien said all the Laura Palmers have the same smell and taste and vary mainly by height. The taller ones yield a little better.
Alien Genetics bred all the Kiwi Sours crosses indoors for organic soil conditions. Alien likes to top them once. They’re going outside in gardens this year. Laura Palmer likes a pretty typical vegetative, flower and harvest process. Alien did recommend some extra silicate. “The branches just exploded,” he said.
Alien Genetics would love for folks to get some packs and win a hash cup with a pheno, or find a stud and keep on working it. Although it’s tough to think what could improve on all that goodness already packed in there. Alien imagines hitting it back to his Fruity Pebbles OG, but that’s a story for another time.
Founded in 1999 in Honeydew, California, Alien has moved operations to the East Coast, focusing heavily on the New Jersey and New York markets. The company is also currently forming partnerships with commercial facilities from Maine to Florida.
POT FARMER’S ALMANAC
Get your clones May 16-17 during California’s first Clonetopia at San Francisco’s Solful dispensary and 7 Stars Holistic Healing Center in Richmond, California. More than 15 varieties from four nurseries will be available, and you can meet the nursery operators.
HendRx Nursery is bringing out its selection of Tire Fire OG for $1,500 per clone. They also have “Surprise 6” packs of six clones for $150 — dealer’s choice.
Purple City Genetics has the never-before-released cut of Habibi (Z x Moroccan Peaches), as well as Lemon Cherry Congo, Watermelon Dream and Cel-Ray. Talking Trees brings out some GDP x Urkle cuts, as well as Strawberry Pop. Haze Valley Nursery offers three varieties of Tom Hill Haze for $1,500 for the three-pack. Haze Valley is also selling clones of the strains Hashburger and Grape Lobster. Visit sfspacewalk.com to learn more.
It’s clone-hardening-off and planting season, which means slowly getting your baby cutting used to the sun and the weather. Harden off your clones by taking them outside in the morning and exposing them to shaded sunlight for a little bit longer each day for a week. Bring them in at night. Remember: Don’t overwater a clone. After a week of increasing amounts of shaded sunlight, plant the clone in a 20-gallon fabric pot of high-quality organic tomato potting soil, and place it in the sunlight.
ALIENGENETICS.ORG
@ITSLADYALIEN
@ALIENGENETICS.OFFICIAL
@THEALIENYOUSEEK
KIWI LIME OG
KIWI VELVET LIME
KIWI ROOT BEER
LAURA PALMER
HOT FOR 2026
MIKE THE HIGHEST THE HIGHEST
Mike “The Highest” is easy to spot in a crowd: He’s tall, usually high, often smiling and always carrying at least one Puffco device. His first job as a kid was in a glass shop, and his last career before this was as an audio engineer in a bigname studio. The throughline has always been weed. You can find him anywhere the headies are, but The Flowery on Veterans Road in Staten Island is where he calls home.
SO HOW DID YOU BECOME MIKE THE HIGHEST? It was my production name for making beats. It was supposed to be like, “I smoke weed, and I’m the highest.” But I was also really into the Flower of Life, sacred geometry and that idea of being the most high, the most enlightened, the highest being. You know, all praise to the most high.
WHEN DID CANNABIS BECOME CENTRAL TO YOUR LIFE? Probably right after high school. I started to realize how much it was helping me to sleep, to eat, to relieve nausea that I didn’t realize it was helping me with. It was actually a lot of the medical benefits that attracted me to it.
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH THE INDUSTRY? I sold weed since my freshman year of high school. I never liked to sell to strangers, but I would hook up homies.
I started working for Moe, who I work for now, at a smoke shop called General Smoke. It was a glass store mostly, and since I was his stoner friend, he hired me.
General Smoke closed, and I said to Moe, “If you ever open a weed store on Staten Island, let me know, I’ll come be your guy.” Years went by, I had left my job in the music industry as an audio engineer and said, “I’ll work at the first dispensary in Staten Island.” They announced the license, and I Googled who owned that business, and what do you know? It was Moe! I was the first employee.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB?
When I first started going to California, I would go into the medical dispo, and the way they would be able to tell me “This will do this, this will help you do that.” I went in with a headache and was like, “How do I get rid of this?”
They said to smoke a sativa, and now I know these different sativas that help relieve headaches. Being able to help everyone else with whatever it is with weed, and that community experience, I want to give that to other people.
WHAT ROLE DID YOU START OFF IN, AND WHAT ROLE ARE YOU CURRENTLY IN? I started as a floor supervisor. I thought I was going to be a budtender, but they just turned to me and said, “Alright, Mike, train everybody.” I was interacting with some people who had never smoked weed in their life and teaching them how I sold weed my whole life. And it worked. They sell weed like pros. Now I’m the assistant general manager. I’m there every single day. Everyone knows me. I know all the customers. That’s like home to me now.
FAVORITE KIND OF CUSTOMER?
The ones in their 60s or older. Either they know everything because they’ve been smoking their whole life, and I can surprise them that I know more about weed, or someone knows absolutely nothing, and I’m able to make them feel comfortable in this room they didn’t feel comfortable to come in. I just helped that person get sleep or whatever they needed.
IF YOU DIDN’T WORK IN WEED, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING? Probably back in the music industry. I used to work with artists on recording and creating hit records that would be on the radio all the time.
SESH SOUNDTRACK? Tyler, The Creator has always been my favorite artist on the planet. I wouldn’t be who I am without that man. He told me to follow my dreams and never care about whatever anybody ever said about me and what they wanted me to do and just do what the fuck I want to do. I’m only doing that because of him. I was only in the music industry because of him.
Teezo Touchdown. I love that man. He’s an alien, I guess you could say. I don’t know how else to explain him. He’s the greatest artist I’ve heard in recent years.
