We talked with people in the local cannabis industry—from budtenders to managers and the C-suite—about their favorite products, the trends they’re excited about, and their cannabis lifehacks.
Selina Shananaquet | General Manager, The Grassy Knoll Dispensary
What’s your favorite product you carry?
My favorite product in the store is our Han Solo Burger, flower from Galenas growers. It’s a powerful and unique indica dominant hybrid strain sure to take you on an unforgettable journey. With a hefty THC content of 30% and 4.3% terpenes, this strain will provide a strong, euphoric high that will leave you feeling silly and relaxed at the same time. The unique terpene profile includes Limonene (rinds of lemons, limes and oranges), Myrcene (hops, lemongrass, mangos), and Caryophyllene (hops, cloves, black pepper), creating a truly unique and exotic flavor.
What’s a new trend you’re excited about?
Grassy Knoll is very excited about cannabis-infused beverages. These drinks come in non-alcoholic varieties and can provide a unique way to enjoy a beverage with friends without consuming alcohol. People like cannabis-infused beverages for many reasons, including the convenience of being able to consume cannabis in a drinkable form, as well as the ability to customize the potency and flavor of the beverage.
How is your dispensary giving back to the community?
The Grassy Knoll Dispensary is proud to be working with Muskegon Pride for their events this summer, we are also committed to helping local animal rescues. We provide donations and free CBD samples for the animals, and have recently purchased the five acres of land next to us, providing a safe, natural space for people to bring their pets and consume cannabis. We are also looking forward to partnering with other small business owners to offer cannabis education courses for those who would like to learn about the various benefits of cannabis.
Erin Otten | Team Member, NOXX
What’s your favorite product you carry?
My favorite product that NOXX carries right now is Animal Face from Seed Junky. It’s a rare Sativa Hybrid that makes me giggly and chatty but still able to focus on creative projects. As a seasoned smoker, I can say that I’ve never smoked anything else like it.
What’s a new product you’re excited about?
The new products I’m most excited about are the 1906 Drops. Other edibles have never really worked for me, so these fast-acting drops are perfect for me.
Lindsey MacAuley |Team Member, COOKIES
What’s your favorite product you carry?
The Breeze Astro Hippie All-in-One vape is my favorite product currently. The effects of the Breeze pens are always reliable, but I love this strain particularly for its flavor. You know how you can taste the rainbow with Skittles? You can also taste the rainbow with this Breeze!
What’s a new product you’re excited about?
A new product I am excited about is the Cali Blaze tarantula pre-rolls. I have always been a fan of Cali Blaze for its affordable and quality products, and I love tarantulas (just not the bug)!
Do you have a cannabis life hack?
My cannabis life hack for those who like smoking indoors is to use a Smokebuddy filter. Exhaling through the Smokebuddy really helps contain the smell and prevent the rest of your home from smelling like ash.
What makes COOKIES stand out?
Our dispensary is different because of our staff. Our hiring team spends hours combing through applications and resumes to ensure we are bringing in the best applicants to our team, and because of this, the team we have really shines. Most of our Google reviews are related to the excellent service customers receive from our budtenders!
Maria Wadenstorer | Chief Retail Officer, Pincanna
What’s your favorite product you carry?
We recently rolled out Funky Extracts Hot Cheese Curls and they have been a hit! These spicy Snackz are unique in the Michigan market. As cannabis increasingly becomes more mainstream, shoppers are enjoying products they are familiar with, that are cannabis-infused. Stay tuned for more Funky Snackz to be on the shelves soon.
What’s a new product you’re excited about?
We just launched our new Donuts, made fresh from our farm in Pinconning. This incorporates .7G grams of cold cure, single source Hash Rosin and 2 grams of premium indoor flower. We’re also excited about sought-after High End Hash Rosin concentrates that are in development.
Do you have a cannabis life hack?
While many use cannabis for recreational purposes, one of the most significant benefits of this plant are medicinal. I’m always amazed how products from topicals to edibles to flower can help with sleep, pain relief and more. When I feel a headache approaching, I rub some of our Michigan Organic Rub topical cream with essential oils on my temples and back of my neck – and in a few minutes, I start feeling relief.
Ashley Nash|Head Creative Designer, Pharmhouse Wellness
What’s your favorite product you carry?
