All of these examples illustrate how taking a break from the thing we love can actually make it better in the long run.

High Spirits took a little break last week. Life got a bit overwhelming, and we missed our usual Wednesday blog. And you know what? It was OK! Sometimes it feels appropriate to pause, catch your breath, and come back with fresh eyes.

We’re a cannabis-positive community here. We love the plant, we love what it can do for people, and we love that you’re part of this journey with us. But loving something also means being honest and thoughtful about the place it occupies in your life. A well-timed break can help improve your relationship with cannabis — and yourself.

Why might someone take a break?

People step away from cannabis for all kinds of reasons, and all of them are valid. Here are some of the most common:

Drug testing

Whether it’s a new job opportunity, a random workplace screen, or a legal requirement, mandatory drug testing is one of the most straightforward reasons to pause. THC can be detected in urine for anywhere from a few days to over a month depending on how frequently you use, your body composition, and metabolism.

Planning ahead with a well-timed break is much smarter and healthier than buying sketchy concoctions off the Internet in attempts to cheat the test. If you’re a heavy, daily user, you might want to take a full month off — especially if it’s high stakes.

Clearing your head for a big moment

A major presentation at work. A big creative performance. A race, a competition, a board exam, a dissertation. There are times in life when you want to bring every bit of your sharpest, most unfiltered self. Some people find that a temporary break helps them feel more mentally present and focused when it counts.

Health & medical reasons

Upcoming surgery is one of the most common medical reasons to pause. Cannabis can interact with anesthesia and affect respiratory function, so many medical providers ask patients to stop use for a period before procedures. Other health situations — managing a new medication, a respiratory illness, a pregnancy — may also call for a break. When in doubt, always talk with your doctor.

Resetting your tolerance

If your go-to dose just isn’t hitting the way it used to, your body may have built up a tolerance. With regular use, CB1 receptors in the endocannabinoid system become less sensitive to THC, meaning you need more to feel the same effect. A break gives those receptors a chance to recalibrate. Research shows that even 48 hours of abstinence begins the process of receptor recovery — and a break of two to four weeks can create a meaningful reset.

If you use cannabis daily or multiple times per day (no judgment here!), your tolerance will completely reset between 21 and 28 days, based on factors like how much body fat you have and how quickly your body metabolizes cannabinoids. No matter how much you used to smoke, your tolerance will reset to zero within one month.

Resetting your tolerance keeps your buzz fresh and makes the subtle effects of cannabis more noticeable. People with high tolerances often complain about the effects being more muted than when they first started. Taking even a few days off will keep the taste, smell, and nuance of the bud front of mind and ready for the fresh CB receptors.

Finally, resetting tolerance makes you a cheaper date. Even a few days away from high-strength (and spendy!) edibles, concentrates, or drinks allows you to consume less for the same effects. If you’re a fan of higher-dose products, try taking 2-7 days off, cut your usual dose in half, and see what happens. We predict you’ll feel really good!

Checking in on your relationship with cannabis

This one takes a little honesty and a lot of self-compassion. It’s worth pausing to ask yourself: Do I like the role that cannabis plays in my life? Is it adding joy and sparkle, or is it numbing me? Am I using it to hide from something I’d rather avoid? If the idea of taking a break feels almost impossible, that’s valuable information right there.

Customers often ask Matt about how much is “normal” when it comes to consumption. The truth is, there’s no universal answer. Some people’s normal might look like a lot to others, while for some stoners, a small taste is exactly right. What matters more than quantity is the quality of your relationship with the plant. If you miss it, feel like you need it to function, or are experiencing health complications, it’s worth taking a few weeks off to recalibrate.

Monica thinks about this a lot. When she made the switch from alcohol to cannabis, she was determined not to trade one problematic habit for another. She maintains a healthy, balanced relationship with the plant by setting personal boundaries around when, where, and why she uses it — and periodically checking in with her therapist. After a particularly stony weekend, she took a few days off to enjoy the brightness and clarity of sobriety. It all felt good — the absence as well as the return.

Those of us who have used chemicals or alcohol to self-medicate know that relying on a substance to avoid genuine human emotions can be a dangerous way to live. If you’re going through a particularly hard time, don’t expect cannabis to make those troubles disappear. Coping with life in healthy ways — whatever that looks like for you — is essential, because suppressing difficult emotions often creates more problems than it solves.

Matt learned this firsthand after Alex Pretti was killed by ICE in the street. He took a break — five days of deep heartache, pain, anger, and resolve. Those were exactly the feelings that moment called for, and there was nothing foggy, hazy, or dulled about his memories or emotions from that time. Ending the break surrounded by new friends fighting for their neighbors made that first hit feel like the very first time.

A voluntary break, however it comes about, can be a powerful mirror for self-reflection — and a reminder of just how good the return can feel.

What Happens When You Take a Break?

Taking a break can come with some adjustments, especially if you’re a regular user. Knowing what to expect makes it much easier to navigate.

Sleep may be tricky and weird

If you’ve been using cannabis to help you fall asleep, you might find yourself battling your old enemy, insomnia, without your weapon of choice. You may find it takes longer to fall asleep, or that you wake up more during the night. This is common and typically improves within two to three weeks. You’ll probably need to pull out the arsenal of wellness tips like sticking to a consistent sleep schedule, avoiding screens before bed, meditating, and trying herbal supports like chamomile or melatonin.

Once you do fall asleep, buckle up — things are going to get weird. Regular cannabis use suppresses REM sleep, the stage where vivid dreaming happens. When you stop, your brain rebounds, often dramatically. You might find yourself in the middle of technicolor, cinematic, absolutely wild dreams that you haven’t experienced in years.

For some, these dreams are a delightful rediscovery and voyage into a magical world of imagination. For others, they can be a bit unsettling. During her last THC break, Monica needed a nighttime rescue from her husband after a particularly vivid dream in which she was trying to carry a baby bird to safety through a maze of kaleidoscopic, color-changing walls. Matt noticed that during his T-breaks, he talks, moves, and remembers dreams as if they are happening in real life.

Rest assured that the wacky dreams are temporary and a normal sign that your sleep architecture is resetting. Grab a dream journal and enjoy the ride.

Mood and irritability

Some people experience a temporary dip in mood — irritability, mild anxiety, or a general restlessness — especially in the first week. This is your brain adjusting to natural neurotransmitter levels without the assistance of cannabis. Exercise is one of the best antidotes; it naturally boosts dopamine and endorphins, helping to level out your mood during the adjustment period. Exercise also helps release the THC stored in your body fat, and it can sometimes contribute to an “exercise high” when you work out. Whee!

Don’t be afraid to ask for help from the people in your life. Let them know you’re stepping back from THC and might need a bit more kindness and grace in day-to-day interactions.

Appetite changes

Without THC’s well-known appetite-stimulating effects, some people notice a temporary decrease in appetite. Others don’t notice much change at all. Eating regular, nourishing meals and staying hydrated can help your body stay stable while it recalibrates. If you’ve developed some unhealthy munchies-related habits, this is a great time to hit your mental reset button and let that stuff go.

Mental clarity and presence

On the upside, many people report noticeable improvements in mental sharpness, short-term memory, and focus during a break. For those who use cannabis daily, this enhanced clarity can feel almost revelatory — and it can be a useful reminder of what your baseline feels like. When you do return to cannabis, you may find you have a greater appreciation for how it shifts your state of mind. Self-awareness is a gift; try to appreciate and hang on to it.

A new, open space

Removing cannabis from your routine can clear up time and mental space for other activities. Maybe you’re going for a walk after dinner or reading a novel instead of melting into the couch to watch TV. Maybe you’re catching up and making plans with old friends who aren’t 420-friendly but whose company you enjoy. Maybe you’re bored and trying something completely new to fill your time.

You might find some extra money in your bank account, since you’re no longer buying cannabis and related items like late-night DoorDash deliveries. And when you return with a lower tolerance, you’ll likely need less to achieve the effects you want — meaning your budget stretches further.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Break

Whether your break is two days or two months, a little intention goes a long way.

• Set your intention. Know your “why”. The clearer you are on your reason for taking a break, the easier it is to stay committed. Write it down if it helps.

• Choose your timeframe. Pick a timeframe that feels challenging but doable. Two days, a week, a month — there’s no single right answer. Even short breaks produce meaningful changes.

• Plan for your usual moments. Identify the times of day or situations where you typically reach for cannabis, and have a plan for those moments. A walk, a cup of tea, a good book, a creative project — whatever works for you.

• Consider CBD as a bridge. CBD doesn’t build tolerance the same way THC does, and many people find it helpful for managing pain, anxiety, and sleep during a break from THC.

• Move your body. This is especially true in the first week. Physical activity is one of the most effective tools for managing mood, improving sleep, and reducing cravings.

• Expect some adjustment. Sleep disruption, vivid dreams, mood dips — these are normal. They peak around days three to five for most people and improve steadily from there.

• Tell someone. Having a friend, partner, or community who knows what you’re doing makes a real difference. You don’t have to white-knuckle it alone.

• Return with intention. When the break is over, resist the urge to immediately return to your previous dose. Start low, go slow, and savor the reset.

A final word from your buds

Cannabis is a remarkable plant. We believe in its benefits, its complexity, and its ability to genuinely enrich people’s lives. Part of that belief is trusting our community to approach it thoughtfully — to use it with intention, and to step back from it with equal intention when the moment calls for it.

Taking a break isn’t a failure. It isn’t a judgment. It’s just good stewardship of your relationship with something you value.

We’ll be here when you get back — just like we were after our own little break last week. And we’re pretty sure both you and cannabis will be happy you took the time.

Your buds,
Matt and Monica

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We’ll let you guess who was where.

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again — We love the social side of cannabis. The world needs more fun, intentional events where people come together to enjoy getting high, not just on 4/20 but all year long.

Here are some tips for hosting a highly enjoyable gathering.

The food situation

First, a crucial distinction that every good cannabis host needs to know: edibles (food that gets you high) and munchies (food that tastes amazing when you're high) are not the same thing — and they should absolutely not be in the same place. Set them up in separate spots so your guests don’t confuse a magically delicious cookie with a magical, delicious cookie.

If you’re offering edibles, make sure they’re clearly labeled and include the dosage (or your best estimate, if they’re homemade). Because of the delayed onset and long-lasting effects, edibles work best for longer events — or as take-home party favors.

For munchies, variety is everything. Think across all the stoner food groups:

• Salty and crunchy. Chips, crackers, popcorn, pretzels, nuts

• Sweet and juicy. Fresh fruit, fruity candy, ice cream or sorbet

• Savory and filling. Pizza, cheese bread, nachos, sliders, sandwiches

• Chocolatey. No explanation needed.

Don’t forget drinks! Monica’s personal high-treat of choice is flavored sparkling water. Stock your fridge with a mix of carbonated and still, sweetened and unsweetened options, and you’ll cover all your bases.

One more thing — put out mints or gum, and put them in two places: with the food and with the weed. Cottonmouth and weedy breath are real, and several companies make mints specifically designed to stimulate saliva production. Your guests will thank you.

Too much to manage? Make it a potluck! Ask guests to bring their favorite munchies or a drink to share — it takes the pressure off and gets everyone invested in the spread.

Go with the flow: a party in three acts

Every party has its own vibe, but a loose three-act structure can help you plan for the arc of the night.

Act One: Getting comfortable

People are still warming up and appreciate a little structure.

• Break the ice with board games or card games that don’t require heavy strategy. Humor-based games like Cards Against Humanity all but guarantee that you’ll invent inside jokes that get repeated throughout the night.

• Try a smoke-themed icebreaker: Hand each guest only one part of a free smoke — one person gets the bowl, another the grinder, another the lighter — so they have to find each other to enjoy it.

• Fire up the party-friendly paraphernalia: bongs, tabletop vapes, whatever makes communal smoking feel festive.

Act Two: The party finds its own energy

By now, guests are comfortable, loose, and doing their own thing. Let it happen.

• Set out art supplies, creative toys (telescopes, VR headsets, musical instruments, a DJ mixing board) or party props from an old-school sleepover (VHS movies, friendship bracelet station, hair and makeup corner)

• Create space for movement like dancing or playing games. If weather and space permit, take the party outside and play low-key yard games like cornhole or bocce ball.

• Let the natural jokers and storytellers — the griots of your friend group — hold court. “Tell that one story from that one time…” moments have a way of creating themselves as your guests settle into the party and connect with one another.

Act Three: The wind-down

Guests are gradually coming back to earth. Keep things cozy and unhurried.

• Gather around the fire. If you have an outdoor fire pit, this is its time to shine. If you’re indoors, turn down the lights, pass out blankets and cushions, and settle in for some Candle Rock.

• Melt into the couch with nature documentaries, mind-bending science videos, or a silly comedy.

• Surprise and delight your guests with a final, fresh snack. Toss a batch of pizza rolls into the air fryer or make a bowl of popcorn. Pull the special ice cream treats out of the freezer. Be a hero.

• Let conversations get slow and easy. As people sober up, send them out the door feeling content and appreciated. For bonus points, offer a small parting gift like a treat or beverage for the drive home.

The music

Nobody would host a party in a messy house — and taking care of your guests’ ears is just as important as putting out nice soap in the bathroom. Build a playlist that matches the arc of the night. Stoner anthems have their place, but your main focus should be on the emotional experience you’re creating for your guests.

Early on, keep it fun, light, and familiar. People are just meeting, conversations are flowing, and the music should encourage connection without dominating it. Think contemporary pop, throwbacks, and songs that just make you smile. The tunes should encourage conversations (“I remember when this song was everywhere!”) without being distracting.

In the middle, go funky and layered. With heightened senses in full effect, highly produced music is especially resonant — it invites guests to go deeper, feel the groove, and find whatever truth they’re looking for in the sound. It doesn’t need to be loud. Just give it space.

In the wind-down, embrace the Candle Rock philosophy of intentional, slow beauty and good vibes. Dream pop, power ballads, ‘70s sing-along classics, anything that could close out your favorite concert. As people start gathering their things and saying their goodbyes, the music fades gently into the background and sends everyone home happy.

A few more tips worth sharing

Set clear house rules. Print a little card if you’re expecting a crowd — designated smoking areas, noise considerations for neighbors, off-limits areas, whatever applies to your space.

Think about airflow. Smoke and vapor are going to be guests in your home, and how you handle that is up to you. Unless you’re intentionally hotboxing the basement, find a way to get fresh air moving through the space. A haze in the living room with soft, colorful lighting can absolutely add to the vibe — but clouds hanging in the kitchen are just annoying. Open windows, use fans and air purifiers to your advantage, and periodically adjust throughout the night.