WHAT ELSE ARE YOU INTO OUTSIDE OF CANNABIS AND MUSIC? Go-karts. I love going fast and imitating Formula 1 drivers. Playing video games, specifically GameCube and Nintendo.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR ANYONE ELSE LOOKING TO ESTABLISH A CAREER IN CANNABIS RETAIL? If you don’t love helping people, this is not for you. Having a passion for helping people and Cannabis will help you thrive in this industry. Because at the end of the day, that is all it is: helping people find weed that they want. @MIKETHEHIGHEST
NAMESAKE & OBZRVR
HOW LONG HAVE YOU TWO BEEN ON THE TORCH?
Giovanni Buda: I first got on the torch 14 years ago while I was in college. I was studying interactive design, … and in my second year, I decided to transfer into the Craft and Design program in order to pursue a career in glass. I’m glad to say I’ve been able to work full-time on the torch since 2016.
Naomi Hernández: The first time I tried flameworking was in 2014, and then for the next decade I would occasionally hop on the torch for fun, maybe once or twice a year. I was mostly making chains to gift my friends and family. … It wasn’t until mid-2024 that I started apprenticing under my partner and learning to blow glass fulltime.
This team hailing from Hamilton, Ontario, in the great white North shows what over a decade of partnership can bring to the art world. Their continued pursuit of creativity and visual expression makes for an unmatched level of sublime works.
WHERE DID YOUR JOURNEYS BEGIN, AND WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO BLOW GLASS?
GB: I naturally drifted towards flameworking as I always wanted to make pipes. When I first entered the program, they didn’t allow us to make pipes, but by my fourth year, they accepted my final thesis proposal on a series of networked rigs. Those pieces were also the first pipes to be displayed in the Sandra Ainsley Gallery in Toronto. At school, I had endless time to tinker and experiment with what I wanted to make. That’s what I found so interesting, and still do: … always being able to explore new methods and techniques to achieve a certain result and being able to refine that process.
NH: My journey in glass really started with meeting my partner, Gio, in college. I was a film student. … So, when he transferred into the glass program, I started documenting a lot of his process. I found myself captivated by the cluttered intimacy of a flameworking studio. …
All this time later, and I’d say Gio’s encouragement and passion towards the craft is something that motivates me. It constantly helps remind me there is still so much left to explore.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE THINGS TO CREATE?
GB: I really enjoy making hollow structures like my Sentinel rigs. It was a fun design that came together through experimenting with natural function while I was at school. … I’ve also had a lot of fun
Giovanni Buda @obzrvr_
“My main focus is on realism, but specifically the objects that we tend to overlook.”
All Things Cannabis For All People
-Glass Artist Naomi Hernández
working with Naomi on our brand, Pending Approval, over the last year and a half. Recently, we’ve been doing more direct collabs with the Puffco attachments. This has been my first experience with designing concepts for an e-rig, so it’s been really rewarding to explore new areas of the industry. …
NH: My main focus is on realism, but specifically the objects that we tend to overlook. … I am deeply inspired by the work of Matt Eskuche, specifically the videos he would post online of his plastic soda bottle work. … I absolutely loved the idea of curbing the viewers’ expectations. … I bring a lot of that to my work; it’s the reason I set out to make a hyper-realistic glass pencil, as well as other small everyday objects. What has been really cool is seeing that evolve into the work we’ve been doing recently with the Puffco Proxy Core sets. Since the device is designed for discretion, it lends itself well to the idea of making work that is hidden in plain sight.
WHERE IS THE STUDIO TODAY?
NH: Our studio is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It’s a very small two-person studio, but thankfully,
we were able to design and build it out specifically for our needs. We put a lot of thought into our space and are very grateful that we get the opportunity to work out of a clean and safe studio every day.
DO YOU HAVE ANY OPENINGS OR UPCOMING DROPS?
NH: There are some upcoming drops and events, but we can’t share many details just yet, so keep an eye on our page for more info! … In the meantime, we will be running Instagram auctions on new prototype designs as we make them.
IS THERE A WEBSITE WHERE PEOPLE CAN PURCHASE YOUR WORK?
NH: All of our future independent drops will be on Obzrvr.com but you can also find some work at a wonderful local shop called Glassology. The owners, Matt and Megan, are pillars in the local scene and have always been big supporters of our work.
beardedlorax rickerdj
Naomi Hernández @namesakeglass
CHICKEN N’ WAFFLEZ GUMMIES
WHERE MANY BRANDS would have been pleased by the joke and moved on, Off Hours achieved the incredible. Within the month, Off Hours released an edible so well executed that a bite of its Chicken N’ Wafflez gummies would fool you into thinking someone had poured fresh syrup into your mouth.
From the first taste, Chicken N’ Wafflez drop #024 greets you with a deep, rich maple flavor that feels almost disorienting in its accuracy. Close your eyes, and your taste buds may think there is a bite of syrup-soaked goodness hitting your tongue. The flavor has a buttery richness layered with notes of vanilla, dark molasses, caramel and a hint of fried chicken flavor.
When Off Hours posted on social media that its next flavor would be chicken and waffles, I did a double take at the date … April 1. But I thought, “wouldn’t that be something,” and the comment section seemed to agree it was an intriguing flavor. There is a strain of the same name, after all.
Theflavorhasabutteryrichnesslayeredwith notesofvanilla,darkmolasses,caramel and a hint of fried chicken flavor.
To get such an on-the-nose profile, the Off Hours team turned to the same ingredients in vegetarian faux chicken — complemented by the flavors of a single-source infusion of Chicken N’ Wafflez rosin — to keep these gummies 100% vegan.
The effect from that solventless starting point evokes a jovial, joyful feeling without too much sedation, perfect for blending seamlessly with the flavors of a Mother’s Day brunch alongside waffles, pancakes or anything doused in syrup. These edibles pack enough rich maple flavor to pair well with a sharp cheddar or red Leicester, with the richness and smooth texture balancing out the sharp nuttiness.
If you are familiar with Off Hours gummies, you may find these a little softer than usual. That unctuous texture enhances the experience, nearly melting in your mouth with flavor as you eat them. A light brown sugar coating adds just enough flavor and crunch to evoke the feeling of biting into a piece of crispy fried chicken.
