If you are an OG Kush Queen, you might already know that some of the inspiration behind this brand came from a vape sold by The Crystal Cult, Olivia’s first business. That vape was called "Kush Queen"

Kush Queen is Selling Vapes Now? How Did We Get Here??

Not everyone knows this, but we actually sold vape pens for years, long before #vapegate! So, you could say we know a thing or two about them. It's how we got our namesake Kush Queen after all. 

The Crystal Cult (Olivia's first business) focused on crystallizing accessories, specifically vape batteries and sunglasses, and creating a community where female cannabis consumers felt seen. This community grew to be one of the largest online communities for women who smoke. 

Olivia Alexander holding a vape from The Crystal Cut

 

The number one question from our customers then was if Kush Queen would create its own cartridges? Keep in mind this was in 2015, a pre-farm bill reality, so selling a cannabinoid vape online was sadly not an option. Although we did (for a short time) make vape cartridges in the medical market, expanding this product line never came to fruition.  

Fast forward a couple of years, and Kush Queen is born out of The Crystal Cult. Over the last seven years, we have perfected honoring the plant in its highest form, no matter the delivery method. When our product development team began discussing vapes, we knew they had to be of superior quality.

More than that, as cannabis lovers ourselves, the overall sentiment is there aren't any vapes we really feel comfortable buying and enjoying. 

The Crystal Cult Pride Vape Pen

Introducing Kush Queen Live Resin Vapes

Our live resin vapes are a full circle moment! Here is what you need to know about them.

Not All Vapes Are Created Equally

Cartridges and vapes can get a bad wrap. Depending on its ingredients, extraction process, and most importantly, cannabinoid profile, vapes aren’t always super focused on quality. 

Of course, when we set out to bring a cartridge to the KQ community, a high-quality product that honors the flower in its highest form was most important to our crew. We knew our Kush Queen vapes had to be made with live resin and diamond sauce.

Our live resin diamond sauce is a connoisseur-grade extract of trichomes from fresh, frozen, and strain-specific cannabis flower. By sourcing the cannabis concentrates from freshly frozen whole cannabis plants instead of cured/dried material, more of the original terpenes stay preserved in the final extract. 

The result is a super clean concentrate full of flavor-forward terpenes and a cannabinoid profile closer to that in the original strain. Our current strain offerings include Sour Space Candy and Sour Suver Haze

Kush Queen Sour Space Candy Live Resin Vape
Kush Queen Sour Suver Haze Live Resin Vape

Natural Occurring Flavor is The Shining Star of Live Resin

Kush Queen live resin vapes are delicious, smooth, and the perfect balance of an uplifting and heady buzz. Once you taste the flavor of KQ’s magical terpene-rich sauce, you won’t want anything else. 

Why is flavor such a big factor in live resin?  

Time to get technical! We love live resin because it is more flavorful and “terpy” than other concentrates. In preserving trichomes and terpenes, this type of concentrate retains the flavor profile of the original plant. Preserving trichomes also keeps cannabinoids intact - this translates into you tasting more of the plant and getting more of the whole profile of smell, taste, and beneficial effects. 

Model smoking Kush Queen Live Resin Vape

Your Battery and Voltage Setting Matter

Heat is a big factor when vaping live resin, which means your battery of choice is important. Vape cartridge batteries come in two main forms: one that offers different heat or voltage settings and one that is pre-programmed with a set voltage setting. 

We recommend choosing a battery that gives you the option to change the heat or voltage setting for a more accurate and even "burn". 

Olivia Alexander and friend enjoy Kush Queen's Live Resin Vapes

 

Pro Tip: When vaping Kush Queen’s Live Resin Cartridges, the optimal setting for your battery is between 2.8 - 3.2 volts.

Generally speaking, vaping at lower temperatures offers more flavor-forward vapor draws, but will have a milder intensity and may require more puffs to get the desired level of intake. 

Higher voltages will typically deliver large vapor plumes but may sacrifice flavor as the terpenes inside carts are more sensitive to heat exposure. 

When you are looking for a cannabinoid vape, be sure to understand what it’s made with and the care put into each cartridge. Ask your budtender about the brand, too. Doxxing cannabis companies should be as common as asking about THC percentages. 