Pharmhouse Flower - Lemon Royale: It’s this fantastic uplifting strain that gives that little rush of energy in smaller doses over a long period of time. It keeps you super mellow, chill, and relaxed while still motivating you through any task you’re trying to tackle.
What’s a new product you’re excited about?
I am incredibly excited about CBN and RSO products in general. As someone who has always struggled with insomnia and other health issues, both of those products have changed my life for the better. The first night I had a full night of sleep I woke excited to for bedtime later that day. I’m always so excited to see anyone else who struggles with similar health issues find CBN/RSO as their resolution.
Do you have a cannabis life hack?
I would say ‘meal-prepping’ your joints is totally necessary if you’re a regular smoker. Often times many people don’t have the time or energy to stop everything to roll a joint. Often times when you’re out and about living your life you don’t carry all their rolling supplies everywhere you go. Solution: Buy a cigarette case or a small wallet sized box. You want to make sure it’s a container that holds it shape, a lighter, and possibly smell proof. Roll all your joints in advance for the week and you’ll have them ready to go whenever you need them!
Bobby Blankshain|Lead PA, Fluresh
What’s your favorite product you carry?
My favorite product we carry, as of now, is the WYLD CBN Elderberry Gummies. Right off the bat, WYLD does a great job of sourcing quality ingredients for their gummies and it shows in the flavor. The biggest reason I like them, though, is the CBN:THC combination. I believe CBN to be a very underrated cannabinoid. I find more often than not, with our increasing screen usage, people have trouble getting sleepy and staying asleep. They call CBN the “sleep cannabinoid” and it does just that, puts you to sleep. When patients ask for powerful nighttime relief, I suggest these gummies, and people are always coming back for more.
What’s a new trend you’re excited about?
The solventless wave is coming. Already, stores are starting to selling solventless gummies and cartridges. I believe this is the trend of the future. The solventless concentrates industry is growing as consumers become more educated on topics such as processes involved in distillate production and material remediation. Solventless is the cleanest option on the market.
Do you have a cannabis life hack?
If you are looking for a better flower experience, try using hemp wick! It is a cheap, healthy way to combust plant material without butane ruining your health or flavor profile. Another great reason to use a hemp wick is that it burns at a lower temperature, degrading fewer terpenes and preserving flavor. However, I would not limit hemp wick usage to bongs or bowls; joints and blunts also get a flavor boost when lit with hemp wick.
Diana Aguila|Creative Director, JARS
What’s your favorite product you carry?
Just recently, I discovered 24K Punch Live Rosin by Glorious. The strain is an indica-dominant hybrid that combines Kosher Kush with sativa Tangie to create something quite unique. Although I normally prefer sativa-dominant strains, this indica hybrid is foolproof in the happiness department. It’s become my go-to social strain.
What’s a new product you’re excited about?
I’m super excited about the launch of my coworkers’ new brand, Edible Gem. Launching exclusively at JARS in March, AKA Women’s History Month, Edible Gem is the product of a powerful female duo from Michigan, Mandy Garmo and Michelle Gabriel. With six fruit flavors to choose from, each fast-acting ‘gemmie’ is handcrafted with 20 MG of THC to add sparkle to any occasion!
Do you have a cannabis life hack?
In case of emergency, stash your weed in different bags and or compartments. Having some pot handy is an obvious weed life hack but perhaps stashing it is better. It may seem silly now to stash weed that you aren’t going to smoke, but believe me when I say stashing it will save you a lot of hassle in the future when you run out. Thank me later.
What sets JARS apart?
From the way each dispensary is setup, to the products we carry, and our unbeatable price points - JARS serves its people. Customer service and accessibility to all are at the forefront of our business. We like to serve our customers and we do it well.
Celeste Rousseau | Assistant Store Manager, Skymint
What’s your favorite product you carry?
Definitely the Jolly 200mg Sours. They taste amazing and the high is quality. You avoid the smoke and still float!
What’s a new product you’re excited about?
For me, it’s the 2g SKYMINT Reserve Blunts with the glass tip. The glass tip has been around, but pair it with the Cake Mix strain and you’re in for a real treat. Would highly recommend.
Do you have a cannabis life hack?
Studies show that eating mango while consuming cannabis can enhance the sedative and psychedelic effects of your high.