The re-creation of the taste of a mouthful of richly buttered pancakes is stunning in the best way. At the standard Off Hours 10 milligrams per piece, these edibles hit quickly and consistently thanks to the brand’s dialed-in solventless rosin infusion. Chicken N’ Wafflez will be a staple in my summer rotation from brunch to barbecues, and I can’t wait to see what other flavors Off Hours delights us with.
It’s clear from the qualityofthisjar that Trout & Co. is bringingconsistent excellence to the mat.
GMO ROSIN
“‘Trout’ was the family nickname my father had as a boy — due to an obsession with fly fishing — and a name he would later use as a grower in the ’80s and ’90s,” Steve Tworig, founder of Trout & Co., said. “I was ‘Little Trout’ growing up.”
ASK ANY HASH HEAD who is savvy about the New York legal market which brands they recommend, and no doubt Trout & Co. will be on the small but growing list of makers. With a very strong seventh-place showing at the Masters of Rosin NY for their firsttime entry — the Guava Glaze, one of Tworig’s new personal favorites — anyone who was sleeping on them is watching now.
“Next, we are coming for the top spot,” he vowed.
“It has taken truly dedicating my entire life to the craft and the industry for the past 10 years to get to where Trout & Co. is at today,” Tworig said. “Putting out top-level product on the legal market requires an experienced team with a ruthless dedication to quality.”
Over a decade of experience across all markets in multiple states and almost as much time cultivating and
making hash led Tworig to Outcast Acres Farm in the southern Adirondacks, where he is head of production. In the earliest drops, he washed and pressed everything himself.
“I’ve worked over the past year with a small but fantastic crew to implement our SOPs across cultivation, extraction and packaging to bring everything to life, he said. “The production staff at that facility is possibly the most hardworking, dedicated and goal-oriented crew I have ever worked with in Cannabis. They deserve all the credit for the product we are getting to the market right now.”
Meet the Tier 1 GMO rosin. Trout’s tier pricing is based on quality judgments of all single-source batches, which are smoked by the team before release to determine where they should be placed. The GMO was a selective run of fresh frozen flower from their outdoor living soil beds, pulled at 73-120 microns, first wash.
The nose on the jar is classic GMO: strong garlic terpenes, a sweet bite of onion and that Chem D funk. The rosin itself could be mistaken for a dollop of pale, slightly golden honey; its surface is shiny but not wet. When nudged with a tool, it is a little sticky and returns to its shape.
The smell translates to flavor, with a lingering Chem breath after the exhale. I took multiple solid dabs (finished the gram over two days — for science), and it burned fairly clean, with a bit of residual dark amber in the banger. The high is that heavy brain-body slowdown that GMO is known for. The tension in my back and jaw released. After a few dabs, I was truly comfortably numb.
Placing top 10 in a field of over 70 submissions for MOR NY had my expectations high. It’s clear from the quality of this jar that Trout & Co. is bringing consistent excellence to the mat. For “Little Trout,” that’s tradition.
“Legacy pioneers were the people who helped me to learn and love this craft, and we all stand on their shoulders,” Tworig said. “I have to shout out Sherpa Seeds (@sherpa_seeds) for really teaching me about cultivation, genetics and extraction early on. That had a huge impact in pushing me to where I am today.”
Trout & Co. is “dedicated to bringing some of the best hash cultivars in the world — many of which mainly flow through traditional markets — into dispensaries,” he said.
We’ll be watching — and smoking — it all.
DUCT TAPE DUCT TAPE
The smell off of the Duct Tape jar is deceptively quiet for over 3% terpenes, but a squeeze of the bud reveals layers of lemon, pine and a verdant gasoline. Most of the 3.5 grams come from three big, beautifully trimmed nugs. The light green flower is smothered in trichomes, with flecks of dark green sugar leaf that sparkle against soft orange hairs.
NORTHEAST
DUCT TAPE is dry to the touch but sticky when broken up, and it smells like a camping trip. When milled, the terps get much louder: the Subaru is running, the forest floor is dank and lemonade dances with notes of evergreen in the crisp air.
In the Storz & Bickel Volcano, this flower produces thick clouds with an earthy, lemon-pastry exhale.
Burned in a joint, the lemon-gasoline note dominates with a sour-pine exhale down to the filter. It’s a clean smoke, smooth on inhale.
The effect is stoney, but not stupefying. This kind of high is perfect for paddling on the lake and gazing into the fire. It’s the ideal smoke for a good let’s sit on that rock over there in the sunshine sesh. It might make you feel like someone laid Duct Tape over your mouth and relieved you of the need to speak, so choose your company wisely and enjoy.
“All the strains, except one, I (pheno) hunted on the legacy market,” Anthony Germinario, owner of Brookside Reserve in New Jersey, told Northeast Leaf. “You go through a lot of seeds to find the good ones.”
“The Duct Tape was so random. It was a seed pack I bought three years ago, and none of them washed. But I dried one branch of one that looked nice, and I smoked it and was like ‘Damn, I like that,’ and kept it around,” Germinario shared. “Never flowered it out again until we got to the facility. I filled up eight beds of it. It was a big risk because I know it doesn’t wash. I’ve never dried this much flower. But luckily our flower dried really good.”
He had twelve lights going for the past three years as Connoisseur Grade Hash, and is now “doing the same thing here, just on a bigger scale.”
“The same thing” being organic amendments and living-soil beds: a clean grow yielding resinous, terpy flower.
“People are really liking it and seeing we’re putting in the passion,” said Germinario. “Everyone on our crew is super passionate about Cannabis.”
One of the most tried-and-true celebratory stoner traditions is something we’re calling “infused movie night.” With the infamous “Reefer Madness” premiering nearly 90 years ago, I wanted to revisit the stoned cinema with some updated tips for 2026. As a seasoned plant lover, I think the most important thing when hosting fellow Cannabis consumers for any celebration is a sense of intention. While any typical Tuesday can feel like a movie after a few special tokes, hosting friends for a more elevated experience is worth the time and effort putting in those finishing touches.