At Kush Queen, live resin is the only option! Our new Live Resin Vapes delivers a flavorful, smooth, "terpy", and delicious experience you can enjoy discreetly and on the go.

Treat yourself this Summer with Kush Queen's NEW Full-Spectrum Live Resin Vapes!

Written by Arian Roman

As 2022 marches on, we can observe tangible changes in the celebration of Black History Month, Pride Month, and (now) Juneteenth. 

What Does Juneteenth Represent?

On June 19, 1866, a year after the emancipation announcement, freedmen and women in Texas formed the first annual  "Jubilee Day". Early celebrations of this holiday were primarily used as political rallies to give voting information to newly freed African Americans. 

In 2016, at the age of 90, Opal Lee, the "grandmother of Juneteenth", walked from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington D.C. to petition for federal holiday status. Juneteenth finally became a federal holiday on June 17, 2021. Juneteenth is the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day became one in 1986. Juneteenth is a day of celebration and remembrance that although slavery has ended, there is still so much work to be done in the United States.

Opal Lee, 94, and hundreds of others walk towards downtown Fort Worth from Evans Avenue Plaza during the first national Juneteenth holiday on June 19, 2021
Opal Lee, 94, and hundreds of others walk towards downtown Fort Worth from Evans Avenue Plaza during the first national Juneteenth holiday on June 19, 2021. (Photo by AMANDA McCOY via Star Telegram)

Opal Lee with President Biden and VP Kamala Harris

US Vice President Kamala Harris and Opal Lee (2nd L), the activist known as the grandmother of Juneteenth, with US President Joe Biden before signing the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, in the East Room of the White House, June 17, 2021, in Washington. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Cannabis History and Black History Are Closely Tied Together 

Enslaved laborers work on hemp farm. Source: John Winston Coleman Jr. via the University of Kentucky.

“Black history is cannabis history. Black history is the United States history. The good, the bad, and the ugly are all permanently interlaced. So when we celebrate hemp legalization or pop fireworks on July 4th, we also need to acknowledge in the same breath that Black people’s literal blood, sweat, and tears are behind those celebrations.”

– DM Blunted

 

American cannabis is deeply intertwined with Black history and our nation’s troubled legacy of institutionalized racism. In fact, in the United States, cannabis was originally cultivated by enslaved people. Born in Kentucky, the American hemp industry flourished because of the forced labor of West Africans in which they grew the hemp seeds carried by their Virginian slave-masters. Kentucky became the biggest producer of American hemp and home to one of the largest populations of enslaved people. Things remained this way for almost a century until the Civil War forced a decline in demand.

Cannabis Businesses Have a Unique Role in the Celebration of this Holiday

We must not forget that black and brown folks sit behind bars in cities and states where recreational and medical cannabis prohibition continues. Even in Colorado, where adult use is legal and cannabis consumption is equal across racial demographics, Black people face much higher arrest rates than white people. Although cannabis arrests are down, there is a distinct and unsettling racial disparity. 

With legal cannabis programs in place, the public eye is finally addressing the cannabis-related inequalities and injustices in communities of color. These discussions range from equity programs that include business incubation, technical assistance, and distribution of new business licenses to no-charge expungements for cannabis-related arrests. 

Graph of racial disparities in cannabis arrests (2018)
(Image by SHAYANNE GAL/Business Insider)

Juneteenth is an example of a holiday that only Black businesses should rightfully commoditize. For some African Americans, Juneteenth is synonymous with financial liberation. The legalization of cannabis and the creation of social equity programs do not equal reparations for slavery by any means. But these equity programs can level out the playing field and start transforming the lives of descendants of enslaved people, ultimately helping them build generational wealth.  

Juneteenth in the 21st Century Faces Predatory Capitalists

From Walmart’s tone-deaf “Juneteenth” flavored ice cream to aisles filled with companies' cringe-worthy attempts to capitalize on historically-excluded populations, we have sadly reached a point in history where cultural movements are quickly manipulated for profit. 

