Author: toker

Medical cannabis dispensary opens in Ohio County, a first for Kentucky | News

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Centennials List the Best Animes to Watch While High — and Your Faves Aren’t in It

While Millennials grew up fawning over the fantastic trio of Dragon Ball Z, Pokémon, and Sailor Moon, Gen Zers couldn’t care less: they have their own icons. We may all share a love for weed, but these two generations are split by decades, and by very different vibes. It’s a well-known fact that each generation vibes with its own zeitgeist, and Centennials are drawing from new wells and going crazy for “other” works, not those we might consider “classics,” but rather, a reinvention of what we collectively call “anime to watch while high.”

It’s been this way since the dawn of time: one generation pulling away from the last. A few years ago, trap artists called indie rockers “old,” even though they were still at the peak of their careers. Later, because life is deeply cyclical, those trap artists ended up retiring, labeled as outdated by Swifties and K-pop fans. Like Grandpa Simpson said: “It’ll happen to you!” So, to start off with some dissenting opinions about what anime to watch while high, here are some recommendations from Juan Ruocco, one of the metaphysical references for internet Millennials.

Ruocco is a writer, podcaster, and prominent Argentine streamer. Seasoned by cable TV, the frenetic energy of early internet forums, and the age of online piracy (long before streaming platforms) he mentions Those Who Hunt Elves, an alternative anime that aired on Locomotion for Latin America and was available on DVD in the US thanks to the ADV Films label. “It’s a full-on psychedelic experience. In this story, a magician’s spirit is trapped inside a tank, and they have to find the spell to undo the whole thing,” he explains. The series has two seasons of 12 episodes each and, according to Ruocco, is “spectacular, highly recommended.”

For something a bit more chill, he mentions Oh! My Goddess, which he describes as “a good, somewhat romantic soap opera about a human food delivery guy and some goddesses.” And finally, he sticks to a classic (also a soap opera, but with a huge dose of science fiction) like The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love? “It’s an animated gem. You have giant robots, love, and life lessons. It’s for watching while you’re completely out of it.”

However, Gen Z has its own tastes. Many respect “the greats of Japanese animation,” but prefer other styles, crafting what might become future classics. Like young Millán, one of the hosts of Juju Podcast, a popular show specializing in manga and anime. When he’s high, Millán goes for Space Dandy, by the master Shinichiro Watanabe in collaboration with Shingo Natsume. In short: Watanabe is the author of the canonical Samurai Champloo and Cowboy Bebop, but Space Dandy is one of his lesser-known works. “The standout is the animation. It’s also hilarious, and the writing leans on clichés but pulls them off brilliantly. As for the story, we won’t worry too much about missing any important details because we’re out of our minds, since it’s much more enjoyable stoned.”

He also mentions Ping Pong the Animation, directed by Masaaki Yuasa. “Almost any of Yuasa’s work is perfect to watch while high, but some require a bit of attention to avoid missing important plot points. In Ping Pong, we’ll find dynamism, movement, speed, and completely out-of-place camera angles that will immerse us completely in a unique universe,” Millán points out.

And in that vein of works with a certain degree of organic incomprehensibility (those that, with or without weed, are inherently 420) he adds FLCL, from the legendary production company Gainax and directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki, who was in charge of the Evangelion rebuilds. “You won’t really get FLCL‘s story on the first watch; I’d say it’s the kind of show you need to see at least twice. It has everything we need to enjoy a Japanese cartoon while smoking pot: mechs, bizarre enemies, excellent music, a well-developed message, and a very nice ending,” the podcaster concludes.

Miguel, the Chilean podcaster behind 3 Ramen de Luca, is also blown away by FLCL (“a weird, short, and experimental trip”) and adds Paprika (“If you want something chaotic and visually explosive”), a sci-fi film directed by Satoshi Kon, to his list. However, when it comes to pairing anime with weed, he specifically leans towards “the last few episodes of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann,” an anime full of “fights, screams, and flashes everywhere.” And he assures us: “You end up high!”

Likewise, the alternative model Acronica is betting on Hypnosis Mic: Division Rap Battle, an anime that offers a solution to potential dilemmas: any existing tension is resolved with rap battles. “In a futuristic world, the Word Party takes power, a government of women whose first measure is to ban weapons and dictate conflict resolution through rap. Someone threatens to rob you on the street? Rap battle. Are they trying to charge you more for milk than the price marked on the shelf? Rap battle!” Acronica laughs. Her recommendation allows for healthy weed doses and is, in itself, an explosively drug-fueled work.

In keeping with the comedy, surprise, and laughter, Matías Glenadel, a journalist and one of the spokespeople for the Anime Argentina community, a digital forum where Centennials and Millennials coexist, believes that “the best anime to watch while high are those that make you laugh.” Under that premise, he points to Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun, an anime with three seasons and a fourth yet to premiere. “It’s an isekai (a subgenre of Japanese fantasy where the protagonist is transported to another world) in which a human child with a truly awful life is sent to Hell. But instead of being the horrible place we all imagine, it turns out to be much better than where he lived. There, he’s adopted by a demon who treats him like his grandson, and he starts attending high school, meeting some really funny characters,” Glenadel explains.

To top it all off, he adds Saiki Kusuo no Psi-nan, a 2016 anime with two seasons and a simple plot, without many twists and turns, but “hyper funny, especially if you’re high.” And he warns: “Neither show will give you a bad trip, since they don’t have many tense moments. I recommend Saiki more. It’s a little-known, even underrated, work. But… my God! I’ve never laughed so much with an anime!”

The classics aren’t the dominant force in the Centennials’ tier lists; right now, they’re defining their own. And this will continue until the next generation reaches for other works, even rarer, even newer. In any case, all that’s left is to light up, tune in to some of the recommendations, and let yourself be carried away by the swirling smoke, without overthinking it. Because, after all, age is just a number, and feeling young is a must to know you’re alive.

Cover photo created with Gemini.

<p>The post Centennials List the Best Animes to Watch While High — and Your Faves Aren’t in It first appeared on High Times.</p>

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7 Lesser-Known Benefits of CBD

When you hear the word CBD, what comes to your mind? Well, for most people, the first thought that comes to mind is reducing pain and anxiety. However, many other, more significant benefits of CBD…

The post 7 Lesser-Known Benefits of CBD appeared first on Greencamp.

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Here is where Alabama’s first 12 medical marijuana dispensaries are planned

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Big Alcohol Says Weed Will Make You Puke? Hmm…

In recent weeks, media outlets from Fox 8 to CNN have turned up the volume on stories about Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS), a rare but very real condition tied to chronic cannabis use. The coverage is loud, graphic, and alarmist. What it isn’t? Balanced.

Let’s be clear: CHS exists. It’s a documented medical syndrome involving cyclical vomiting and abdominal pain, most often found in heavy, long-term cannabis users. Many patients report compulsive use of hot showers or baths to relieve symptoms, a distinctive behavioral pattern that helps doctors identify the condition.

It was first identified in Australia in 2004 and recognized by the World Health Organization in 2025 with its own diagnostic code: R11.16. This will help improve clinical recognition and reduce misdiagnosis. That’s a win.

But in the same breath, let’s say something else, just as clearly: the media hype around CHS is spiraling into Reefer Madness 2.0. And this time, it comes with a new buzzword: scromiting.

A Rare Condition, Packaged as Crisis

The facts? CHS is uncommon. According to JAMA Network Open, emergency department visits for CHS rose during the pandemic, but even at their peak, they accounted for only 33.1 cases per 100,000 visits. It disproportionately affects people who use high-potency THC products multiple times daily, not the average cannabis consumer.

But you wouldn’t know that from headlines like “Mysterious marijuana-linked vomiting disorder gets official WHO code as ER cases jump” (Fox News), or “‘Scromiting,’ a bizarre condition linked to chronic marijuana use, is on the rise” (CNN), which pair dramatic anecdotes with foreboding language, often with little statistical context. Fox claimed ER cases had “surged 650%” without mentioning that most were easily treatable, non-lethal, and occurred in a narrow user population.

Scromiting Sells, Science Doesn’t

The term scromiting (screaming + vomiting) wasn’t coined by doctors: it originated on Reddit and TikTok. But news outlets have latched onto it because it’s lurid, clickable, and easy to sensationalize. And it’s working. Stories about CHS are trending, boosted by local affiliates and national newsrooms alike. Meanwhile, context takes a backseat.

Take this CNN piece, which paints a terrifying picture but fails to clearly state that CHS rarely results in hospitalization and has never been linked to a confirmed death in the medical literature.

The effect? Readers (and regulators) walk away believing cannabis is triggering a mysterious, life-threatening illness sweeping ERs. It’s not.

Follow the Money, Even If You Can’t Prove the Receipt

Is Big Pharma or Big Alcohol directly funding this CHS media blitz? We can’t say for sure. What we can say is that pharmaceutical companies spent over $5 billion on TV advertising in 2024, and networks like CNN and Fox receive a significant share of that revenue. In fact, CNN itself noted that cutting pharma ad time could “cripple” its operations.