Lights Light Up
Camera
I ALWAYS RECOMMEND having a dedicated stash spot. Be it a bar cart, a nice enamel tray, like a Blazy Susan, or just a table set to the side, the last thing anyone wants to deal with is spills and splashes.
From there, the next thing to consider is snackage, from your favorite uninfused bites to edibles and homemade baked goods, dosing has to be kept top of mind.
It can be all too easy to chow down one too many times over the course of a movie, and suddenly the final-act surprise becomes a terror-inducing twist for a friend who did not realize they were well past their ideal dose on their third brownie. Or they slumped over, snoring because the marinara was too potent.
That is why dosing is the number one thing to consider. Edibles that come with multiple potency points, like Space Poppers, reviewed last month, are perfect for consumers of all tolerance levels to lock in at a level they’re comfortable with.
As Ina Garten says, “store-bought is fine.” But for the homemade route, there are several infused pantry staples on the market that make DIY edibles easy. Whatever your approach, having a clear recipe and dosing plan is paramount.
To guide dosing, I have been loving the book “How to Eat Weed and Have a Good Time” by Vanessa Lavorato. Combining her background on “Bong Appétit” with an impressive volume of lab testing, Lavorato delivers sciencebacked recipes that have more dialed-in dosing guidelines for those dining and cooking.
Maine Trees Lobster OG & “The Lobster” (2015) Felas NYC Haze & “How High” (2001)
This bizarre black comedy is a bit of a head game. Expect more introverted introspection and a slightly gobsmacked response compared to a more laugh-out-loud comedy. Lobster OG is the perfect strain pairing, not only for the pun, but because of how it will have you laid-back with a deeply sedating and cerebral high that mirrors the film’s strange, detached tone — almost like life as a crustacean.
This is a raunchier film by 2026 standards, but what do you expect when Redman and Method Man make their on-screen debut in one of the most iconic Cannabis buddy comedies? If you haven’t seen this one before, head off to college and expect to recognize more than a few jokes. NYC Haze will take you right back to the early 2000s with its citrus-rich aroma that gushes notes of Tropicana OJ. While it won’t have you speaking to ghosts, the uplifting limonene-filled strain may have you laughing out loud at even the most eyebrow-raising jokes.
She also provides simple infusion techniques for newer at-home edibles chefs.
Another easy approach to measured consumption is to use an infused tincture or drink mixer, allowing you and your guests to dial in their dosage or pass altogether. I keep a bottle of 1906’s THC-infused Spirits on hand — the neutral flavor and 10-milligram dose allow me to quickly enhance any drink to complement whatever is on screen. Infusion method is an important factor, and another reason I turn to the 1906 drink. It is incredibly fast-acting, meaning no one spends the raucous first act waiting for their edible to hit.
Beverages also solve a common problem: coughing over a punchline. While I love a bong or blunt as much as anyone, especially with less seasoned consumers, you will spend as much time pausing and rewinding as seshing with this method. If flower is an important part of your celebration, consider a dry herb vaporizer.
I like Storz & Bickel’s hand-held Venty for personal use and the iconic Volcano to satisfy a whole party without derailing the viewing experience.
This brings us to cultivar selection: Consider what you’re smoking. If you’re settling in for a movie marathon or multihour binge, some strains may be more of an energy boost than you’re looking for. Likewise, if the movie marathon is also a fright fest, some more potent strains might have you jumping at the shadows later.
Major Headband & “Yellow Submarine” (1968)
Enjoy over-the-top psychedelic visuals combined with a soundtrack that reminds you why The Beatles’ legacy is so enduring. You can get up and dance to this movie, or sit back and soak in the lusciously layered animated imagery, reveling in the handcrafted details of this cacophonous, kaleidoscopic visual experience. Headband from Major in New York, a cross of OG Kush and Sour Diesel, is the perfect counterpart. You could have enough energy to sing along and even discover that this gorgeous grow is more than potent enough to immerse you in the battle against the Blue Meanies.
Smoke, stars and serenity
An interview with astrophotographer Mike Clem
Smoke, stars and serenity
It’s April in the Mid-Atlantic, and Mike Clem steps onto the hallowed grounds of Antietam National Battlefield in Washington County, Maryland — home to the bloodiest single day in American history.
SPRING HAS BEEN slow to arrive, but under a clear sky on April 20, Clem is determined to carry out his mission. The Thurmont, Maryland, native pulls a lighter from his pocket and sparks up a well-crafted cannon of Good Vibes Only 42ZEN.
Accompanied by his girlfriend, Libby, the two prepare to photograph the night sky.
As remnants of smoke drift across the field, the stark backdrop of history is not lost on the 48-year-old photographer.
“It just feels like we’re at a time in society where there is constant battle,” he said, pointing to political unrest, economic divides and personal struggles.
A patient care specialist for nearly a decade, Clem has found a home at KOAN Cannabis in Hagerstown, Maryland.
“I love what they’re about,” Clem said, whose Cannabis career has taken him from California to Pennsylvania and now to Maryland. “The name ‘Koan’ in Buddhism means the last step before enlightenment.”
Clem takes pride in providing 40 hours of medical care each week. Afterward, the budtender insists on escaping the yang of work life to find yin behind his Nikon Z6 II mirrorless camera.
He has been shooting events, landscapes and people for more than 20 years, beginning with a cropped DSLR and a kit lens.
“I grew up in a family of Deadheads,” Clem said, referencing his parents’ love of the Grateful Dead. “So music and fan art were always around me.”
Drawing and painting didn’t come naturally to him, but he said he has a “knack for capturing moments with the camera,” first getting started through concert photography.
“When you’re shooting live music, there are moments you can capture — a deep guitar solo or a powerful vocal — and you can almost feel that image,” he said.
>>CONTINUES NEXT PAGE
“I grew up in a family of Deadheads... music and fan art were always around me.”
Since astrophotography can take upward of five hours, Clem often pairs his love of music with photography and Cannabis to reach a state of relaxation and unlock new levels of creativity.
