In the landscape of cannabis innovations, including rosin vape pens, transdermal topicals, and nanotechnology beverages, tried-and-true classic products can get overlooked.  

One of the first innovations in plant medicine, with documentation as far back as 1025 in The Al-Qanoon fi al Tibb, aka, The Canon of Medicine, was the tincture. In the millennium since, there have been innumerable innovations, but we’re here to say that good weed and a good product never go out of style.

What is a cannabis tincture?

A tincture in the most basic sense is a cannabis extract, in which a liquid is infused with cannabis, meant for sublingual consumption, not vaporization or smoking. The cannabis plant soaks in a base liquid, such as food-grade alcohol, glycerin, or even oil, and after days of steeping, the plant matter is strained out and—voilà! The cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds have melded with the base liquid, ready to dose and consume. 

Technically, the term “tincture” specifically refers to an alcohol-based product and one made with oil or glycerin is an “infusion,” but we’re using it as an umbrella term here.  

In the adult-use market, tinctures typically come in 1 fl oz (30mL) glass bottles with droppers to administer low and consistent doses. Because they are not considered a food item, they can exceed the 100 mg THC cap on edibles in many markets. 

Tinctures may not seem as fun or innovative as a gummy or a dab, but they have a multitude of health benefits while still offering a comfortable, intoxicating experience.

Tincture vs. edibles

While both tinctures and edibles require ingestion to work, they enter the bloodstream via different bodily systems and will have distinct effects. 

Edibles require digestion and are processed in the stomach and liver, and enzymes in the liver enhance the effects of ingested THC. Tinctures do not pass through the liver and are absorbed under the tongue, so while the high will be more immediate, it won’t be as strong.   

How does a tincture compare to CBD oil?

CBD oils sold in wellness stores and online bear a strong resemblance to tinctures, but the two differ significantly in some areas. 

Namely, a CBD oil not sold in a licensed adult-use or medical marijuana dispensary is typically produced by isolating and extracting CBD from hemp using a solvent, like butane or CO2, and then binding the extract to a carrier oil. 

Tinctures are whole plant extracts and even when extracted from compliant hemp plants, they may contain trace amounts of THC. 

Additionally, because tinctures are often alcohol-based, they cannot be used as a topical or skin-conditioning product the way CBD oil can. Both, however, can be taken orally to yield CBD’s therapeutic benefits.

Benefits of using cannabis tinctures

While they may not seem as edgy as other consumption methods, tinctures have endured in apothecaries and dispensaries for centuries because they are considered one of the healthiest ways to consume cannabis. 

No food allergens or sensitive ingredients

Some brands flavor or enhance tinctures, but you only need the cannabis plant and the base to which it is bound. This means sugar, gluten, gelatin, food coloring, and any other ingredients that may aggravate intolerances or allergies can be avoided.

Discretion

Tinctures at a glance resemble a skincare product or wellness supplement. If sealed, they don’t stink like buds, and they don’t produce smoke or vapor that as with inhalation methods.

Flexible dosing

Tinctures are not beholden to the 100mg edible cap in many markets, so one bottle will last you a lot longer than a tin of gummies or a brownie. You can also control your dose, down to the drop.

Fast-acting

If taken sublingually, tinctures’ effects have a speedier onset than eating an edible, since they absorb through the tissue in the mouth (though it will take a little longer than smoking). This also means tinctures last longer than smoking a joint, but may metabolize faster than an edible made with fats, like baked goods. 

Full spectrum

Since tinctures involve soaking the entire cannabis plant, consumers get a myriad of benefits from all the compounds in the plant beyond just THC and/or CBD.

THC tincture dosage guide

This is based on a 300 mg THC, 1 fl oz (30 mL) tincture.

How to use or take cannabis tinctures

Cannabis companies operating in legal markets are required by law to include accurate dosing information for ingestible products. If you pick up a tincture from your local dispensary, it will have dosing information on the packaging. Most health and CBD stores also provide this, but THC-free tinctures don’t always go through the same degree of testing. 

Your ideal dose will depend on your tolerance, as well as the goal of taking the tincture. If the tincture has been formulated for helping with sleep, you may want a single high dose to ensure sedation. If you intend to use the tincture for general daytime wellness, you may find that multiple microdoses throughout the day may achieve a more uplifting experience.      

Rule of thumb, as with anything weed-related, start low and go slow. In a 1 fl oz bottle, one full dropper equates to 1 mL, so we advise starting with a quarter dropper or less if you have a low tolerance or do not regularly consume high amounts of cannabis. You can go for half a dropper if you feel more confident. 

