Bittersweet Farewells & New States With Promise
Bittersweet Farewells & New States With Promise
Plus: 90s-inspired weed needs.
The Broccoli Report
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Time to read: About 5 minutes. Contains 1,025 words.
Good Morning!
Apologies for the tardy Report this week, I’m wrapping up a hefty round of edits on my book. I also fell prey to a surprise power outage last night before getting the chance to record this week’s One Hitters. Written version only this week, I’m afraid. But it’s been wonderful to hear back from a few of you who are enjoying the audio version of the Report. Especially regarding last Friday’s deep dive into the Standard Dose Scandal. Thank you to every brand who opened up about their experiences—I’ve heard from a few others owed money by the CBD retailer since the piece went up and really hope the next response I get is that they start receiving payments.
This is a reminder to let me know if you’re dealing with a particular issue as a cannabis-related entrepreneur because it’s likely something many others can relate to that I’d be interested to dig into. I’m always mulling on Friday deep-dive ideas.
In fact, I’m taking most of next week to plan, prep and catch my breath after the past several months of the Rookie Author grind. I hope all of you get some R&R over the long weekend, too. 🌞
Before we all attempt to get ahead on work before then, here’s some procrastination fodder. Valuable weed news, I mean!
One-Hitters: Cannabis News at a Glance
A couple of significant announcements dropped last week, further signaling a point of massive inflection in our industry. The pioneering ceramic smoking accessory brand Stonedware, founded by fellow Portlander and friend Ariel Zimman, is calling it a day. If you’ve ever admired her ergonomic, geometric pieces, now’s the time—all remaining inventory is discounted while supplies last. I have no doubt’s Zimman’s creative spirit will have just as much impact in her next chapter.
Humble Bloom, the purpose-driven brand and advocacy platform led by Solonje Burnett and Danniel Swatosh, also announced that the HB recent event was their last. They posted a thoughtful farewell and will be missed, but they aren’t leaving the weed scene. Stay tuned for updates on what’s next for all mentioned parties. 👀
Next month, I’ll join a panel about amplifying stories through journalism at the inaugural Women of Color Cannabis Business and Wellness Experience in Philadelphia, PA. Unfortunately, my presence will be solely virtual, but I’m really looking forward to the novel gathering of women across the industry. Produced by Cannabis Noire, the event will happen June 24th and 25th at The Story Factory and Drexel University.
The United Nations vocalized their discomfort with the US’s laissez-faire treatment of individual states legalizing cannabis, pointing out our violation of the 1961 Single Convention international treaty that controls the cultivation, production, and trade of certain drugs, including cannabis, for UN member nations. In my eyes, that’s one more big delay for more talks of federal legalization (or banking legislation, for that matter).
Minnesota is about to legalize cannabis. It’s possible Governor Tim Walz is signing the bill right now. It’s intriguing to see how more recent states to legalize learn from the rest of the earlier actors' mistakes—this hefty, 300-page bill will automatically expunge low-level cannabis convictions and set up a board to consider expungement or resentencing of felony crimes, something plenty of long-legalized states are still sorting out.
There is finally some movement on legalizing cannabis in Wisconsin—but not through medical or adult use legislation through the state. Members of the Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Tribe just approved a move into the legal weed game by a landslide vote.
Anyone else feel like NYT loves to troll the weed world? I can get on board with the recent dive into the challenges of mitigating driving under the influence of weed—something zero states have figured out—but this piece about the popularity of weed-infused wine leaves me a bit skeptical. Is it really an “underground favorite?” I know non-alcoholic, infused wine is a thing, but I imagine truly THC-infused, full-alcohol wine offends both of those sets of connoisseurs.
This next hit has less to do with cannabis but fits very well into the average smoking circle conversation thematically: If our eyes could handle perceiving it, we’d see that the sun is actually the color green.
My upcoming book about cannabis destinations stays within US borders, but my international edition would definitely include Jamaica’s Jacana Farms. Their farm tours allow guests to explore the stunning 100-acre cultivation area in the mountains of St. Ann and include a farm-to-table lunch, a chat with the farmers, and a flower sampling sesh.
High Finds: Lifestyle Goods I Like
I’ve been fascinated by Dangle Supply’s metal bongs for many moons now, but I didn’t expect to reach for their handheld pipe as much as I do. I might just be sick of breaking glass things, though. In any case, the brand dropped a bunch of vibrant colored editions of the Ti Cobb pipe worth checking out.
ICYMI, toothless grinders are trending. The Flower Mill totally changed the conversation around breaking up flower for a bowl or a joint. I haven’t personally used one yet, but I do have a habit of breaking up flower by hand for bong rips, so I get the allure. Houseplant just released a very cool-looking glass version—I’m very curious to hear what people think about its grind.
The Gemini Bake whipped up some adorable keychain cakes that will never go stale. This collection covers her astrological cake collection for now, but if you’re seeking cakes of a more cannabis-themed variety, Broccoli still sells a set of frame-worthy postcards from Issue 9’s Fully Baked spread.
Abstract Italian bong maker, Weed’d, teased their first pipe collection and revealed a new baby blue and marigold colorway for their uniquely shaped pieces.
For any weed-infused It Girls (or Guys) seeking the missing piece to their 90s nostalgia looks, indie jeweler Weird Bits’ has a new collection of luxe hemp string adornments, and Thnk 1994 Museum drops another round of their Mary Kate & Ash Trays tomorrow.
Your friendly, neighborhood weed trend dealer,
Lauren Yoshiko