How to Throw a Cannabis-Themed New Year’s Party
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Oh, hello, New Year’s Eve.
Finally, it’s time to let all of 2018 ride (and die). At NYE events, I find a prevailing mix of exhaustion and euphoria, and a natural-born comradeship of “We made it. I made it. New year, new me.” Maybe nothing much will change in 2019, but one thing’s for sure: celebrating the completion of 2018 is in order.
A good night looks different for everyone. For me, it’s joining my pals who’ve been with me through the highs (literal and figurative) and the lows. Yummy bites are nice, but the ambiance is even more important. And nothing sets the mood like a quality spliff to share.
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Canna-Cocktails
2018 was the year of rockin’ cannabis cocktails. A bar and venue I frequent in Oakland won the Chicago-based Battle of the Bars competition with their bevy of cocktails, which included “No Place Like Home,” a vividly green drink which featured cannabis terpenes. Judges loved it, and the Starline Social Club took home the golden trophy.
It’s easy to make a winning adult beverage with tinctures, and I prefer sun-grown, whole flower infusions like those from Humboldt Apothecary. It’s fun to update an old standby, like a Negroni, with a modern twist. Plus, by adding, say CBD, you’re mitigating the overall effects of alcohol on your system.
If you’re going the canna-bar route, keep a few things in mind:
- Just like edibles, canna-cocktails are consumables and are metabolized differently than smokables. Wait 15-30 minutes in between drinks to see how the cannabis impacts you! Alcohol does amplify the effects of cannabis.
- The best cocktails have well-rounded, balanced flavor interactions. Since cannabis is herbaceous, citrus pairs nicely and offers the palate a clean, neutralizing taste. Think about the other ingredients’ aromatic qualities and how they will pair with cannabis.
- Limit the dosing to around 2.5-5mgs per drink. This will ensure the interaction between the alcohol and the cannabis doesn’t get overwhelming.
Flower, Vapes and Edibles for Different Experience Levels
So, you’re looking to have the best night ever? Even if you’re staying in with Netflix and your trusty cat, you’ll definitely want to have nature’s BFF in your back pocket, whether it’s in flower, cartridge or edible form. We’ve got a handy guide for you based on your comfort level and preferences. There’s no need to get “baked” if you’re newer to cannabis.
So, without further ado, Nugg recommends incorporating the following cannabis companies for your New Year’s Eve bash.
Lightweights Welcome
There’s no shame in knowing where you’re at and finding products to meet you there! Don’t push yourself for the sake of the “party,” because the goal is in boosting enjoyment. Finding the right balance and potency is the key to pleasure and relaxation.
Flower
Henry’s Original CBD Ritual 20:1 is a high-quality, chill strain. Because there’s little THC in Ritual, it’s likely that you won’t feel stoned unless you’re highly sensitive to THC: you’ll just feel well and at ease. This would be a great starter-bud for someone new to cannabis that may be afraid of getting “too high.”
It’s also super reasonably priced at ~$30 per eighth of Northern California, an outdoor-grown flower which crumbles nicely and burns hella clean. Simply for its healing effects on my stomach (great for hangovers, too, partygoers!), I’d buy Henry’s Ritual again and again.
Vapes
Dosist pens are perfect for newbies because they are utterly simple to use. Just inhale and the pen will vibrate and shut off after you’ve gotten one dose. In an attractive design, these pens also have style – something that, let’s be honest, is great to flaunt when you’re not exactly sure what works for you, yet.
Bliss is 9:1 THC:CBD with notes of piney gas, and as a THC-forward formulation, will leave users feeling euphoric and buzzy. This pen is not economical for heavy users, but if one to two hits does you right, Dosist pens are your friend.
Edibles
Honestly, my go-to recommendation is Kiva’s Terra Bite beans. They are just delicious, perfectly dosed, and never feel like riptide an hour after consumption.
Given that they’re Tanzanian micro-batched expresso beans, covered in Kiva Confection’s proprietary dark chocolate, and are just 5mg per bite, this pass-around tin is a party favor to end all others.
Old Pros
You’re not new to cannabis, maybe you’ve been smoking since your teens, and you aren’t afraid to go big or go home. Here are our suggestions for some old-standby heavy-hitters and some new kids on the block we think you’ll love.