Fire safety isn’t optional. With torches, lighters, and hot glassware in the mix, a little prep goes a long way. Use silicone mats to protect surfaces and prevent breakage. Keep heat-proof gloves or oven mitts near any dabbing station. Print out your full home address on a card — in the unlikely situation that someone has to call 911, they’ll need this info handy.

Keep cleanup supplies nearby. Plenty of ashtrays, pipe-cleaning accessories, and garbage cans within easy reach make everyone’s life easier. Pre-soaked alcohol swabs let guests clean their banger or bowl between rounds.

And finally — stay loose. The best moments at any party are the unplanned ones. Leave room for the conversation that goes somewhere unexpected, the idea nobody saw coming, the connection that turns a stranger into a friend.

That’s really what this is all about. Cannabis at its best is a social lubricant for intentional community — people choosing to be present with each other, to share something, to slow down together. More of that, please. Not just on 4/20, but all year long.

Your buds,

Matt and Monica

I was hesitant when my friend asked if I wanted to adopt her husband’s extra OG Kush plant last July. His first grow was going so well that he found himself exceeding Minnesota’s legal growing limit of four mature plants, and he was looking to rehome the runt of the litter before she (the flowering ones are female) produced any buds.

Until that moment, I had never seriously considered growing cannabis. It seemed like the realm of intense dudes with secret basement rooms emitting eerie glows and pungent aromas. I wasn’t that kind of person, and I certainly didn’t feel ready for that level of responsibility. On the other hand, this poor little orphan needed a home.

A couple days later, I was driving home from my friend’s house with a cute little plant I named Ferne and some advice from her (normal, friendly) husband that made it all less intimidating: “Treat it like a tomato.” We stopped by a garden store on the way home, where I bought Ferne a bigger pot and two kinds of fertilizer — one for the growth phase and one for the flowering phase. I moved her into a sunny spot on my back deck called Caprese Alley, where she’d be nestled among tomatoes and basil.

Even though it’s perfectly legal to grow cannabis in my home state, it felt illicit and dangerous. What would the neighbors think? What would my teenage kids think? I worked through these concerns, reminding myself that my kids couldn’t care less about my gardening endeavors, and my judgiest neighbors seldom got invited over.

Ferne kept growing throughout the summer. I watered her when it was hot and dry, I brought her inside during thunderstorms, and I left her in the care of my least judgmental neighbor when I went out of town. When I saw the first little buds forming, I squealed with excitement, texted my weediest friends, and switched to the other kind of fertilizer to grow big, fragrant, resinous buds.

September turned into October, a chill was in the air, and I knew that harvest time was approaching. I learned about trichomes and pistils, carefully timing the right moment.

I’ll be honest — I felt a bit sad ending the life of this plant I had adopted, named, and cared for all summer. I would be ill-suited to farm life.

With a bittersweet mix of melancholy and excitement, I trimmed away the fan leaves, dried the buds, and collected my harvest in a single pint jar. Ferne had fulfilled her mission.

It’s not the best weed I’ve ever smoked. I won’t be entering any growing contests or submitting my photos to the local paper.

I’m sharing them with you, dear readers, because you might be grow-curious and feeling some of the same trepidation I felt when I drove home with my tiny plant last July.

If you can grow a tomato, you can grow cannabis.

Each time I put my homegrown buds into the grinder, I enjoy a little swell of pride: I grew this. I nurtured a tiny plant, and it gave me a gift in return. Just like my scraggly basil and lumpy tomatoes, it doesn’t have to be perfect to bring me joy.

My summer with Ferne sparked my interest and gave me the confidence to buy my own seeds and start a proper backyard grow.

I have six little seedlings sprouting in my basement, three each of Jack Herer and Trainwreck strains. I haven’t named the individual plants yet, and — if they all survive — I’ll only be able to keep four of them. Keep reading High Spirits, and maybe you’ll be the lucky reader who gets to adopt one just like I did last summer.

Across town, Matt is working on his own growing project. It’s going to be a fun summer here at High Spirits. We promise to keep you posted as things take root, grow, and unfold into new stories and adventures.

Your bud,

Monica

Have you ever grown cannabis? Are you planning to grow this summer? Tell us about it!

The first quarter of 2026 has been a tough one for cannabis. Prohibition, an uncertain economy, and confusing regulations have all taken a toll on cannabis markets. With other (way more) important events holding the public’s attention, the confusing news about weed may have passed you by. Here’s what you may have missed.

Schedule 3 Updates

In December, the Trump Administration signed an executive order ordering cannabis to be re-listed from a Schedule 1 controlled substance (one that has no useful medical use, is highly addictive, cannot be prescribed or easily researched) to a Schedule 3 controlled substance. As a Schedule 3 controlled substance, cannabis can now be scientifically studied and prescribed to those who need it. It also should allow cannabis businesses the same tax benefits that other businesses have always enjoyed.

This update may not affect the cannabis consumer right away, but it will have huge effects on the cannabis market for years to come. Now, however, would be a good time to apply for a medical cannabis card if you are able. The (Federal) government acknowledges that cannabis can be medicine, and the (State) government can give you a license to use this medicine. Take advantage of the short lines and lower costs while getting the best medicine for your maladies before new taxes or restrictions are imposed.

Medicare CBD Allowance

Many of my senior customers are excited that an executive order issued in December allows for CBD to be used for Medicare patients. Their excitement, however, should be tempered. This program is very restrictive and must be prescribed by a physician. It is also the latest example of Western medicine acknowledging the medicinal properties of cannabis and its potential benefits.

This change comes as a disappointment to those hoping to use HSA dollars to buy CBD or other cannabis products. The pre-tax dollars cannot be used for cannabis, yet, but a medical cannabis card in most states reduces or eliminates many of the taxes charged at the retail level.

The Hemp Cliff gets Closer

As the November 12 deadline comes closer, states are scrambling to make laws that give their constituents legal access to cannabis. The hemp ban has prompted adult use legalization bills in Florida, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Hawaii, and New Hampshire. Idaho, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Kentucky are all debating medical cannabis bills. Wisconsin, Iowa, and the Sun Belt are standing pat with no medicinal or recreational programs, and do not have bills moving forward to provide their constituents with access to tested, taxed and regulated cannabis.

Unless Congress acts to amend the law, products like THC beverages will no longer be legal. These drinks have become a popular alternative to alcohol and have been a huge boon for producers in a very difficult market. Legal marijuana markets have regulations that make these drinks expensive and restrict where they can be sold.

The Hemp Ban matters for all cannabis and, unless people demand change, the cannabis market will look very different (less selection, more expensive, lower quality) a year from now.

Local Progress?

Minnesota is still slogging through the purgatory of launching its market since legalizing recreational-use cannabis 35 months ago. Few producers, testing facilities, and transporters restrict the market from germinating while consumers who would otherwise be buying Minnesota weed are spending their money in black markets or traveling to Michigan, Illinois, and other drivable states.

Unfortunately, Minnesota has not been able to build what it needs to make this market viable. Few cultivators are online, and the ones that are find it difficult to get their product tested and transported to testing facilities and manufacturers. There may be some relief to this particular chokepoint; the Minnesota legislature just passed an amendment allowing for cannabis products to be tested out of state. This should increase the speed at which cannabis can be tested and produced, however, testing is only one of many challenges the legal market is facing.

More dispensaries are popping up in Minnesota, but don’t expect large selections or reasonable prices yet. I visited a local dispensary in St. Paul last week to find the only offerings for adult use were .3g distillate vapes and packs of small pre-rolls. If you can afford Minnesota weed, please patronize these businesses who are doing it the right way. If you cannot afford it, learn to grow your own and teach others what you learn.

Election 2026

Elections are coming this November. Candidates may gloss over their stance on cannabis policy, but many are embracing a smart approach to give their constituents access to tested, regulated, and affordable cannabis. As candidates ask for your votes, ask them to support what you value.

Even in legal markets, cannabis faces constant threats from over-regulation (Minnesota), over-taxation (California, Illinois, New York), and re-criminalization (Massachusetts). It is easier than ever to find out where a candidate stands on cannabis policy, so let them know you expect them to follow through.

There are no big pushes for Federal legalization, and this administration has not shown any interest in signing a bill to make it so. However, voting for cannabis-friendly candidates sends a message to Washington that Americans want to have legal access to tested, regulated, and affordable cannabis.

Much can change in 3 months. The state of the cannabis union is strong and fragile. It’s up to us to help it thrive. As things change, we will just (puff, puff and) pass on what you need to know.

Your bud,

Matt

Last weekend, we launched our first in-person event.

To borrow a metaphor shared by one of our guests: With every new endeavor, you have to make the first pancake. It might be messy, but it’s essential to the process. We made a pancake! It wasn’t perfect, but it was pretty tasty.

The Setup

We invited 6 guests for a total of 8 people (including the hosts), intentionally mixing up our friend groups so that nobody at the table knew everybody else. We wanted to create a new, one-night pop-up community around a shared love of cannabis.

Monica set the table and created menus listing the 3 strains that would be offered that evening.

After the requisite friendly introductions, the guests took their seats around the table and Matt introduced the first star of the evening: Girl Scout Cookies.

While Matt talked about the strain’s history, terpene profile, flavors, and attributes, we passed around buds for everyone to sniff and admire. We used a Terpene Tasting Kit (made by a cool Minnesota entrepreneur) to introduce the guests to the scents of caryophyllene, limonene, and myrcene. Monica served snacks to complement the strain’s flavors of chocolate, cherry, mint, and lemon: chocolate-covered cherries, cherry goat cheese bites, lemon hummus, mint-muddled lemonade, and (naturally) a plate of Girl Scout Cookies.

Then, the real fun started.

Matt used a tabletop dry herb vaporizer to fill a balloon with aromatic, terpene-rich vapor. The effect was reminiscent of cotton candy at a carnival — irresistibly whimsical, perfect for sharing. We passed it around the table, to everyone’s delight.

As the Girl Scout Cookies delivered its munchies-maximizing effects, Monica prepared the next round of food. We planned about 30 minutes between courses, allowing guests to feel and enjoy each strain before introducing the next.

Course Two featured Banjerine, a citrus-forward strain with a hint of rose. We paired this with orange chicken, orange-burrata crostini, fresh clementines, and mandarin-rose agua fresca. Matt introduced the strain, the magical balloons were inflated, and the guests were invited to experience the citrusy flavors and bright, creative, focused energy of Banjerine.

Things started to get a little hazy between the second and third courses. Monica got a bit too excited about sampling the wares and forgot to make the third mocktail, but she did manage to bring out fresh strawberries and slices of strawberry cheesecake to pair with our final strain of the night — Strawberry Cheesecake.

By the time dessert was done, everyone was delightfully, happily high. We turned down the lighting, grabbed some blankets, and downshifted the vibes to close out the night with some Candle Rock.

What we learned

Cannabis builds community. Our hypothesis held up! The conversation flowed and sparkled. As the night went on, the vibes shifted from friendly small talk to deep conversations, silly tangents, and even singing show tunes. It was as much fun as a cocktail party, without the hangover — although our faces hurt from laughing so much.

Tasting is subtle and complex. The differences between cannabis strains are less obvious than, say, the differences between Cabernet and Chardonnay. Instead of stark contrasts, we found subtle interplays of scents and flavors that needed a bit of guidance and imagination to unlock. We wouldn’t expect most people to perceive the buttery notes of Strawberry Cheesecake, but it sure is fun to try.

Tabletop vapes are great for parties. Neither of us were familiar with this model or its capacity, but it turned out to be a brilliant option. Once we fine-tuned the temp and flower ventilation, the balloon filled with tons of yummy vapor. Guests were able to take as much or as little as they wanted and still taste and feel all the goodness. Our setup included two balloons, so one could be passed while another was filling— we highly recommend this! By the end of the night, everybody had enough THC and felt incredible without a smoky haze lingering in the house or our lungs.

Messes are inevitable. With any live event, something goes wrong. Monica learned that too much rosewater can take a mocktail from “fresh floral delight” to “Grandma’s perfume.” Matt brought a whole mess of teaching materials (pens, paper, markers, and creative thingys) that were never referenced. He also ignored his own safety warnings and grabbed a hot glass bowl, earning a new blister to remind him of this adventure (and the importance of oven mitts). Overall, the messes were small and manageable, and it was a fun night of tasting and making new friends.

What’s next?

A cannabis tasting party is a great alternative to a cocktail party — we had a blast without a drop of alcohol. Terpenes, THC, and tasty treats were all the social lubricants we needed for a memorable night.

We think this concept could work with a variety of groups, from experienced stoners to beginners. We’d love to try this in another home or (a stoner can dream) a public consumption space. If you’re reading this and it sounds like fun, we encourage you to go for it. Don’t forget to send us a recap — or an invitation!

Your buds,

Matt and Monica

If you’ve read more than one of our posts, you know we love terpenes. They are the spice of life in cannabis — giving each strain its distinctive taste, smell, and feel when they pair with THC and other cannabinoids. Spicy, earthy, fruity, fuel-y, skunky, and floral. Hints of berry, notes of citrus, finished with bold black pepper. Wait — is that cabernet? Bourbon?

Not quite, but you’re on to something.

If you’ve ever been to a wine or whiskey tasting — or, if you’re truly lucky, a chocolate tasting — then you know the delight of a guided discovery through flavor notes, whether or not you actually picked up on the hints of Spanish leather in your Chard. Monica still remembers the first time she tasted grapefruit in a Sauvignon Blanc (St. Supery winery, Napa, 2001), and it instantly became her favorite varietal.

Cannabis has a rich landscape of flavors and aromas, and this weekend, we’re taking a few friends on a tour.

We’re hosting a terpene tasting.

We want cannabis to be more social. Why should drinkers have all the fun?

For over a year, we’ve tossed around the idea of hosting a small, cocktail-style gathering — but without the cocktails as the main event. Instead, we’d design the food, music, and conversation around the cannabis experience.

We pulled on that thread and found it lit up two things: Matt’s enthusiasm for education, and Monica’s love of hospitality. A curated guest list, various strains of exceptional flower, a thoughtfully paired menu, and the space to feel as much or as little as you need — that’s the vision, and this weekend, we’re making it real.

Monica is planning a multi-course food and mocktail menu designed to complement the cannabis. Matt will be the tour guide, walking guests through the flavor notes and unique attributes of each strain.