For maximum efficacy, use the dropper to deposit the tincture under the tongue, and let it sit for 30 seconds before swallowing. 

The mouth has absorbent tissue called oral mucosa, essentially a mucous membrane that lines the inside of cheeks, lips, and under the tongue that helps fight disease and keeps our mouths healthy. It also absorbs tinctures and administers cannabinoids into the bloodstream directly, without going through the stomach or liver.

How long does it take for a cannabis tincture to kick in?

Tinctures typically take effect within 15-30 minutes if left to sit under the tongue for 30-45 seconds. Swallowing a tincture directly can compromise its efficacy as your body won’t absorb it the way it will an edible or food item. Tinctures mixed with food will take longer to take effect, but may yield a more potent high.

Can you cook with tinctures?

Cooking with tinctures depends primarily on the formulation and how you plan to incorporate it into cooking. Since most tinctures contain THC, CBD and/or other cannabinoids that have been decarboxylated, exposing the tincture to high heat via an oven, stove, or boiling water may burn them away, rendering the final food useless from a medicinal standpoint.  

However, you can easily add a tincture to the finished dish by incorporating it in a sauce or dressing. They also make good additions to top up cannabis weed tea recipes.

How to make cannabis tinctures

Tinctures are one of the easiest cannabis products to make at home. They require almost little equipment and you don’t need a high level of plant science, but they do need patience.

The ratio of base to flower will determine how concentrated the tincture is. A tincture made from an ounce of cannabis, for example, should be steeped in about 25 fl oz of base liquid for mild doses once in a 1 fl oz bottle. For a more potent tincture, use less of the base liquid or more weed.

Ingredients

• Eighth to a half ounce (3.5 – 14 grams) cannabis flower
• 3 – 12 fl oz. food-grade ethanol, glycerin or a carrier oil, such as coconut oil

Equipment

• Glass mason jars
• Coffee filters or a cheesecloth 
• A 1 fl oz glass bottle and dropper cap

Directions

Step 1

Decarboxylate your cannabis. Because no heat is involved in the tincture-making process, you’ll need to activate your buds if you want an intoxicating effect from THC. You’ll need a baking tray, parchment paper, and flower.

To decarboxylate:

Your cannabis should be ground and/or broken down for maximum surface area. Set your oven to between 220-240ºF (going too high will burn away cannabinoids) and lay the cannabis flower on the parchment paper on the tray. Let bake for 30 minutes to no more than an hour—any longer will cook all the good stuff away. 

You can leave the plant raw if you prefer to harness the non-intoxicating benefits of THCA and CBDA, the acidic forms of THC and CBD. You may see better results if you grind the bud beforehand.

Step 2

Pour your base and cannabis into a mason jar at your desired ratio; an eighth of cannabis to 3 fl oz solvent yields a fairly mellow and buildable dose. Cut the base amount or increase flower amount by ⅓ for a more potent effect; there needs to be enough of your base for the cannabis to be totally submerged. Stir the contents well. 

Step 3

Store your tincture mixture in a cool dry place for at least four weeks, shaking and/or stirring once a day. This agitation helps the base liquid better soak into the flower.

Step 4

Over time, the plant’s cannabinoids and terpenes will dissolve (alcohol) or infuse (glycerin) with the base. A longer steep time will yield a more potent tincture.

Strain the mixture through a coffee filter or cheesecloth to remove all plant matter. What you’ll be left with is a dark liquid full of weedy goodness, ready to dose.

Freeze method

Maybe you don’t have weeks to spare to wait for a tincture to infuse, or you don’t like waiting. Here is an alternative recipe that you can do in a day. 

Like in ice water hashmaking, freezing the bud before infusion, but after decarboxylation, helps dislodge the cannabinoid-rich trichomes from the plant. This recipe requires the use of alcohol as your tincture’s base.  

Step 1

Decarb your cannabis (see above).  

Step 2

Freeze the alcohol and cannabis in separate mason jars overnight. This makes the trichomes more brittle and will help the tincture taste less like plant matter.

Step 3

Mix the alcohol and bud in one mason jar. Seal and shake it for one minute.

Step 4

Place the mason jar mixture back in the freezer for five minutes to ensure contents stay cold and frozen. 

Step 5

Repeat the shaking of step 3 and step 4 two more times.

Step 6

Strain the mixture through a filter of your choice to separate plant matter.  

