Written in partnership with New Currency Media
While Cannabis Culture makes its way into the accepted mainstream, the producers of related products and accessories are trailblazing their way into our everyday lives. Today’s paraphernalia is made to be seen and appreciated. No more crushed aluminum can pipes! Premium materials, and cutting-edge technology and equipment are now used in everything from rolling papers to home-grow systems. It’s not about just functionality, consumers want products that reflect their lifestyle and personality. 2022 brought us a surfeit of cannabis related products. We weeded through the offerings to find you the best this year has to offer.
#1 HEMPER SUBSCRIPTION BOXES
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We can’t think of a single thing as deserving of consistent replenishment as your cannabis accoutrement. That’s what this list is all about. Enter Hemper with their epic subscription boxes. The innovative online headshop, known for its unmatched selection of glass, works tirelessly to bring customers what’s best and what’s next when it comes to cannabis accessories. You should never settle for boring, and the glassmakers at Hemper take form and function to the next level with curated bongs and rigs designed in-house. Each piece tells a story, from the whimsical to the nostalgic to the just plain cool. Sometimes taking a hit even enhances the visual effect, sending swirling plumes of smoke around the piece and making it a dynamic work of art. When it comes to socializing with your friends or really getting the party started, there is no better way to put a smile on everyone’s face than with a Hemper smoker box. Opening a Hemper Box, which contains a mixture of both glass and paper products, means you’re ready for whatever the sesh has in store.
#2 AL CAPONE WRAPS
Classic rolling papers or natural leaf wrap? The team at Al Capone has their answer: Al Capone Wraps. Made from premium tobacco leaves, this is the only wrap in the market that has a double leaf; slow blunt burn anyone? Al Capone wraps were launched in 2016 following an increasing demand for all-natural tobacco leaf wraps. For smokers who want that tobacco zip in their roll, these will certainly deliver. They are packed in individual pouches, so they are always fresh; they have no thick veins and the leaf is stretchy; they are pre-cut to the perfect size and ready to roll; and they come with a self-sealing strip for easy closure. Just when you think it couldn’t get any better…they also come in 3 flavors – Original, Cognac, and Rum. Al Capone likes to say, “Real. Not Perfect.” We think these wraps are both.
#3 HØJ GRINDER AND PIPE
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Some duos just work. You can’t imagine Ron without Hermione, Silas without Jamal, or Bert without Ernie. That’s the way we feel about the KLIP grinder and KØL 2.0 pipe from herb accessory company, HØJ (pronounced “hoy” – It’s Danish for high. Wink, wink). Learning how these products work is like looking up the magician’s sleeve. The KLIP, which is actually more of a ‘slicer’, is unlike any traditional grinder you’ve ever seen; it doesn’t crush the herb. Instead, custom-built dual-blades finely slice through it, creating a much fluffier consistency that burns more evenly. The blades also protect the crystals’ integrity, resulting in a more potent experience with the same exact herb. Opposing magnets suspend the central pin in mid-air, dramatically reducing its contact with the sides through levitation (what sorcery is this?!). This enables an almost frictionless turn. Forget grinders that catch, clog and break – KLIP literally spins. The KØL 2.0 pipe has a pioneering patent micro-channel design that effortlessly strips heat from the herb mechanically, requiring no water at all (again with the wizardry!). Combined with titanium-coated filters, this results in a significantly smoother experience, meaning less coughing at the time and in the long term. Cool KØL right?
Their slogan is “Welcome to the new high.” We say, “Welcome to the new, magical HØJ, fellow Muggles.“
#4 HIGHMIND CROSS JOINTS
We don’t know which end is the apex or the vortex, but this joint took a lot of engineering! California cannabis brand Highmind (formerly Highnstein), truly stretches the potential of recreational cannabis to its limits. With their unique and proprietary method, they are providing consumers with ready-to-puff Cross Joints; no assembly required. They make a fantastic gift for friends and family, bachelor/ette parties, holidays, or as a perfect addition to any special occasion, elevating the fun of consumption to the next level. The fun continues post-puff because each Cross Joint comes with a pair of Highmind Glasses, revealing unique, hidden messages on the packaging.
While the creators want the entire experience – from opening the box to smoking the Cross Joint – to embody what the fun side of the industry can offer, they have not forgotten the actual cannabis in the joint. Filling the Cross with the best flower has always been a top priority, and recent collaborations include The Cure Company and Ember Valley, two of California’s top cannabis cultivators. Keep an eye out for future releases, including the possibility of infusion models and expanding beyond California’s borders.
#5 KOSHER NUTRIENTS GROW NUTRIENTS
Did you know that human urine can be used as a cannabis fertilizer? But the folks at Kosher Nutrients don’t recommend it. Meet the Microbrewery of the cannabis fertilizer industry. Located in the Coachella Valley, Kosher Nutrients is a small, family-owned and operated company that specializes in quality over quantity, with a very high level of customer service. The owners are passionate about the cannabis plant and making the process of delivering the right nutrients simpler, easier, and more affordable for the grower. They offer free consulting to anyone using their products, and can customize recipes and labels specifically for your farm.
Their nutrient recipe was specially formulated for cannabis and can be concentrated into a liquid, or added directly to the water reservoir without clogging lines or leaving a biofilm. Consumers are looking for small-batch, high-quality cannabis – using a high-quality, small-batch, freshly blended, local fertilizer source will give you the absolute best results possible.
