Jon’s Stone Cold Quarantine Cop List: 17th Edition

Just in time for Green Wednesday, we’re back with another collection of the latest and greatest products the industry has on display. 

This month we’re talking almost exclusively flower since we’re coming out of a heavy Croptober, and stars from every level of the league are out swinging for the fences. While the top shelf is ALWAYS covered here, this one’s holding court from high percentages to high value, and everything in between. As my favorite pot journalist Jimi Devine would say, “we’re smoking for every tax bracket” here.

Before we dig in, as I was packing to head home to spend time with my family for Thanksgiving, I couldn’t help but be thankful for the crazy spiral these past almost two years has taken. Somehow between cancelled plans and mask mandates our industry has continued to dredge forward, and although taxes and the government (of every type) is still on our asses, and despite corporate weed somehow still having a market, we’ve continually proved the resilience of not only the plant, but it’s freedom fighters as well.

Sure, almost none of us are where we planned to be at this point three years ago, but we’ve turned lemons into lemonade—and a pandemic into a fkn weed parade. I’m proud of you all, and I hope you’re seeing the fruits of your labor. While there’s plenty more work to be done, we’ve never been closer to our goal.

With that, let’s dig into number 17. As always, holler with requests, things I missed, or just to complain—I’m used to it 🙂 @joncappetta

Turtle Pie’s Sunday Paper

I just can’t say enough good things about these guys. While I’m the first to admit I was way late to this party, they’ve quickly become one of my favorite producers simply because everything new I try from their portfolio knocks my socks off. Their latest showing, Sunday Paper, is worth publicizing. While I certainly see my fair share of picturesque produce, the varietals these guys bring to market consistently impress even seasoned snobs like myself mostly thanks to the incredibly pungent aroma they all pack in. While the buds themselves look as good as they possibly can, it’s the flavor you’ll remember long after the smoke clears.

Astro Hippie

While I’m typically sus of celebrity drops, here’s one to actually get excited about. I’ve been a fan of Griz’s music for years, so when I heard he was gearing up to launch of course I had to score a taste. The sax slayer has been elevating his craft for years, so it’s no surprise that he didn’t settle when it came to his buds. Launched initially in his home state of Michigan, Astro Hippie is not just an influencer owned brand with well designed branding—the buds slap too! Bringing to market three strains—Tie Dye Medusa, G Funk & Mr. B OG—all with ample nose and flavor, it seems Michigan knows better than to try and pass off some boof!

Redline’s Super Chief

I’ve said in this column before that when Red breeds something I know I’m in for a treat, but the mad scientist behind Redline Reserve has outdone himself this time. Now while I’m not one to let percentages take the wheel, this latest crop is yielding over 40 percent total cannabinoids, which is far from commonplace for the industry so far. Arguably more important, these plants are grown by true lifers, so they’re not just some guys who bribed a lab for numbers or grew purely for sales—these numbers are real, and the plants were grown for smokin,’ folks. I also got a preview of his upcoming Purple Blossom line and let me tell you, those bouquets don’t quit either. In case you needed another co-sign, hear this: you should take a trip on the redline.

Flower Company

As we get into gifting season, I think this ones an important introduction for two reasons: one, they’re price conscious, so you can afford to be generous with your gifts, and two, they provide great bang for your buck, so you can spoil yourself as well without ending up in the poorhouse. For those not in the know, the Flower Company is a membership delivery service that has some of the best prices I’ve seen in recent years. And not only are the prices good, but their buds can stand up against A LOT of their significantly higher priced competitors.

It’s worth noting that while you can get an ounce for under $100, I’d recommend *splurging* for the halves on sale at the same price—the quality increase will far offset the slimmer quantity, so both your lungs and your wallet will thank you.

Bazquiat

This one’s got a little something for everybody. While I have no idea how they’ve avoided a C&D from the namesake’s foundation, I’m on board however long this ride lasts. Put out by The Association and sporting a fit more than ‘inspired by’ the Pop-art legend, this Z cross (which is hilariously fitting given the situation) is a true work of art on its own. With a sweet aroma and beautiful purple laced buds, the Bazquiat is sure to please even the most refined pallets. While these guys were in the last Za-lympics, so I’m surely late on this call, this one gets a fat stamp of approval all the way around.

No Till Kings

I’ll be honest, I’m not one of those guys who really cares about organics. Lab made food has always been fine with me—scientifically designed to be delicious, right? So when it comes to sungrown or all natural cannabis, although I do love weed in all its forms, it’s just never really been the strong selling point for me that it is for others. That is, of course, until I started digging into the benefits of living soil. Now while I’m not here to pretend I’m some master grower or anything of the like, it’s pretty hard to deny that there’s something to this.

The No Till Kings invited me down to check out their grow and while I’ll admit much of it flew over my head, it just makes sense that a living ecosystem would produce the best products—and in pretty much the greenest possible way you can indoors. After sampling a few of their products I can confirm, the flowers were much more vibrant and flavorful than most other indoor I’ve seen of late.

Rapper Weed’s Ghost

Rapper Weed had already won me over with their numerous pop-culture flips and the fire inside their bags, but the new collab they dropped with Rook takes everything to a new level. Let me start by saying that I LOVE Casper the Friendly Ghost, so these guys were stars in my eyes before I even cracked the bag, but the flower does not disappoint. It’s worth noting that these guys are a white label operation in California, which while I know for some can be a turn off, to me just means they’re constantly ensuring the best is in their bags—not just the best they grew.

Stundenglass Kompact

I’m going to start this one by admitting upfront that I totally expected the ‘Kompact’ to be much smaller than it actually is, but I don’t know if any sane person has ever complained that a bong was too big before, so let’s get that out of the way. From a technical perspective this thing is every bit as good as it’s larger counterpart, it’s just a smidge smaller. However, the decreased size resulted in increased portability, now with an included traveling case, making this device far more maneuverable than its predecessor, and therefore much more likely to get ample usage. Although I love the old model, that ones much more of a centerpiece, whereas this one can still stop a show, but it fits much more nicely on your bar top.

Fidel’s Cookies Hash Holes

This is another one I was a skeptic on. Considering the history behind these products, I had little faith the recreational market could do justice for the ‘Super Doober’ as I like to call it. Well friends, allow me to once again stand corrected, Fidel has cracked the code. Although a bit skinnier and with less hash than you’d see on the traditional market, these heavy-hitting pro-level smokes delivery the full effect of the concentrate core combustible, and without any of the work. While I know many of us like to roll our own, rolling the extract snake is always a chore, so let Fidel take the work out of the fun. And remember, Donuts are for cops.

BTY Fresa

Now I’ve said numerous times that I’m a flavor guy, so this next one checks all the right boxes for me. BTY’s latest release, Fresa, is like a strawberry field daydream. With the sweetest nose and taste you can imagine from a cannabis plant, the smoke surely maintains the flowers allure, and set me up for a wonderfully blissful afternoon. While I know this has far less funk than the OG’s, and is much sweeter than even the Gelato and Runtz crosses flooding the market, BTY and Heisenbern certainly have a winner on their hands here, and one I expect to resonate well with newcomers to the space.