Step 7

Bottle your tincture and enjoy! 

Alcohol, glycerin, oil: Which is the best base?

Historically, tinctures have been made using an alcohol base. Alcohol cuts through the lipids and plant matter in the cannabis plant so the terpenes and cannabinoids dissolve into it. 

Alcohol also helps the tincture enter the bloodstream more efficiently compared to glycerin or another oil. 

Keep in mind that when we say alcohol, we don’t mean cocktails or the kind of alcohol you use to clean your bongs. One of the most popular options by far is Everclear, a grain alcohol with proofs as high as 190. 

Glycerin-based tinctures will be less potent because glycerin—a sugar alcohol often derived from plant oils, like coconut or soybean—doesn’t bind to cannabinoids as well as an ethanol alcohol. Don’t worry, you’ll still reap many of the tincture’s benefits. Glycerin has a sweeter taste than alcohol and won’t irritate your mouth if you have any oral sensitivities.

Oil-based tinctures are ideal if you want a low, manageable dose, but they bind the least efficiently to cannabis compounds. The upside is that if the tincture isn’t to your liking, you can still use it as a skincare and topical product.

This article was originally published June 16, 2016 and is often updated for accuracy and clarity.

Amelia Williams

New York-based freelance cannabis journalist Amelia Williams is a graduate of San Francisco State University’s journalism program, and a former budtender. Williams has contributed to the San Francisco Chronicle’s GreenState, MG Magazine, Culture Magazine, and Cannabis Now, Kirkus Reviews, and The Bold Italic.

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It’s time to celebrate the father figures in our lives—the people who’ve played an indispensable role in making us who we are now.

Today’s canna-dads are a bit more updated than the stoner fathers of the ’60s and ’70s, so we’ve gathered some of the hottest items from the four corners of cannabis culture. But don’t worry, there’s also stuff for the Beatles-loving grandpa, too.

Whether they’re fans of fashion, music, coffee, or just relaxing in the garage, if they’re a fan of weed, Leafly’s got you covered. Here are 10 fantastic Father’s Day gifts that won’t stink up the joint.

710 Labs stain pen

The dedicated technicians at 710 Labs have developed just the thing for the Dad who dabs and has an important day job. These pocket-sized pens act like the stain pens you’re familiar with but explicitly formulated for cannabis concentrate stains. Price: $16.00

Puffco Hash Clock

You can’t vape with this cheeky clock from leading hash vape maker Puffco—yet. Still, it’s sure to be a hit on Father’s Day. This hilarious clock started as a product in the Puffco employee store but was quickly released online due to popular demand. Dad joke and timepiece all in one, this is the Lebowski rug for any father’s den, garage, or smoke space. Price: $49.99

Landrace Origins Coffee

If coffee and cannabis are two of your Dad’s favorite things, Landrace Origins will be right up their alley. Each of their four coffees was designed to pair with certain cannabis strains. They’ll have fun stopping by the local shop to pick up some Durban for this freshly roasted Congolese from southern Kivu. Or some Super Lemon Haze, which pairs with their Kenyan coffee’s notes of grapefruit and cacao. Price $38/1kg

Alien Labs x Broken Promises

Dressing like a mushroom dealer—excuse me ‘cannabis couture’—has become a new norm, and you know who did it first? Dad. Lace him up in the latest. Broken Promises describes itself as visually fusing counter-culture with distorted reality. Together with one of California’s most beloved cannabis brands, they’ve created two capsule drops of fantastic clothing. For Father’s Day, we recommend going big and getting the two-piece Invasion sweatsuit from Alien Lab’s website, add the shirt if you’re feeling generous. (not available in 3x). Price: $69.95 top / $32.95 shirt / $64.95 bottoms

Revelry Stash Flask

Known as “the accomplice,” this stainless steel flask holds 5 oz. of liquid and has a recessed stash compartment that can hold around 3-5 joints, depending on if your Dad rolls hooters, pinners, or hog’s legs. This is the perfect gift for any father who appreciates camping and music festivals. Price: $30.00

Houseplant Vinyl Box Set Vol. 1

In case you’re Dad’s into collecting LPs, here’s a three vinyl set curated by Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg. Each one was designed to pair with different varieties of cannabis. Sativa includes tracks like Syl Johnson’s “Thank You Baby.” Indica grooves along with songs from Khruangbin and Durand Jones. Hybrid brings a mix of tempos from Franciene Thomas, Lion, and Richard Swift. Clocking in at around a half-hour per record, this set of music to smoke to even includes a felt slipmat. Price: $95.00