The centerpiece won’t be a bar or a bottle, but a dry herb vaporizer called a Volcano. It delivers big, smooth hits and full expression of those terpenes we love so much. Yes, we absolutely want to get high — but we also want guests to notice things. How does this strain’s citrus finish pair with a crispy crostini and a sip of mandarin orange agua fresca? Does switching to an earthy, piney strain shift the energy in the room?

Each strain will get her moment, arriving alongside a paired bite, an educational tidbit, and a thoughtfully curated, intentional experience. Enjoying weed isn’t just about taste and smell — each strain has a unique feel, and we’re leaning into that with music and activities. Guests will have the opportunity to smell, taste, and discuss their own experiences of each strain, allowing some time to come down before the next course. It might be a long night, but we’re here for it.

Here’s our hypothesis: cannabis, paired with good people and good food, is a genuinely wonderful alternative to the standard boozy house party. We’re not the first to try this — but we’re excited to experiment with this concept and refine it along with our friends and readers. Perhaps this will evolve into a recurring event, something we could recreate at people’s homes or public consumption spaces.

Will this be as fun as we imagine it to be?

Will our guests be able to discern the differences between the strains?

Will Matt be able to get through the curriculum he’s thoughtfully prepared, or will we all devolve into fits of giggles and munchies?

Stay tuned — next week we’ll be back with a full recap of how the night unfolded.

Your buds,

Matt and Monica

For one hour, my job is to soak up warmth and light: 15 minutes of red light therapy followed by 45 minutes in an infrared sauna with 6 colors of chromotherapy. It’s the epitome of me time, and it’s even sweeter with cannabis. I take a couple of puffs off a vape before my session, or (if I don’t have to worry about driving home) I’ll eat a gummy 30 minutes before and fully melt into the experience.

I bring a notebook into the sauna to capture my thoughts. Sometimes, a blog idea will show up. Our early post on cannabis and self-care came straight out of the sauna.

This morning, I flipped through my notebook to see if there were any other blog-worthy ideas. They weren’t quite substantial enough to be full articles, but I found a few snippets that made me smile. Perhaps you’ll enjoy them, too.

Notes from the stoned spa book

(lightly edited for readability)

1.

Is this green light making me more balanced? I think about light therapy the same way I view the mystical properties of stones and crystals. I like the idea, I don’t really expect it to hold up to rigorous scientific scrutiny, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t working. Even if it’s the placebo effect, that’s still an effect. If someone can find a bit of joy and healing in this crazy world by sitting under pretty colored lights, what’s the harm? New theory: Light therapy works better when I’m high because I’m porous and open to things that can’t be explained by a materialist view of the world. I’ll flip the light to blue and bask in the calm. Ahh.

2.

I think I’m better at self-care than the average person. I used to think this made me selfish, but if you can reliably improve your mood by putting gloopy mud on your face or rubbing marshmallow-scented body butter on your legs, there’s power in that. It’s not a superpower, but a small one. A nifty skill. A relatively healthy coping strategy, even. I think I learned it from teen magazines in the early ‘90s. Those magazines were my big sisters. They taught me about makeup and skin care, and they answered all the sex questions I was far too embarrassed to ask my parents.

3.

When I’m sober, my brain feels like a pinball machine in multi-ball mode. I’m constantly bombarded with at least 5 trains of thought bouncing around, lighting things up, making noise, and requiring my constant vigilance to move through the day and pay attention to the right things at the right moment. When I’m high, my consciousness narrows to a single stream of focus — a gently flowing mountain stream, sparkly but calm. I can let go of the need to track all the bouncing balls and simply follow the natural flow of my attention to unexpected and often beautiful places.

4.

Being high in public makes me self-conscious. I worry about acting weird and making other people uncomfortable. Here, I can disappear into my private sauna room and feel safe. I’d love to get a facial or massage while high, but I’m too worried about having to act normal in the busy lobby of a salon or making small talk with the staff.

Imagine a spa where cannabis was welcomed or even incorporated into the treatments. Just like some spas let you choose your fragrance for a massage or facial, they’d let you choose your perfect strain and provide an immersive sensory experience. Music and lighting designed to enhance and complement the high. No judgment. A chill lounge where you can drink cucumber water and sober up before driving home. Does this exist? If not, can I invent it?

5.

Time is not linear. It’s bendy and curves back on itself. The summer of 2025 is closer to the summer of 1995 for me than it is to the years in between.

6.

When I hear the phrase “neural pathways,” I take it metaphorically and picture trails through a wilderness, worn down by footsteps over time. It’s easy to find the paths I’ve been down before – self-doubt, criticism, regret, those tired arguments I had with my parents when I was a teenager. Like my shame coat, they’re familiar and easy to find. Forging new ones takes more work, but it’s worth it. And it starts with an intentional step. Each time I practice being the version of myself I’d prefer to be, I’m wearing down the metaphorical earth into a new path that will be easier to find tomorrow. I am curious. I am kind. I am introspective. I am grounded. I am creative. I am a writer. I am weird in a way that I enjoy.

7.

Here’s an exercise my therapist would love. I am looking at my body, really looking at it, in the yellow light (cheerfulness). My freckles are memories of days in the sun. My stretch marks remind me that I brought people into the world. The lines around my eyes and mouth show that I’ve lived a long time and smiled a lot. There’s a shiny spot on my leg where my doctor removed a mole before it could harm me. I have scars from surgeries I remember and accidents I’ve forgotten. Each tattoo immortalizes a past version of me. My body is a collection of stories, and I choose to tell them with gratitude and appreciation. I bet if I did this more often, I’d feel more confident. I should tell others.

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Thank you for joining me on this little trip to the spa and my mind. May your day sparkle with whichever colors of light you need today.

Your bud,
Monica

One of the biggest barriers to starting something new is feeling alone and intimidated. I think because weed has been illegal for so long we look at “growers” as solitary figures who own a skill set that is unique to them and unable to transfer to others. We also feel intimidated because growing cannabis must be done within the confines of the law. In most states, this is not hard to do, but it does create a barrier for some to get started. Finally, pride gets in the way more than anything else. Yeah, your plant might not be exactly what you hoped, but isn’t it cool and fun to see the progress and growth?

This hobby is no different than gardening. People grow fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains and fungi outdoors every spring and they all have their communities. Fun Guys— a men’s group for jovial mushroom lovers, meets at local Mc Donald’s every third Thursday to discuss their successes, failures, and harvests. The locals have very different backgrounds and experiences yet share a common love— mushrooms! They swap techniques, growing resources, and years of wisdom. Along with the coffee, and mushroom talk, community grows. Friendships are formed. People are loved.

Weed smokers are great social creatures and now that prohibition appears to be in the past, we can be the social growers and gardeners that rose owners, tomato cultivators, and apple breeders have always been.

One thing that living in Minneapolis during its occupation by ICE has shown me is that people are very willing and able to come together around common interests. I have witnessed everyday people putting their screens down and meeting to share meals, resources, hugs and tears. Those of us who could, would gather and share best practices on how to keep kids safe at bus stops, what homes need schoolwork, toys, or food or who needs an extra hand with the kids. Quickly, the people with the requisite skills in this community ascended and offered their time, talent, and energy. One by one, each of us was doing the little things that turn into big things. Great things.

An unintended consequence of the violent occupation and all the resistance that countered was the forming of new communities united in common bonds. No longer in WFH mode, people came together to solve problems. Big, scary, problems. We are good at this and it is good for us. As we did this, we found conversations not just focused on ensuring our neighborhoods were safe, but on the hobbies, events, and people that bring us joy. We let laughs slip. We hugged and celebrated successes. I think its called community.

When breaking bread at a pot-luck last month, neighbors who had silently been growing in their basements starting comparing notes. Two growers were sharing their foibles and successes, when two more former strangers overheard the conversation and pulled their chairs closer. Welcome. The four new friends chatted over sloppy joes and still-warm banana bread while their children played and others laughed with friends.

In order for weed to become more accessible, safe and affordable, we need more people who understand and enjoy growing it, and for the newbs, we need the help of some of the more OG gardeners, even if just for a little encouragement. And to those of you who have thought about it and never taken the plunge: there has never been a better time to learn how to grow your own weed at home.

I felt inspired by Monica’s first outdoor grow, and promised myself I would try once the season came back around. In order to feel more confident into my first foray into outdoor growing, I decided to attend a 90 minute gardening seminar at a local garden shop. It was led by a commercial cultivator, who really was just an excited weed nerd. Twenty-five neighbors sat on tiny folding chairs set up in the “Soils and Nutrients” section of the tiny store. Patrons shopped around us and a few even eavesdropped on the weedy wisdom. Young, old, black and white all gathered to learn how to become more green, despite there being more notebooks and pens than screens and apps.

After 90 minutes of learning, asking, and answering, most of the 25 got up and went about their day full with new motivation and confidence to start their outdoor grow. A significant portion of the class, however, shopped, talked, and gathered. When the eight or so former strangers realized there was more to be discussed, they moved their impromptu meeting across the street to the coffee shop.

When I arrived, the newly empowered gardeners were laughing and sipping their hot drinks at a booth by the window. I approached them and asked who had ever grown weed before, and of the six nearest me, only one had. “But we all are going to now!” piped the elder-statesman of the crew. Everyone in the place let go a laugh big enough to top the din, and let everyone know that they were in the right place.

While the barista tended to my order, I watched the table of new friends sharing socials, and talking about common friends. One man challenged another to grow a different strain than him so they could swap and compare. Another person knew of a woman who would take homegrown cannabis and exchange it for proportionate edibles on the spot— taking the processing worries away from the gardener. All of this information may have been available in the digital ether, but these folks found it more helpful to chat, share, and laugh over coffee than to google it.

I do not know how my weed will turn out in the fall. I’m a little anxious, but I am going to give it my best shot. I do know, however, that if I need some guidance, resources, or encouragement, there are many ways to meet people who will be happy to share and guide. Now I just need to find the guy who came up with that clever mushroom club name to come up with a weedy one!

Our friend Mary Jane is a creative partner behind some of the greatest works we’ve seen, heard, or read. Without cannabis, we wouldn’t know the perilous story of Major Tom from Space Oddity, God Only Knows would have been only a prayer for the Beach Boys, and Starry Night’s iconic swirls would have been forgotten flashes in Van Gogh’s imagination. Writers like Maya Angelou, Carl Sagan, and even Shakespeare (hash pipes were found among his belongings!) have crafted masterpieces while stoned. And these are just (a few of) the creatives we know about. Imagine how many other great works or strokes of genius were inspired by or imagined with the help of weed!

Cannabis can stimulate your imagination, enhance your senses, lower stress, and swirl up your ideas into surprising new configurations. It’s also great at clearing mental obstacles. If you’re staring at a blank page, a half-finished canvas, or a chord progression that’s going nowhere, cannabis has a way of making that blankness feel less like a wall and more like a door.

Things that can get in the way of making good art

The inner critic. It’s one of the hardest truths of learning a craft: Your inner critic develops a whole lot faster than your inner artist. By the time you’ve got the skills to make something real, you’ve also built yourself an annoying internal editor who jumps in after every idea and says Nope! There’s a chasm between your taste — what you know and recognize as good art — and your own artistic ability. Intellectually, you know it’s unfair to compare your first draft to someone else’s polished masterpiece — but try telling that to the critic.

Self-consciousness. Making something and sharing it — even just sharing a half-baked idea out loud with a friend — requires a kind of vulnerability that doesn’t always come naturally. High Spirits is an idea that the two of us kicked around for over a year before we published our first post! The fear of sounding stupid, being misunderstood, or making something that doesn’t live up to what’s in your head is enough to stop a lot of people before they ever get started.

Overthinking. Creative work is full of paradoxes. You have to care deeply and not care at all. You have to be invested enough to try and loose enough to let something unexpected happen. You have to be knowledgeable about the masterworks and trends in your field, and you have to create something new and different. You have to know the rules and be willing to break them. Don’t try to reason your way out of this — it’s impossible. When your brain is locked in logic mode, rigid and methodical, it’s hard to let anything surprising through the door.

Isolation. Many of the best creative ideas in history didn’t come from solitary genius — they came from people talking to each other, riffing, reacting, building on each other’s weirdness. Jam sessions. Comedy writers’ rooms. Artist collectives. The massive creative teams behind feature films and video games. The blank-page problem is often easier (and more fun) to solve in a room full of people than sitting alone at a desk.

How cannabis can help

Quiet the critic (for now). Just like cannabis can improve sex by banishing shame, self-consciousness, and all those other buzzkills in your brain — it can dial down the voice of your inner art critic as well. Let the weird ideas come. Let yourself follow a thread without immediately knowing where it goes. Your critic will be there when you need their help revising and editing. For now, let them wait outside.

Make unexpected connections. One of the most-studied effects of cannabis on cognition is something researchers call hyper-priming — your brain starts finding connections between concepts that are further apart than you’d normally connect. Great art is often built on unexpected connections: a melody that sounds like innocence, a combination of colors that looks like Tuesday. You might be working on a song about heartbreak, and the image that unlocks it is a gas station at 3 a.m. You’re trying to describe a specific type of disappointment, and you’re shot back to a forgotten childhood memory of losing your last dollar trying to win a stuffed monkey at the fair. Cannabis loosens the usual logic gates and lets those distant ideas find each other.

Open the channel. A lot of artists describe their best work as feeling like it came from somewhere else — like they were taking dictation, hearing a fully-formed song, or freeing a sculpture from the block of stone that it was trapped in. Stephen King calls his mysterious creative force “the boys in the basement.” Monica imagines little birds of inspiration that land on her windowsill when she’s receptive to them. There’s something about cannabis that seems to help people access that channel where ideas feel less like they’re being manufactured and more like they’re being received. You can choose to view it as a mystical experience or a neat trick of your subconscious brain. Either way, you get access to something new and powerful.

Make group creativity magic. Cannabis lowers the social inhibitions that make us embarrassed to say something weird in front of other people — and that embarrassment is the enemy of good brainstorming. Along with our partners and friends, we’ve come up with ideas for novels, screenplays, and board games while passing a pipe around a candlelit living room. Someone feels loose enough to say something silly, someone else riffs on it, and suddenly the whole room is on fire with inspiration. Sometimes, you sober up the next day, revisit your stoned musings, and enjoy a silly new inside joke with your friends. Other times, you wrangle those messy ideas into a weekly Substack newsletter that you’re still writing 6 months later.

Consumption tips for creatives

For a solo session, less is often more. A small amount keeps you focused and in your body; too much can send you somewhere interesting but not necessarily productive. Monica finds that a 10 mg gummy or a one-hitter of sparkly sativa is her perfect recipe for a morning or afternoon of creative writing — followed by a refreshing nap to reset her brain.