When nearly every CHS news segment is sandwiched between ads for Zoloft, Ozempic, or Biktarvy, we’re allowed to ask: who benefits from amplifying cannabis harm narratives?

We also know that pharmaceutical and alcohol companies have historically lobbied against cannabis legalization. In 2016, opioid manufacturer Insys Therapeutics donated $500,000 to defeat adult-use cannabis in Arizona. More recently, the Distilled Spirits Council and pharmaceutical firms like Jazz Pharma have lobbied on cannabis regulatory issues in 2025.

So even without a smoking gun, the pattern is familiar: legal weed expands, cannabis replaces pills and booze, and suddenly the media discovers a new syndrome with a terrifying name.

The Right Way to Talk About CHS

CHS deserves real clinical attention. It is not a hoax, and those suffering from it shouldn’t be dismissed. But we need to talk about it the same way we talk about rare alcohol-related conditions or drug side effects: with proportionality, not panic.

That means:

• Not pretending it’s common.
• Not suggesting that all cannabis use is risky.
• Not reviving prohibition-era scare tactics under a new name.

For now, there is no large-scale evidence that casual or occasional cannabis use leads to CHS. What does increase risk? High-frequency, high-potency consumption over time. That’s the kind of nuance missing from most headlines.

High Times Stands for Truth, Not Hysteria

We’ve covered CHS thoughtfully. We acknowledge it’s real. But we also know it’s rare. And we refuse to let it become a tool of reefer-madness-style misinformation.

So next time you see a local news anchor warning you about “scromiting,” ask yourself: are they reporting science, or selling fear?

And if you’re looking for facts, not fear? You’re already in the right place.

Photo: Ellie Burgin via Pexels

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and editorial purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you are experiencing persistent symptoms, consult a qualified healthcare provider.

<p>The post Big Alcohol Says Weed Will Make You Puke? Hmm… first appeared on High Times.</p>

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Trump Weighs Executive Order to Advance Cannabis Rescheduling

President Donald Trump is weighing an executive order that would push the federal government to reclassify cannabis, a step that could mark the most significant shift in U.S. cannabis policy in decades—even as the White House cautions that no final decision has been made.
The deliberations, first reported late Thursday by The Washington Post, center on moving marijuana from Schedule I—the government’s most restrictive category, reserved for drugs deemed to have no accepted medical use—to Schedule III, a classification that would acknowledge medical value and loosen some federal controls. 

“This is an encouraging development and a strong indicator that comprehensive legalization is no longer a distant goal,” says Sorse Tech CEO Howard Lee.
The Post reported Trump discussed the potential policy change in a call that included House Speaker Mike Johnson and cannabis industry executives, alongside senior administration officials. Johnson voiced skepticism, the report said, while industry participants pressed the case that rescheduling would reduce barriers to research and help normalize a legal market that now operates in tension with federal law. 

In response to the news, Sasha Nutgent, VP of cannabis retail for Housing Works Cannabis Co. out of New York, tells Cannabis Now that with today’s current cannabis classification, “retailers are not incentivized to operate legally. Reclassification would change that for thousands of businesses, especially those owned by folks from communities most impacted by the War on Drugs.”

Industry and Markets Brace for Potential Policy Change

News of the possible executive order rippled quickly through financial markets early this morning. Cannabis-related stocks and exchange-traded funds jumped in premarket trading after the Post report, according to Reuters, reflecting investor optimism that a federal shift could ease access to capital and reduce tax burdens that have long squeezed state-legal operators. 

Rescheduling, however, would not legalize marijuana nationwide. Even supporters describe it as a narrower, technical move with broad downstream effects—especially for research, medical access and business operations—rather than a sweeping rewrite of prohibition-era policy. 

Gennaro Luce, founder and CEO at CannaLnx, powered by EM2P2, argues that “Rescheduling is an important and overdue shift for patient-centric healthcare, but the move to Schedule III alone isn’t enough to make medical cannabis more accessible or affordable.”

Luce says insurers still need verification, compliance and eligibility frameworks before they can treat medical cannabis like a real benefit. “That part of the system is still missing from the national conversation — fortunately, it’s the medical-cannabis system piece we’ve already built and tested alongside physicians, patients, dispensaries, POS systems and insurers.”

Legal Nuances Stall Progress

President Trump’s considerations land on well-trodden terrain. The modern push to reconsider cannabis’ federal classification accelerated under President Joe Biden, whose administration initiated a review that produced a recommendation from the Department of Health and Human Services to move cannabis to Schedule III. The Justice Department formally began the rescheduling process in 2024, opening the door to rulemaking that has since faced delays and political crosscurrents. 

Policy experts say an executive order can direct agencies and set priorities, but it cannot, by itself, rewrite the Controlled Substances Act. Any durable change to cannabis scheduling ultimately runs through federal administrative procedures led by the Justice Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration, including scientific findings, legal analysis and formal rulemaking steps. That legal nuance has become familiar to cannabis readers—and to anyone who has watched the issue ricochet between campaign promises and bureaucratic reality.

In past coverage of cannabis executive action, Cannabis Now has emphasized that the “stroke of a pen” theory often collides with the limits of federal authority, even when presidents or governors have wide latitude to shape enforcement priorities and regulatory posture. Still, the political stakes are unmistakable. A Trump-backed push to reschedule could scramble the usual partisan map on cannabis, where national Democrats have often positioned themselves as the party of reform while Republicans have been divided between states’-rights advocates and prohibition-aligned lawmakers.

The Post report suggested Trump views rescheduling as a way to “cut restrictions” without endorsing full legalization—a framing that could appeal to voters who support medical access and regulated markets but remain cautious about broader social change. 

For the cannabis industry, the practical implications of Schedule III are potentially enormous—but also uneven. Operators have argued that rescheduling could reduce certain federal tax penalties and make it easier for institutions to do business with cannabis companies.

Ryan Hunter, chief revenue officer for Colorado-based Spherex, a leader in cannabis extraction and purification, offers perspective: “Cannabis is still federally illegal—but even as a federally illegal substance, the move to Schedule III dramatically reduces the federal tax burden for operators. Under IRS code 280E, handling Schedule I or Schedule II substances eliminates the ability for operators to deduct standard operating expenses that most other businesses deduct from their federal taxes. As a result of 280E, cannabis operators’ effective tax rate may be as high as 80 pecent. Beyond this significant improvement, the implications are unclear, but we’re hopeful that this move will allow for cannabis operators to garner the same investment opportunities other industries will enjoy.”

Rescheduling’s Promise and Uncertainty

Analysts told Reuters that shifting cannabis to Schedule III could also accelerate pharmaceutical research and distribution models, even as state-legal markets continue to rely on a patchwork of rules that vary widely from one jurisdiction to another. Critics, including some in Congress, argue rescheduling risks moving faster than the science. The Post reported Johnson referenced studies he said cut against reclassification, reflecting a broader debate over how to weigh evidence of therapeutic benefits against risks of misuse and dependency. 

What happens next could hinge on timing and follow-through. An executive order, if issued, would likely instruct cabinet agencies to prioritize or expedite the administrative process rather than instantly change marijuana’s legal status. Even then, opponents could challenge the move politically and in court, while regulators would still need to align policy with existing federal statutes and international commitments.

“Whenever the White House moves forward with Schedule III, the federal government is effectively telling us that cannabis is medicine,” comments Calyx Containers President and Co-Founder Alex Gonzalez. “And if it’s medicine, ‘good enough’ cannabis practices won’t cut it anymore. Whether rescheduling happens next month or next year, the direction is clear: Cannabis is moving toward pharma-grade standards. For brands, that means tightening quality systems, investing in the ability to react or scale, and preparing for a regulatory-ready supply chain. We’re seeing the smart operators onshoring infrastructure, and we’re positioning our domestic production and business model on being ready to help operators turn this moment into a competitive advantage.”

In the meantime, the national reality on cannabis continues to diverge from federal law. Most states now allow marijuana for medical use, and a growing number permit adult-use sales—a shift that has normalized cannabis commerce for millions of Americans while leaving businesses and consumers navigating legal gray zones that are invisible at the dispensary counter but very real at banks, research institutions and federal agencies.

“Rescheduling is the single most important drug policy move in decades. The potential opportunities for medical and scientific research will significantly increase, while those living in states without an existing medical program will now have access to the powerful healing properties of the plant,” says Mark Lewis, president of specialty banking at Lüt.

“Make no mistake though, rescheduling is just the beginning for those working in the cannabis industry. Until the SAFE Banking Act or 280E is passed, operators will still have to jump through challenging financial hoops to pay their staff, bills or garner investment. The moment is historic, but until cannabis businesses can operate fiscally with the same ease as any other business, more work needs to be done,” Lewis continued. “Payments still need to work in the reality of today, where the ongoing threat of card network shutdowns exists, not just the promise of future reform. While rescheduling may open doors over time, it does not remove the day-to-day financial friction that cannabis operators face right now.”