#6 LOKI ENHANCED SELTZERS
Today, many of us are looking for more beneficial and substantial alternatives to alcohol, but we still want the “buzz” from having a drink. Born from that desire to have a night out without being slowed down the next day, LOKI’s founders created a tasty seltzer enhanced with Delta-8 cannabis. The unique Delta-8 formulation was geared to enhance your sense of creativity and inspiration. Imagine a more social mindset and a less intense experience than consuming the well-known Delta-9 THC cannabinoid. The Delta-8 used in LOKI’s Enhanced Seltzers™️ has lower psychotropic qualities than Delta-9 THC, potentially promoting a calmer, more focused, and clear-headed experience.
You get that sociable, creative, and inspired feeling of a nice, low-key buzz. And best of all, you know you won’t be stopping at the drive-thru in the morning for hangover help.
#7 CHILL STEEL PIPES
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You can debate the warm vs cool water in the bong question all day – sometimes literally after a few hits with each (strictly for academic comparison) – but we have to agree with the folks at Chill: The best way to smoke and chill is with the world’s first stainless steel, double-wall vacuum insulated smoking apparatus. There’s no denying cold water delivers thick, smooth, flavorful hits. Chill Steel Pipes are made of durable stainless steel, vacuum insulated like your favorite reusable water bottle to keep your water ice cold for up to 12 hours, so you can enjoy refreshing tokes all day.
We love that Chill Pipes are cool and practical; they come in a wide variety of finishes, are modular, and have a ceramic interior that is easy to clean. Mix and match the base and neckpiece to fit the mood of the day, and Chill.
#8 OOZE VAPE AND WAX PENS
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Bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. Champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is Champagne. Wax pens are vape pens, but not all vape pens are wax pens – or are they? The line between these two has become a little hazy since Ooze came on the scene. Their products are transformational by design, so you can expand your imagination with every hit. All of their vaporizers come in multiple colors, many have multiple temperature settings, and some even come with multiple coils to fit your particular need – or mood. There’s even a glass globe 510 dab attachment for your favorite Ooze pen! No matter your smoking style, there’s a vape pen to fit. Whether you like to mix it up between dabs and oil, or just stick with one, Ooze has something that will make your day a little easier. As the cannabis industry continues to quickly evolve, it’s not a bad idea to invest in a device that can be used for both cartridges and raw concentrates. Not to mention, your own preferences might change over time – like they have for bourbon and Champagne…
#9 KOALA PUFFS KOALITY BOXES
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Who doesn’t love a Choose Your Own Adventure story?! Deciding what you will do, but not knowing exactly what will happen has made many a pre-teen giddy with anticipation. What if we told you that you could recapture that tiny piece of your youth… and get high?!? You can! Koala Puffs has created their version of the choose your own adventure with Koality Boxes. They have 4 types: a Monthly Koality Box; a Heady Glass Mystery Box – that features a different glass artist for each release; the Koality Mystery Box; and the Build Your Own Koality Box. All the boxes are a surprise, but with the Koality Mystery Box and the Build Your Own Koality Box, you get to pick the types of items for your cannabis adventure. The Mystery Box gives you the choice of 420 or 710, but the rest is up to Koala Puffs. If you choose the Build Your Own Box, you pick 420 or 710 for the main piece, and then specify types of items for the rest of the box – so you know a little more about your upcoming adventure. Just like reading ahead a little before making the choice for your character (not that we would ever have done that).
#10 NUVATA VAPORIZERS
Did you know amber is a terpene? Terpenes are so useful and diverse that they are used in everything from beer and wine, to cancer treatments. (We didn’t go down a terpene rabbit hole – you went down a terpene rabbit hole!) Nuvata uses the “entourage effect” to artfully combine cannabis terpenes with cannabinoids to create luxury vaporizers. These terpene-rich and naturally flavored cannabis oil products are designed to make achieving mindfulness, wellness, and fun effortless and enjoyable. There is nothing to load, charge, or change with the Nuvata vaporizer. It is designed for on-the-go consumption and seamlessly blends into your daily routine; ready to use out of the box. The Mind Body Series allows you to curate your experiences and enhanced states of mind, and body. Now you can spend your time focused on the positive effects of cannabis (and the possibility of plant derived terpenes as a biofuel source…), not the logistics of quality cannabis consumption.
#11 VIVOSUN SMART GROW SYSTEM
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There’s nothing better than a homegrown high. And while a coffee can and fluorescent light in your closet might kind of work, Vivosun has a better way. The company was founded over ten years ago in Los Angeles and made their name innovating and producing the best grow lights on the market. Now they are the leading online retailer of indoor gardening products because they know what it takes to be a successful grower. Their products are designed to ensure that everyone can grow like a professional, regardless of experience. Vivosun has simplified the science of growing, and their smart products create the perfect environment for any plant. So go ahead and explore gardening – they say it’s relaxing…
#12 NUG EDIBLES
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We’ve all been there: Eat the edible. Wait. Eat more of the edible. Wait. Wish you had not eaten so much of the edible. NUG has devised a way to avoid that regret! NUG Fruit Chews are medicated with NUG’s nano encapsulated technology, so their chews don’t only please your taste buds, they bring potent rapid-onset relief that you start feeling in minutes! They even have indica, sativa, or hybrid infused full spectrum solventless rosin gummies for the vegans out there. But there is no denying we are all here for the chocolate. Nug has perfected the 100% cannabis distillate. Since Nug is a vertically-integrated California cannabis company, they have been able to establish organic seed-to-sale cannabis cultivation and manufacturing. They boast world-class R&D, state-of-the-art cultivation, extraction, and distillation facilities right in California. All of that is just a fancy way of saying, “Their chocolate tastes like chocolate.” And it gets you high. What more could anyone ask for?
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