Flower
THC Design’s Purple Punch is the king of relaxation. Though it’s got potential to be sedative to those who are not daytime indica smokers, it’s perfect for folks who are done with certain sativas’ “raciness” and are looking to ease into their evening in fine spirits and a handle on any lingering anxiety. Purple Punch is just the ticket with THC Design’s consistent genetics and reasonable price (around $40 per 1/8).
However, if you are looking for upbeat sativa vibes, we recommend Durban Poison (such a beautiful OG strain!) from Northern Emeralds. Spicy, piney, lemony, Durban Poison is a treat for the senses; after just a hit or two you’ll find yourself ready for the dance floor.
Vapes
You might have heard the name Jack Herer. This well-balanced and easy-going strain’s namesake was a prominent cannabis activist who deserves a nod as we close 2018.
If you know what Jack Herer flower tastes like, then HoneyVape’s formulation is an almost exact replica of that smell and flavor profile. It’s got delicious spice citrus notes with a harsh skunk and gassy finish. One of my favorite flavor profiles and a proper homage to cannabis’ roots.
Edibles
Korova is known for its powerfully strong bakes, and I second the dominant opinion about this brand. Its cookies, particularly the Vanilla Bean Minis, have great “bang for their buck” and will get you properly high.
I like them for their yummy buttery flavor (think classic sugar cookies); they’d make for a festive treat at a bumpin’ NYE get-down. They also have a high CBD and THC content that contributes to a wonderfully chill and full-force experience.
Highballin’ Highbrows
This section is for the cannabis connoisseur, someone who is pretty excited at the thought of a solid rose gold vape pen or who wants to try this season’s limited edition cream of the crop flowers. We’ve got you covered in this round-up of luxe cannabis goods.
Flower
With its signature orange box, Canndescent makes you feel as though you’re buying a luxury item off of the shelves of a high-end department store. Though they re-label strains with their own numbering system (which isn’t ideal), you can – and should – select by desired effects. “Create,” “Connect,” and “Charge” are all sativa-leaning choices that will leave you feeling energized and party-ready.
Vapes
For true looks, check out Bloom Farms’ Rose Gold Highlighter pen. Their Rose Gold stylus features a metal mouthpiece, filigree accents, leaf-shaped LEDs and an overall classy feeling in the hand and in the mouth.
It also boasts a clear reservoir which speaks to the brand’s confidence in its golden oil, which gives users a feeling of creativity and connectedness. I like this pen for its fancy look and its sweet “crème brulee”-like flavors. It retails for around $60 but would make a sweet end to the year!
Edibles
Cookies are also common in the consumables category but there’s nothing pedestrian about Utopia Macaroons. Remarkably flavorful, their Peanut Butter and Raspberry Macaroons are gluten-free and vegan, making them perfect companions if you’re looking for a clean, guilt-free culinary experience. When you add their pure artisanal cannabis extract and splashy pink color into the mix, you’ve got something special.
Best part? There are four cookies per pack which can easily be broken in half or even quartered – and shared.
If you need recommendations about which products are best for your party guests, chat online with our Cannabis Concierge. Then hop over to the Nugg Marketplace and see if your favorite products are available for delivery in your area!
Beat Holiday Anxiety With these Mood-Boosting Cannabis Products
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Oh, the holidays. Insert heavy sigh.
Even if you love a good jingle, the holidays represent so much work. And if you feel more aligned with the Grinch, then yes, the next few weeks might take some special sauce to get through. For many Americans, ‘tis the season…for a meltdown!
The holidays bring up a true mixed-bag of feelings. According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, “financial strain, loneliness, or unrealistic expectations” can contribute to the holidays being a real drag.
And while there are plenty of opportunities to gather and make merry, not everyone feels joy and good tidings. In fact, the holidays often exacerbate depression and anxiety.
A whopping 15 million Americans suffer from SAD, otherwise known as Social Anxiety Disorder, which isn’t great if you have mandatory holiday work parties or expected appearances at family gatherings.
Whether you’re on the naughty or nice list, you can still take the edge off any Xmas mood-related issue with Santa’s little helper (how else does the North Pole function so smoothly?).
Since 2018 has been a year of broadening cannabis access, why not celebrate the plethora of opportunities to experience a more elevated lifestyle?
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MICRODOSING
Take the edge off social anxiety and other mood-related issues with a low-dose edible, discreet vaporizer or your favorite indica flower, like Flav’s Asian OG. If you’re new to cannabis and the idea of suddenly being impossibly high next to your dad wigs you out, don’t fret.