Flower Mill herb grinder

Flower Mill might say they’re not your Dad’s herb grinder, but we’re pretty sure they won’t give it back after trying one. This grinder blows down any of your favorites by using a proprietary rotor to move your cannabis across one of five customizable screens, milling your flower to beautiful rolling consistency (hence the name). There’s a standard model made with aircraft-grade aluminum or a premium version made from stainless steel, and each can be fitted with an optional fourth chamber for catching all that kief. Price: $90.00 premium / $74.99 standard

Dad Grass x George Harrison Bundle

To celebrate the anniversary of Harrison’s classic “All Things Must Pass,” Dad Grass partnered with George Harrison’s estate to release this ridiculous homage. The bundle includes a custom rolling tray, button pack, bumper sticker, rolling papers, and ashtray all themed to this ground-shaking solo album. Along with this, he’ll also receive a specially designed 5-pack of “All Things Must Grass,” a relaxing CBD/CBG blend of Dad Grass cleverly disguised as a cassette case. Since there’s no THC in it, it’s legal in all 50 states. Perfect for super straight-edge, zero-tolerance dads who can’t hang anymore, but want to play along. Price: $80

GOLD OTTO

This $200 automatic grinder steps right out of that old mall gadget store for dads, Brookstone. The Banana Bros ‘Otto’ is battery-powered, simple, intuitive, and delightful to use—filling pre-shaped paper cones up for twisting in a jiff. If your old man has arthritis, or, say, tore his rotator cuff hitching the boat and needed surgery, give him a hand with the doobies. Just get extra paper cones, because these dudes in retirement puff tough. Price: $199

Porto’s and RSO

This one takes a little more effort, but trust me, they’ll love you for it. Porto’s Bakery is a legendary Southern California institution, famous for its cakes, pastries, and savory treats like the Potato Ball. ‘RSO’ stands for Rick Simpson Oil—a potent edible weed oil enjoyed by cancer patients, and psychonauts alike. Both are available for delivery: the signature mix of potato puree and picadillo covered in a crispy panko crust can be delivered frozen; the hash oil is on tap from dozens of LA delivery services. Cook those Balls, make a tiny hole, drop in a drip of RSO, and celebrate the twilight of the patriarchy. Price: $16/dozen; $32/gram of RSO.

That’s it, Happy Father’s Day, patrone!

How did we do? Leave a nice comment below.

Matt Jackson

Writer and designer Matt Jackson started in the California cannabis industry in 2004. Jackson holds a BA in Creative Writing from Humboldt State University. His work has appeared in Leaf Magazine, SF Station, Skunk Magazine, and the North Coast Journal.

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In Canada, laws limit cannabis-infused gummies and most other edibles to shapeless blobs. To keep edibles unappealing to children, many brands in the industry have valiantly defaulted to squares and circles for their infusions.

But for the first time in (legal) Canadian cannabis history, you can now officially eat a dick. A banana or cola-flavoured, weed-infused, phallus-shaped edible, to be specific.

This week, brand Censored Edibles™ takes the old adage “eat a dick” seriously with the release of their banana and cola penises to limited cannabis retailers in Canada. The cheekiness alone will undoubtedly grab consumers’ attention.

Since national laws already restrict cannabis products by age, no one under 18 can see these cheeky treats, let alone buy them. It now seems safe to make adults-only shapes like penises, boobs, and other assets you’d typically only see at bachelor/rette parties. 

This particular edibles evolution feels pretty natural, in my opinion. We can all find something poetic about the government saying it’s totally fine to buy soft chews that resemble human body parts while simultaneously rejecting the notion of fruit or animal shapes. (Didn’t we just go through this with those Mike Tyson ear edibles?)

Confessions of a (not) gummy penis virgin

Some people may clutch their pearls when they hear of products like these, but cannabis brands have a history of infusing weed into a penis mould. While being first-to-legal-market is an accomplishment, let’s pay homage to those who came before us. 

I, for one, want a cannabis industry that embraces what it can do, not just what it can’t. We are all adults here, and we should benefit from this age-restricted industry. 

From the editor

I’ve seen a gummy phallus in real life before at my first cannabis conference in Toronto, where I was gifted a bag of dicks: brightly coloured penis-shaped edibles with 10 mg of THC each carefully crafted by someone in the unregulated market.