Before you imbibe, remove all friction between your ideas and your means of expression. Tune your guitar, set out your paints and canvas, boot up your writing laptop or sharpen your pencils. If creative inspiration finds you out in the world — on a walk in nature, for example — use your phone to capture a voice memo or text before the idea flits away.

Give yourself permission to make bad stuff! The goal isn’t a finished, polished piece. It’s raw material. If your inner critic won’t shut up, appease them by scheduling a serious refinement session for a future date — then take another hit until they stop interrupting you. Write high, edit sober.

For a group session, edibles can be a beautiful choice — they come on slowly, giving the conversation time to warm up naturally before the ideas really start flying. Set a loose intention before you start: We’re going to brainstorm that screenplay concept or Let’s figure out the story for this album. Then let it wander. The wandering is the point. Again, make sure that you’re ready to capture the magical ideas with blank journal pages, a recording device, or a digital notes app.

Strains to try

Whether you’re a visual artist, writer, scientist, musician, or dancer, cannabis can provide a spark of inspiration. The most helpful strains focus on enhancing your senses and deepening your thoughts while keeping you alert and motivated. Depending on your type of creative work, you might want to choose something specific to meet your needs. If you are a painter, you may prefer to avoid giggly strains and focus on sensory-enhancing effects instead. The strains below are a suggestion, but feel free to take whatever bud you have and see where it takes your creativity!

Gulzar Afghanica (aka Captain Jack)

Best for: writing, being funny, lowering inhibitions

This rare landrace strain dates back to the 1970s and, as the name suggests, comes to us from Afghanistan. This strain claims to boost creative juices, encourage divergent thinking, and relax anxiety. This strain was introduced to the Saturday Night Live writers’ room in the 1970s by California cannabis breeder Captain Jack (hence the name) and helped inspire characters and sketches like The Coneheads, Samuri Futaba, and The Blues Brothers. If you can find the elusive Captain, throw him in the brig and keep him to smoke as you craft your masterpiece or gather your funniest friends in a writers’ room of your own.

Green Crack

Best for: detail-oriented work, focused creativity, design, dance

Green Crack is often described as a cup of coffee, but weed. THC can’t match the heart-racing properties of caffeine, but this strain is ideal for delivering a focused spark of motivation without the jitters. This strain is wonderful for visual artists working on detailed pieces, enhancing mental focus and visual clarity while providing procrastination-killing energy. Fun fact: Snoop smoked Green Cush in the early ‘90s and gave it the moniker we know it by today. Green Crack is fairly common and easy to find, but it doesn’t have many hybrids or siblings. If you can’t score GC, Super Lemon Haze also boasts big focus energy.

Durban Poison

Best for: sensory clarity, focus, precision, persistent work, rehearsing or practicing, body movement, composing music, writing code

The African landrace sativa is the opposite of the haze that songwriters relish. Similar to Green Crack, Durban Poison packs an energetic focus. This strain’s secret is its high levels of THCV (which kills your munchies and improves mental clarity) so you can handle long repetitive rehearsals or practices while maintaining a clear and euphoric buzz.

You’re creative.

Cannabis doesn’t make you creative. You are already creative! It gets the part of you that second-guesses everything to take a short walk around the block while the rest of you makes something. And maybe — if you believe in it — it can open the door for something magical to come find you.

Now go make something weird!

Your buds,

Matt and Monica

What do you create? Have you ever had a cannabis-assisted breakthrough — solo or with a group? Tell us about it!

Cannabis has a common, well-known, often-joked-about side effect called “the munchies” which prompts people to eat more and make questionable nutritional choices. People like us are the reason Taco Bell’s drive thru is open til 4 a.m. and DoorDash delivers from Dairy Queen (Thank you for not driving, wise stoner).

The munchies can be just what the doctor ordered, literally. Medicinal cannabis is often prescribed for its appetite-boosting effects. For cancer patients looking to offset the nausea brought on by chemotherapy, or people dealing with unwanted and medically dangerous weight loss, this goofy side effect can be a godsend.

For recreational users, there’s genuine joy to be found in the munchies. It can elevate food to a whole new level. A grilled cheese sandwich can be a spiritual experience (Monica’s fave: sourdough, squeaky fresh Wisconsin colby, fancy butter, a sprinkling of Parmesan). Cannabis doesn’t just make you hungry; it makes food better.

Of course, not everyone wants to boost their enjoyment of food. Some of us have enough trouble sticking to our preferred eating regimen when we’re sober, and the munchies can pop up like a cartoon devil on your shoulder whispering “DoorDash Dairy Queen!” and drowning out the tiny angel who’s pleading, “We can barely button our jeans!” We feel you. Nobody wants to buy a whole new wardrobe in this economy.

So let’s break down why the munchies happen and how to manage them without sucking all the fun out of getting high.

The Munchies, Explained

It’s not just a pop culture trope — there’s science behind the munchies.

When you consume cannabis, THC interacts with your endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate appetite (among other things like mood, memory, and pain). THC activates CB1 receptors in the brain, especially in the hypothalamus, which plays a big role in hunger signaling. Basically, your brain gets the message: “Food would be a fantastic idea right now.”

THC also increases levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin. Even if you just ate, your body might feel like it’s time for round two. Did we mention that THC affects memory? You might actually forget that you just ate.

Then there’s the sensory upgrade. Flavors feel richer, textures are more compelling, contrasts like sweet and salty feel more dramatic. Cannabis heightens your senses of taste and smell — and smell is huge when it comes to how we experience food.

Add in lowered inhibitions, and suddenly the voice that says, “Maybe we should look at the nutrition label,” has left the building.

Which cannabinoids and terpenes matter?

THC is the main driver of appetite stimulation. The more THC you consume, the more likely you are to feel hungry.

You might recall the entourage effect, in which certain cannabinoid combos have effects greater than the sum of their parts. This appears to be true for the terpenes that cause the munchies as well! Like a Top Chef All-Stars lineup, the combination of myrcene, limonene, and beta-caryophyllene form a power squad of appetite boosters.

On the flip side, the popular cannabinoid CBD doesn’t stimulate appetite and can balance out THC’s effects a bit.

Early research suggests that the cannabinoid THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin) may suppress appetite at certain doses. THCV isn’t super common, and it’s even banned in some markets, but it’s starting to show up in (pricey) tinctures and edibles marketed for focus and weight control – sometimes nicknamed “diet weed,” which Matt hates.

One terpene, humulene, has been shown to suppress appetite.

Managing the Munchies

As responsible cannabis consumers, we have to accept a simple truth: the munchies happen. What you do next is up to you.

Minimizing Munchies

Some strains are naturally less munchie-inducing, especially those higher in CBD or THCV and lower in THC. Strains high in THCV and/or humulene include Durban Poison, White Widow, and Headband. There’s even a strain called Doug’s Varin that’s specifically bred to maximize THCV, although it’s rare and we haven’t seen it in our area.

You can also experiment with timing and managing your environment. Getting high right after a satisfying, balanced meal can blunt the edge of hunger signals. Keeping yourself busy with hands-on activities can distract from the urge to snack. Instead of parking on the couch, go for a walk outdoors or tackle a creative project. Monica enjoys jigsaw puzzles and adult coloring books to occupy her mind and hands while high.

Enjoying the Ride

Sometimes you want the munchies!

Maybe you’re planning a gourmet dinner and want to elevate your dining experience from exquisite to other-worldly. Maybe your old college crew is in town, and it’s time for a nostalgic night of bong rips, Nintendo, and crushing pizza rolls and Mountain Dew like it’s 1997. Or maybe you’re just in the mood for a good time, and food is part of your recipe for fun.

For peak munchie magic, choose THC-forward strains like OG Kush and Girl Scout Cookies. “Purple” named strains usually bring the munchies, and you can bet the snacks will hit beautifully.

The best munchie foods are fragrant, texturally interesting, and layered with contrasts such as sweet+salty or creamy+crunchy. Unexpected combinations like chocolate covered potato chips can delight your senses.

Monica’s latest culinary project is cracking the code on movie-theater-style popcorn at home, and she’s willing to share her secrets: butter-flavored coconut oil and a mysterious but life-changing seasoning called Flavacol. She recently upgraded her corn popper and bought some cheddar cheese powder, hoping to level up from “movie theater” to “movie theater you’d drive half an hour to and watch almost any film just so you can eat the popcorn”.

Matt’s newest discovery is animal crackers dipped in Nutella. He delights in the contrast between the crunchy, mild flavor of the cracker and the rich, creamy Nutella. It’s a deeply satisfying snack, with a little Nutella going a long way.

Finding Balance

The munchies don’t have to derail your health or force you into elastic-waist pants for the foreseeable future. With a little bit of thoughtful planning, you can enjoy the effects without overdoing it.

Here’s what works for us.

Plan ahead.

If you know you’re getting high later, eat lighter earlier in the day or do a heavier workout to make space for an intentional indulgence. It’s way more fun to go all out when you’ve planned for it and don’t allow guilt or regret to drain your energy.

Stock healthier snacks.

Clementines (those cute baby oranges) are in peak season right now, and they are tiny orbs of magic. Peeling one is a full sensory event. The burst of citrus oil. The juicy sweetness. It’s a symphony for the senses.

Cotton candy grapes might actually blow your mind when you’re high. They taste like cotton candy. But they’re grapes. Sit with that for a second. Eat another one. Whoah.

Sparkling water is another sleeper hit. The bubbles feel like a party in your mouth and can scratch the itch for a “fun drink” without adding calories. Pop a slice of lemon or lime into your water for an added bit of Zing!

Practice portion control.

Time bends when you’re high. You sit down to have “a few chips” and suddenly (or maybe it’s hours later, we can’t say for sure) you’re staring at the bottom of a party-sized bag. And where did that empty ice cream carton come from? Oh yeah, THC affects the memory.

You can mitigate this by buying single-serving portions of your favorite treats or simply taking a minute to put a reasonable amount into a bowl and stash the rest before you start eating. Future You will appreciate the effort.

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At the end of the day, the munchies are just another side effect. They can be medicinal. They can be life-affirming. They can be distracting. They’re always delicious.

With a little awareness, you get to decide whether tonight is about mindful moderation or Nutella-dipped animal crackers at midnight.

No judgment either way.

Your buds,

Matt and Monica

PS: What are your favorite munchie snacks? Tell us in the comments!

One of the first times I ever smelled weed up close was on a chairlift in Keystone, Colorado. A man in a skin-tight suit, shiny helmet, and bib somehow produced a roach and a lighter. He inhaled, relaxed, and exhaled into the quiet mountain air. As we went further up, he got higher. I sat there silently while he finished his bud, hopped off the lift, and headed straight for the slalom start line. You go, stony ski racer!

With the Winter Games in full swing, it’s fun to enjoy a little bud along with all the sights and sounds. Even if sports aren’t your thing, there’s a lot to enjoy this year: scenic HD flyovers, food porn, and way too much Stanley Tucci.

Instead of ranking athletes, I’m awarding Bronze, Silver, and Gold to the moments, storylines, visuals, and random nonsense that sticks in my brain, even at this high elevation. Here are my medal winners so far:

Bronze

Memorable enough to make it on the podium, but not exactly a winner.

Snoop

Few people have been louder ambassadors for cannabis than Snoop, but at this point he’s everywhere, all the time, doing the same bit with athletes and their moms that he does everywhere else. I liked it better when he was writing songs about how much he loved weed. Now we’re stuck watching him watch sports with someone’s mom again. Please, someone, pass this guy a joint!

Cheating Canadians

Things got chirpy on the curling rink when the Canadian team was accused of cheating. After cursing out the accuser, video evidence showed they were, in fact, pushing the stone illegally. Come on, Team Canada. Don’t cheat. But if you do, don’t lash out. Canada has some of the best weed in the world. I bet it would take the sharp edge off getting called out. Take a puff. Own your stuff.

Opening Ceremonies

Stoners hoping for a full audio-visual mind trip should go back and watch Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show or curate their own Candle Rock vibe. The opening ceremonies had all the right pieces—hazy lights, mind-bending sets, floaty soundtrack—but it felt slow and short on joy. Maybe that’s a sign of the times. A good buzz wasn’t wasted on it, but it wasn’t exactly playful or fun. Next time, more food and wine shots and less Mariah Carey.

Silver

I’m still thinking about this, for better or worse.

Crotch padding

OG stoners know a thing or two about sewing extra fabric into clothes to hide a stash, but I did not have “Olympic crotch sail” on my bingo card. Norwegian ski jumpers were reportedly inflating their crotches with saline to gain extra fabric in their suits.

Get stoned and think about ski jumping for a minute. People fly off cliffs on purpose. Most of them land safely. Now imagine those same people deciding to inflate their most sensitive area just to gain a little aerodynamic edge. None of this makes sense, and yet I cannot stop watching.

I still wonder if that guy on the chairlift had a stash pouch sewn into his suit. I’ll never know.

Getting Mad at Judges for Sports You Don’t Understand

The Games highlight sports we only pretend to care about every four years. Races and team sports are easy. Judged sports? Whole different story.

Smoking a bowl and watching figure skating is always a good time. The music, the costumes, the lighting, the athleticism—it’s all great even if you can’t tell a triple axel from a double salchow. (I’ve watched my whole life and still can’t tell anything except trips and falls.)

Judged sports are wildly complicated, yet we all act like we understand why some scores go to the thousandth while others ignore the obvious. I’ve learned that if there’s no clock or goal, just enjoy the spectacle and hope for the fairest outcome. Don’t get mad! We’ll get them back in four years.

Gold

World-class perfection.

Drone footage

Tiny, speedy robot cameras are everywhere at these games. For the first time, we can feel the speed of a women’s downhill racer from her perspective. The trailing drone cams on luge and other sliding events show the ground-level speed in a way that makes every run feel like an adrenaline rush for the baked viewer.

At their best, the drone shots make it feel like we’re all flying down the mountain. And if you’re getting a little paranoid about the mosquito-buzz sound, you’re not alone. I’ve been swatting at them too! Still, the visuals are incredible and absolutely worth enjoying while stoned.

Cortina

These games are split between two cities, and while Milan is a great host, the real star is Cortina. The snowy Dolomite sunsets are unreal. I’ve watched events I don’t even care about just because the setting is so beautiful.

The mountain scenes feel like a nature documentary shot in 4K that just happens to include world-class athletes. Pine forests wrap around the cross-country courses, creating a stunning winter backdrop. The scenery almost makes me wish speed skating was still held outdoors like in the old days.

