From bubbly (and non-bubbly) beverages to diamonds and rolls
This past weekend, we encountered countless trends and ideas at the New England Cannabis Convention that we will report back on for readers. From heavy extraction equipment to businesses we are excited to see move ahead with big plans, 2023 is going to be a thrilling year in Massachusetts weed in all its many forms. For now, here are five kinds of products we saw all over the NECANN trade show floor that got us amped to hit up the dispensary …
Here come the drinks …
… and lots of them. Carbonated ones, non-carbonated ones. Sweet ones, tart ones. Limited editions. Infused (non-alcoholic) margaritas! It’s gonna be one heck of a summer. Up until now, some of us have rolled up to Maine for products like root beer and clever newfangled concoctions alike. And while we’ll still grab some up there because they pack 10mg apiece (unlike 5mg in Mass) next time we are in Vacationland, it’s great that companies like Swivel, High Tide, and Novel Beverage Co. are all finally pouring aplenty on this side of the border. (See video here.)
The classic candies you love …
… are increasingly available in infused varieties in Mass dispensaries. For the past few years, companies have been getting their feet wet, establishing their own brands and seeing where consumer interests are. Now, finally, more and more manufacturers are comfortable playing with flavors and formulas, and are equipped to co-pack products for out-of-state companies with proven successes out west. As some examples, the Skittles-inspired Joy Bombs by Joyibles with the Salisbury-based Root & Bloom (which took home the NECANN Award for Best New England Cannabis Company) were a definite highlight, and we’re alsi more than just a little bit excited to check out the whole line of Popping Candy by Green Gold Group. Because, you know, plain old un-infused Pop Rocks just weren’t fun enough.
Fast-acting everything …
… has arrived. Whether new versions of the old gummies you love, or chocolates that haven’t been on the market until now, they’re kicking in faster and faster. We asked a bunch of companies what fast-acting means to them (stay tuned for loads of upcoming previews and reviews), and basically they’ve got it down in the 10 to 20-minute range. From what we are seeing, these techniques, formerly perfected by the long-reigning market champ Wana and few others, is mostly going into day and party-time edibles with sleepytime treats sticking with the kind of slow-acting impact that slowly sets in through the evening.
Diamonds are in …
… and of course by that we mean the (re) crystallized concentrates that hit up to 99% TAC. Some are mixed with sauce for flavor—we had a particularly interesting conversation with the team from Fine Fettle on that front—but a lot are also pure THC and/or THCA with little more, the cannabis equivalent to moonshine. It seems that almost every company that deals in dabs is dabbling in this doorway, and we recommend you dance on through. As for specific shout-outs … true to form, Her Highness now features diamonds in a package worthy of proposing with. (See video here.)
Better infused prerolls …
… are coming your way if you aren’t smoking ’em already. Cannabis technology is moving at a rapid pace, and it’s not all at the laboratory level. A lot of the action is on the robotics side, meaning better spiffs (and, for businesses, more volume and consistent rolls). It also means magical machines like those made by Jiko, which robotically infuses bones, cones, or blunts “with a consistent dose of badder.” We tried one that they stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey and can confirm: this is the future.