In addition to giggling like a schoolgirl, I remember loving this hybrid of adult novelty and cannabis. As a woman in her ’30s, I have attended a multitude of bachelorette parties with regular lollipops, gummies, chocolate, cake, and edible shot glasses made to look like genitals of all shapes and sizes. 

These “adults-only” styles of products seem like a natural fit for the legal cannabis industry, which has a reputation for taking itself too seriously. 

Weed doesn’t always have to be so serious

Sarah Kulbatski, the cofounder of Censored Edibles, says her inspiration for this product is a “pre-legalization love of cannabis paired with a dirty mind.” She joins me over video call with an infectious laugh, a big personality, and a diamond-encrusted gold sperm around her neck.

“Sex and cannabis have been together for like decades…hundreds of years, right? It’s an adult sector. It’s age-gated. You cannot have children step foot into any of the stores,” Kulbatski tells Leafly. “So why not allow an adult product made by adults for an adult sector?” 

In partnership with Loosh Brands, the penis edibles hit retail shelves in stores and online this week in Ontario. The banana and cola gummies will come in packs of four, with 2.5 mg of THC each. This way, you can eat them all for the full 10 mg THC effects or enjoy what a dear friend of mine calls “a weeknight dick,” meaning a smaller dose for those with lower cannabinoid needs.

In addition to her dirty mind, Kulbatski’s savvy entrepreneur sense saw a gap in the current legal offerings and seized it. “We can’t do bears, we can’t do pumpkin, we can’t do XYZ, because it might trigger the kids. So they’ve literally pushed us into that corner where you can’t do much. If it’s an adult sector, then I should be able to come out with an adult-shaped gummy. So I did.”

Banana-glazed or cola? This editor tried them both

Let me tell you it was difficult to get my hands on these dicks! I scoured stores for weeks and my city finally got its shipment last night. The first thing I noticed, aside from the obvious, is the texture. They have a decent, chewy, gummy texture; something that isn’t guaranteed with cannabis edibles in Canada.

They also paid close attention to the shapes, I mean, if you are doing a dick do it right. I was expecting a squished semi-phallus-like edible but what I got were clearly formed quality-controlled perfect little penises.

The flavours were solid. I’ve never been keen on that artificial banana flavour but it was right on the nose. The cola flavour reminded me of those soda bottle candies, without the zing. I would have bought these for the novelty alone but overall this is a pretty decent edible.

These naughty gummies offer something that consumers have never seen before and it’s about time. I, for one, want a cannabis industry that embraces what it can do, not just what it can’t. We are all adults here, and we should benefit from this age-restricted industry. 

Sure, sometimes navigating the cannabis age gates sucks. I’m sick of explaining the age restrictions of my work due to cannabis law, not some salacious NSFW reason. But since we’re stuck with it, why not also embrace the positives that come with that 19+ life? Like the pleasure of eating a (banana) dick infused with weed. 

Ashley Keenan

Ashley Keenan is the Canada editor at Leafly, as well as a freelance journalist, consultant, and patient advocate in the cannabis industry.

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On Friday (June 3), New York City Mayor Eric Adams gave the green light to millions of New Yorkers to light up some weed and enjoy themselves. And he doesn’t care if you’re smoking or selling unlicensed cannabis, for now. 

“Enjoy yourself, light up, but most importantly, spend some money,” the Mayor said during an appearance at the Cannabis World Congress and Business Expo at Javits Center in Manhattan.  

New York’s adult-use market could kick off before 2022 ends. The grey area between now and then is wide open, and Adams doesn’t see the harm in allowing the dozens of weed trucks, private clubs, and gifting shops that have been operating in the open since the state passed legalization in March 2021.

But not all lawmakers in The Empire State are riding with Mayor Adams’ relaxed approach. 

The day before the mayor said “light up,” New York’s Senate, led by Sen. Liz Krueger, passed a bill that would crack down on illicit possession and sales. That bill needed approval from the state Assembly before the end of last week to move forward. But Friday passed without a vote, as Mayor Adams’ words rang loud and clear. The Senate-backed bill is now on ice until 2023.

Adams is playing the good cop

Mayor Adams told the Javits Center crowd that he doesn’t want to approach the state’s budding cash crop—New York expects to collect $1.25 billion from legal weed in the next six years—with heavy hands. He says he intends to give warnings and wrist-slaps to those bending the rules. 