Walmart's Exploitative Marketing
(Photo by LAINE DOSS via MIAMI NEW TIMES)

Social media platforms, targeted ads, and fast-moving corporations seeking to capitalize on messaging that will give them a competitive advantage rather than serve the collective. Cannabis industry stakeholders, for example, should focus on ending the stigma and unfair targeting African Americans face daily concerning marijuana charges. 

How You Can Get Involved

Supporting Black cannabis brands is the bare minimum non-Black consumers can do, especially since this demographic is routinely imprisoned and arrested at 3x the rate for this plant

The fact that this industry was built on the backs of African Americans, much like the rest of the United States, and yet Black cannabis brands continue to struggle is unacceptable. As an industry and a community, we can do better. We need to support one another, especially during this grueling socio-economic time.

Check out Cannaclusive's "Accountability List" for more information on how cannabis brands are showing up, and the ones making a difference in the space. 

At the start of my career in cannabis, long before I founded Kush Queen, I learned about the path to legalization in California and the shared history of the LGBTQIA+ community with cannabis.

From that moment on, I made it my mission to honor the Queer activists who came before us, the true OGs we can thank for providing us with safe access to this plant.

At Kush Queen, Pride is Honoring a Shared History

In the 1980s, Queer community leaders in San Fransisco ushered in the beginnings of legal cannabis as they worked to ease health and wellness struggles around the AIDS epidemic. Their real-life needs brought legitimacy to the medical cannabis conversation. Pictures of my Queer community heroes hang in my office; Cleve Jones, Dennis Peron, and Mary Jane Rathburn look over me as I run Kush Queen.

Brownie Mary, wearing one of her signature buttons. SCOTT SOMMERDORF / SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE / POLARIS

Brownie Mary, wearing one of her signature buttons. SCOTT SOMMERDORF / SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE / POLARIS

Also on my wall of heroes is Marsha P. Johnson, another great reminder of gay liberation and how we got here today. Her beautiful smile beams back at me as I write this

For those not familiar with her story, Johnson was a trans activist, self-identified drag queen, and a true survivor living in New York City. She was also one of the first protesters at the Stonewall riots in 1969. Many recall Johnson having thrown the first brick outside of the club, but the truth is no one really agrees on who or what started it (was it a brick? a bottle? or city cobblestone?). 

Marsha P. Johnson Poster by MICAH BAZANT
Marsha P. Johnson Poster by MICAH BAZANT

Nonetheless, everyone does agree that Johnson and fellow trans activist Sylvia Rivera played a massive part in the spontaneous protest against a police raid in those early morning hours. This act of social uprising is often viewed as the first Pride celebration, sparking a series of events that would change the LGBTQIA+ community forever. 

Pride is Revolutionary and Non-Conforming

Pride (as we know it today) is all about Queer celebration and love, but its roots are steeped in the journey of equal rights, visibility, and the acceptance of LGBTQIA+ people. It was never about rainbow-tinted capitalism, fleeting social media icons, and albeit, even super fun parades. Pride is about Queer liberation. 

"Stonewall was, at its core, about people reclaiming their narratives from a society that told them they were sick or pitiful or didn’t even exist," writes Shane O’Neill, a journalist for the New York Times. 

A 1970 photo of Marsha P. Johnson handing out flyers in support of Gay Students at NYU is seen here courtesy of the New York Public Library's "1969: The Year of Gay Liberation" exhibit.  Diana Davies/NYPL/Handout via Reuters, FILE
A 1970 photo of Marsha P. Johnson handing out flyers in support of Gay Students at NYU is seen here courtesy of the New York Public Library's "1969: The Year of Gay Liberation" exhibit. Diana Davies/NYPL/Handout via Reuters, FILE

After Stonewall, a new generation of gay activists emerged and organized, creating resources like the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR). These events and grassroots organizations focused on Queer individuals gaining access to equal rights as citizens while also helping the community find dignity, acceptance, and a sense of belonging within society. STAR, for example, provided housing and support to homeless LGBT youth and sex workers in New York City.

Pride is About Community and Peers Supporting Peers

For everyone at Kush Queen, Pride is about more than just a seasonal festivity, it’s about taking a stand, increasing visibility, and supporting our Queer communities all year round. 