Whether Trump ultimately signs an order or backs away, the past 24 hours have underscored a core truth of cannabis politics in Washington: Even incremental change can move markets, reshape messaging and reopen debates that Congress has struggled for years to settle.

The post Trump Weighs Executive Order to Advance Cannabis Rescheduling appeared first on Cannabis Now.

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They Say Trump Is Easing Cannabis Restrictions. Why That May Not Mean Freedom

Trump is reportedly weighing a directive that would push federal agencies to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, but the White House says no final decision has been made. If it happens, Schedule III would bring meaningful 280E tax relief to state-legal operators and ease some research barriers, yet it would still leave cannabis federally illegal, keep interstate commerce off limits, and preserve the basic conflict between state markets and federal law. In other words, it could be real progress for businesses and science, but it would not deliver legalization, descheduling, broad criminal justice reform or a durable national framework, meaning the hardest work would still be ahead.

President Donald Trump appears to be reopening a federal cannabis debate that has sat frozen for more than a year. According to The Washington Post, the White House is weighing an executive directive that would push federal agencies to move forward with rescheduling cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. Administration officials stress that no final decision has been made, but the signal is clear: cannabis is back on the table.

If it enacted, the shift would mark the most significant change in federal cannabis policy in more than 50 years. It would also arrive wrapped in contradiction. Just weeks ago, Trump signed a must-pass spending deal that quietly set the stage for the recriminalization of most hemp-derived THC products starting in 2026. Progress, in other words, is moving in two directions at once.

What Trump Is Considering

The Post reports that Trump met this week in the Oval Office with cannabis industry executives alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz. During the meeting, Trump reportedly phoned House Speaker Mike Johnson, who raised objections to rescheduling based on public health concerns. By the end of the call, Trump appeared open to moving forward, though sources cautioned the process is still unresolved.

This would not be a sudden reversal. Trump said publicly in August that he would decide “within weeks” whether to change cannabis’s federal classification. That timeline came and went without action, but the renewed reporting suggests the issue never fully left the White House.

Under current federal law, cannabis remains a Schedule I substance, grouped with heroin and LSD and defined as having no accepted medical use. A move to Schedule III would formally recognize medical value and lower abuse potential, placing cannabis alongside drugs like ketamine and certain prescription painkillers.

Trump cannot personally reschedule cannabis. The Controlled Substances Act gives that authority to the attorney general, typically exercised through the Drug Enforcement Administration. Still, the White House could direct the Justice Department to move the process forward without waiting on the administrative hearings that have stalled since early 2025, potentially accelerating a final rule.

Why This Matters

For cannabis businesses, the most immediate impact would come through taxes. As long as cannabis remains classified in Schedule I or II, Section 280E of the tax code blocks operators from deducting ordinary business expenses. The result has been effective tax rates that often exceed 60%.

Brian Vicente, founding partner at Vicente LLP, said rescheduling would remove that burden. “This monumental change will have a massive, positive effect on thousands of state-legal cannabis businesses around the country,” he said, pointing to 280E relief as a survival issue for operators already stretched thin.

Rescheduling would not legalize cannabis, but it would immediately change who can stay open and who cannot. For many small and mid-sized operators, that distinction matters more than market headlines.

What Rescheduling Does Not Do

Schedule III would still leave cannabis illegal at the federal level. Interstate commerce would remain prohibited. Federal criminal penalties would still exist. Workers, patients and noncitizens would continue to face legal exposure even in states with regulated markets.

Research access would improve, but within limits. Cannabis would remain under DEA oversight and FDA scrutiny. Whole-plant cannabis would not suddenly become an FDA-approved medicine, and state programs would continue operating in a legal gray zone.

Those limits are not abstract. High Times has documented how partial reforms can coexist with aggressive enforcement, most recently when the administration signed legislation redefining hemp in ways that could wipe out much of the hemp-derived market next year. That move has already sparked resistance from states and prompted questions about whether federal agencies even have the capacity to enforce the ban, a concern echoed in a recent Congressional Research Service memo.

Seen against that backdrop, cannabis rescheduling looks less like a clean break from prohibition and more like another uneasy compromise layered onto an already fractured system.

A Step Forward, Not the Destination

Supporters of rescheduling argue that formally acknowledging cannabis’ medical value is long overdue. Shawn Hauser, a partner at Vicente LLP, described the potential move as a repudiation of Nixon-era drug policy and a meaningful shift in public health thinking. She also cautioned that rescheduling alone does not close the deeper gaps in federal law or deliver the criminal justice reform many advocates continue to demand.

That tension runs through the cannabis community. Some see Schedule III as progress worth taking, even if it falls short. Others worry it could entrench federal control and tilt the field toward large corporate and pharmaceutical players. High Times has explored those concerns in depth, including our reporting on why Schedule III could be worse than standing still and how conservative policy frameworks could use rescheduling to tighten oversight rather than loosen it.

Both things can be true. Rescheduling would ease pressure on businesses and researchers. It would also leave the core contradiction of U.S. cannabis policy intact.

What Comes Next

If Trump moves forward, he would be reviving a process that began under the Biden administration, when federal health officials concluded cannabis has accepted medical use and recommended Schedule III. The DEA’s hearing process has been stalled for months, leaving the industry and regulators stuck in limbo. An executive push could break that deadlock.

Even then, the larger question remains unresolved. Cannabis would still sit inside the Controlled Substances Act. Hemp would still face a looming federal crackdown. States would still be navigating conflicts between local markets and federal law.

Rescheduling may be progress. It may even be meaningful progress. But it is not legalization, not descheduling and not the end of prohibition’s long shadow. For a plant and a culture that have waited decades for recognition, this moment calls for clear-eyed realism.

The road forward is opening. The finish line is still further down it.

<p>The post They Say Trump Is Easing Cannabis Restrictions. Why That May Not Mean Freedom first appeared on High Times.</p>

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The Best THC Gummies For Euphoric, Tasty Highs

We independently test and review everything we recommend. Our reviews are completely unbiased. When you make a purchase using our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more

Gummies surpassed smoking as the most popular method for using cannabis in 2023, according to BDSA data. While dispensary edibles are great, they’re much less widely available than hemp-derived gummies, thanks to the Farm Bill.

However, the market for hemp gummies generally lacks the strict controls of the cannabis industry, so you have to be extra careful about what you buy.

That’s why we’ve taken an in-depth look at the hemp gummies on the market, ranking them based on objective criteria for safety, efficacy and reliability, independent lab testing and first-hand user experience. These are the best ones we found.

We evaluated 87 THC gummies to put together our recommendations. After ranking 11 qualifying products based on our expert-backed framework and first-hand testing, these seven were the very best.

Best Overall

Medterra Daily Delight THC Gummies

4.5 CBD Oracle Rating ⓘ

• Type: Full spectrum extract
• Potency: 5 mg THC and 25 mg CBD per gummy
• CBD:THC ratio: 5:1 
• Top terpenes: Limonene
• Price: $39.99 for 20 gummies/100 mg THC ($0.400 per mg THC)
• Coupon: “THANKS30” for 30% off

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4.5 CBD Oracle Rating ⓘ

Why We Recommend It

Medterra’s Daily Delight gummies are one of the best options out there for recreational use because they combine a truly full-spectrum hemp extract with solid cultivation and manufacturing.

While it isn’t USDA-certified organic, the hemp is grown according to organic practices and the extract is both consistent and free from contaminants. Medterra oversees the whole process from seed to sale, and everything is made in a GMP certified manufacturing facility.

The gummies themselves also mix in CBD, CBC, CBG and CBT, as well as the uplifting terpene limonene. This gives you a true full spectrum experience, and the 5 mg THC is strong enough to feel while not blasting you off with a single dose.

CBD Oracle Lab Test

View our independent lab test.

Our independent lab test of Medterra’s Daily Delight gummies broadly agrees with the manufacturer’s COA, with close matches for CBD and THC but some differences for minor cannabinoids.

Our lab test showed 6.13 mg/g CBD and 1.16 mg/g delta-9 THC, closely matching the 6 mg/g and 1.2 mg/g in the manufacturer COA. 

The remaining cannabinoids showed small differences. CBDV, CBG and CBT were lower in our tests, while CBN, CBC and CBT were higher in our tests. These differences were all small, though.

Pros and Cons

• Genuine full spectrum gummies
• CBD, CBC, CBG and CBT as well as THC
• 5 mg THC dose is well balanced
• Contains limonene for an uplifting high
• Made with organic ingredients
• A little expensive

• Only one terpene at detectable levels
• CBD:THC ratio reduces the intensity of the high

Best Value

Summit 15 mg Delta-9 THC Gummies

4.5 CBD Oracle Rating ⓘ

• Type: Full spectrum extract
• Potency: 15 mg THC per gummy
• CBD:THC ratio: ~1:150 
• Top Terpenes: No detectable terpenes
• Price: $49.99 for 20 gummies/300 mg THC ($0.167 per mg THC)
• Coupon: “SUMMIT15” for 15% off

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4.5 CBD Oracle Rating ⓘ

Why We Recommend It

Summit is the sister brand to R&R CBD, one of the consistently best-scoring brands based on our framework. And these gummies are just as good as any R&R product. 