“‘Listen, you can’t do this,’ give them a warning,” Adams, a former NYPD cop, said of his plans for dealing with unlicensed dealers. Instead of fines and arrests, he said he wants to help all non-licensed dealers take steps towards starting legitimate cannabis businesses.

The Mayor has earmarked $5 million in his executive budget to help New Yorkers apply for recreational cultivation licenses. But he also said that sellers who refuse to comply after their wrist slaps could face “some form” of enforcement.

In April, Mayor Adams flirted with the idea of putting greenhouses on top of city buildings to grow weed and employ residents. Officials in Thailand and other nations have invested heavily in cannabis job growth recently.

An audience member at the Cannabis World Congress and Business expo said he was about to step outside and smoke a joint since “the mayor told us we can do it.” Adams also laughed off a reporter who asked if he had ever smoked cannabis before.

“We need to incentivize those who have their illegal trucks or have the trucks going on to show them that this is a better pathway,” he said. “The goal is to not leave people behind.”

The race to win the weed-wild east

New York joins New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Illinois on the forefront of baking social equity into their cannabis policy. Getting equity right will be a key part of the recipe for every state racing to become the East’s premium cannabis market. As western states have already learned, its not about who legalizes first, but who legalizes right.

In New Jersey, over half of recreational cannabis licenses have gone to “diversely-owned businesses” that are majority-owned by residents who identify as Black, Latinx, Asian, veteran, or a woman, as well as residents from “impact zones” that were most impacted by the failed War on Drugs. 

New York lawmakers are exploring the idea of having private equity investors partner with legacy and micro business operators to change lanes into the legal market. But they have good reasons for approaching the situation lightly.

In 2018, the New York Times reported that “Hispanic people across New York City had been arrested on low-level cannabis charges at five times the rates of white, non-Hispanic people over the previous three years; in Manhattan, Black people had been arrested at 15 times the rate of white people, even though surveys indicated that the rates of cannabis use were similar for both groups.”

Now that all New Yorkers have the go ahead to get blazed, the Mayor’s office has a few months to ensure that all social equity debts are paid ahead of the opening of recreational weed shops in the city.

If you like smoking before sexy time, the debut drop from Kim’s new Aphrodisiak brand lives up to its name–here’s where to grab it.

On Valentine’s Day, Lil’ Kim teased her new cannabis brand: Aphrodisiak for the world. Kim promised strains and products that live up to her arousing lyrics like:

Those and other raw rhymes about Mary Jane helped Kim open 1990s minds to the plant, back when pop culture was still sending mixed messages about women who love cannabis. Her brave example broke clueless stereotypes that said pretty girls don’t smoke pot.

And now she’s adding a new dimension to the weed game: Cultivars aimed at couples who want to boost their libidos.

Starting Saturday (June 4), Pineapple Express’ Hollywood dispensary is the first and only place to get your hands on Kim’s bodacious new buds. The brand new dispensary is owned by Kim’s fellow music-slash-marijuana vet 2 Chainz, and dispensaries in Michigan, New Jersey, and Kim’s native New York are expecting to stock shelves soon.

Getting my hands on Kim’s ‘Hardcore’ buds

I secured two early eighth bags of the new strain, called “Hardcore,” from Kim’s partner Carlos Dew, who helps market Aphrodisiak through his company superbad inc. He told me that eighths (3.5 grams) of Hardcore will sell for $65 at retailers.

Carlos said I was the first person outside of their camp to touch, smell, and smoke their product. Kim said quality control is the company’s top priority, as she spent over two years overseeing product development personally, before handpicking Hardcore as Aphrodisiak’s debut cultivar.

Even before I opened up the first pack of Hardcore, the chic matte-black packaging suggested an upper-echelon product that makes you want to save it as a keepsake. The Aphrodisiak logo is reminiscent of NYC legend Branson’s triangle-shaped weed baggies, but made modern by a QR code. Shoutout to Kim’s team for attention to legacy detail.

The packaging said buds tested at 30% THC, .07% CBD, and 35% total cannabinoids and as soon as I cracked the bag, I was blown away by the thick white trichome crystals coating every bud. It looked like the weed was dipped in sugar. But the dark purple hue in the buds still fought through to the surface.

The leaves were soft to the touch, but sturdy enough to break down by hand without making a mess. I thought to myself, ‘This is too pretty to put in a grinder, you need to get your hands dirty to fully appreciate these crystals.’ And that’s exactly what I did.

From first look, smell, and touch, you don’t have to smoke Hardcore to know it’s the good stuff. This is the stash you pull out when you’re trying to impress somebody.