This year Kush Queen is donating 20% of proceeds from our Pride Collection to The Social Impact Center, founded by beloved Queer cannabis hero Felicia Carbajal, as well as to the Trans Latina Coalition, a local Los Angeles community-led, and founded organization.

Kush Queen 2022 Pride Collection

Our Pride Collection for 2022 features a Delta 8 THC water-based and latex-safe infused lube and 1:1 Delta 8 THC and CBD Trans Flag-inspired bath bomb in honor of our trans brothers and sisters.

Kush Queen Pride Collection 2022

Queer Liberation is Still Needed

Currently, countless pieces of appalling legislation are moving through state governments as an attempt to target the rights of trans people, attack trans youth, and reverse decades-worth of progress. 

According to the advocacy group, Human Rights Campaign, over 300 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were proposed in 2022 alone.

Sam Ames, the director of advocacy and government affairs for The Trevor Project recently explained to CBS news "research has shown that as many as 85% of trans youth say that they are watching these debates over their identity play out,". Ames continues "the direct results of these bills when they pass are to take away things that we know are correlated with increased mental health and decreased suicide risk: sports team participation, seeing yourself represented in a classroom, being accepted by your parents and your healthcare professionals. These are all associated with significantly lower odds of attempting suicide." 

It feels like Queer liberation is more important than ever, especially with such blatantly coordinated attacks against people who identify as such. 

Pride is Personal

Inclusivity and visibility are part of Kush Queen’s DNA. From the all-gender restroom to the Queer individuals who appear in our content and work behind the scenes, Kush Queen's identity as a brand is unapologetically gay.

Kush Queen CEO Olivia Alexander protesting
Pride inspired Crystal Cult vape

 

As I get choked up thinking about my own experiences and identity, I can’t help but think about what a personal intimate experience celebrating Pride is for me. As a human, I self-identify not only as the CEO of this company but as a Queer woman surrounded by countless other Queer people in my life. People who are my family, friends, and frankly, my inspirations. I think of my parents raising a Queer son in South Louisiana and not once did anything but accept him for who he was. 

Since its inception, Kush Queen has celebrated Pride (year-round) and has raised well over $40,000 for Queer organizations, something I'm incredibly proud of.

Shop the 2022 Pride Collection and join our community for community support.

At Kush Queen, when it comes to the perception of cannabis, our POV has always been the same — it’s a plant. Oh, and that it’s a plant with numerous wellness benefits that can help people of any age treat everyday ailments like aching muscles, nervous energy, and sleep issues. 

If you are reading this article, you probably fall into one of three categories: you are either Gen Z, a millennial, or a Mom who was curious enough to get the tea on what the kids are doing. 

The Kush Queen team is a family affair

It's 2022, and parents want to know what we're thinking about cannabis and wellness. A lot of us have been using cannabis since high school, but have we all broached the subject with our Mom? Not exactly. But Mom is cool and curious, so it’s up to us to educate her and give her the power of using cannabinoids.

Let’s Break Down This Conversation Into 4 Focus Areas

Planning this conversion around wellness, science, policy, and history makes it easy to bring up, state the facts, and make it about helping them feel better. After all, that's what we want, right!?

Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion. Rest assured that you are coming from a place of education once you share the information in this post, and if they don’t want to see the greener side of things, then that’s ok too! 

Just let them know you’ll continue to say, "you’d probably feel better with a little Mary Jane"! 

Model momma enjoys Kush Queen's CBD Chews

 

Start Low and Slow, Finding Wellness In The Middle Ground

Yes, we apply the same concept of taking edibles with how to talk to parents about cannabis. Most of their understanding of cannabis breaks down into 2 categories - using “pot” to get so stoned you're out doing crazy things with some dude in a dorm room (insert devil emoji) or it pertains to medical cannabis for cancer patients. 

In today’s modern cannabis market, we have the warm, welcoming middle ground of using cannabis as a daily wellness tool. 

Model holds Kush Queen's GummiesRX CBD Chews Collection 

Now, you can choose from a range of effects and delivery methods that are accessible to just about anyone. Just thinking about the Kush Queen product line, we have CBD bath bombsDelta-8 THC infused gummiesrelief lotions, and vegan-friendly skincare products. That’s a far cry from ripping hits from a giant bong!