Lab reports prove that not only are these gummies free from contaminants; they also pack a full spectrum of cannabinoids alongside a sizable 15 mg of THC. They’re perfect for more experienced users who are looking for something to really take them to the peak. 

The THC is joined by smaller amounts of CBG, CBC, CBN and CBD, offering a well-rounded high. While terpenes aren’t detectable in the mix, the cannabinoid blend does a great job on its own. The biggest risk is taking too much – approach with caution!

Pros and Cons

• Colorado-grown hemp
• CBG, CBC, CBN and CBD as well as THC
• Excellent price – about $0.17 per mg THC
• USDA Organic hemp
• High-quality manufacturing

• Strong, but possibly too strong
• No detectable terpenes

Best Organic

Aspen Green Bliss Organic Full Spectrum Gummies

4.4 CBD Oracle Rating ⓘ

• Type: Full spectrum extract
• Potency: 5 mg THC + THCV, 100 mg CBD + CBDV
• CBD:THC ratio: 20:1
• Top Terpenes: No detectable terpenes
• Price: $89.99 for 30 gummies/150 mg THC ($0.600 per mg THC)
• Coupon: “feelgood25” for 25% off

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4.4 CBD Oracle Rating ⓘ

Why We Recommend It

Aspen Green knocks just about everything out of the park.

All of the relevant ingredients in their Bliss Organic Full Spectrum Gummies are USDA-certified organic, their extracts are produced cleanly from the flowering tops of single-strain hemp plants, their manufacturing facilities are GMP-certified and FDA-registered, and everything is tested by a reputable, accredited lab.

The gummies themselves are about as good as you’d expect given all this. With CBC, CBG and CBN in addition to the THC and CBD, they offer a rounded, balanced high and they’re also great if you’re looking for something to help you sleep.

The gummies do include THCV, which isn’t ideal in lower doses, but the overall quality is hard to fault.

CBD Oracle Lab Test

View our independent lab test.

Our independent lab test of Aspen Green’s Bliss gummies shows a close match to the manufacturer’s COA on both major and minor cannabinoids.

Our test showed 15.6 mg/g of CBD and 0.653 mg/g of delta-9 THC, compared to 16.8 mg/g and 0.8 mg/g in Aspen Green’s COA. The THC difference amounts to around 0.7 mg per 5 g gummy, which is substantial. This also means 6 mg less CBD per gummy based on our test.

However, CBC, CBG, CBN and THCV are all fairly close across both reports.

Pros and Cons

• USDA certified organic
• Colorado-grown hemp
• Flower-derived extract
• Full spectrum: CBC, CBG, CBN, CBD and THC
• Top-quality manufacturing
• Also great as a sleep aid

• Quite expensive per mg THC
• Includes THCV
• Less THC in independent lab test
• No detectable terpenes

Best CBD:THC Ratio

Cornbread Hemp Blood Orange Bliss THC Gummies

4.2 CBD Oracle Rating ⓘ

• Type: Full spectrum extract
• Potency: 10 mg THC, 10 mg CBD
• CBD:THC ratio: 1:1
• Top terpenes: Limonene
• Price: $49.99 for 20 gummies/200 mg THC ($0.250 per mg THC)
• Coupon: “LADY” for 30% off

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4.2 CBD Oracle Rating ⓘ

Why We Recommend it

Cornbread Hemp is one of the best companies in the industry, and their Blood Orange Bliss THC Gummies are a perfect example of why.

The gummies use a flower-only extract taken from Kentucky-grown, USDA organic hemp, and they’re made with organic ingredients in a GMP-certified facility. The 1:1 THC:CBD ratio expertly balances the high from THC with the calming, moderating effects of CBD.

Add in the CBC and D-limonene and it’s the perfect recipe for an uplifting THC gummy. The 10 mg dose is right in the sweet spot for more experienced users, and new users can take half (or less) and increase from there. The low price per mg is just the cherry on top.

Pros and Cons

• Full spectrum: THC, CBD and CBC
• USDA certified organic
• Flower-derived extract
• Good price per mg THC
• D-limonene complements the THC perfectly
• Well-balanced dosage

• Fewer cannabinoids than other options
• Not ideal for very low doses

Best Vegan

Vena Xtra Bliss

4.0 CBD Oracle Rating ⓘ

• CBD type: Full spectrum
• Potency: 10 mg THC, 10 mg CBD, 2 mg CBG
• CBD:THC ratio: 1:1
• Terpenes: None detected
• Price: $79.95 for 30 gummies/300 mg THC ($0.267 per mg THC)
• Coupon: “BACK50” for 50% off

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4.0 CBD Oracle Rating ⓘ

Why We Recommend It

Vena’s Xtra Bliss gummies combine a good selection of cannabinoids with a solid price per mg of THC, making it a great option if you’re looking for a balanced, blissful high.

Vena takes a lot of care over their ingredients, using all-natural flavors, avoiding preservatives, not using high fructose corn syrup, and making the gummies completely vegan.

The 10 mg:10 mg THC:CBD balance is ideal for most situations, offering enough THC for a pleasant high with the CBD to take the edge off. As well as 2 mg CBG, the gummies also include CBN and smaller amounts of CBC and CBT.

We’d have liked to see more transparency about their manufacturing, but overall the gummies are great.

CBD Oracle Lab Test

View our independent lab test.

Our independent lab test showed a very close match with the one provided to customers by Vena. In one case, the results matched down to 0.003 mg per g.

Both the original Vena lab test and ours were conducted by InfiniteCAL, so perhaps it isn’t too surprising that the results match so closely. But it’s still impressive: for instance, THC (2.33 vs. 2.28 mg/g) and CBD (2.55 vs. 2.47 mg/g) both come in less than 0.1 mg higher per g in our test.

Pros and Cons

• Full spectrum: THC, CBD, CBG, CBN and more
• Even THC:CBD ratio
• Independent lab test matches manufacturer COA
• Good price per mg THC
• Vegan gummies
• Clean, natural ingredients

• Contains THCV
• No terpenes detected

Most Potent

cbdMD Vibe Max Dose Delta-9 THC Nano Gummies

4.0 CBD Oracle Rating ⓘ

• Type: Full spectrum
• Potency: 18 mg THC
• CBD:THC ratio: ~1:300
• Top Terpenes: None detected
• Price: $59.99 for 20 gummies/360 mg THC ($0.167 per mg THC)
• Coupon: “WECARE40” for 40% off

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4.0 CBD Oracle Rating ⓘ

Why We Recommend it

cbdMD has been in the industry since the early days, and you can always be sure of quality when you’re buying from the brand.

This experience comes through clearly in their new fast-acting “Nano Gummies” – so called because of the nano-emulsified THC which absorbs quickly. This is a big selling point for these gummies, and the 18 mg per serving THC dose means they’re the best option if you want to get really high.

There isn’t much CBD, and even though the small amounts of THCV present might control the effects a little, these are not the best for new users. But if the usual options don’t hit hard or quick enough for you, these gummies are an ideal choice.

Pros and Cons

• Most potent gummies in this list
• Fast-acting, nano-emulsified THC
• Excellent price per mg
• Top-quality manufacturing
• Vegan gummies

• Too strong for new users
• No terpenes detected
• Weak cannabinoid selection

Best Full Spectrum

Five Sour Diesel Fast-Acting Gummies

3.9 CBD Oracle Rating ⓘ

• CBD type: Full spectrum
• Potency: 15 mg THC, 15 mg CBD
• CBD:THC ratio: 1:1
• Terpenes: Myrcene, alpha-humulene
• Price: $62.98 for 20 gummies/300 mg THC ($0.210 per mg THC)
• Coupon: “TRUST50” for 50% off

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3.9 CBD Oracle Rating ⓘ

Why We Recommend It

Five’s Fast-Acting Gummies do just what they claim to: offer a substantial dose of THC that takes effect quickly.

Although 15 mg is a big dose for less experienced users, it is balanced by equal amounts of CBD, as well as CBG, CBN and other minor cannabinoids. This takes the edge off the experience, alongside the calming myrcene in the mix. These are genuine full spectrum gummies, terpenes and all.

The price is also fantastic, beating out most of the competition at just 21 cents per mg of THC (with additional savings if you choose a bigger pack).

They also use many organic ingredients, but they’re a little unclear about their hemp and their manufacturing, which cost them points.