But what about intimate sessions with that special somebody? Does it deliver the same side effects that looking at Kim’s album poster did back when I was a youngin’?

Did I feel aroused after smoking Aphrodisiak’s debut strain?

At first, I thought Kim was gassing us up. But it turns out she’s not selling snake oil. There’s no guarantee that this gas will go straight to you or your partner’s snake, but much like Sweeties and Cake Crasher, it definitely had me feeling friskier than the average late-night blunt.

The rest of my evening rode out like the quiet storm hour on your local jazz station. The smooth citrus and berry notes lingered on my nose and tastebuds for the rest of the night. Sadly, my partner was knocked out for the night (we have kids). But Hardcore also comes with an uplifting mental rush that will easily distract you from unsatisfied desires.

I kicked back for the rest of my time with Kim’s Hardcore, enjoying the NBA finals and some late night snacks before calling it a night. The arousing effects are best compared to a glass of wine. Hardcore won’t have you out in the streets in search of anything with a heartbeat. But it does set a perfectly relaxing mood for you and a lover to intensify your connection.

The final verdict: Kim and the Aphrodisiak team delivered a super-soft flower for hardcore connoisseurs. Fuzzy and plump to the touch, this beauty breaks down easy and neat, so you and your partner can focus on making a different kind of mess.

Salute to an early pioneer of designer dank

As a New Yorker, Hip Hop head, and pothead, it was an honor to be the first to taste the Queen Bee’s highly anticipated new product.

Kim once bragged, “my girls rock Chanel and smoke mad marijuana,” along with many other raw rhymes that opened audiences up to the finer side of the plant.

Her debut album, also titled Hardcore, is certified double platinum (over 2 million units sold) and she has moved over 6 million albums total worldwide. And her Hardcore cannabis could be primed to move similar units someday.

“Trees I like ’em fine, straight up marijuan’,” rapped Kim from the backseat of a luxury car, wrapped in designer fur and leather in the 1996 music video for “Time To Shine,” combining cannabis, lust, and luxury appeal in ways few other brands or influencers ever could.

“She’s going raw,” her partner Carlos told me in February as they began building the buzz for tomorrow’s big debut. “She’s gonna make it nasty!”

Four months later, I have to give Carlos his credit for being right. Kim’s debut strain Hardcore is the real deal; A show-stopping, one-breast-hanging-out-of-your-VMA-dress kind of flower worthy of Kim’s rich legacy.

If you’re near Hollywood’s Pineapple Express dispensary this weekend, make sure to grab some and share your thoughts with Leafly.

Dan Reagans

Dan Reagans is a veteran journalist now living in Los Angeles. The Harlem native has covered culture and media for over a decade.

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If you’ve spent any time online (like here) or at your local dispensary, the most popular cannabinoids, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), and their effects might seem like old news. But as both the science and legislation around weed research improve, so does our access to the rest of the 100+ cannabinoids found in the plant, each with their own unique set of properties and experiences. 

CBG, or cannabigerol, called a minor cannabinoid since it manifests in trace amounts in most strains, has been around for years, and makes a worthy addition to your weed encyclopedia and next smoke sesh. 

The origins of CBG

While you may not have heard about CBG, humans have reaped its benefits for millennia, in both cannabis and hemp plants. It was first synthesized in 1964, alongside THC, and has been studied extensively for its medicinal potential. It’s often called the “mother of all cannabinoids” because without it, cannabis would have no high. 

You know the saying all roads lead to Rome? Well all cannabinoids lead back to CBG. 

Figure 1: CBG-A is the chemical precursor of THCA, CBDA, and CBCA (not shown). Enzymes within cannabis turn CBGA into either THCA or CBDA, which can be subsequently decarboxylated (“activated”) by light or heat energy to create THC or CBD. (Amy Phung/Leafly)

As young cannabis plants mature and begin budding, various enzymes and compounds combine to create the precursor to CBG—also called an “early-phase” cannabinoid—called CBGA. CBGA is where all cannabinoids start; as the plant nears the end of its grow cycle and absorbs more and more UV light, CBGA breaks down and converts into THCA and CBDA, the acidic precursors to our two favorite and most prominent cannabinoids, THC and CBD. Unless bred to do so, in most cases, only a very small amount will become CBG. 

