To Give the Finest? Why Not Ask Me?

I haven’t presented a proper gift-giving list in a few years, maybe because every day is a gift with much fine cannabis from my travels at my disposal. Or, more accurately, I just didn’t get around to it until now.

I like to give cannabis to others, just because it was a really long time- in my life at least, that I went without great cannabis; most of it wasn’t much of anything worth smoking at all. That was during a particularly difficult period here in New Jersey before establishing myself in the cannabis industry. The only time I could get really good weed was when I traveled outside of my home state, up to Maine or Massachusetts, or out west.
Unfortunately, it’s still that way. I’ve yearned for great cannabis from NJ, but it’s going to be a lot longer until curing becomes an art instead of just a science and a profit-based industry.

This is just my opinion. Sorry to be so harsh.

Here is my list for gift-giving any time during the year. Because you deserve what I’ve been smoking (and eating!)

A Golden State; California. If you don’t know about it, then the first thing I’d want to do is hop on an airplane and get yourself out to Redding, California. The cannabis grown here is world-class, and the water is pristine. I dig it in every way, especially the attention to detail in the grow rooms. Clean doesn’t even start to teach what goes on and what doesn’t go on. First of all, the water. Pure and clean from Mt. Shasta. Nothing is added. I think that says it all. Fresh, exceptional, non-manipulated, gorgeous cannabis grown with love and what I say is extreme hands-on attention. What A Golden State has achieved is ultra-fine smoke, a unique and deeply pleasurable journey.

Verdes; New Mexico. Not many have been to the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico, and that’s too bad because I truly believe that some of the finest cannabis in the land is grown in this magical place. The vertically integrated dispensary named Verdes is doing something I can only say is diverse and gorgeous. I’ve tasted my way through many of their offerings, and I cannot find anything that is cured or dried out. It’s tough to say when the humidity hovers around 5% or less for most of the year. Whatever their secrets are, their craft cannabis speaks for itself. I’m seriously impressed by their carefully nurtured/indoor-grown expressions—especially the Soap. I still have a couple of nugs from my last trip out to NM. Great work.

Dutch Bliss frozen custard; New Mexico. This is the finest live hash rosin frozen custard that I’ve ever tasted. Terpene forward, each bite is a revelation of excitement. It’s like stepping into a Belgian ice cream shop with high butterfat content delicacies lighting up the room with every elegant scoop. I’m thrilled to share the lush potent flavors like the “Klaus” Mezzrole collaboration (I created the recipe) to the richly textured European style chocolate and vanilla offerings built by cannabis alchemist and master flavorist, Josh Hurwitz.

Baked Chicken Farms; New Mexico. No, they don’t bake chicken there, but the history of this venerable place supersedes any cannabis grow that I’ve seen in New Mexico. Because it actually was a nearly self-sustaining chicken farm for dozens o! The entire place is huge. I’m a massive fan of their carefully tended flowers, primarily because the quality of their indoor-grown cannabis is par with the best in the land. And they have the consensus to prove it. But don’t let the awards say it all because the flowers themselves take you to a place of quality, not just commerce. Although commerce is essential, the quality of the end result is stunningly beautiful and really gets me “baked.” I especially love their Doobie Ounce Pack, which stuffs twenty-eight perfectly formed one-gram joints into a tiny nitrogen-filled can. No bouquet at all escapes the can, making it extremely travel-friendly. Listen up, Texans! And which strain excites me? Well, I haven’t tasted through their entire lineup yet, but the Cromagnon Man gave me the impetus to clean my entire house and mow all the lawns in the snow. Motivation indeed! Their Cock-Tails *Cannabis infused libations* are lush and pertinent. A touch on the sweeter side, their flavors will entice and charm the inquiring imbiber who likes something both unusual and delectable. Baked Chicken Farms isn’t just making scrambled eggs! They are writing an entirely new chapter in the annals of ultra-quality cannabis memories.

Carver Family Farm; New Mexico. Located in a nondescript office park— maybe that’s the idea. Carver Family Farm is turning out exceptional work. Using no-till, natural soil, hand trimmed and organically grown. Their hand-groomed cannabis doesn’t resemble any “indoor” cannabis that I’ve ever savored… because they don’t grow in coir, nor hydroponically in the fluid. What they do is utilize their square footage to grow exceptional cannabis that speaks of the outdoors with the passion of an indoor grow. And you’d never imagine that world-class cannabis is being grown and sold in an office park! Triangle Kush charms!

Royal Road; New Mexico. Founded and operated by Corrina Miramontes, this ultra-tuned-in “healing space” is my idea of deep inner change. I want to spend my time learning about the finest outdoor (and some well-chosen indoor) grown cannabis in the state of New Mexico and I want to enlighten myself about the plant and her magical healing powers. There is an art gallery; murals on the outside walls that draw you in. And a most marvelous outdoor space is out back. Here is a unique place meant to chill the soul and educate the mind. Under the stars, surrounded by healing spirits. As many dispensaries as there are in New Mexico, this one really resonated with me. Maybe it’s the owner. Fierce, intellectual, and generous with her time, Corrina offers something that most dispensaries don’t offer. And that in itself is a comforting sense of place in the universe.

The Grower Circle. The first time I went to New Mexico, I was introduced to a craft grower named The Grower Circle. I am a big fan of their efforts, and I wish I had more time to dig deeply into their terroir-driven offerings. Their Raw OG and Cosa Nostra stick out in my memory as juicy, not too sweet, and deeply stony—just the place I want to be if given the opportunity again.

Fourteen Counties. Yes, they’re doing Temple Ball Hash in Massachusetts and if you’re ever in this state, I deeply recommend their traditional and more modern offerings. Frenchy would be proud of their efforts in the lexicon of temple ball hash. I’m a huge fan of what they have achieved.

Made in Xiaolin Cannagars. Founded in Colorado and now available in New York State, the craft work that Chris Louie has attained through his exceptional attention to detail and the acquisition of the finest flowers and adjuncts make for an ultra-luxury experience. The quality of workmanship is without compare. Details like the gold leaf and 100-dollar bill rice paper make for a very impressive compliment. But what’s inside is the culmination of decades of blood, sweat, and tears. Success in small ways. Quality over quantity. Made in Xiaolin!