Pros and Cons

• Genuine full spectrum: THC, CBD, CBG, CBN and more
• Contains myrcene, a calming terpene
• 1:1 CBD:THC ratio
• Great price per mg
• Organic ingredients
• Vegan gummies

• Dosage not ideal for new users
• Contains THCV
• Unclear about hemp sourcing and manufacturing

Honorable Mention

R&R THC Gummies

Summit’s Delta-9 THC Gummies made the main list, but their sister brand R&R released a new THC gummy while we were working on this article. We’re only giving it an honorable mention, because the gummies weren’t tested for terpenes.

However, R&R is a consistent performer and their THC gummies are still excellent quality, made with USDA organic hemp. The 2:1 CBD:THC ratio offers a light high, balanced out by CBD and a whole spectrum of cannabinoids, including CBG, CBN and CBC.

The gummies are also made with real fruit juice, natural flavorings, and without added sugar, making them a solid option if you want an edible without unnecessary calories. The price is a little high, though.

Other THC Gummies We Considered

We started out with a list of 87 Delta-9 THC gummies, and trimmed the list down to the best candidates using some key criteria from our evaluation framework. Aside from just having a COA at all – which is a fundamental requirement – the main factors that discounted products were:

• COA Over a Year Old: Having a lab report is good, but if it’s over a year old, then it’s unlikely to reflect the product still on the shelves. The THC and other cannabinoids could have degraded in storage or – more likely – there have been new batches released which have not been lab tested. 13 products were discounted solely on this basis.
• No Full Panel Safety Test: Without full panel safety testing – including heavy metals, residual solvents, pesticides, microbials and mycotoxins – products cannot be confirmed to be safe to use. 22 products were discounted because they weren’t full panel tested.
• No Terpene Testing: Cannabinoids are only part of the picture, and terpenes bring their own effects to the table. Without testing for terpenes, it’s hard to say a product is truly full spectrum or to be sure of all the likely effects. 37 products were discounted because of this.

Discounting four products that didn’t share COAs at all, this left 11 products to be scored. Only four of these products scored over 80%, but we also included the three next-highest scorers and one honorable mention in this list. You can check the full scoring here.

Generally, most of the points lost by these brands – Kiva Confections, Hemp Bombs, Cookies and Ayrloom – were related to aspects of cultivation (e.g. organic farming, single origin hemp and single-strain extracts) or manufacturing (GMP certification and FDA registration).

Methodology: How We Ranked the Best THC Gummies

• Expert Interviews: We interviewed two experts on cannabis gummies specifically for this project, and used their insights, along with existing interviews and independent research to determine the key factors for a recreational gummy.
• Market Research: We conducted an automated search (coded by CBD Oracle) of Google and DuckDuckGo for “THC Gummies” (with additional search terms to remove some articles simply listing products), taking the first 150 results from each and any internal links, before scraping the text from all pages. This was fed to ChatGPT, which suggested two products from each brand according to our criteria. This output was checked manually to confirm, and any brands in our database not included were added manually. This resulted in 87 products.
• Product Analysis: We used the criteria described above to create a shortlist of products, which were then scored on our Product Quality Evaluation Framework.
• Independent Lab Testing: Any products scoring over 80% on our framework were sent to InfiniteCAL for independent lab tests, to confirm manufacturer claims.
• First-Hand Testing: These same products were tested first-hand by members of the Oracle team, who made notes on their thoughts and experience.

You can learn more about CBD Oracle’s product testing methodology here.

Expert Advice: How to Choose a THC Gummy for Recreational Use

We spoke to two experts in cannabis edibles to help us devise criteria and create this list. Their insights on key issues helped us throughout, and we’ve collected them here to help you choose your own ideal gummy from the multitude of options out there.

How Much THC to Look for?

The most obvious thing to look out for is dosage, but the experts we spoke to advised against simply choosing the highest dosage. Instead, they generally suggested that you “start low, go slow,” gradually increasing from below 5 mg to 20 mg or more as needed.  

Dr. Tanja Bagar, CEO and Expert Council Chairman at the International Institute for Cannabinoids, told us that:

The baseline of our endocannabinoid system is very individual and so are responses to different doses. People who have more cannabinoid receptors expressed on the cells surfaces will respond to lower doses. My suggestion would be to start with 3-5 mg dose and observe effects and then slowly increase.

And Dr. Erin Walsh, clinical pharmacist and founder/CEO at the Cannabis Compass, commented that while general guidelines usually recommend starting at 5 mg, she advises starting at closer to 2.5 mg in her clinical practice. This is especially true for older adults.

She explains, “This conservative approach is rooted in the way THC is metabolized: when ingested, it’s processed by the liver and converted into 11-hydroxy-THC, a compound that can be nearly 11 times more potent than inhaled THC.”

Adding that:

This difference in potency can catch new users off guard. Additionally, individual genetic differences—particularly in the CYP450 liver enzymes—can significantly impact how someone metabolizes THC. Depending on your genotype, you could be a poor, intermediate, regular, or ultra-rapid metabolizer. That’s why ‘start low and go slow’ is a golden rule for cannabis-naive individuals.

Other Cannabinoids and Terpenes

When you’re mainly interested in recreational use, there’s a temptation to ignore other cannabinoids and just focus on THCs. But the experts we spoke to suggested that this would be a mistake.

Dr. Bagar said:

From my perspective it’s a good idea to have non-intoxicating cannabinoids even in products intended only for recreational use. There are many benefits to ingesting CBD, CBG, CBC and other cannabinoids and besides giving a more wholesome recreational benefit, one also brings about a positive effect on the endocannabinoid system and neuroprotection.

And Dr. Walsh explained:

Cannabinoids such as CBD and CBG can help mitigate some of THC’s less desirable effects, such as anxiety, paranoia, or an overly intense high. This doesn’t mean they’ll eliminate THC’s effects entirely—just that they can help round out the experience and make it more enjoyable and sustainable.

She also pointed to some specific benefits for CBG:

For example, CBG has been shown to inhibit the uptake of anandamide, our body’s own ‘bliss molecule’ and endocannabinoid. By increasing anandamide availability in the brain, CBG may help elevate mood while also tempering THC’s intensity. So yes, if your goal is a good time, including these cannabinoids can help ensure it’s a good time and a safe one.

For terpenes, Dr. Walsh stressed that, “ultimately, it all comes down to the client’s goals. If they’re seeking mood elevation, pain relief, or sleep support, the cannabinoid and terpene profile should reflect that intent.

For instance, a gummy with linalool and myrcene might be better for relaxation, while one with limonene and pinene could be more uplifting.”

RELATED: Is Delta-9 the Same as Weed?

Just Delta-9, Or Other THCs Too?

Many gummies on the market blend multiple THCs into a single gummy. Our expert interviews suggested that this is generally OK, but not always a good idea.

Dr. Bagar, for example, pointed out that delta-8 THC can be a good option:

When different THCs are present it will usually give users a more well-rounded experience. Delta-8 THC gives less pronounced psychotropic effects, so the addition of this cannabinoid is very welcome in individuals that are prone to anxiety when using higher doses of THC.

Dr. Walsh made an important point about the many THCV-containing products out there, “As for THCV, it’s often misrepresented as a variant of THC, but it’s chemically distinct,” adding that:

Pharmacologically, THCV acts as a CB1 receptor antagonist at lower doses—meaning it can actually dampen the psychoactive effects of THC—and only becomes an agonist at higher doses. One small placebo-controlled crossover study found THCV reduced common THC effects like euphoria and altered perception. For recreational users seeking those very effects, I usually advise avoiding products that include THCV unless they specifically want a more clear-headed or muted experience.

Other Things to Look Out For

It should go without saying that you have to worry about more than just dosage and the range of cannabinoids in a gummy. Our framework is a great resource for this, but Dr. Bagar and Dr. Walsh covered most of the important ground when we spoke to them.

Dr. Bagar said:

“Regardless if we are using edibles for recreational purposes or medical, we want to ingest a product with known and tested quantity of cannabinoids and absence of contaminants. So I look for COA that is current (optimally tested in the last 6 month or max 12 month old), the lab reports need to be from an accredited lab, tested not only for potency, but also for terpenes and a broad spectrum of contaminants.”

And Dr. Walsh pointed to some less widely discussed issues:

“Beyond the basics like COAs and reputable sourcing, I look closely at the ingredients list—especially for additives that could be harmful or irritating over time. Things like artificial dyes, high-fructose corn syrup, synthetic sweeteners, excessive citric acid, and titanium dioxide are red flags for me.”

She also added that there are many good options beyond just gummies, “If someone doesn’t enjoy chewy textures—or if they’re wearing braces, have jaw pain, or simply want something different—alternatives like chocolate, lozenges, or hard candies can offer similar benefits with a different user experience.”

The Best Delta-9 Gummies: Final Thoughts

It wasn’t easy, but we couldn’t be happier with the top gummy brands that we’ve provided above. Each one of these cannabinoid companies offers gummies that your health and wellness deserve, and we’re glad to help you find which one is best. The next time you’re wanting to feel more giggly, comfortable, or maybe just relaxed, check out one of the brands on this list and let us know how much better the delta-9 makes you feel.