“It’s such a simple way to have an enjoyable evening,” he said. “When it comes to music and the night sky, you can find your zen anywhere. That’s all you need. It’s so freeing.”
Clem chases shots of the Milky Way from February through October, when it is most visible in the Northern Hemisphere. During the winter months, his focus shifts to the Orion region.
“It isn’t as visibly astounding,” he said, “but it’s still quite a beauty to shoot.”
He also enjoys stacking time-lapse images of the night sky to create star trails.
Arriving during the “blue hour” — the 60 minutes after sunset when light still lingers across the sky — Clem fastens his camera to a tripod for steadiness and consistency before taking upward of 400 photos, which he later stacks using Adobe Photoshop or the free app Sequator.
“You get different effects depending on which direction you aim the camera,” Clem said. “I usually go north because people are more drawn to the circular trail look. It draws the eye into the frame in an almost hypnotic way. It’s like staring into a circular vortex.”
Clem hopes to pursue this passion for as long as he’s circling the sun. The good news? He said it’s a hobby anyone can start with just a couple hundred dollars.
“A good camera and a decent wide-angle lens — that’s all you really need,” he said. “And if you really want to get into it, there’s a lot of stuff on YouTube for astrophotography, especially star trails.”
To see more of Mike Clem’s photography, visit his Instagram page, @astrodeadhead.
“When I shoot the Milky Way, I try to get to the spot I've picked to shoot about an hour before the Milky Way core rises. Once it's high enough over the horizon to start shooting, I usually take 10-20 shots. In post-processing, I stack the images using free software, such as Sequator, WHICH HELPS TO REDUCE NOISE OR GRAIN IN THE IMAGE. Once the final stacked image is ready, you can edit to your preference in whichever photo editing software you prefer; I use Adobe Lightroom.”
hunter s.thompson hunter s.thompson
Recently, a friend said that she mentioned the author Hunter S. Thompson to her journalism class, and the students couldn’t come up with a single reference beyond a vague callback to the film version of “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.”
Indeed, the drug-addled, outlaw persona has overshadowed much of Thompson’s literary work — work that was so impressive.
Author David S. Wills pointed out, “I can’t think of a single other writer so original that he earned his own literary genre.”
A reporter, writer and cultural icon, Thompson is credited as the father of “gonzo journalism.” To oversimplify it, this narrative genre Jumanjis the person into their story as both narrator and character, often blurring the lines between what’s real and subjective. New York Times literary critic William Crawford Woods declared this writing style a product of a time when people’s public and private lives were crashing together, and a style that answered the question, “How to tell the story of a time when all fiction was science fiction, all facts lies?”
In today’s new age of media, there’s a lot that’s been built on the foundation of Thompson’s gonzo method. Much of it can be seen not in journalism but in the content creators we follow online, influential figures reporting on their favorite subjects and engaging a growing fanbase. Looking at elements of Thompson’s approach, we can see additional parallels with modern content creators.
WHAT the godfather of gonzo MEANS FOR THE CONTENT-CREATOR ERA
CONTENT AND CREATOR
Immersing yourself in your subject was a particular focus in Thompson’s writings. To get as far into the situation as you can and push until you and the story are both barreling toward an unavoidable conclusion. Thompson even roped his friends, like illustrator Ralph Steadman, into the fray on more than one occasion. He knew that people not only want to hear a story, but want to know what it would be like to move within the story themselves, even if sometimes it was with all the social grace of MrBeast.
SHOCK VALUE
If you’ve ever seen or read “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” you already have an idea of this. Thompson believed in breaking down conventions to evoke a response, to silence the spell the world has over our attention span and shock the system into a momentary reboot, focusing instead on the incredible sight being described to us. Whether it’s creating a YouTube thumbnail, a call to action for a TikTok reel or a title like “A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream,” each relies on a bit of shock value to get the conversation started.
BLENDING FACT AND PERSPECTIVE
Many of Thompson’s tales seemed too incredible to be true, a result intended by both author and editor. Thompson regularly stated that he thought objectivity was a myth and that fiction was more compelling and true than any kind of reporting. He was known for constantly carrying a recorder to document his experiences. But he felt that it’s not always what happened but how you experienced it that makes for the best final product. It’s said that he once told an editor, “Fiction is a bridge to truth that journalism can’t reach.”
THE GONZO INFLUENCE
What future journalists and creators can take away from looking at Thompson’s work is how to let go and allow events to drift you from main to supporting roles without regard for sponsorship or demonetization. Thompson cared about making money from his craft, but he seemed haunted by his public persona rather than focused on how to merchandise it on a personal level. That’s part of what drew people to him.
Thompson’s unique style and voice attracted eyes, which brought in dollars for the magazines that published his articles, something he played to his advantage to create some incredible articles. Rolling Stone flew Thompson to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to cover the historic fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. Cycle World sent him a $10,000 Ducati motorcycle to test drive. He’s been portrayed on screen by actors like Bill Murray and Johnny Depp.
Thompson would have most likely called social media a “cruel and shallow money trench,” as he did with the music industry. But I also think he would have recognized how important viewership has become in our society and found a way to bring his typewritten words to the small screen — much in the same way he allowed Depp to utter that iconic phrase:
“We were somewhere around Barstow on the edge of the desert when the drugs began to take hold.”
Thompson regularly stated that he thought objectivity was a myth and that fiction was more compelling and true than any kind of reporting.
COURTESY
Johnny Depp’s memorable performance as Hunter S. Thompson in the 1998 film “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” exposed a new generation to Thompson’s work and antics.
Issue 1036 of Rolling Stone magazine offered a cover story on their legendary contributor in October 2007.
ticket
to toke
Cannabis complements music in magical ways, but when it comes to concerts, consumers are often left without ways to light up legally. Many generations have snuck smokables past security, stuffing them into secret stash pockets or whatever crevice their clothes could provide passage in. But gone are the days of smuggling smokes, bridled in bras and warm boots — smashed and suspiciously damp — only to be speedily sucked down among the legs of strangers, crouched in the chaotic safety of their shadows. Today, as Cannabis laws and event organizers catch up, there’s a growing movement of music festivals welcoming consumers with progressive policies and official, smokefriendly sections. Check out a few of them here!