The Alps are a visual feast, and the weather has made this one of the most scenic Games in recent memory. Honestly, half the time I’m not even watching the sport. I’m just staring at the mountains and thinking, “Yeah… this is nice.”

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Are you watching the games? What are you loving, what’s driving you nuts, and what are you only watching because the mountains look cool in 4K? Let us know!

Your bud,

Matt

Hey, Bud! If you know one of us (or our spouses) personally, and the idea of us writing candidly about sex feels super awkward, you might want to skip this one. We’ll be back next week with a different topic.

This Valentine’s Day, we’re going to share a spicy secret: Cannabis makes sex better.

If your plans this weekend include snuggling up with your significant other, invite some of your favorite cannabinoids and terpenes to the party and let the sparks fly.

This advice isn’t just for couples with candlelit plans. If you’re single this Valentine’s Day, the same idea applies. Relaxation, heightened sensation, and enjoying your own body? That’s something everyone can enjoy.

Things that can get in the way of good sex

Lack of desire. Did you groan a little when you saw the subject of this blog? Do your Valentine’s Day fantasies involve chocolate, stretchy pants, and an early bedtime? No judgment! But if you’re still reading, we have good news: cannabis might be able to help you connect with your sexy self and unlock deep, authentic desire.

Aging bodies. If you’re over 40, chances are that your relationship with sex has changed. Some of those changes are improvements — maybe you’re more confident in your body and more skilled at delighting your partner. Aging brings a host of challenges, too — hormone shifts, achy joints, sore muscles. For many women, vaginal dryness or discomfort becomes more common during perimenopause and menopause. Men face their own challenges, with erectile dysfunction and performance anxiety becoming more common as our bodies age.

Mental distractions. It’s hard to enjoy sex when your brain is constantly chattering. You’re thinking about your family, your grocery list, the dentist appointment you need to schedule, that work email you forgot to send, the hostile occupation of your city. The daily stress of being an adult in the world today can act as a libido killer for a lot of people.

Predictability. When you figure out what works for you and your partner, it’s very exciting! You’ve discovered the perfect sequence of events, favorite positions, and precise rhythm to make you both feel great... and then you keep doing all the same things in the same ways until it no longer feels exciting. It’s easy to fall into a rut, especially if you’ve been with the same person for a long time.

How cannabis can help

Calm the mental hamster wheel. You know that voice. The one reminding you about the laundry, your inbox, and whether your thighs look weird at this angle. A little cannabis can hush that chatter just enough to let you land back in your body, present in the moment, aware of your sensations, and connected to your partner. If you’re by yourself, cannabis can help you set aside the mental clutter and focus on a single sensation or explore a fantasy.

Release your inhibitions. The right strain can make you feel a little lighter, a little braver, a little more “why not?” You might try something new or crave a sensation you don’t normally enjoy. You might explode into a fit of giggles and bring your partner into joyful silliness with you. Playfulness is wildly underrated in grown-up sex. If you’re approaching this solo, try reading or watching some sexy fiction outside of your usual preferences. Your body’s response might surprise you.

Help your body catch up with your brain. Let’s be real. Sometimes your mind is willing, but your back, hips, or shoulders have other plans. Cannabis can ease tension and soothe those cranky spots so you can focus on what feels good instead of what aches. Try using a cannabis balm or massage oil with your partner as part of your foreplay or aftercare.

Turn the volume up on sensation. If you’ve ever had the munchies, you know that being high can enhance your enjoyment of sensory experiences (We’ll explore Monica’s pursuit of the perfect popcorn in a future blog). The same logic applies to sex — skin feels softer, kisses feel warmer, touches feel positively electric. Things that feel good when you’re sober can feel transcendent when you’re stoned.

Expand your sensory perception. Cannabis can gently bend the way your brain interprets sensation, especially at higher doses of THC. Time stretches out in a delicious, textured way. Touch can bloom into color. Music can take on a physical presence that ripples through your body. As the edges of your self-perception soften, you may feel intertwined with your partner’s emotional and spiritual energy.

Consumption methods

If you’ve got a whole evening ahead of you, edibles can be a beautiful way to set the mood and savor the experience. The slow onset is part of the fun. Eat your gummy, light a few candles, put on a playlist that makes you feel something. Take a bath. Linger over dessert. By the time you wander toward the bedroom, you may feel the warm, gentle bloom of contentment spreading through you, right as things start getting exciting.

If patience isn’t your style, smoking or dry herb vaping works faster and gives you more control over your level of intoxication. Take a puff or two, wait a few minutes, and see how you feel. It’s easier to fine-tune the experience, and it fades sooner, too.

Don’t forget to check out the rapidly growing selection of cannabis-infused intimacy products. They won’t get you high, but they help make your body more relaxed and responsive. Many are rich in CBD or CBG and come as lubricants, oils, and suppositories designed specifically for pleasure and comfort. They tend to work quickly and can be part of foreplay or part of winding down afterward. Most are marketed for the “before,” but don’t overlook the “after.” A soothing oil or balm during post-intimacy cuddling can turn recovery into its own sweet ritual. Taking care of each other’s bodies afterward makes the whole journey feel complete.

Strains to try

Let’s get terped! Terpenes give strains of cannabis their unique properties, and some are sexier than others. You want to avoid strains with heavy sedative effects that make you fall asleep or melt into your couch. Likewise, heady strains that launch you deep into your imagination might distract you from connecting with your partner in the moment. Luckily, there are many terpene-rich strains known for sparking desire, enhancing physical touch, and delivering a strong euphoric buzz.

The best terps for sex and intimacy depend on what a person desires. Need a little help getting warmed up? Limonene can boost libido, reduce stress, and lift spirits to set the mood. Craving touch? Beta-caryophyllene improves blood flow and enhances our senses. Need to relax? Linalool will settle you into a calm mood and gently ease your aches and pains without putting you to sleep. No matter what you crave, there are strains with the terps to get you there.

Gelato

When is a touch more than just a touch? When you skip the cheesecake after dinner and hit a bowl of sweet-smelling Gelato instead. This strain enhances physical sensations, delivering tingles and sparkles of joy exactly where you want them. It’s a great choice for people who have no problem getting in the mood and are ready for a good time. You’ll find similar effects from other dessert-themed strains like Runtz, Sherbet, and Girl Scout Cookies. (On second thought, order the cheesecake to go — you’ll enjoy it later).

Wedding Cake

We can’t all be hot and ready like a take-out pizza. Some of us need a little warm-up and wind-down to feel sexy, and pain and inflammation can slow things down. Caryophyllene-rich Wedding Cake can bring the “ahhh” to your aches, reducing inflammation and helping with blood flow to all the right places. Similar to the warming sensation of black pepper and spicy foods, the terpenes in this soothing strain melt away the hurt so you can feel and enjoy the good stuff instead. Strains with similar properties include Triangle Mints, Pink Cookies, or any other strain with “cake” in the name.

Sour Diesel

Fill your tank with Sour D, and you’re ready for a long haul. You might notice the tart flavor of this limonene-rich bud, but once the high kicks in, your mind will be locked in on the task (and person) at hand. The focused, euphoric buzz quiets your wandering, chattering mind so you can feel present in the moment and give full attention to your partner and your pleasure. Similar strains include Super Lemon Haze, Strawberry Cough, and Green Crack.

Granddaddy Purple (GDP)

Are you the type to light candles, put on some slow jams, and make sure everything’s set for a long, romantic night of passion? The slow burn and relaxing body feel of Granddaddy Purple will keep you feeling relaxed and easy all night. Unlike some purply strains, this one won’t knock you out. Instead, it melts away aches and tension, leaving your body open and responsive to touch and desire. It’s a great partner for a long night at home with plenty of foreplay, cuddling, and comblissence (see below). Other strains with this slow, sensual vibe include Bubblegum Kush, Blue Dream, and Purple Kush.

Comblissence

Remember how we suggested you order the cheesecake to go? It’s all part of a grand plan for the perfect date night, and it concludes with comblissence.

One of the best feelings in the world is — after a night of cannabis-infused sex — putting on your softest pants, sinking into the couch next to your favorite person, and eating something delicious while letting all of the good vibes swirl around and settle into your body. “Afterglow” doesn’t cut it. So we wanted to share this new word with you:

Just like Candle Rock, we hope that comblissence makes its way into our readers’ everyday lives, both as a part of your vocabulary and as a part of your experience.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Your buds,

Matt and Monica

First off, no one should be getting their pooch stoned. Bad pet owner! If your dog or cat gets into your THC stash, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control hotline immediately for guidance. Take note of how much they consumed, and get ready for the possibility of an emergency vet visit.

Cannabis products designed for pets are not psychoactive, and they contain lower doses of cannabinoids than humans would use. They deliver many of the same wellness benefits, like calming, pain relief, and good vibes.

In Matt’s store, he meets plenty of pet owners shopping for their dogs and cats. He doesn’t usually talk to the pets themselves, so this week he took a stoney field trip to the dog park and interviewed a few four-legged friends about their cannabis use.

Lilly, 8, Mixed Breed, Medium-Sized Doggo

“Anxious? I wouldn’t say I was anxious. The world is full of scary things. Thunderstorms! Fireworks! Going in the car! Being left home all alone!

I tried all kinds of ways to relax. Howling and yowling didn’t exactly help, but it felt like the thing to do. I soiled a few floors here and there. Destroying things helped a little. Pillows didn’t stand a chance when I was in one of my moods, and — I’m not proud to admit this — I turned the kid’s stuffed animal into a snowpile of fluff. Sometimes I’d nip at my paws, lick endlessly for no reason, and just be a general ball of crazy.

OK, maybe I was anxious.

Now, I get a 5mg CBD treat, and that stuff doesn’t send me off the rails anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not just letting squirrels run around in my yard unchased, but I don’t need to attack the furniture anymore to feel better.”

Ms. Fancy Nancy, 3, Housecat

“Two truths and lie! I used to be territorial and mean. I am a talking cat who hangs out at the dog park. I once skydived for my birthday. Ready for the answers?

I was territorial. Other animals, people, babies, mean stuffies — enemies in my territory! They didn’t listen to my demands to leave, so I had to communicate in a language they understood: claws sharpened to deadly points on the soft fabric of the couch, hissing at anyone who dared look at me the wrong way, the pungent ammonia smell of cat dominance on a fresh rug. Try ignoring me now!

Funny thing… my behavior may have made me more enemies than friends. The kids were scared of me. I didn’t like them either.

Then my owner started giving me special treats. If I hold still long enough to let her squirt the 5mg CBD tincture into my mouth, I feel like a whole new kitty for the rest of the day. Some days, I’m a fussy kitty who doesn’t want to be touched that way, so my owner tosses me a couple of tasty little treats to munch on.

I don’t mark the rug anymore; the litter box is good enough for me. I still love hiding under the bed, but I come out sometimes and let the kids pet me. I even purr when they do.

Oh, and I have never skydived. Imagine that… a skydiving birthday cat?!”

Hudson, 9, German Shepherd Mix

“There wasn’t a tennis ball, fake bird, or frisbee I couldn’t chase down. In my younger days, I would leap and catch all of those mid-air! I still love going to the park with my favorite person, especially when he brings the ball launcher, but I am not the same athlete I used to be. I have a little hitch in my getup now, and I would rather take a small leap to catch a ball than launch 20 yards into the lake off the dock.

My favorite person got me a 10mg CBD tincture that tastes like peanut butter — my favorite! After I licked it up (I’m still just as good as licking as I’ve always been!) I noticed that I could run better, jump, and play like a 3-year-old. He noticed that I don’t bark at delivery drivers as much, and I seem more playful, happy and relaxed with my people. I think it’s because my hips don’t hurt anymore.

This new tincture makes it easier to do what I’ve always loved — chasing and catching! I am so good at chasing and catching — wanna see?”

Ted, 5, Fraidy Cat

“Hey, you’re lucky we’re having this conversation. Most people never see me. I hate everything. I’m less of a pet and more like a ghost that poops in your house. That’s me. I am so antisocial that I escaped from ninja training and nobody noticed. Sometimes I might leave something dead somewhere, or maybe a pile of what was in my guts in your shoes. You’re welcome.

After I started taking CBD, I got the weirdest urge to rub up on people’s legs. Strange, right? It was actually kind of nice. I started purring, gave a little meow, and they scratched my head right behind my ears in a spot that’s tricky to reach but feels so good… mmmm! One wild night, I came out and sat on a toasty lap while they stared at a glowing rectangle. Here’s the craziest part… I liked it so much that I might do it again.

OK, now you know my deepest secrets. Give me a fake name in your article. Now leave me alone.”

It’s not every day that animals are so candid, and Matt feels especially lucky to have chatted with the mercurial felines.

As a responsible purveyor of cannabis products, he’d like to underscore the fact that these animals only use edibles and tinctures formulated for veterinary use, and they never consume THC. Their veterinarians are all aware of their cannabis use, and the owners dose responsibly.

The next time you get stoned, ask your dog or cat how they’re feeling. Would a little bit of CBD help ease their stress, anxiety, or sore joints? Pets bring so much joy to our lives; this might be one way to return the favor.

Your buds,

Matt and Monica

Living in Minneapolis right now is… a lot. We’re grieving the tragic deaths and widespread abductions of our neighbors. We’re coming together in beautiful ways like peaceful protests, candlelight vigils, food drives, and community response networks. We’re simultaneously scared to look at our phones and glued to them.

January 2026 feels a lot like March 2020 — Dread and anxiety are our constant companions, as each new day brings the fear that forces beyond our control will change our world yet again.

Even if you’re far away, you may be experiencing unrest in your own community or feeling some of these emotions as you watch the news and try to make sense of it all. Read on, friends. We can help.

What this moment does to your body and mind

When your city is overrun by strangers harassing, abducting, and killing people, your body treats that as a constant threat, even if nothing is happening to you personally in that exact moment. Seeing photos and videos of other people being harmed triggers a stress response, convincing your body that you’re in danger.

Your nervous system is screaming: Something dangerous and unpredictable is nearby. We cannot rest.

Paranoia, anxiety, restlessness, irritability, depression, anger, sadness, confusion… We’re feeling all of it.

Matt has knots in his back and shoulders that feel like they cannot be undone. His skin is breaking out, and the lack of good sleep shows under his eyes. Constant vigilance and frequent vigils have tensed his jaw day and night, and he has headaches from the pressure of grinding his molars.

Monica is struggling to focus at work, taking twice as long to complete ordinary tasks, sleeping poorly, and crying a lot. She’s riding an emotional rollercoaster that zips from grief to fear to outrage to overwhelming love.