Related Picks

• Best Delta 9 Oils
• Best Delta 8 Gummies
• Best Delta 10 Gummies
• Best HHC Gummies
• Best THC-O Gummies
• Best CBN Gummies

The post The Best THC Gummies For Euphoric, Tasty Highs appeared first on CBD Oracle.

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10 great cannabis films that aren’t dumb comedies

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The Gardener Who Got Cannabis Moms To Breathe: A Q&A With Stephanie ‘thegardentok’ Trenkamp

For a lot of people, cannabis content starts as a joke, a trend, a way to chase numbers. For Stephanie Trenkamp, it started as survival. She was a mom in her garage, lighting up after bedtime, trying to hold it together while figuring out how to help support her family without disappearing from her kids’ lives.

Online, she tried everything. Beauty. Lifestyle. Whatever the algorithm seemed to want that week. None of it felt honest. Behind the scenes, she was using cannabis every day, yet the internet version of herself looked like everyone else’s feed. The disconnect turned into burnout, then into a decision: stop performing and show people who she really is.

When she finally posted a video of herself smoking in the lake, the response was instant. The comments came from moms, parents, people who had been hiding the same ritual for years. They were not asking for perfect content; they were asking to feel less alone. Out of that moment came @thegardentok, a platform, a podcast and a growing community of what she calls high-functioning gardeners who use cannabis to stay present, not checked out.

Since then, Trenkamp has ridden the full rollercoaster of being a cannabis creator online: viral spikes, suspended accounts, stores shut down, and platforms changing the rules overnight. Through it all, she keeps posting, keeps talking, keeps reminding people that cannabis users can be good parents, good partners, good leaders.

I sat down with Stephanie to talk about the moment she said “screw it,” how she balances marriage and motherhood with a public cannabis routine, and why making people feel seen will always matter more than going viral.

Your aesthetic and vibe online are instantly recognizable. How intentional is your brand identity, and how much of it is simply who you are at your core?

Honestly, my entire brand started as me just being me. I didn’t sit down one day and say let me create an aesthetic. I was literally a mom in my garage, lighting up after bedtime, trying to figure out my life. The vibe people see now, the bold, the humor, the smoke, the spiritual delusion, the GO ALL IN ONE YOU energy, that is who I have always been at my core. The intentional part came later. I used to hate social media. I never saw the point of it until I became a mom and suddenly needed an outlet, a place where I could still be myself while trying to build something that did not pull me away from my kids. Posting started as a way to feel less alone, like maybe there were other people out there who understood me. And then it clicked. I can literally monetize my entire life just by showing up as who I already am. Once I realized that, everything changed. I did not create a brand. I leaned into the version of me I had been hiding from this whole time.

You’ve built a calming, grounded presence in a fast-moving space. Where do you think that energy originally comes from?

My energy comes from finally getting to a place where I genuinely do not care what anyone thinks. That confidence reads as calm to people, but it is really just freedom. Cannabis was the first thing that ever helped me tune out the noise and tune into myself. It quieted the pressure, the opinions, the expectations, especially coming from a family full of law enforcement, where cannabis was never seen as normal. For me, it became the thing that helped me feel secure in who I am instead of trying to fit into a version of myself that never felt real. So that grounded vibe people pick up on really comes from being bold enough to be exactly who I am. I am willing to be polarizing. I am willing to be honest. I am willing to show up fully myself. Cannabis helped me get comfortable in my own skin and now my energy reflects that. I am unapologetically myself and people feel that.

What was your life like before cannabis content, and what parts of your background shaped the person we see today?

Before cannabis content, my life looked like every other mom trying to hold it together while figuring out how to make money for my family and still be present. I was posting online, but none of it felt like me. I was mimicking what I thought the internet wanted because I was still trying to figure out how people were actually building something real on social media. Meanwhile, I was using cannabis behind the scenes every day. But no one saw that part. I have always been someone who just goes for it. My senior year of high school, I was voted most likely to get what I want, not because I had it all together, but because I always had this belief that there will always be someone prettier, better, faster, but there will only ever be one of me. I learned early on that you have to be your own biggest fan in your own head if you want to be successful at anything. People will doubt you. People will misunderstand you. People will try to stop you. I have never let that keep me from trying and doing what I want to do.

My background shaped so much of who I am today. I worked in the beauty industry for years, which taught me how to talk to people, how to turn it on, how to connect, how to sell, how to be charismatic. I have always been creative. I studied graphic design. I have always had that mindset of if something does not work, keep going. I was never the person who quit. I was the person who kept failing forward until something finally clicked. Then one day, I saw creators posting cannabis content online and something in me finally said screw it. I posted a video and within an hour, it passed a million views. Moms were commenting that they felt so seen. And for the first time in my entire journey, I thought, “This is it. This is what I am meant to be doing.” I stopped trying to be what I thought the internet wanted and started being who I actually am. I have been a cannabis user for over a decade. I always wanted to be part of this space, but I just did not know how to fit into it until that first post. Once I went all in, everything aligned and everything exploded. And looking back, it makes perfect sense. Every job, every skill set, every risk, every moment of failing forward built the person people see today. Which is really just the same person I have always been: me.

Everyone has a turning point. What was the defining moment that pushed you toward becoming a cannabis creator?

The real turning point for me was burnout. I was creating content that looked like everyone else’s because I was still trying to figure out what my place was online. Nothing felt authentic. Nothing felt fun. It was like I was performing instead of actually showing up as myself. At the same time, I kept seeing cannabis creators getting this massive response. People were relating. People were talking openly. People were finally being honest about something I had been doing behind the scenes for years. And something in me finally said, “That is who I really am. That is what I actually love. That is a conversation that needs to be louder, especially for moms and parents who feel like they have to hide this part of their life.” So one day, I just hit that mental point of screw it. Why am I hiding this? Why am I pretending to be someone else when the real me is right here? I picked up my phone, filmed a video of me smoking a joint while floating in the lake, and posted it with zero expectations. That moment of saying screw it changed everything. It was the first time I chose to show the world the part of myself I had been afraid to share. And that decision is what started everything that came after.

When you first started posting, did you ever imagine your platform would grow into what it is now?

When I first started posting, I was not thinking about going viral or building a huge platform. I just wanted to finally show the world who I really was and see if anyone out there felt like me. But I will also say this: a part of me did expect it. I mean, at the end of the day, I had already built up a large following from posting about something I didn’t really love. So I knew if I could do it once, I could do it again. Because desire without expectation is just wishful thinking, and I have always had the desire to be in this space. Every time I tried something new online, I could feel that pull, that knowing that there was something more for me, and I just had not found it yet. When I started posting cannabis content, it was the first time in my life that something did not feel like work and I could still make a living doing it. I love creating it. I love talking about it. I love the people it brought into my world. And the messages—thousands of them. Comments, DMs, shares. Moms, dads, and grandparents saying I feel so seen. People saying you are me. Can we be friends? I have never felt this understood. I love you for saying what I cannot say out loud. You’re my favorite account on Instagram. That was when I realized it was bigger than me. It was not just content. It was connection. It was community. It was giving people a safe place to breathe and be themselves in a world that tells them to hide. It was about being honest and unapologetic about something society has judged for so long. So yes, part of me always expected something big to happen because I believed it would. But I never imagined it looking like this. I never imagined it would turn into a movement of people who finally feel seen. I am so grateful that this is my life and that I get to make people feel understood in places where they may not feel understood at home or in their community. That means more to me than a large following. Making people feel seen is the whole point.

How do you balance marriage, motherhood, and your personal cannabis routine in a way that keeps your home life strong and grounded?

Honestly, balance is a myth. I do not think anyone is perfectly balancing marriage, motherhood, building a business, and having any sort of routine. I think you just learn how to be self-aware enough to know what you need and when you need it. Cannabis is part of that for me. It keeps me regulated, present, patient, and grounded. It helps me show up as the mom and partner I actually want to be instead of the stressed-out version of myself that used to run the show. In my marriage, I am very open about it. There is no sneaking around, no shame, no pretending. My husband knows cannabis is part of who I am and part of what helps me stay centered. When I feel good, my home feels good. And when the energy in the house is off, everyone feels it. So for me, cannabis is not an escape. It is a tool. It is something that brings me back to myself so I can show up for the people I love without losing my sanity. So I do not balance everything. I just allow myself to be human. I let myself take space. I let myself use the tools that support me. And cannabis is one of those tools. It keeps me grounded in a life that could easily feel chaotic if I let it. It helps me show up with love instead of overwhelm. That is what keeps my home strong.

How did your husband respond to your content journey early on, and what role does he play in the life you’re building today?