Kush Queen products use the benefits of cannabis in a way that helps people of any demographic access this plant without having to fit into either the stoner character or be in need of serious medical level attention. 

Model holding KINGDM Cosmetics FOTO BLUR Primer

 

Times Have Changed And Our Favorite Plant Has Real Support

The modern-day cannabis industry has come a long way from some guys making weed brownies in their apartment with no dosage guidelines or buying a dime bag with no knowledge of what you were smoking. We’ve all been there, and thankfully, we aren’t any longer!

Kush Queen Premium Hemp Collection

We know legal cannabis has a ton of downsides, LIKE A TON, but a few of the good things to come from it include testing and the use of technology to understand the benefits of individual cannabinoids, strain-specific qualities, and ratio products that have come from standardization processes.

Plus, we're starting to see more research around using cannabis to treat specific issues by isolating individual cannabinoids to highlight their benefits and unique properties. 

An array of Kush Queen CBD 200mg Bath Bombs

Although CBD and hemp industries are not regulated by any government body, you can find quality products from companies that focus on transparency like Kush Queen, which self-governs using the same guidelines as legal markets. 

Blow Mom’s Mind, Introduce Her To THCv

Through the power of scientific research, over 140 different cannabinoids have been identified — that’s way more than just THC and CBD. 

One, in particular, is THCv, an exciting minor cannabinoid that has known benefits of boosting energy levels, curbing the appetite, and increasing focus. That’s right Mom, no munchies, no spacing out! (This is the part where you give Mom a bottle of Kush Queen Bare+ THCv and CBD tincture and challenge them to a 30-day experience effects test.)

Model momma consumes Kush Queen Bare+ CBD:THCv TinctureKush Queen Bare+ CBD:THCv Tincture

Policy and History, Where Did These Negative Opinions Form?

Why do parents generally have a negative opinion of cannabis? Reefer Madness. 
Reefer Madness poster courtesy of Retro AdArchives / Alamy Stock Photo
"Reefer Madness" poster courtesy of Retro AdArchives / Alamy Stock Photo

Our friends over at Jane Street perfectly sum up this crucial part of your conversation

"In the early 20th century, reefer madness was used to demonize the cannabis plant and its perceived users — mainly African Americans and Latin Americans. Prohibition was due in large part to institutional racism. Then in the 1960s, Nixon used prohibition to criminalize his major political enemies: African Americans and peaceniks." 

The article also quotes Nixon's domestic policy chief John Ehrlichman saying "We knew we couldn’t make it illegal to be either against the war or black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and blacks with heroin, and then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities. We could arrest their leaders, raid their homes, break up their meetings and vilify them night after night on the evening news. Did we know we were lying about the drugs? Of course, we did." The leaders of our nation, folks. Sadly, not much has changed. 

To this day black individuals are 3.7 times more likely to be arrested for cannabis than white people, even though studies show equal rates of cannabis consumption between both demographics. Again, it's an evil agenda and system based on racism.  

Prepackaged eighths of Kush Queen premium hemp flower and prerolls pre-sesh

Ultimately, only you know if/when there is a right time to talk to your Mom about incorporating cannabis into her lifestyle. If you choose to swipe right on getting Mom elevated, honesty and authenticity are your best friends. Share the healing truth about this miraculous plant, and be open about your own personal relationship with it.

Sending flowers to all the canna-mommas! Happy Mother's Day <3

Follow us for more cannabis info you can bring home to Mom!

We can’t get enough of the Kush Queen #SoakandToke and believe it or not, there is a method to the canna-madness. 

In case you missed it in our previous post, a Kush Queen 'Soak and Toke' combines dual delivery methods of consumption to help achieve an ideal effect. We're all about using cannabis to find our feelings this season. 

Model smokes Kush Queen hemp flower

 

Many people chop cannabis up to just getting high, but when you really know the plant, you can actually create different types of experiences. Gone are the days when you simply feel stoned.

Luckily, Kush Queen's new hemp CBD and Delta 8 flower pair perfectly with our customer's favorite award-winning cannabis and CBD-infused bath bombs and topicals. 