CBG in hemp plants

Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp plants that contain less than 0.3% THC are federally legal. CBGA is present in both cannabis and hemp plants, and since it directly correlates to hemp plants’ CBG and CBD potency, farmers can derive CBG from hemp plants. In fact, numerous hemp farmers now breed and grow CBG-rich strains that don’t require a trip to the dispensary or a medical marijuana card to access.

Because CBG isn’t abundant in most strains, breeders have begun crossbreeding plants to achieve higher levels of the cannabinoid. Farms like Oregon CBD have won multiple awards for their White CBG strain, which contains around 10% CBG and less than 0.3% THC. 

Medical benefits of CBG

Despite its paltry numbers in mature weed buds, when isolated, CBG demonstrates a number of benefits to the human body. 

CBG, like CBD, is non-intoxicating and does not impart a high, despite its connection to THC. Research indicates it can bind to both CB1 and CB2 receptors within the body’s endocannabinoid system, meaning it not only interacts directly with the body’s internal systems, but can also counteract the effects of other cannabinoids, such as THC. 

The human body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) keeps the body in a balanced state of homeostasis via innumerable receptors throughout limbs, organs, nerves, and systems (e.g., digestive, immune, reproductive, and more). 

A 2021 patient survey indicated a majority of patients found CBG-dominant products effective in treating their chronic pain, anxiety, and insomnia, among other conditions. 

While there are still gaps to fill in the research of CBG, early findings indicate it has numerous health benefits: 

• Reducing intraocular pressure and working as a vasodilator neuroprotectant; this makes it a promising option for treating and managing symptoms of glaucoma.  
• Anti-inflammatory properties when tested on mice with induced colitis, which could prove an effective and holistic treatment for various inflammatory bowel diseases.
• Combating Huntington’s disease in mice, which causes nerve cell degeneration in the brain, by protecting neurons and stymieing progression.
• An agonist to alpha-2 receptors, which are primarily found in the nervous system and regulate blood pressure and heart rate, as well as sympathetic nervous system activity. By inhibiting them, CBG may be able to address symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.  
• High potential as a cancer inhibitor and treatment, including for breast, gastric, and colorectal cancer cells, and even glioblastoma brain tumors.   
• An antibacterial agent, even against bacterial strains resistant to other drugs. 
• Stimulating appetite, though studies have only been done on rats. This may help induce appetite in chronically ill patients or those who have lost their appetite from cancer treatments.  

Since CBG is non-intoxicating and can be derived from hemp plants, which are federally legal, it’s not a scheduled substance. This means scientists can now access funding to continue studying the full potential of this special cannabinoid. The best is yet to come!    

Differences of effects in CBG and CBD

The recent influx of cannabinoids on the market means there’s a lot more info to keep track of. At a glance, CBG may seem like a variation of CBD, as they are both non-intoxicating and exhibit similar anti-inflammatory properties. But there are key differences that may change how you consume each. 

CBG and CBD don’t bind to the same receptors in the body, and also differ on a molecular level. Because CBG can bind to the same receptors as THC, it can potentially address issues that pertain to the nervous system, including conditions mentioned above, such as glaucoma, migraines, muscle soreness and inducing appetite. 

CBD, on the other hand, may be more effective for immunity-related conditions and regulating mood disorders.  

In research, both have promise for counteracting the effects of THC, and neither intoxicate the consumer even when taken at high doses.

Weed strains with CBG

Since CBG primarily becomes other cannabinoids, most flower available to buy in licensed adult-use dispensaries will contain less than 1% CBG. 

There are specific strains, such as White CBG, that are bred by hemp farms to yield a higher CBG level, and won’t impart a high. However, even though hemp farmers can legally grow smokable CBG hemp and manufacture CBG products in states that allow it, they aren’t beholden to the same testing standards as cannabis.

Inhaling and ingesting cannabis products with a broad spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes may have better medicinal and recreational efficacy than in isolation for some individuals—this is called the entourage effect, or whole-plant medicine. Even if what you’re consuming isn’t CBG-dominant, CBG can still contribute to an enjoyable or therapeutic experience.  

We’ve rounded up some of the best high-THC strains that also express CBG: 

CBG products are popping up more and more in the adult-use, medical marijuana, and hemp markets as this cannabinoid proves again and again it’s worth a try.  

Amelia Williams

New York-based freelance cannabis journalist Amelia Williams is a graduate of San Francisco State University’s journalism program, and a former budtender. Williams has contributed to the San Francisco Chronicle’s GreenState, MG Magazine, Culture Magazine, and Cannabis Now, Kirkus Reviews, and The Bold Italic.

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