Microdosing, the act of going “low and slow” with edibles or tinctures, is a great way to start small. For more, see Nugg’s handy guide to micro-dosing with CBD.
Many cannabis companies make it easy to take a single dose through intentional product design. For instance, Kiva’s Petra Mints (2.5 mg THC) and their best-selling Terra-Bites (5mg THC) offer smooth and seamless experiences.
If you’re curious about edibles but haven’t had much experience with them, remember to wait 60 to 180 minutes before consuming more. Because they’re metabolized rather than inhaled, edibles have a delayed effect – and you don’t want to find yourself barricaded in Grandma’s bathroom decorated with elf figurines. At that point there’s not enough eggnog in the world to save you.
Without further ado, here’s a list of mouth-watering cannabis concoctions that can help you “get through” the holidays but possibly even enjoy them!
EDIBLES
Made for the holidays, edibles often take the form of baked goods. Crumbly cookies, frosted cupcakes, classic brownies, decadent dark chocolate bars: there’s an edible for every palate.
You could even construct a potent adults-only gingerbread house – just warn anyone who goes to pick a gummy off the roof that they’ll be feeling extra jolly!
However, there are also some savory options out there if you’ve had it with the sweets or deal with health-related conditions that make sugar somewhat intolerable.
Budget-Conscious: Pop-Up Potcorn
Make way for a savory cannabis-infused treat that gives the sweet tooth a run for its money! With just four ingredients, palm oil, sea salt, organic popcorn and cannabis extract, Pop-Up Potcorn is a terrific option for people seeking an alternative to sugary and additive-laden edibles. It’s also popcorn, the perfect companion for the family-friendly holiday movie you’ve seen 287 times.
At $8 per bag, what’s not to love? You can choose your preferred strength in 10mg THC, 10mg CBD, or a balanced 1:1 ratio (5mg THC:5mg CBD) so it’s particularly good for those new to cannabis or who just want to go “low and slow.”
Top-Shelf: KIVA Blackberry Dark Chocolate Bar
If I’m going to recommend an edible for your holiday season blues, it’s KIVA’s Blackberry Dark Chocolate Bar. These luscious flavors melt in your mouth and offer reliable, consistent effects. Because of its easy-to-break squares, this infused choco bar is easy to dose for any occasion.
Take 25mg for a functional high, and more if you have a higher tolerance or are looking for sweet sugarplum dreams. Kiva’s high-quality extract and chocolate justify the $22.
CARTRIDGES
Budget-Conscious: Alpine Vapor and Guild
Alpine’s Live Resin Granddaddy Purple .5g cartridge (about $25) will have you so relaxed you may fall fast asleep after five puffs. This heavy, indica-leaning cart offers sedative, calming effects and is ideal if you have trouble sleeping or suffer from incessant pain. Just be prepared to stay put once you consume this strain.
Meanwhile, Guild’s Lemon Larry is a rip-roarin’ good ol’ strain to have in your back pocket. It’s great for an in-the-moment S.O.S. like when Uncle Lance starts going off about politics, something the family vowed wouldn’t be discussed until after dinner.
When the dam of restraint breaks, don’t be shy in reaching for this affordably priced $30 0.5g pen. You’ll have an “oh my, that’s tasty!” smile on your face in two puffs. It is indica-forward, so if you’re new to cannabis, go easy on this pen at first.
Top-Shelf: Level Blends and TreeBase Klear
Level is another good brand if you’re seeking one or two solid companions to keep close by this holiday season. The brand has a range of cartridge options that produce different effects such as Dissolve to maximize chill, Elevate, a hybrid balance of head and heart, and Spark, a sativa for socializing.
Level takes the time to provide a full breakdown of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids, important details that are good to know for targeting specific conditions. If all the rich holiday food is bugging your belly, try Level’s Remedy 3:1 CBD 510-threaded cart to ease tummy trouble.
For a bit more dough get one of their Pax Era pods; it’s fun to use, discreet, and has customizable heat settings. The only catch is these pods only work with a Pax Era battery so don’t forget to ask Santa for both.
TreeBase Klear is another brand known for its “ace in the hole” quality offerings. The Agent Orange half-grammer is a true gift to yourself, which will boost your mood and explode your palate with a delightful sweet and sour combination that pleasantly lingers.