COOKS VALLEY, CA
n orthern n i G hts
the miracle in mundelein
While the official 2026 dates have yet to be announced, predictions place this year’s festival sometime in September again. Last year’s lineup featured a blend of jam band, hip-hop, reggae and funk genres — an excellent soundtrack for the official open-consumption policy, where you can spark up “anywhere within The Miracle Concert,” or at one of the grounds' “multiple rolling stations, dab bars, vape bars,” and more. themiracleconcert.com | @miracleconcert
The Dirtybird Campout at Northern Nights Music Festival is tucked into the ancient redwoods of Cooks Valley, California. This music and camping experience features river swimming, art, yoga and over 18 electronic music artists. It is the first event in the nation to allow consumption, dating back to the 2013 medical days. That tradition continues today, with sales and seshes contained to the Tree Lounge for those 21-plus. At Northern Nights, you can choose your own adventure — from free riverside tent camping to shaded Redwood Grove sites, group options, RV hookups and full glamping. Grab your gear and roll up this July 17–19, with musical headliners CloZee, Justin Martin and LP Giobbi. northernnights.org | @nnmfestival
puffcon
f lorida Groves
If you want to puff where it isn't just accepted, but encouraged, Puffco’s annual downtown Los Angeles block party is where concentrate culture comes to life. While it strays slightly from a traditional music festival structure, you’ll find live music, immersive art, over 75 Cannabis brands and a fully open-consumption policy. That means your rig, pen or preroll is welcome everywhere on the grounds. Puffcon 2026 lands on Oct. 3–4 at LA Center Studios. puffcon.com | @puffcon_la
Florida Groves is another all-ages festival option with a 21-plus Cannabis section. This two-day celebration of music, art and Cannabis culture kicks off at the Central Florida Fairgrounds in Orlando. Once inside, you can head to the Green Grove (presented by Cookies) for activations and appearances by budding brands all weekend. Since Florida runs a medical program, doctors are even on-site to get you MMJ-certified on the spot (with an appointment). Check out headliners Goose and Daily Bread holding down four stages, April 11–12, 2027. floridagroves.com | @floridagrovesfest
A Field Guide to Canna-Friendly Music Festivals
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
outside lands
Outside Lands is a three-day celebration bursting with music, food, art, wine, beer and Bay Area culture. It’s set across 80 acres of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park with a special section called Grass Lands. This 21-plus Cannabis marketplace and consumption area made history in 2019 as the first official Cannabis sales and consumption experience at a (major) U.S. music festival. This Aug. 7–9, you can hit the joint and then the mainstage to see headliners Charli XCX, The Strokes and Rüfüs Du Sol. sfoutsidelands.com | @outsidelands
r eGGae on the r iver
Sprouting along the same stretch of the Eel River in Humboldt County, first in 1984 as a community fundraiser, Reggae on the River brings three days of all-ages reggae to the County Line Ranch. The grounds are openly Cannabis-friendly, with direct-to-consumer sales from local Emerald Triangle-family farms on-site. Camp on the riverbed, in the Persimmon Grove, by the lot or glamp your way through the weekend this Aug. 14–16, with headliners Burning Spear, Kabaka Pyramid and Don Carlos. reggaeontheriver.com | @reggaeontheriver
LOS ANGELES, CA
ORLANDO, FL
HUMBOLT, CA
MUNDELEIN, IL
Game. set.
board games
For many, board games serve as one of the earliest mechanisms of play, forming a foundation for understanding competition and collaboration as a whole. Over time, the hobby has evolved well past genre staples like Monopoly, growing into an almost infinite range of categories and topics. Choose from strategy games, resource gathering games, social deduction games, heck, there’s even popular games that entail exploding cats or dealing as much dope as possible. Whatever the selection, edibles in the form of low-dose gummies or THC drinks are a great option for enhancing any game night sesh.
Codenames, Werewolf (Mafia), Catan, Azul, Pandemic, Clue, Ticket to Ride, Exit: The Game, Weed-Opoly, Ganjaland and Botany
card
Playing cards have been an ubiquitous source of leisure and social gaming for over a millenium due to their simplicity, ease of access and versatility. With the advent of popular games like Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon, playing cards are more relevant now than ever before. Whether it’s a gameshop-styled competition or Texas Hold ‘Em tournament, the stakes (and more importantly the players) will be a lot higher with some good ganja to puff on. Gone are the days of smoking a Cuban cigar at poker night; a hand-rolled hashhole is the new-andimproved premium stogie.
blackjack, poker, spades, Spoons, Bullshit, No Thanks!, Grass and Puff Puff Pass
TTRP games
Tabletop Roleplaying Games (TTRPGs) like Dungeons & Dragons are the board game equivalent of stepping through a portal and out into a mystical world of magic and wonder. Entailing strategy, roleplaying and a whole lot of dice rolling, this collaborative storytelling medium is one of the most engaging formats of recreational gaming, providing a sense of adventure and camaraderie that grows with each completed quest. Given the typical length of a TTRPG session, it’s recommended to bring a rig and a favorite jar of concentrate to share in an epic afternoon of swords and sesh-ery.
Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, Call of Cthulhu, Talisman AND Betrayal on HillHouse
hash. Analog Play in a Digital Landscape
In a world that’s oversaturated with digital media, cryptocurrencies and pixelated avatars, one of the most radical, adventurous things we can do is just log offline and reconnect with other human beings face-to-face. Since the dawn of time, one of the primary ways we relate to others is through play. Within the context of an increasingly virtual existence, analog games have come to represent more than just a break from this progressively techno-feudalistic reality — they personify a cross-section of leisure and genuine human connection that is needed now more than ever. So how do we bring the whimsy of authentic, personal interaction back to the sesh? It’s all in the love of the game.