Lemon Octane CBD and Soaked Shower Gel


Kush Queen's Prepackaged Eighth of Lemon Octane CBD Flower

 

Pair the Lemon Octane CBD with our citrus shower gel Soaked; it's a spring-inspired combo that will uplift your body and mind. This strain's terpenes and fruity profile will give you a burst of energy. Our Lemon Octane CBD is a strain made from Lemon Snow CBG and Bubba Kush 66 and is high in CBG, the mother of all cannabinoids

Kush Queen's Soaked CBD Shower Gel

 

Think of this as the quintessential Sativa pairing, perfect for mornings or a mid-afternoon pick me up. Enjoy it in a pre-roll or pack it in a bowl with our pre-packed eighths. You’ll feel an elevated mood because of all the citrus terpenes and deep body chill. Use our Soaked shower gel as a bubble bath or shower gel. 'Shower joint' is now the new shower beer

 

Sour Space Candy and 1:1 Relax Bath Bomb

Kush Queen Sour Space Candy CBD + ∆8 Pre-Roll

 

This particular pairing is for those in search of the ultimate high. Sour Space Candy (SSC for short) is a Delta 8 strain, meaning it will definitely get you elevated. The origin of SSC is rooted in the genetics of Sour Tsunami, one of the first cultivars bred for high CBD. 

Kush Queen Relax 1:1 CBD & Delta 8 THC Bath Bomb

 

This hybrid strain has a delicious terpene profile that we've paired with our Relax 1:1 bath bomb infused with Delta 8 and CBD. If you really want to melt away, finish with a foot massage using our Kush Queen CBD-infused pain relief lotion Melt

Hawaiian Haze and CBD Awaken Bath Bomb


Model holds a Kush Queen Hawaiian Haze CBD + ∆8 Pre-Roll

 

Now, if you're looking for a pick-me-up or need to get rid of a nasty hangover, this pairing will lift your spirits way, way up. 

Our Hawaiian Haze Delta 8 and our CBD Awaken bath bomb is a delightful pairing of sweet terpenes and energizing essential oils that will leave you with the cerebral buzz you need to take on your day. 

Kush Queen Awaken CBD Bath Bomb

 

Feel like you're being transported to a remote island while your Awaken bath bomb softly fizzes in the background. 

While the genetics of Hawaiian Haze remains a mystery, cannabis folklore says it was created using mineral-rich volcanic soil in Aloha State, Hawaii. We suggest putting on some Riri or The Beach Boys while you soak, and you can thank us later. 

Kush Queen's Complete Mini Collection of Bath bombs

 

When it comes to cannabis, it's all about finding what works best for you. And that can mean using multiple delivery methods for the best possible outcome. Basically, the more the merrier when it's time for cannabis and self-care.

Follow us for more blissed-out pairings and latest Kush Queen products.

Quickly following the creation of our award-winning CBD bath bombs, the Kush Queen Soak & Toke was born thanks to some innovative team members at headquarters. 

At Kush Queen, we don’t just spend our time perfecting our handmade cannabinoid products; we also perfect their use in our own daily lives. This dynamic relationship with our CBD and THC products allows our team to create wellness offerings that can extend a deeper connection between our consumers and this plant. You might call this R & D; we call it our favorite part of the job! You might also be asking yourself, what is "soaking and toking"? And is it even for you?

Kush Queen Olivia Alexander enjoys a cannabis Soak and Toke

Take it from the experts, a relaxing combo of Kush Queen's ultra-premium, indoor-grown hemp flower, and infused bath bombs is an opulent example of self-care at its finest. But before we dive into the experience of a Soak & Toke, do you know where the term "toke" comes from? 

 

A Touch of 'Toke' History

Enter Alice B. Toklas. An American writer of the early 20th century, Toklas openly shared a recipe for hashish brownies in her memoir-style recipe book. That notorious recipe solidified Toklas in cannabis history and gave us the shorthand for toke

Model reads "The Essential Guide to Cannabis for Women: How to Buy, Use, and Enjoy Cannabis for Recreation and Wellness" by Olivia Alexander

Learn more about Alice B.Toklas and other amazing women in cannabis history from Olivia Alexander’s new book, The Essential Guide To Cannabis for Women. 