How cannabis can help

We don’t recommend using cannabis during active community engagement such as protesting, observing ICE agents, or delivering groceries to vulnerable neighbors. If you’re doing this work, we need you out there alert, sober, and safe.

When you’re at home or in a safe place with safe people, that’s when cannabis comes in. It can plug into your endocannabinoid receptors and tell your body: You are OK. You can relax. You can heal.

Listen to that gentle voice. You need and deserve rest. Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s essential to allow you to care for others.

Here are some specific ways that cannabis can help:

Pain relief. Do you feel the knots just like Matt? Topicals with CBD, CBG, and THC are great for relaxing tense muscles close to the skin’s surface. Balms, lotions, salves, and bath soaks can all help release stress from your body. A good smoke or vape with a strain high in linalool, beta caryophyllene, and myrcene can help loosen those knots from the inside out.

Grounding. If it feels like life is coming at you too fast, take some time out to reset and be present for the moment and the people in your life. If you have a weed ritual, now is a great time to practice or refine it. Be intentional about when, where, and with whom you get high. Matt’s favorite ritual is smoking a joint on the banks of the Mississippi River; pausing to take in the beauty of this place, weeping by its icy waters, leaves him feeling spiritually cleansed and able to set down some of the chaotic “what-if” energy swirling around him.

Emotional softening. Weed can help soften the landing on an intense emotional experience. It can also mask what you’re feeling so you can get a break from the stress. Small doses of edibles or a few hits from off a bowl might just be what you need to take the edge off the intense feels. Weed won’t take the hurt away, but it might make it easier to temporarily cope.

Mood-lifting. Getting stoned feels great, and sometimes you need a little joy even when the world is on fire. THC isn’t the only cannabinoid with mood-boosting benefits; activate the entourage effect and bring in some CBD and CBG to chase the storm clouds from your psyche and brighten things up for a bit. Bonus points if you can share with a friend for a social-emotional boost. Monica’s evening ritual in these trying times: getting under a cozy blanket, firing up the dry herb vaporizer, and watching Taskmaster (a British game show in which comedians compete in silly challenges) with her husband until it’s time to sleep.

Sleep. Sleep is so important, we wrote a whole article about it. If you’re struggling to sleep right now, you’re not alone. CBN and its sleepy cannabinoid friends are here for you.

A word about self-medicating

It’s dangerously easy to overuse any substance that delivers relief in trying times. Self-medicating can become a crutch that prevents you from dealing with real issues by masking negative emotions and giving you an easy, comfortable place to hide.

Matt is struggling mightily with the conflict in his city, and he has chosen to meet this moment using less weed than is normal for him. The harm being done to the people of Minneapolis deserves full, clear-eyed attention. Matt has replaced his casual cannabis use with a more intentional, focused ritual that helps him process and release the deep, authentic emotions he’s inviting into his daily life while sober.

To avoid the seductive trap of self-medicating, we suggest being extra mindful about why you are using weed and what you hope to get from it.

Strains to try

If you’re struggling, here are a few strains that can help with specific symptoms of stress. If you can’t find these particular strains, you should be able to find ones with similar genetics and properties.

Northern Lights

This strain is particularly good at relieving muscle pain and helping with sleep. If body aches are keeping you awake at night, this common strain can help with both. Linalool and myrcene dominate the terpene profile, and they can help you untie the knots in your muscles so you can rest. Strains with similar properties to Northern Lights include Granddaddy Purple, Ice Cream Cake, Afghan Kush, and Blueberry.

Blue Dream

Don’t let the “dream” part of the name fool you; this strain is better suited for daydreams than sleepytime. The terpene profile includes uplifting pinene and pain-relieving myrcene, making it a good daytime strain to take the edge off of your stress and physical discomfort without leaving you tired. Strains with similar effects to Blue Dream include Green Crack, White Widow, and Super Lemon Haze.

Jack Herer

Named after the godfather of American weed, this strain is great for easing body pain. Its secret power lies in high amounts of the rare terpene terpinolene. This terp is known to help improve mood with a distinctly sparkly, light buzz. Turn to Jack when you want to get out of a mental funk or share some fun moments with friends. Candy Jack, XJ-13, Apple Jack, Jack the Ripper, and pretty much any other “Jack” strain will provide the cheerful sparkles that Jack intended.

Sour Diesel

Feeling heavy and drained? Melt those negative thoughts away in a gassy haze. This popular strain can help clear your mind, fighting mental fog and lethargy. It might make you feel chatty and curious, a great combo for socializing. Look for name variations like The Diesel or Sour D, or other fuel or gas-themed strains to help blow that low-mood funk out of your system.

We’re in this together

When times are tough, we need to take care of ourselves and we need to take care of each other.

Cannabis can be a helpful tool in managing stress, easing physical discomfort, and telling your hypervigilant nervous system to take it down a notch. Used intentionally, it can create enough space to breathe, sleep, and feel like yourself again. Shared with friends and neighbors, it can help create loving, joyful spaces of connection and healing.

Nothing douses inhumanity, dishonesty, and hate like a loving and supportive community. Sharing a joint with your neighbors may not feel like social activism, but you’re strengthening a meaningful connection and it sure beats struggling alone. Smoke one for us while you’re at it.

How are you coping during these trying times? Drop a note in the comments and join in the community.

Your buds,

Matt and Monica

By now, you’ve likely heard of cannabinoids (accent on the nab)— the chemicals produced in the cannabis plant that can affect our bodies and minds. These chemicals have fancy scientific names like tetrahydrocannabinol, tetrahydrocannabivarin, and cannabidiol, but they’re better known by their abbreviations: THC, THCV, CBD.

OK, but what do they do? We’re glad you asked.

There are over a hundred cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, very few of which have been scientifically studied. The Big 6 have enjoyed the most medical and scientific research, they’ve shown promising health benefits, and now they’re showing up in all kinds of products. Let’s get acquainted.

Disclaimer: We are cannabis enthusiasts, not medical professionals. Please consult your healthcare provider for medical advice.

Non-Psychoactive Cannabinoids

(i.e., the ones that won’t get you high)

Cannabidiol (CBD)

This gem of a cannabinoid is known for helping with relaxation and pain relief. CBD is the gentle, compassionate nurse who’s at your side with a soothing compress and kind words.

In scientific studies, CBD has shown promise in improving mood, reducing inflammation, and improving sleep quality. Current studies are focusing on its potential to help with PTSD, social anxiety, chronic pain, and symptoms associated with dementia and memory loss.

CBD can be taken alone, but it also plays well with other cannabinoids and terpenes. More on that later.

Cannabigerol (CBG)

This compound is lesser-known and often confused with its more common buddy, CBD. Think of it as the quiet, geeky member of our squad doing important but slightly mysterious work in the background.

Both CBD and CBG show promise in reducing stress, pain, and sleeplessness, but CBG is also being studied for its potential to reduce inflammation in the gut, neuroinflammation, and chronic pain. CBG has antibacterial properties and is being studied as a potential treatment for MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).

Although CBG is not as common in retail products as CBD, it’s becoming more popular as the word is getting out. Products with CBG are often marketed toward people experiencing pain, stress, or chronic medical issues.

Cannabichromene (CBC)

This cannabinoid binds to different receptors in the body than CBD and CBG — specifically, it binds to receptors responsible for pain and temperature perception. This good-natured friend (literally) brings the warm, fuzzy feelings.

Although CBC is not psychoactive, it evokes a feeling of “brightness” that’s distinct from the relaxed vibes of CBD, and it’s being studied as a potential treatment for depression and mood disorders. CBC is also being studied for its ability to help grow new brain cells, reduce seizures, and reduce intestinal inflammation.

In addition to making you feel good on its own, CBC is the ultimate booster — helping the other cannabinoids like CBD, THC, and CBG be more effective at the things they already do well.

Cannabinol (CBN)

CBN is the ultra-chill, sleepy cannabinoid who’s here to serve you a mug of chamomile tea, read you a bedtime story, and whisk you off to the land of nod.

CBN is formed when THC breaks down, which explains why the older weed in your stash might feel extra mellow. What remains is a heavy and sedating cannabinoid that can help people fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. CBN is also being studied for its ability to help protect against cognitive decline by improving neuroregeneration.

Products with CBN are everywhere, and they can be used alone or in combination with other cannabinoids for a drowsy entourage.

Psychoactive Cannabinoids

Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)

This cannabinoid may sound very close to THC, and though it is psychoactive in high doses, THCV has very different properties and effects than its stoney cousin. It’s gained nicknames like “weederall” and “diet weed” for its claims that it focuses the mind and reduces the appetite.

In our superhero squad, this is the fast-talking character who’s intensely focused on the task at hand — and is definitely not on the couch munching Doritos.

While THCV can give a short, focused high, most users seek it out to help reduce food cravings. We’re not sure it quite lives up to the marketing hype of “diet weed,” but we appreciate the value of a cannabis experience that curbs the urge to raid the pantry or mow through a pizza.

Scientists are studying THCV for its potential to help focus thoughts and manage metabolic function.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

Probably the best-known cannabinoid, THC is what you think of when you think about recreational cannabis, so you can insert your favorite pop culture stoner here: The Dude, Jeff Spicoli, Shaggy, etc.

Also known as Delta-9 (yes, that’s the real stuff!), this psychoactive beauty is abundant in cannabis. THC delivers a euphoric effect that might make you feel relaxed, silly, curious, creative, and myriad other adjectives that could fill a multi-part series of articles (which we’re planning to write in the future).

There’s more to this cannabinoid than just the high. Pain, sleep, appetite, and mood are all affected by THC — and millions of Americans have medical cannabis licenses to reap the health benefits.

THC is currently being prescribed for medical conditions including chronic pain, muscle spasms, sleep disorders, and nausea. It’s also shown promise in mental health therapy, particularly in treating anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We’re excited to see what new benefits are discovered from ongoing medical research.

Tetrahydrocannabinol Acid (THCA)

We promised you the Big 6, so why are we introducing a seventh character? Behold… the element of disguise!

Remember the pop culture character you pictured when reading about THC? Think of THCA as his straight-laced, sober alter-ego, just one spark away from turning into the affable stoner we all know and love.

THCA is the natural precursor to THC in the cannabis plant — if you apply the right amount of heat to it (decarboxylation, if we’re being fancy), then it converts to THC with all its delights.

What’s the point of THCA? Because it’s not technically THC, THCA fits neatly into a legal loophole that skirts some states’ marijuana laws, allowing it to be sold for recreational use. “This cannabis flower doesn’t contain any THC… unless you set it on fire.”

If you’re confused by all the terminology and looking for the “real stuff” in a state that doesn’t have a robust legal cannabis market, remember these key facts:

• Delta-9 is the real stuff. It’s regular THC.

• THCA will turn into the real stuff once you apply heat to it — either by lighting it on fire, heating it in a dry herb vaporizer, or decarboxylating it in the oven to make edibles.

The conversion rate for THCA to THC is 1:1, so you can expect all the same effects once you heat it up.

The Entourage Effect

This entourage effect is like two (or more) old friends getting together after a long time apart… they are more vibrant and useful when together than when apart.

Some cannabinoids are natural team players — when you combine CBC with other cannabinoids like CBN or CBG, the effects of all the cannabinoids are more pronounced.

Even our big star THC benefits from the entourage effect. When combined with other cannabinoids, THC can feel more intense, decreasing the amount needed to achieve the desired effects. The unique combinations of cannabinoids and terpenes (more on that in a future article) combine with THC to give the distinct, delightful experiences that characterize specific cannabis strains.

As research continues (and descheduling would really help speed things up!), scientists are confirming and quantifying what many people already knew about cannabis: it has hundreds of practical and medicinal properties that are waiting to be unleashed. We’re excited to see what surprises come from additional research — there’s enormous potential for better therapies for mood disorders, sleep, and conditions we haven’t even thought about.

In the meantime: Embrace the entourage. Get to know the Big 6, and don’t be surprised if the lineup expands in the future.

Do you have an experience specific to a particular cannabinoid? Drop a comment and let us know what you tried and how it worked.

Your buds,

Matt and Monica

Imagine that you’re a modern-day stoner Goldilocks and you’ve stumbled into the Three Bears’ cannabis consumption lounge.

First, you try Papa Bear’s smoking paraphernalia – a glass bowl, a lighter, the full classic setup. It’s powerful, but it’s rough. You light the flower on fire, inhale scorching smoke, cough, and hope your throat forgives you later. A pungent cloud of smoke fills the room and sticks to your clothes. Fast, effective, but not exactly gentle. Too hot!

Edibles are Mama Bear’s “too cold” option. You sample one of her sweet candy-flavored treats and wait… and wait… and then maybe wait some more. When they finally hit, the effects can feel heavy and one-note, and a lot of the subtle flavors and terpene-driven nuance never even make it to the party.

Baby Bear (who, for the purposes of this story, is an appropriate age to make his own decisions about recreational cannabis consumption) has a high-tech electronic device called a dry herb vape. It might look a little intimidating at first, but it’s… just right! You’re still using real flower, but instead of burning it, you gently heat it enough to release the cannabinoids and terpenes as vapor. The hit is smoother, the flavor actually tastes like the strain you bought, and the effects feel cleaner and more layered. It’s familiar enough for smokers, faster and more predictable than edibles, and once you get the hang of it, hard to go back from.

Getting Started

Getting started is simple. All you need is ground cannabis flower and a dry herb vaporizer.

There are two main styles of dry herb vaporizers: tabletop and portable. Within those categories, you’ll see three heating methods.

• Convection: hot air passes through the flower

• Conduction: the flower sits on a heated surface

• Hybrid: a combination of both

Tabletop vaporizers are for quality-focused consumers who want the best possible dry herb experience – or want to impress their friends at parties. These devices often include features like precise temperature controls, vapor balloons, and compatibility with water pipes. The upfront cost is higher – expect to spend a few hundred dollars – but for many users, the vapor quality justifies the investment.

Matt’s first experience with dry herb vaping was at an outdoor concert, where a balloon filled from a volcano vape was being passed around like a beach ball at a Dodgers game. He was amazed – the vapor was cool, flavorful, and didn’t burn or make him cough. He exhaled a massive cloud and felt one of the strongest single hits he’d ever experienced. He didn’t even smoke the joint he brought to the concert – one hit from that magical balloon was enough to make it a great night.

Portable vaporizers are convenient, discreet, and easy to use on the go. They’re also more affordable – you can find a basic portable vape for under $100, with higher-end models offering more features in the $300-500 range. Monica has a cute handheld device nicknamed Swifty, which has rapidly become a favorite weeknight companion – especially in winter, when smoking outdoors is no fun. It holds a generous 0.5 grams, enough for Monica and her husband to easily forget their worries for the evening.