Making appearances at backyard BBQs and summer picnics across the country, yard games are an excellent source of competition that pairs exceedingly well with outdoor Cannabis consumption. Take a turn, take a puff on a joint and pass it along. Take another turn, take another puff and pass it. Given the more active nature of outdoor games, prerolled joints, vape carts and handheld pipes are all solid choices for medicating while playing. It’s honestly hard to beat the feeling of getting buzzed and soaking in some vitamin D on a sunny day.
cornhole (Bags), bocce ball, croquet, horseshoes and bong pong
YARD games party games arts + crafts
With scenarios that range from the hilarious to the downright raunchy, party games are a lively way to cut loose with some not-so-sober friends. Prompts like “huge nugs of alien weed” or “hitting the bong with Barack Obama” will have the whole room grinning ear to ear before falling over with raucous laughter. Durable smokeware is recommended for safety and peace of mind in a typical party atmosphere. Besides, what better time to break out that 3-foot plastic bong than during a sick rager?
Cards Against Humanity Weed Pack, Telestrations After Dark, Trial by Trolley, Do or Smoke, Smoke Sesh and Charades for Stoners
As a joint activity, smoking and art go hand in hand. While not a game in the traditional sense, arts and crafts can be a superb way to unwind and share time with friends. Artistic mediums provide moments of mindfulness and catharsis that are further fueled by the right Cannabis strain, and there’s no quicker way to light up the right side of the brain than by ripping a fat bowl of Sour Diesel or Super Silver Haze and throwing some acrylic on the canvas.
painting, tie-dye, joint origami, pressing flowers, adult coloring books (@cabin7originals and @liamwesleygoodman), knitting, crochet and pot-tery
MAUKA TO MAKAI
A PAKALOLO-INSPIRED ADVENTURE ACROSS THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII
The Big Island of Hawai’i embodies a sense of feral magic; it is both ancient and vibrant with new green life. As you set foot on the ‘Āina and breathe in the ocean air, your whole body drops into awe. You feel Tūtū Pele’s mana rising through the warmth of lava rock beneath your feet, her essence carried on salt-kissed trade winds drifting in from the vast Pacific. The land meets you exactly where you are and whispers, “Slow down and breathe in the blessings.” Mauka to makai — mountain to ocean — this island isn’t just a destination, it’s a living, breathing kūpuna, inviting you to remember what it means to be here now.
329 OUT-OF-STATE MEDICAL CANNABIS CARD
My first stop when arriving on the “Big I” is always for some good Aloha-grown, medical-grade ganja from my h ā nai ‘ohana at Big Island Grown. Hawai’i offers an online outof-state patient card known as a “329 OSP.” A valid home-state medical Cannabis card, matching government ID and a nonrefundable $49.50 fee grants patients access to the island’s best medical-grade Pakalolo. Once approved, visitors can access their electronic Hawai’i 329 OSP through an online account, keeping the journey pono, legal and rooted in respect for the plant.
THE B.I.G. ALOHA SESH — MAUKA SIDE
Every adventure is elevated by the perfect Cannabis pairing, so I asked the good people at Big Island Grown for guidance.
In true Aloha spirit, the team’s lead cultivators invited us on a mauka-side waterfall hike to sesh and connect. We arrived at a hidden gem on the Onomea side of the island, known locally as “6 Tons.” Entering through a small opening in the jungle, we mindfully weaved along a riverbed into thick tropical growth. The trail pulsed with life — roots underfoot, mist in the air, everything breathing. For a moment, I felt completely swallowed by the island, like an ant working within a vast, living garden.
The hike was pono, no rush, no hype, just real conversation and connection. We discussed the nuances of growing in a tropical climate, the importance of respecting nature and the team’s humble mission to give back to the island communities.
spinning, laughter echoing through the trees.
Vinyl records played softly, blending with the birds and breeze. We shared a Cuban Linx joint in her tropical garden bursting with orchids and hibiscus. No rush, just storytelling, connection and genuine joy. It was the kind of high that roots you deeper into the moment.
At the waterfall’s crest, the view opened into a breathtaking, lush, green valley stretching toward the deep blue ocean, reflecting sunlight in the distance.
“Big waterfalls call for big dabs,” Vic, B.I.G.’s director of cultivation, laughed, firing up the torch. He blessed us with a Papaya Live Rosin dab. Sweet, juicy, minty terps melted my tension while my mind hummed with gratitude.
We shared plans for the days ahead, snorkeling Kona-side and playing like keiki in the garden at Megan Love’s. They recommended Maui Girl, a bright, uplifting sativa that felt like sunlight dancing on water. It was perfect for a snorkeling adventure, keeping us present and flowing with the ocean. Cuban Linx was also on their list, a creative hybrid with a citrus spark and social energy that is ideal for making art, movement and laughter-filled garden sessions.
A STOP AT MEGAN LOVE’S: HOME OF THE HIGH, HAPPY, HOLY, HEALTHY, HULA-HOOPING HIPPY
After stocking the stash, we drifted over to the Megan Love bed-and-breakfast in Kona, a hidden gem that provides a heart-centered ‘ohana experience. Megan herself is a whole vibe, radiating mana Aloha. The space felt like stepping into a childhood backyard where time dissolves; barefoot in the grass, hoops
MAKAI ADVENTURE TIME — SALT WATER AND SURRENDER
The next morning began with Kona coffee and a Maui-Girl-sunrise sesh: light, euphoric and expansive. It set the tone for a twohour snorkel adventure along the Kona Coast with Hawaii Island and Ocean Tours, where crystal-clear waters and underwater landscapes created a dreamlike playground. Dropping into the ocean, everything softened. Vibrant fish drifted through coral gardens as sunlight flickered in the water like a living mosaic.
Guided by Captain Kekoa, we explored secluded reef pockets near the Captain Cook Monument while appreciating Native Hawaiian storytelling and fresh-cut pineapple. One of the highlights was The Grotto, a sea cave carved by Pele’s ancient fire. This lava tube stretches nearly 14 miles before dropping beneath the coastline, connecting land to ocean.