 

To Soak & Toke? Or Not to Soak & Toke? It's Really Not Even a Question... 

There's a myriad of reasons to smoke cannabis in a cannabis bath, aside from being luxurious af. Ultimately, your skin is your biggest organ, and you want to tend to it accordingly. The cannabis bath bomb is a full-body topical experience that has you fully covered (literally)

Kush Queen cannabinoid-infused bath bombs allow you to feel the entourage effect, a medley of healing properties from cannabinoids and terpenes working together. Plus, soaking in hot water allows your pores to open up and absorb the cannabis compounds and essential oils profoundly, creating a lush full-body experience.

But here's the thing, the cannabinoids in our bath bombs don't cross the blood-brain barrier because due to the molecule size - they are too big. Unlike our topical cannabinoid products labeled transdermal, which will cross the blood-brain barrier and have the possibility of delivering more mind than body effects. 

 

How to Bathe like Weed Royalty

Maybe you're looking to take your bath effects even higher. That's where another delivery system comes in. Sure, you could pop a gummy, but most edibles take longer to hit than your bath will take. By smoking a pre-roll while you soak, you get an instant delivery of cannabinoids, which is why smoking is often the most beloved and popular way of cannabis consumption. 

Kush Queen cannabis products for Soak & Toke

A soak and toke is an incredibly simple yet impactful ritual with cannabis. Let’s look into this deep mind and body practice that could elevate your next moment of self-care. 

The first step to a proper Kush Queen 'Soak & Toke' is choosing one of our handmade bath bombs to use. Our bath bombs include: Relax, Relive, Sleep, Love, Awaken, Black Magic, and Immunity

Draw your bath and add any additions you like, such as a bubble bath (make sure the scent pairs with the bath bomb), crystals, music, candlelight, or even a beverage. 

Kush Queen Sleep CBD bath bomb fizzing

Start smoking once submerged in the tub. Our newly released Kush Queen hemp flower is the perfect pairing with your Kush Queen infused-bath bomb. Kush Queen's cultivar options include Lemon Octane, Pink Panther, Hawaiian Haze, and Sour Space Candy, for a range of complex tasting notes and effects.

Soak for 40 minutes and light up between 10 to 15 minutes in your bath. 

 

Extra Tips from the Experts at Kush Queen

Kush Queen CEO Olivia Alexander enjoys the new line of ultra premium hemp flower in a Kush Queen bath

The key to a successful soak and toke is preparation. 

  1. Make sure you remove the bath bomb seal with scissors while your water runs. 
  2. Always check the temperature while you're waiting for your bath to fill. No one likes a tub that's too hot or too cold. 
  3. Prepare your cannabis beforehand. There's nothing worse than a soggy nug or wasted pre-roll. 
  4. Keep a small hand towel nearby, a lighter, and an ashtray (no one wants to soak in ash).
  5. If you're toking on a Kush Queen pre-roll, make sure to keep it in the glass container until you're ready. 
  6. Combine other modalities like crystals, music, or starlight to finish off the perfect vibration.

Combining both a topical and oral delivery method is a way to take your bath deeper and your mind higher. We encourage you to experiment with the different infused-bath bomb and flower options available to create your own favorite pairings. 

Learn more about our bath bombs and how you can experience your own Kush Queen Soak & Toke! 

 

At Kush Queen, our hope for the cannabis industry is for those within it to be as diverse as the people who use this plant.

We started this company with infused bath bombs because we recognized how approachable this product is and how much a stigma breaker it could be. Destigmatizing cannabis, and the people who use it, has always been our mission as a brand.

Model mesmerizes with Kush Queen's CBD bath bomb

Photo Courtesy of Kush Queen

In honor of Black History Month, we at Kush Queen are celebrating the incredible individuals working towards and advocating for real change in cannabis - more specifically, for a socially equitable space. With skyrocketing taxes and very little support, the disenfranchised communities (whose backs this industry was built on) are sadly getting left behind. The truth is the cannabis industry as a whole has a long, long way to go before becoming the equal playing field it needs to be. Thankfully, these inspiring and selfless Black entrepreneurs are working incessantly towards making social equity in cannabis a reality. 