My husband has always supported me in every single thing I have ever done, and I know how rare that is. Especially because he is a retired police officer who comes from a world where cannabis is not just stigmatized but completely frowned upon. So to have someone like that stand behind me, even when he did not fully understand what I was doing, is something I do not take lightly. Before cannabis content, I was a stay-at-home mom, and he supported that fully, but I still felt this deep pull to contribute in my own way. When you have kids and your partner works in a dangerous line of work, you start thinking about stability and protection in a different way. That is what pushed me to start posting online in the first place. I wanted to build something that could take care of my family if life ever forced me to. In the beginning, he supported me even though he did not get it. And I do not blame him. Most people do not understand the online world until they see results. I think it was not until I started making a substantial amount of money that he had that “holy-crap” moment. That was when everything clicked for him.

When I shifted into cannabis content, I think he was skeptical at first, and honestly, it made sense. He came from a world where this could cost someone their career. But the one thing about my husband is that he will never try to hold me back from who I am or what I want to do. He trusted me. He trusted my vision. And now I think he is incredibly proud of what I have been able to build in such a short amount of time. I am sure he doubted it at moments. I am sure my family doubted it. A lot of people did. But I never did. I always knew this would become something real, and I never put a timeline on it. I did not need instant results. I just believed it would happen because I was willing to show up for it every day. That detachment from the timeline is what made this grow as fast as it did. His support mattered. Not everyone gets that. And I know how lucky I am to have someone who believed in me even when the vision was not clear yet. Now he sees what I always saw, and we get to build this life together.

Your audience feels a real emotional connection to you. What do you think people are truly coming to your page for?

People are not coming to my page for perfect content. They are coming because they finally feel like they can breathe. They feel seen. They feel understood. They feel less alone in a world that expects them to pretend all day long. My audience is full of people who have been hiding parts of themselves for years. Moms who feel guilty for needing a break. Women who have been holding their families together with zero support. Creators who feel lost. People who love cannabis but have never had a safe place to say it out loud. They come to my page because I talk about the things they whisper about in private.

I think people connect with me because I do not show up as a highlight reel. I show up as a real human. I show up messy, spiritual, sarcastic, emotional, growing, learning, healing, failing forward, figuring it out, being bold, being loud, being myself. And that gives people permission to be themselves, too. People are coming to my page for honesty. For comfort. For humor. For a break from the pressure to be perfect. For a sense of community that feels safe and nonjudgmental. For someone who is not afraid to say the things they are afraid to say. At the end of the day, they are not coming for me. They are coming for how they feel when they are here: seen, validated, free. And that is the whole point of everything I post.

Cannabis affects everyone differently. How would you describe the version of yourself that emerges when you consume?

The version of me that comes out when I consume is the version of me that finally feels safe to exist. Cannabis quiets the noise in my mind and brings me back into my body. It softens the edges. It pulls me out of survival mode. It slows the world down just enough so I can actually hear myself think.

And honestly, I have never been good with alcohol. It never made me feel like myself. It never grounded me. Cannabis was always the thing that made me feel better, calmer, more centered, and more connected. It supports me instead of throwing me off balance.

When I consume, I become more patient, more present, and more playful. I am a better mom because I am not operating from stress. I am a better partner because I can listen instead of react. I am a better creator because my ideas flow without overthinking. I feel regulated instead of overwhelmed.

Cannabis enhances the parts of myself that I love the most. My creativity. My humor. My intuition. My ability to slow down and actually enjoy my life. It reminds me that I am allowed to feel good. I am allowed to take up space. I am allowed to show up exactly as I am. And that is the version of me I choose every time.

What part of your real life influences your content the most: your relationships, your routines, your mindset, or something else?

My real life influences everything I create because my content is literally my life. I am not performing. I am documenting. If I had to choose the part that influences me the most, it would be my mindset. Mindset is the reason I show up the way I do. It is the reason I am able to turn my everyday chaos into something relatable and funny. It is the reason I can take the most stressful parts of motherhood or marriage or running a business and turn them into content that makes people feel understood. My relationships and my routines definitely shape my content, too, but they shape it because they keep me accountable to who I want to be. My marriage keeps me grounded. My kids keep me honest. My routines keep me sane. But my mindset is what helps me navigate all of it and still show up online with clarity and confidence.

I think people connect with me because I create from real life, not a highlight reel. I talk openly about the mess, the overwhelm, the self-doubt, the mom guilt, the cannabis shame that so many people still feel, and the work it takes to grow out of that. My content is influenced by the version of me who refuses to shrink, who refuses to hide, and who knows that being honest about my life gives other people permission to be honest about theirs. So yes, my relationships and my routines matter, but my mindset is what drives all of it. It is what keeps me anchored in the middle of motherhood, marriage, business, and everything else. It is the reason my content feels like a safe space for people. And it is the reason I show up the way I do every single day.

Social media is unpredictable and demanding. How do you stay authentic in a world obsessed with trends and virality?

Honestly, staying authentic is easy for me now because I have already lived the phase of trying to be what the internet wanted. I chased trends, I copied what everyone else was doing, and none of it felt good. The second I started creating from who I am instead of what was popular, everything shifted. I do think trends can help. If a trend feels good and it fits who you are, do it. It can boost growth. But it is not the end-all-be-all of building something real online. Most of my viral posts are the ones I spent the least amount of time on anyway. That is why I always tell people to throw spaghetti at the wall in the beginning. Try everything, test everything, and when you find what works, double down on it.

A lot of people start posting for themselves first, which is understandable, but if you want real growth, you have to create content for other people first. The goal is to make someone feel seen, heard, understood, less alone. And the magic is that once you do that, you end up creating for yourself too, because the content still has to feel good and aligned or people know instantly. Repetition kills all doubt. The more you post, the better you get. The more you post, the more analytics you have, and the easier it becomes to see patterns and understand what people truly respond to. But there is also something powerful about creating a piece of content simply because it feels like you, regardless of whether you think it will go viral. I have a good balance of both. You have to trust that your content will reach the right people, even if you do not see results right away. The internet will tell you very quickly what it likes and what it does not. That is why trying a bunch of different things matters so much. You need the information. You need the data. You need the feedback.

But at the end of the day, the content has to feel good to you or it will never be sustainable. I stay authentic because I only create what feels aligned, what feels fun, and what feels true to who I am. That is the balance. That is the secret. And that is why my audience connects the way they do.

What has cannabis taught you about yourself that you may not have learned otherwise?

Cannabis has taught me more about myself than anything else ever has. It taught me how to slow down. It taught me how to listen to myself instead of reacting to everything around me. It taught me how to get out of survival mode and actually be present in my life. I think the biggest thing it taught me is that I do not have to be the strong one all the time. I do not always have to push through everything. I do not always have to carry everything alone. Cannabis showed me that I am allowed to take up space, breathe deeper, feel good, and exist without guilt. It also taught me how creative I really am. It unlocked parts of my mind I never gave myself permission to explore. It showed me that I can build a life, a business, a community, simply by being myself. I do not think I would have learned that without cannabis. And honestly, it taught me acceptance. It taught me to accept who I am instead of trying to fit into what society or even my own family expected from me. Growing up around law enforcement, there was always this unspoken pressure to be a certain way. Cannabis helped me break that mold. It helped me realize that I am allowed to choose my own path and I am allowed to build a life that makes sense to me, even if it looks nothing like what I was raised around.

If you weren’t creating cannabis content, what other path or passion do you think you naturally would have followed?

If I were not creating cannabis content, I would still be creating something. I have always had that drive in me. I have always been creative, always been entrepreneurial, always been the type of person who cannot sit still and just accept a life that does not light me up. I also have a background in beauty and graphic design, so I know I would have still been creating. But honestly, I think I would have found my way into the online world no matter what. I have always been drawn to creating, building, connecting, and making people feel understood. Cannabis just gave me the clarity, the confidence, and the community I had been searching for all along. So even if the path would have looked different, the mission would have been the same. Helping people feel seen, helping them feel less alone, and building a space where they can show up exactly as they are.

You’ve built a loyal community. What values matter most to you when it comes to nurturing that connection?

I think the biggest value in my community is that I am simply myself. I am not afraid to speak my mind. People come to me because I am honest about my experiences and I am not here to sell them on anything. I am here to tell the truth, or really my truth. And I always remind people that they should never take my advice as absolute. What works for me might not work for them. Everyone has their own path. Everyone has their own timing. I think people feel connected to me because I give them permission to be themselves. I show them that it is okay to have a different opinion. It is okay to go against the norm. It is okay to live your life in a way that other people might not understand. The real work is having that confidence in yourself and trusting that you are doing what is right for you.

I am big on coaching yourself through life. Parenting yourself. Being your biggest fan. Reminding yourself that everything is working out for you, maybe not in the way you expected, but always in the way it is meant to. To me, faith is believing in something you have never seen but choosing to believe in it anyway. That is how I built this. That is how I kept going even when no one understood what I was doing. I think that is also why my community feels so loyal. People can feel my authenticity, but they also feel the freedom to form their own opinions. I never force anything on anyone. I share my life and they take what resonates. That is the value I care most about. Creating a space where people feel safe, where they feel seen, and where they feel empowered to believe in themselves, too.