Locals speak of the Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia falling in love with Hawai’i’s waters in the late 1980s, logging hundreds of dives through its volcanic arches and underwater caves. I couldn’t help but playfully wonder if Garcia ever sparked a doobie deep inside Pele’s submerged cathedral.
Page Burner
Check out this month’s roundup of books that pair well with taking a few puffs and the path less traveled. Let’s hit the road, readers!
the last season
by Eric Blehm @ericblehmofficial
STEP RIGHT INTO the rugged beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, but with a dark twist in this gripping true story. “The Last Season” follows backcountry ranger Randy Morgenson, infamous for his ability to locate lost hikers, until he becomes one himself. Equal parts adventure biography and true-crime-esque mystery, this Outdoor Book Award winner pulls you deep into the solitude of nature and keeps you questioning what really happened to Morgenson out there.
high infatuation
by Steph Davis @highsteph
RAW AND REFLECTIVE self-proclaimed “dirtbag climber” Steph Davis shares the highs and lows (literally) of a life lived on the edge. Through a collection of essays and poems, she explores hard-earned lessons in solitude, ambition and resilience shaped by her experience as a professional athlete. You’ll be hanging on every word as Davis takes you from a single-day ascent of Yosemite’s El Capitan to weeks spent waiting out storms in a tent in the mountains of Patagonia.
a walk in the woods
by Bill Bryson @billbryson8394
PART TRAVEL MEMOIR, part laughout-loud adventure, this New York Times bestseller follows Bill Bryson on his 2,100mile journey along the Appalachian Trail. From unexpected wildlife encounters to hilariously unqualified travel companions, his sharp humor keeps the trek light and endlessly entertaining. Woven throughout his trail tales are thoughtful reflections on the importance of preserving America’s wilderness, helping you meditate on what it really means to get lost in the wild.
In true Hawaiian spirit, this adventure wasn’t about chasing a high. It was about flowing with the breathing essence of Aloha — from stillness in the jungle to childlike joy at MeganLoves to the living ancestral presence in the ocean. Mauka to makai; the island has a way of reminding us OGs that life doesn’t need to be complicated to be meaningful. Sometimes it’s as simple as good people, open air and moments in nature that take your breath away. STORY by KATHERINE WOLF
forage. gather. feast. by Maria Finn @maria_finn1
IF YOU LIKE getting adventurous in the kitchen, this cookbook is for you. With over 100 recipes built around foraged ingredients, Maria Finn makes it easy to turn a walk in the woods (or even your own backyard) into your next home-cooked meal. Rooted in fresh West Coast flavors and seasonal simplicity, some standout recipes include the Pine Scones with Huckleberries, Rose Hip and Apple Jam and Campfire Porcini Risotto (yum).
Simply Spring
These Cannabis-infused recipes are all about keeping things fresh, simple and seasonal. Each dish stands on its own, built around straightforward ingredients and easy preparation, with a light infusion of Strawberry Gelato, a Pruf Cultivar indica-dominant hybrid. I made these recipes for a candlelight dinner on our floating home’s deck. Everyone enjoyed it, and no one fell in the river!
CREAM OF ASPARAGUS SOUP
Makes four servings
1 1/4 pounds asparagus, rinsed, tough stems removed, cut into pieces
Makes four servings
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons Thai fish sauce
4 teaspoons canna-oil
2 teaspoons coconut palm sugar
1 serrano chili, seeded and chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled, cleaned, cooked
2 medium green papayas, peeled, sliced or cubed
2 carrots, shredded
8 fresh mint leaves
1/4 cup cilantro
1/2 cup peanuts, chopped
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the lime juice, fish sauce, canna-oil, sugar, onion, chili and garlic.
2. In a large serving bowl, combine the shrimp, papayas and carrots.
Pour the dressing over the salad, and toss well to combine.
3. Garnish with mint, cilantro and peanuts before serving.
3 cups vegetable or chicken stock
2 tablespoons butter
4 teaspoons canna-butter or oil
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 1/2 cups thinly sliced leeks, divided 2/3 cup half-and-half
1/4 cup canola oil
1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest Salt and white pepper to taste
1. In a medium pot, combine the asparagus and stock. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.
2. In a medium skillet, heat the butter and canna-butter over mediumlow heat. Add garlic and 1 cup of the leeks, and saute for 7-9 minutes, until tender
3. Add the leeks and half-and-half to the soup, and cook for 5 minutes.
4. Return the unwashed skillet to medium heat and add the oil. When the oil is hot, add the remaining 1⁄2 cup of leeks and cook until golden brown and crisp, 2-3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the leeks to a clean towel to drain.
5. Puree the soup in a blender or food processor. Or, if you have an immersion blender, puree the soup directly in the pot.
6. Return the blended soup to the pot, and rewarm it over mediumlow heat.
7. Garnish the soup with lemon zest and frizzled leeks, and season with salt and pepper before serving.
BRUSCHETTA WITH RICOTTA AND PEAS
Makes four servings
8 slices peasant bread, lightly toasted
4 teaspoons canna-olive oil
1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped scallions
1 cup peas, fresh or frozen
1. Drizzle or brush the toasted bread with the canna-olive oil, using half a teaspoon per slice.
2. Spread 2 tablespoons of ricotta on each slice.
3. In a small skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the scallions, and saute for 4-5 minutes.
4. Add the peas, and saute until soft and no longer vibrant green, 3-4 minutes.
5. Divide peas among the bread slices.
6. Drizzle each slice with 1 teaspoon of the remaining olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
CREAM OF ASPARAGUS SOUP
BRUSCHETTA WITH RICOTTA AND PEAS
THAI SHRIMP SALAD
THE NOSE KNOWS: BEYOND SATIVA, INDICA, & TAC
Cannabis isn’t onedimensional — and it shouldn’t be chosen that way. The Nose Knows invites you to explore flower through what truly defines the experience: AROMA.
Instead of chasing labels or numbers, we’ve mapped cannabis into six aroma- driven categories.