Whichever style you choose, make sure your dry herb vape allows for low temperature settings. Around 320°F is where the best flavor lives. Higher temperatures, above 400°F, produce denser clouds and stronger THC effects.

With proper cleaning and maintenance, a good device can provide hundreds of hours of reliable use.

The Taste

Ask anyone who’s had a proper hit from a good dry herb vaporizer, and their first comment is almost always about the taste.

Vaporizing preserves terpenes instead of incinerating them. That means stronger flavor, more nuance, and all the benefits that come with rich terpene profiles — the attributes that give strains their distinct character, quirky names, and devoted followers.

Because terpenes and cannabinoids stay intact, smaller hits often deliver bigger flavor and more noticeable effects. Many people who switch from smoking to vaporizing report that the experience feels stronger and more refined, even though they’re using less cannabis overall.

The Feel

If you understand that how cannabis feels depends on its terpene and cannabinoid content, it makes sense that lower temperatures can offer more medicinal benefits.

Vaporization transfers those compounds more efficiently and with far less damage to the delicate terpenes. The result is relief that feels deeper and more layered. Many medicinal users choose dry herb vaping because it delivers strong effects with less coughing, burning, and exposure to harsh smoke.

The Hit

Vaporizing flower requires far less heat than combustion, which means the vapor is cooler and easier on the throat and lungs. Long, deep inhales are smoother and more comfortable, allowing for better absorption.

You might still cough, but it won’t be because your lungs are being blasted with 500-degree smoke. By avoiding those extra degrees, you also avoid much of the irritation and harsh after-effects that come with smoking.

Another major benefit is that the carcinogenic plant material never combusts. That inert material stays out of your lungs entirely.

The Extras

Dry herb vaporizing comes with perks that other consumption methods just don’t offer.

There’s the social aspect. It’s fun to gather all of your friends around a fancy tabletop gadget or pass a balloon around the room.

There’s the reduced smell, which matters more than people like to admit. It’s not completely undetectable, but the odor of the vapor is mild enough that many users (Matt and Monica included) feel comfortable using a dry herb vaporizer indoors without additional ventilation.

And then there’s the leftover flower. Plant material vaporizes at a higher temperature than cannabinoids and terpenes. That means your “Already Vaped Bud” still contains usable compounds. You can save it and infuse it directly into fats to make edibles, no additional decarboxylation required. Monica just discovered this fun fact while working on this blog, and she plans to start saving Swifty’s leftovers for her next batch of homemade edibles.

We predict that dry herb vaping will continue to grow in popularity as more people discover the fun, convenience, and best-of-both-worlds benefits of this consumption method. Just like (adult) Baby Bear, you might discover that dry herb vaporizers can provide a cannabis experience that’s just right for you.

Your buds,

Matt and Monica

It’s 3 a.m., your body is exhausted, but your brain is busy replaying conversations from 1997, scolding you for forgetting to schedule that dentist appointment, and trying to name all of R.E.M.’s albums in chronological order. You count the hours and minutes of sleep you’d get if you could just fall asleep… now! Nope… try again in a few minutes.

If this sounds familiar, you’re in the right place.

Sleeping like a baby can be hard!

We remember (vaguely) having young bodies that could sleep anywhere — on a dorm bed piled with clutter, in a sleeping bag on a friend’s floor, camping at a music festival, in a middle seat on a long flight, sharing a twin mattress with another person. Now in our 40s, like a modern retelling of The Princess and the Pea, we require a cool room, blackout curtains, white noise, crisp sheets, and incredibly specific pillows arranged just so. When did sleep become so complicated?

Part of the explanation comes from the endocannabinoid system, which is the body’s system for regulating mood, stress, pain, and sleep. As we age, our bodies can get out of balance. Stress sticks around longer, and sometimes our nervous system stays alert when it should be time to rest.

Good news! The naturally occurring chemicals (cannabinoids) in our favorite plant can work with your body’s endocannabinoid system to help provide balance, relief, and rest.

Disclaimer: We are cannabis enthusiasts, not medical professionals. Please consult your healthcare provider for medical advice.

Get to know your sleepy cannabinoids

Three cannabinoids can play a major role in helping you sleep.

THC - This is the chemical that makes you feel high. In small amounts, it can shorten the time it takes to fall asleep by calming mental chatter and relaxing the body. It’s especially helpful for people whose sleep issues start with racing thoughts. Too much THC, however, can be stimulating, so keep the dose low.

CBD works in a quieter way. It doesn’t make you feel high, but it can reduce anxiety, ease physical tension, and help the nervous system settle. Many people find that CBD doesn’t make them sleepy on its own, but it makes sleep feel easier.

CBN forms as THC breaks down and has a mild sedative effect. Many people describe CBN as helping them stay asleep rather than fall asleep. It’s especially helpful if you tend to wake up in the middle of the night and struggle to drift back off.

Choosing the right product

Products that combine low-dose THC with CBD and CBN are often well-suited for sleep because the cannabinoids work together and help with sleep in different ways.

• THC helps initiate sleep by quieting your chattering mind.

• CBD helps calm the nervous system.

• CBN supports deeper, longer rest and is usually included in smaller proportions than the other cannabinoids. It can also be found as CBN-O— a more potent, concentrated sleep inducer.

The trick is finding your perfect balance between sleepiness, being high, and staying asleep without waking up groggy. Falling asleep with cannabis shouldn’t feel like knocking yourself out with a pharmaceutical sleep aid; it’s more like giving your body permission to let go of stress and gently relax into a natural state of rest.

You’ll find a variety of products including gummies, tinctures, and drinks aimed at the sleepless and weary. All can be effective, but edibles take the longest to kick in (at least an hour) so plan your evening accordingly.

Check the label for added ingredients like caffeine or melatonin — which are drugs, not cannabinoids. While these products are not necessarily harmful, a simple cannabinoid (THC+CBN) or terpene-rich product would likely solve your sleep issues without the added chemicals.

Try a few formulations to learn which works best for your body and your lifestyle. Some people just need a small amount of THC to sleep through the night. If that works, keep it simple and don’t worry about combining the other cannabinoids.

Smoking yourself to sleep

You don’t have to buy fancy edibles to enjoy the sleep-inducing effects of cannabis. Any smoker who’s had their stash go stale can tell you — as THC breaks down in the bud, it converts to CBN and gives you that relaxing, heavy-eyelid feeling. Old, dried-out weed can be your ticket to a restful night.

Smoking cannabis also gives you access to terpenes, the natural compounds that bring richness and nuance to your experience.

Indica?

You’ve probably heard that indica strains are good for sleep — that’s why it’s nicknamed “In da couch”. This is an oversimplification, and it isn’t as helpful as you might think. Instead of focusing on indica vs. sativa, get to know your terpenes. Although some indica flower contains sleepy terpenes, you can find deep body hits and drowsy dreams with all kinds of flower if you know which terps to look for.

Myrcene, linalool, and beta-caryophyllene are the magic terps that lead to restful sleep. One of the best strains for high-myrcene drowsiness is Blue Dream, an indica-sativa hybrid. This bud lives up to her name as the blueberry pie flavors lead to muscle relaxation and drifty thoughts.

What about edibles made with indica? Are they sleepier than sativa or hybrid options? There is no meaningful difference between indica, sativa, and hybrid edibles (or drinks). The sleepy properties of the plant lie in the terpenes and cannabinoids. In making a THC edible, terpenes get destroyed in the decarboxylation process. Whether your edible was made with indica, sativa or hybrid plant material no longer matters as all edibles contain the same cannabinoid (Delta 9 THC) without the other properties.

Our sleep routines

Monica loves her edibles. Most evenings, she enjoys a homemade gummy, although she keeps a stash of Wyld Boysenberry sleep gummies in her medicine cabinet for the perfect combination of THC-CBD-CBN on nights when the stakes are higher. About an hour and a half before bedtime, Monica eats her gummy and settles in with some pleasant fiction such as a novel, podcast, or TV show. When she feels the edible kick in, she eases into her self-care routine, which is more enjoyable with a light high: washing her face, putting on serums and yummy-scented lotions, cuddling into her comfy bed with crisp sheets (she’s currently obsessed with cotton percale from Brooklinen and Boll & Branch) with a fan running even in winter for air circulation and white noise. She wakes up feeling refreshed, alert, and ready to hit the gym.

When Matt’s day ends, he sparks a bowl of whatever is fresh and shares the day’s events while passing to his wife. Strip LED lights rotate a kaleidoscope around the tiny porch, and the wireless speaker cranks his fave playlist at a volume loud enough to feel, but not too loud as to distract. He might chase his cough with a THC beverage, and then quickly stream a silly comedy before the yawns begin. When his head hits the pillow, it does not take long before the body and mind softly switch off— until it’s time to go and do it all over again.

Settle in for the night

Whatever combination of cannabinoids you opt for, we suggest making it part of a self-care routine that gives your body and mind permission to rest. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and stressful activities like reading the news right before bed. Make your sleeping space comfortable, splurging on quality bedding and pillows if you can afford it.

Before you imbibe, make sure your responsibilities are taken care of. CBN and THC can be very powerful and make you extremely drowsy depending on the dosing, so make sure you are not going to need to make important decisions, operate machinery, or read subtitles in a movie.

When you wake up the next day, you should not feel anything resembling a hangover or grogginess. If you do, cut back on the THC (because you’re likely still high) on your next dose.

Wake up, drink a full glass of water, and you should be ready to start your day rested and refreshed thanks to your new favorite cannabinoids or terpenes!

Your buds,

Matt and Monica

The end of the year is an invitation to look back, reflect, celebrate, and dream about what’s ahead. Here are some of our cannabis-related highlights, lowlights, and ideas for the future.

The Best of 2025

More access to legal cannabis

Although we still have a long way to go, and the industry is facing some major headwinds, more Americans have access to medical and recreational cannabis than ever before. And boy, did we need it this year! When it feels like the world is on fire, at least we can find a bit of comfort in a stress-free evening and a good night’s sleep.

A cultural shift

Cannabis use is becoming more mainstream and normalized. Celebrities (besides just Snoop) are talking about it and endorsing or launching their own product lines. Social media is abuzz with cannabis content. Lots of our friends are swapping alcohol for cannabis. At Matt’s store, he meets plenty of new users who defy stoner stereotypes — particularly middle-aged folks and seniors in search of pain relief and comfort. Monica has shared her cannabis story (and her homemade gummies) with friends who have responded with support and enthusiasm.

Social smoking

Legalization and decriminalization have led to more people sharing, smoking, and socializing together. No longer treated like criminals, cannabis enthusiasts are coming out of the shadows and connecting at formal events and informal gatherings. Here in Minnesota, you can order a THC beverage at a brewery with your drinking buddies, and we’ve started to see new spaces and events dedicated to cannabis consumption. We love this and want to see more people connecting over a joint and creating genuine, supportive communities.

Innovative new products

Cannabis pouches (to tuck in your lip like smokeless tobacco), cannabis therapies for menopause, and great new cannabinoid blended products focused on specific customer needs have seen rapid growth in 2025. The THC escalation continues in flower as more customers are asking for 30% or higher, but specific formulations in edible, drinkable, and sublingual forms are gaining market share faster than the high-potency flower. As customers get better educated, newer products are meeting their needs. A bestselling new product at Matt’s store is a caplet with 2.5mg THC, 20mg CBN, and 70mg CBD — designed to encourage long and restful sleep with no discernible high or grogginess.

Matt’s professional journey

Matt had many great stony experiences this year, but the biggest was investing in himself and his cannabis career. He traveled to MJ Biz Con, began working toward his Ganjier certification, and connected with a host of passionate, smart, creative professionals in the industry. This isn’t just a random retail job — it’s a rewarding career with a bright future and lots of growth opportunities.

Monica’s personal journey

After hiding her cannabis consumption for most of her adult life, 2025 was the year that Monica began sharing it openly with family, friends, and casual acquaintances. It’s been empowering and fun. She grew her first plant this summer (a cute little OG Kush named Ferne), leveled up her edible-making skills, and learned a whole lot by writing this blog with Matt.

The launch of High Spirits

We can’t overemphasize how excited we are about this blog — and your readership. Matt loves sharing his professional knowledge on a broader scale than the one-on-one conversations he has with retail customers. Monica loves having a creative outlet beyond her corporate day job. Both of us appreciate the opportunity to connect with readers, geek out about weed, reflect on what it means to us, and create something positive in the often-bleak landscape of the 2020s Internet. Like a little cannabis seedling, we want to nurture and grow this thing and share the joy far beyond ourselves.

The Worst of 2025

The federal hemp ban

As if the government shutdown wasn’t bad enough, our legislators chose to end it with a bitter cherry on the top of a disappointment sundae — a ban on hemp products which threatens to destroy a thriving industry and force millions of Americans to lose their legal access to safe products that improve their quality of life.

Minnesota’s disappointingly slow rollout

We were so excited in 2023 when Governor Walz signed recreational cannabis into state law. Two and a half years later, we’re still waiting for the robust legal market we were promised.

Regulatory ridiculousness

It’s no wonder that many consumers see the grey market (semi-legal channels that exploit loopholes and skip state-mandated testing and labeling requirements) as their best way to access cannabis. Restrictive regulations and excessive taxation are making legal, tested, and regulated cannabis too expensive. People want to buy their weed legally, but not at four times the price they used to pay!

Our Hopes for 2026

Cannabis on the ballot

There’s a lot at stake in the 2026 elections. Cannabis may not be the top issue for most candidates and voters, but every state legislator should be prepared to vote on it in the coming months and years. We’ll be closely watching the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives elections, which will determine (among many other things) the future of cannabis policy in the United States. We hope to see transparency about candidates’ views on cannabis, and perhaps some fresh energy and ideas from pro-weed candidates and elected officials.

Smarter state laws

As more states roll out recreational use laws, we hope to see some sharing of best practices, learning from past mistakes, and a more practical, consumer-focused approach to regulation.

Expansion of cannabis culture and community

In the “Best of” section, we mentioned our enthusiasm for the normalization of cannabis consumption in mainstream culture and media. We want to see this trend continue. Specifically, we’d love to see more local consumption lounges and community events where people come together to smoke, imbibe, gather with friends, and meet new people.

Think about how many alcohol-related places and events are out there — pub crawls, wine tastings, cocktail lounges, distillery tours, mimosa-soaked brunches — you get the idea. If we had even a fraction of those opportunities for cannabis enthusiasts, the world would be a happier place.