It’s an ideal “wake-and-bake” vape for just-right elevation that feels consistent and even. At $40 per cartridge, I felt this option was top-shelf quality at a price point that’s a bit more but won’t break the bank. Maybe get one for you, and one for grandma!
FLOWER
For many, flower is the only way to go. While it’s highly individual, some consumers find that they get more of the “full body” effects smoking flower due to the full spectrum of natural cannabinoids and their interaction with the endocannabinoid system. I personally love smoking flower because:
- Clouds from flower = timeless satisfaction
- Rolling a joint is a tactile ritual I just can’t do without
- The terpy flavors are more pronounced
But that’s just me! Here are my top two flower recommendations that’ll soothe your anxiety and offer a great pick-me-up just in the (saint) nick of time.
Budget-Conscious: Jungle Boys’ Strawnana
Jungle Boys does a wonderful job developing potent and delicious strains. Strawnana was no exception. It tastes like a strawberry-banana milkshake; sweet on the nose followed by a creamy-with-fruity-overtones mouthfeel. Yum!
For around $35 per eighth, this is a great deal. The only thing to watch out for is that Jungle Boys doesn’t use exceptionally strong packaging for optimal protection of its buds, so you’ll want to make sure to pick out a bag that hasn’t been squashed.
Top Shelf: Utopia Chiquita Banana Sativa-Leaning Hybrid
For those looking for “Gold Label” flower, you needn’t look any further than Utopia’s Chiquita Banana strain with its unrivaled taste, clean-burning ash, and buds dripping in trichomes.
For around $55 per eighth, this top-shelf flower is so worth it. You’ll want to return to this strain over and over again for its well-balanced, elevating effects.
Chiquita Banana is uplifting for the spirit and relaxing for the body and the mind. Limonene, myrcene, and beta-caryophyllene are the predominant terpenes, which lend this strain its sweet and musky orange flavors. Every detail on the packaging speaks to the seriousness Utopia takes in its pristine flowers.
So, there you have it, folks! A list of marijuana options to make the holiday season smooth sailing. Whether you’re consuming cannabis solo or sharing with friends and family, Nugg is here for you. We’ve got your back and wish you a very happy holidaze!
Check out Nugg’s Marketplace to see what products are available for delivery from your local dispensary – and enjoy a relaxing and joyful holiday.
Strain of the Week: 3C Banana OG
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The Nugg app provides a handpicked list of the best cannabis providers in Southern California. We vet dispensaries on many criteria and product quality is a top priority.
We don’t just rely on third-party tests, as they don’t tell the whole story behind a product. Members of our own team are responsible for ensuring our partners offer high-quality products that are safe for patients.
This is the first in a series of product recommendations from the Nugg team. Many products we review can be found directly on the Nugg app, but not all. Our first concern is to provide users the information they need to make informed purchase decisions about cannabis.
Overview
This strain is an indica-dominant hybrid between Banana and OG Kush. It’s 60% Indica, 40% Sativa.
Looks
Glows bright-lime, coated in trichomes and scattered with rust red and golden yellow pistils.
Scent
Banana OG smells tasty and tropical, sprinkled with a little tart spiciness. It’s pungent, but doesn’t invade the whole room. There’s no muskiness or “skunkiness.”
Taste
This is where the Banana really shines through. Smooth and sweet. Taste sits pleasantly in your mouth for a while inhale.
Effects
Quick and notable pain relief, best described by muscle relaxation and light numbing. Simultaneously, the mind becomes activated and colors become more vibrant, and your energy and consciousness expands. (Keep in mind, these can vary from person to person).
Potency
Effects lasted over two hours; 8/10.
Growth
Labeled a “vegan” herb by Coast to Coast, this strain was cultivated and distributed using an animal-free process from start to finish.
Where to Find 3C Banana OG
You can find and order 3C Banana OG on Nugg online.
Or, if you want to get out of the house, visit Coast to Coast Collective in Canoga Park, one of the city’s premier dispensaries with a friendly staff, comfortable atmosphere, and budding cannabis plants available for you to inspect right in the bud room!
This storefront is easily accessible and is dedicated to providing personalized attention, special deals and giveaways for qualified patients, and top-quality medication at all times. At Coast to Coast, you come for the bud and stay for the people. Their in-house branded line of flowers is titled “3C” and includes sativas, indicas, and hybrids.