Every creator has moments of doubt. What keeps you centered when the pressure of visibility becomes overwhelming?

I have moments of doubt just like everyone else, but for me, the doubt usually shows up when the platforms take something away that I worked so hard to build. Cannabis is still a huge gray area online. So when you create something beautiful, when you grow a big community, when you pour your heart into it, and then your account gets suspended or restricted or deleted, it is a real gut punch. It makes you question everything. Is this a sign? Am I supposed to be doing this? Is it worth it? But that is also the moment you either give up or you lean in.

And every time it has happened to me, I chose to lean in. My account has been suspended three times. I got kicked out of Stan Store as an ambassador for my cannabis content. I have had content flagged for absolutely no reason. I have had every odd stacked against me in this space, like so many of us have. But I never let that stop me. If anything, it made me push harder. That is why I built so many outlets outside of one platform. My Skool community, the Garden Tok podcast, multiple Instagram accounts, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube. I learned very early on that in the cannabis space, you have to cast a wide net because visibility is never guaranteed. And when you already know that is part of the journey, the hits still hurt, but they do not knock you down the same way.

What keeps me centered is remembering why I started. I did not do this to be perfect or to go viral. I did this to help people feel seen. I did this to give a voice to people who feel like they cannot speak openly. I did this to create a space where people can be themselves without shame. So when things get overwhelming, I ground myself in that truth. This work is bigger than me. It is about the community. It is about the people who feel seen because I showed up. And as long as that stays my focus, no suspension, no algorithm, and no platform can take away what this truly is.

What do you think is the most misunderstood part of being a woman in the cannabis space?

I think the most misunderstood part of being a woman in the cannabis space is that people still assume we are lazy, unmotivated, unsuccessful, uneducated, unattractive, or sitting around in pajamas all day doing nothing with our lives. There is this stereotype that if a woman consumes cannabis, she must be a bad mom, a bad partner, or someone who does not have her life together. So when people see a normal woman or an educated woman or an attractive woman or a successful woman who also consumes, it shocks them. It challenges everything they thought they knew. They do not expect a woman who handles her home, her family, her business, her mental health, and her life to also be someone who tokes. And I think that is exactly why this space needs more women speaking up.

I have all sides to me. I am a mom, a wife, a business owner, a creator, someone who showers, someone who gets ready, someone who takes pride in her life, someone who loves cannabis, and someone who is successful because of who she is, not in spite of it. Showing all of those sides is empowering because it forces people to question the outdated version of what a cannabis consumer looks like. To me, the most misunderstood part is that women who consume are somehow less than. And it could not be further from the truth. We are smart, driven, ambitious, attractive, educated, loving, present, and powerful. We just also happen to love cannabis. And that does not diminish us. It amplifies us.

As your platform grows, how do you maintain balance between public persona and private identity?

The way I stay balanced between my public persona and my private identity is by remembering that I get to choose what I share. People think I put my whole life on the internet, but the truth is, I only share what I want to share. I let people see the parts of me that feel aligned, honest, real, and helpful. The rest stays with me, my family, and my home. I also remind myself that my online self and my real self are not two different people. I do not play a character. What you see online is who I am in real life. I think that is what makes balance easier. When you are not performing, you do not have to manage two identities. I am the same person whether I am on camera or off. I am just more selective with what I allow the world to witness. Setting boundaries has been huge for me. My marriage is sacred. My kids are sacred. Certain parts of my daily life are sacred. The internet does not get access to all of that, and it never will. People see what I give them, not everything that exists. And that is what keeps me grounded.

I also think cannabis helps me stay connected to myself. It keeps me present. It keeps me regulated. It helps me hear my own thoughts instead of everyone else’s opinions. That makes it easier to show up online without losing myself in the noise. At the end of the day, I know who I am when the camera is off. I know my values. I know my intentions. I know my worth. And as long as I stay rooted in that, I can show up publicly without ever feeling like my private identity is at risk. The key for me is simple. Share honestly, but not everything. Protect what matters. And never let the internet define who you are.

What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in the cannabis world, and how did you push through them?

The biggest challenges in the cannabis world have always been the restrictions and the stigma. My content gets taken down for no reason. My accounts get suspended. I get shadowbanned. I have had my store shut down. I have had platforms delete things I worked months on. And the frustrating part is that people posting the same thing never get touched. It feels like the rules are constantly shifting and women especially get hit the hardest. The other challenge has been the assumptions people make. The judgment. The idea that moms who consume cannot also be great moms or successful businesswomen. I have had to fight that stereotype the entire time I have been in this space. But honestly, it only made me louder. I knew that the only way to break the stigma was to exist publicly as a normal woman who loves cannabis and is still a phenomenal mom, wife, and entrepreneur.

I pushed through all of it by refusing to give up. Every time a platform took something from me, I built something new. When Instagram suspended me, I started growing on TikTok. When TikTok slowed, I built my Skool community. When Stan Store kicked me out, I turned to other platforms and made them work. I learned very fast that in the cannabis space, you cannot rely on one outlet. You have to cast a wide net. You have to build a real community that lives beyond just one app.

What kept me going was knowing that this is bigger than me. It is not just about my content. It is about the people who tell me they feel less alone because I show up. It is about giving a voice to people who feel like they cannot speak openly. When I remember that, I do not break under the pressure. I adapt. I push harder. I innovate. Every challenge taught me something important. Even if the platforms try to silence us, the community keeps growing. As long as I stay rooted in why I started, nothing can stop me.

For people who want to follow in your footsteps, what advice would you give to aspiring cannabis influencers who are just starting their journey?

My first piece of advice is to just start. Do not wait to feel ready. Do not wait for the perfect lighting, the perfect background, the perfect confidence. You only get better by doing. Repetition kills all doubt. The more you post, the better you get. The more you post, the more data you have. And the more data you have, the easier it is to see what works and what does not. You also have to be honest. People can feel when you are performing. People can feel when you are chasing attention. People can feel when you are hiding parts of yourself because you are scared of judgment. If you want to grow in the cannabis space, you have to be willing to show up as who you really are. Not the polished version. Not the version you think the internet wants. The real you. Try everything in the beginning. Do humor. Do educational content. Do storytelling. Do day in the life. Do mindset. Do whatever feels good. The internet will tell you very quickly what people connect with. And when you find the thing that works, double down on it. Protect your mindset. This space is not easy. Your content may get taken down. Your account might get flagged or suspended. Brands might be hesitant. People may judge you. And you will question yourself at some point. Expect that. Know that it is part of the process. When it happens, do not quit. Lean in. Build across multiple platforms. Build a community that exists outside of one app.

Create content for other people first. Make them feel seen, heard, understood, safe. When you create from connection instead of ego, your growth will be faster and more meaningful. But at the same time, make sure the content also feels good to you. If it does not feel aligned, you will burn out. And lastly, have faith. Real faith. The kind where you believe in something you have not seen yet. Believe in yourself when no one else does. Believe in your path even when it makes no sense. Believe that everything is working out for you, even when it feels like things are falling apart. If you keep going, keep posting, keep learning, keep adjusting, and keep trusting yourself, you will be shocked at how fast your life can change. The world needs more people who are not afraid to be themselves. Be that person.

When you think about everything you’ve created so far, what do you want people to feel or understand after reading this interview?

What I want people to feel after reading this interview is possibility. I want them to understand that I did not build any of this because I had the perfect plan or the perfect confidence. I built it because I finally stopped hiding who I was. I leaned into the parts of myself I was taught to quiet. And I trusted that there were people out there who needed exactly that version of me. I want people to understand that you do not have to fit a mold to deserve a good life. You do not have to be perfect to be successful. You do not have to wait for permission to be yourself. You can be a mom, a wife, a creator, a leader, a cannabis user, a spiritual person, a messy person, a growing person, all at the same time, and still build something you are proud of.

I want people to know that their voice matters. Their story matters. Their truth matters. Even if it scares them. Even if the world misunderstands them. Even if the odds feel stacked against them. I want them to walk away knowing that the moment you stop performing and start being who you actually are, everything in your life starts to align. And most of all, I want them to feel seen. Because that is the whole reason I started. I want people to know they are not alone. I want them to know there is nothing wrong with them. I want them to know that cannabis does not make them less than. It does not make them a bad parent or a bad partner or a bad person. It is simply part of who they are, and they deserve to feel safe in that truth. If someone leaves this interview believing in themselves a little more, trusting their path a little more, or feeling a little less alone, then I did exactly what I came here to do.

This article is from an external, unpaid contributor. It does not represent High Times’ reporting and has not been edited for content or accuracy.

Photos courtesy of Stephanie Trenkamp

<p>The post The Gardener Who Got Cannabis Moms To Breathe: A Q&A With Stephanie ‘thegardentok’ Trenkamp first appeared on High Times.</p>

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