Our New Year’s Intentions

We like the idea of setting goals for the new year, but “resolutions” seem too rigid and judgmental for our sensibilities. Here are our cannabis-related intentions for the coming year.

Monica’s 2026 Intentions

• Grow another plant — or two or three!

• Incorporate more creativity into her cannabis-infused self-care routine by coloring, journaling, and writing fiction.

• Take her edibles out into the world and explore museums, libraries, parks, and other places welcoming to weedy wanderers.

• Learn to appreciate the qualities of various strains and thoughtfully incorporate them into her experience.

Matt’s 2026 Intentions

• Create space and begin a basement grow.

• Advocate to all who will listen about the importance of access to tested and safe, legal cannabis. He plans to actively campaign for pro-cannabis candidates this election season.

• Finally solve the joint canoe! If he pulls it off, you’ll be the first to know.

High Spirits 2026 Intentions

• Keep our momentum of writing (almost) every week and give ourselves grace when we have to miss one.

• Host at least one in-person event for friends of the blog.

• Connect and collaborate with other creators. If you’re another writer in this space, please reach out!

• Go multi-media, adding podcasts and videos to our posts.

• Collaborate and interview people with greater knowledge than we have. Policy makers, candidates, home growers, medical professionals, OG folks who endured prohibition, again, please reach out! We would love to have a coffee and learn from you.

One last thing — Thank you, sincerely, to everyone who reads our work. We hope that you’ve learned something, related to something we’ve written, or tried something new because of us. We are grateful to be in community with you and hope this little thing we’ve planted continues to grow and bloom in 2026.

Happy New Year!

Your buds,

Matt and Monica

Before we were canna-buddies, the two of us were drinkers. Monica was a fancy cocktail enthusiast who made her own simple syrups and vodka infusions, and Matt could give you a tour of the best microbreweries in town. Alcohol was a big part of our social lives… until it wasn’t.

Separate journeys brought us to the same place. Monica was nearly 100 pounds overweight when she started taking the GLP-1 drug Zepbound two years ago. In addition to helping her lose weight (yay!), the drug sucked the joy out of drinking and multiplied the intensity of her hangovers (yuck). For Matt, 20 years of alcohol were taking a toll on every part of his life: diabetes complications, out-of-control blood pressure, and significant mental health struggles. After being hospitalized when the depression got too dark, and the self-talk got too destructive, he decided that alcohol would no longer be a part of his life. Seven years ago, Matt had his last drink and has never looked back.

Fortunately for us, the timing of our lifestyle shifts aligned well with cannabis decriminalization and the availability of new products that fill a similar space in our lives and offer an intentional bit of stress relief, relaxation, and mind-altering adult recreation.

We’re not alone. Studies have shown American adults’ alcohol use decreasing while cannabis grows in popularity. Many of our friends and acquaintances have made the switch. Perhaps that’s why you’re reading this blog — if you’re California sober (abstaining from alcohol and other drugs but using cannabis), or California-sober-curious, welcome. You’re among friends.

Reasons we prefer cannabis to alcohol

It’s easier on the body.

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night while your body metabolizes alcohol, feeling the precise moment the chaotic spinniness of Friday night’s fun gives way to the impending hangover that looms over the rest of your weekend? You’re sweaty, you desperately have to go to the bathroom, and you’re somehow dehydrated, all at once.

And don’t even get us started on hangovers.

Unlike alcohol, which is toxic and needs to be filtered out by your hardworking and underappreciated liver, cannabis works in harmony with your body’s endocannabinoid system. No poison, no middle-of-the-night misery, no hangover.

We’ll write about the wellness benefits of cannabis in future posts, but for now, we’ll say that we both sleep better and feel a whole lot healthier since making the switch.

It’s just as fun as being drunk.

Maybe even more so!

Just like alcohol, cannabis can make it easier to set down the stress of the day, relax, and get a little silly with your friends. However, getting high is a richer, more nuanced experience than getting drunk. With all the various strains and consumption methods, you can customize your experience to suit your mood and goals. Want to feel creative, inspired and uplifted? Want to relax deeply into your body, sink into your couch, and feel all your physical discomfort melt away? Want to go on a spiritual voyage and decode the mysteries of space and time? There’s a strain for every occasion.

Cannabis fits well into social situations where you might enjoy alcohol — hanging out with friends, eating at nice restaurants, relaxing at the lake — but it’s more versatile. Most people wouldn’t get drunk and wander through a library or museum, or stand beside a creek listening to birdsongs and watching the water sparkle over the stones, but these types of activities are delightful when high.

Our tips for making the shift

Try a THC drink.

THC beverages are a great entry point for new users who are used to drinking alcohol. A 5-mg beverage is roughly equivalent to a glass of wine or a beer, while a 10-mg hits more like a strong cocktail. As with alcohol, the effects come on gradually as you consume the beverage, lending itself well to social sipping.

Here in Minnesota, THC beverages are sold at liquor stores, and many breweries and restaurants serve them as well. New legislation may change that, but for now, we are in a golden age where you can casually sip a cannabis-infused seltzer alongside your drinking buddies at happy hour or trivia night.

Embrace the mocktail.

The pleasure of a good cocktail isn’t about how drunk it gets you; it’s the interplay of flavors that come from thoughtfully mixed ingredients like fruit juices, sodas, syrups, bitters, and bubbles.

We’ve noticed more restaurants and bars offering non-alcoholic or low-ABV beverages that are more sophisticated and flavorful than the sugary, bland sodas and Shirley Temples of yesteryear. Smart businesses recognize that grown-up customers want more exciting options, even if they don’t want alcohol.

Hop water — a tea made with the same hop flowers used to brew the local microbrew (and with similar terpenes to cannabis!)—, kombucha, and even non-alcoholic beers are now commonplace in bars and restaurants. These make for great social elixirs without the downsides of flavorless, sugary, or alcoholic drinks.

You can infuse THC into your mocktail or smoke alongside your drink. For extra weed aficionado points, try to pair the terpenes of your cannabis with the essences of your fancy drink in its fancy glass. A limonene-heavy strain with a citrusy mocktail? Sounds positively refreshing.

Of course, you can simply enjoy your tasty beverage without intoxication. Finding the complex smells and flavors in food and drinks you enjoy can make you miss the booze less. Noticing terpenes (the smells and feels) and flavonoids (the taste) in food and weed elevates the experience beyond just consumption. You are noticing, feeling, and reflecting. Taking time to find the layers to your favorite treat is worth it, especially if you miss the flavor complexity of your drinking past.

Remember what alcohol has taught you.

Cannabis is safer and gentler on your body than alcohol, but it’s still a mind-altering substance. Practice the same caution and discretion that you would with alcohol.

Pace yourself, smart small, and don’t overdo it. If you’re new to cannabis, read our guide to avoiding bad experiences.

Don’t drive a car under the influence or text people you have complicated relationships with.

If you have pets or kids at home, thoughtfully store your stash — especially edibles.

As good as we feel when we are stoned, self-medicating with weed instead of booze will not help you solve your problems. It may make them worse. If you kick booze but find yourself needing cannabis to cope, you may be ignoring deeper mental health issues. There are people to help us through these tough times; please connect with people you trust or seek professional help if you are concerned about your mental health.

Make it social.

Alcohol-oriented social events and gathering places are ubiquitous, yet cannabis faces a high barrier to large social settings. Even legal states restrict when and where people can enjoy their bud, as Matt discovered in Las Vegas.

However, there are more opportunities than ever for businesses to embrace on-site consumption — and we love this trend. Live music, stand-up comedy, drag shows, art fairs, and bike rides have all been paired with on-site (legal) consumption. In the not-too-distant future, immersive media events, theme parks, and spas will be catering to those who want to use safely, legally, and socially without having to leave or hide their cannabis use.

If you don’t have events like this near you, reach out to friends and start your own gatherings. A simple night of Candle Rock is an easy way to connect.

Allow yourself to grieve.

It’s OK to miss alcohol. Even if you’re confident that it’s the right choice, you’re giving up something that brought you joy and meaning during another season of your life.

For Monica, it’s bittersweet to see her cabinet full of beautiful glassware — including many family heirlooms — going largely unused. She still has special bottles of liqueur purchased on trips to Europe and given to her by dear friends. She has fond memories of mixing dangerously festive holiday punch and literary-themed cocktails like The Sound and the Slurry.

Matt misses the complexity and diversity that alcoholic drinks provided. Most NA drinks are one-note, whereas wine and whiskey have so many. Instead of replacing the alcohol with something meant to mimic alcohol (like NA beer), he focuses on appreciating the complexities and variances of things like coffee, chocolate, and, of course, weed!

Cannabis can replace some of alcohol’s delights, and it opens up new worlds of joy to explore — but it’s not the same thing. As with any life transition, it’s worth taking the time to acknowledge the good as well as the bad, say goodbye, and let go.

Your buds,

Matt and Monica

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Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the cannabis industry’s largest gathering of business professionals, policy makers, and entrepreneurs in Las Vegas. The convention had thousands of square feet of exposition featuring the latest in cannabis tech, innovative products, and creative services. Additionally, there were ongoing panel discussions on everything from public policy to medical research. The giveaways were numerous, the mood was festive, and clouds were muted (public cannabis consumption is prohibited, to the disappointment of many in attendance).

Here are some takeaways from my experience at the 2025 MJ Biz Con:

Hemp in Turmoil

When the government shutdown ended on November 12, 2025, legal hemp was given one year to continue existing under the current law. If nothing changes on a federal or state level by November 1, 2026, almost all hemp-based products will be illegal. This came as a surprise to almost everybody in the industry, and it happened after the schedule for this symposium was published. Hemp’s future as a legal business hung over many of the discussions and even the expo — one vendor gave away tons of product, fearing he’ll soon go out of business.

There is hope, however, for hemp. Interstate hemp commerce may die in November, limiting sales to goods produced locally in each state. In response, many states are crafting their own hemp laws, similar to marijuana legalization. Some hemp producers are shifting to marijuana in states where it’s legal, and states with no legal access to marijuana are facing political and market pressure.

Some experts believe that the hemp industry is too big to let collapse; they predict an extension to existing federal laws will allow the industry to continue to operate.

Women Leading the Way

Cannabis business owners are still largely male, but it’s women who drive sales in mature markets. Women have tremendous buying power, and they’ve been largely ignored by cannabis marketing. That’s beginning to change — the conference showcased creative, sought-after products catering to women and their cannabis experience.

Innovative businesses are finding success in serving women at different life stages. Women-led consumption courses offered cannabinoid balancing based on a woman’s age, cycle, and hormonal fluctuations. Another female-owned company is finding success selling non-cannabis topical products for women to pair with their weed — adding a little special care to the weed experience while deftly navigating regulatory and tax complexity. Spas that incorporate cannabis have been very successful (in places where they are allowed to exist), and women book these pampering experiences three times as often as men. Clinics throughout the country use cannabis to treat women’s health, backed by cutting-edge research on how beneficial cannabinoids can be for women at almost every stage of life.

I met some fascinating women of all ages — from the OG women from the Cannabis Buyers Club of Berkeley, California, who provided cannabis to AIDS patients in the 1980s — to a new generation of Tik Tok influencers who proudly “lean into the fem” and celebrate the joy of smoking with the prettiest accessories.

Whether for healthcare or self-care, women-centered cannabis is a rapidly growing market and an incubator for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Federal Uncertainty - and Hope(?)

Much of the conversation on the business end of the symposium revolved around the idea of rescheduling or descheduling cannabis from Schedule 1 (with heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine) to Schedule 3 (prescription drug), or to deschedule it completely. There is little hope that Congress will pass a cannabis bill anytime soon, but some at the conference believe the Trump Administration may act independently to reschedule cannabis. Those same people emphasized, however, that the president does not see cannabis as a priority and is not interested in federal legalization.

Rescheduling cannabis would change the way cannabis businesses operate and are taxed. Under the current law (Schedule 1), capital markets risk huge penalties for conducting “illicit drug” business, so they’re not heavily invested in legal cannabis. If cannabis were rescheduled to Schedule 3, billions in investments would come rolling into the market. Current business owners would be able to write off business expenses, which would save billions in “extra” taxes collected on the backs of cannabis businesses. Finally, this designation would allow for robust scientific and clinical research— something for which the industry has been begging for a very long time.

Although most in the industry would prefer descheduled cannabis (removing it from the drug list altogether), allowing for interstate commerce, tax fairness, and consistent federal policy, few believe there is political will to get this accomplished anytime soon.

State Rollercoasters

It was fun to talk to people from all over the United States and hear them discuss their unique challenges and workarounds. Minnesota has its fledgling market, Michigan has tax increases, California has grey market dominance… we all have things that make it tough. Despite the complexity, creative and flexible businesses are finding solutions and making millions.

Every person who finds success in these markets adapts and evolves to the challenges. People in Massachusetts created a delivery model (think Uber for weed) that customers preferred over the existing model (think Domino’s delivery — direct from the dispensary). Dispensaries in Vegas created on-site dab bars to set themselves apart from competitors. A pair of sisters in Arizona designed a curated outdoor weed experience that is booked 12 months out! All of this was on full display during the convention, and it was inspiring to see the creative energy needed to solve the unique problems that arise in this industry.

Hosting the Army of Stoners

Las Vegas invites us back every year, and the city is a favorite among stoners. People donning the Biz Con badge were everywhere, and here are some of the experiences I’ll remember.

• Discreet smoking. Public consumption of cannabis is frowned upon, and enforcement at the Las Vegas Convention Center harshed some people’s vibes, but it was not hard to find a quiet spot to enjoy a joint.

• Stoned shows. Las Vegas has some of the best audiovisual experiences you can imagine, and the Biz Con crew embraced the entertainment offerings. I visited The Sphere, where I paired some gummies with the immersive Wizard of Oz movie. HIGHly recommend! A new friend raved about how her Jack Herer joint paired perfectly with a Michael Jackson show. Try as I might, however, I was unable to get feedback about how Magic Mike gets on a good stony buzz.

• Dispensary socials. Vegas dispensaries welcomed us with great onsite events. The dispensaries felt less like stores and more like inclusive social spaces where you go to enjoy weed and an experience — like a drag show or stand-up comedy.

Overall, there are headwinds facing the industry, but they can be overcome with flexibility, ingenuity, and smart cannabis policy. Stoners are creative, collaborative people, and the future is in good hands as long as we continue to innovate and explore new ideas to solve the industry’s challenges.

That’s a wrap from the 2025 MJ Biz Con!

Your bud,

Matt