 

Successful Reality Television Executive turned Cannabis Industry CEO

Whitney Beatty, CEO and founder of Josephine & Billie's.

Whitney BeattyFounder, CEO Josephine & Billies and The Apothecarry


Whitney Beatty is a woman of many talents. After leaving her career in entertainment, she founded Apothecarry, a luxury accessories company for the modern-day smoker. Then, inspired by the golden days of Jazz and cannabis Teapads, Beatty opened Josephine & Billies, the first dispensary in the country designed by and for women of color. Beatty secured the first equity investment from The Parent Company (TPCO), California's largest vertically integrated omnichannel cannabis platform, where Jay Z is the Chief Visionary. 

Beatty currently sits on the board of Supernova Women, an organization working for equity in the legal cannabis space. 

On top of it all, she is an inspiring and hilarious mother sharing her life on social media. Beatty is a powerhouse in every sense of the word, and the cannabis industry is better with her in it. 

 

The #RapPriestess, also known as the West Coast Wave Goddess 

Blunt Blowing Mama - Lizzy Jeff smokes a cannabis joint

Lizzy JeffFounder, Zen and Kush


We have admired, followed, and enjoyed the work of Lizzy Jeff for years. 

A cannabis OG, rap priestess, medicine woman, and founder of Zen and Kush, Lizzy Jeff delivers plant medicine, spirituality, and community in one erotically delectable serving. Her unique events nationwide feature healing, sensuality, community-building, education, and wellness workshops. These events aren't called an after-dark experience for no reason; this is Ascension at its finest and most seductive. 

Our bath bombs are often made to her music as it's commonly on repeat at Kush Queen headquarters. We are constantly inspired by her passion for activism and her celebration of the divine feminine. 

Give Lizzy Jeff a follow for alternative ways to heal that embraces masculine and feminine energies while connecting you deeper to your spiritual roots. 

 

Startup Advisor, Accountability Keeper, and Co-Founder in Cannabis, Tech, and Wellness

Mary Pryor, Co-founder, Cannaclusive

Mary Pryor - Activist, Writer, Founder Cannaclusive


Mary Pryor is one of the most powerful women in the cannabis industry. Pryor is an activist, media expert, and the founder of Cannaclusive, a platform created to facilitate fair representation of minority cannabis consumers. 

If you haven’t heard of Pryor’s work with Cannaclusive, then this is your intro. Cannaclusive is currently working to solve the industry's biggest issues: diversity, equity, and part of its namesake - inclusion. Her work with the Accountability List, a living breathing document that holds cannabis companies accountable, is some of the most important work currently taking place in cannabis. 

Pryor has appeared in and contributed to countless publications like Refinery 29, New York Times, and Instyle; her piece on diversity in cannabis for SELF is one of our personal favorites. 

 

The Ivy Leaguer and Former Athlete turned Cannabis Maven 

Nadir PearsonCo-founder Get Hybrid, Founder Student MMJ Alliance 

Nadir Pearson, a graduate of Brown University and founder of Student Marijuana Alliance for Research and Transparency, is one to watch in cannabis. A leader, advocate, and entrepreneur, he has worn many impressive hats in his young career. 

Inspired by sneakerhead culture, Pearson founded Get Hybrid, the cannabis industry’s first release date calendar where you can find new cannabis drops and product launches in one place. Pearson’s accomplishments have been featured in Forbes and Huff Post; he’s also a very talented writer himself. 

One thing we love about Pearson is that he thrives on creating educational cannabis content. He is certainly the future of the industry and we cannot wait to see what big things he does in the future. 

 

Award-winning Business Coach, Strategist, and Serial Entrepreneur

Glam University CEO Sabrina Peterson

Sabrina Peterson - CEO & Founder Pretty High Co and Glam University


Sabrina Peterson dedicated herself and her businesses to be a powerhouse for female empowerment- socially and financially. 

Peterson turned facing a 23-year indictment into Pretty High Co, making CBD and cannabis products. She is a mother and content creator who is always making us laugh while feeling inspired. Peterson is undoubtingly a champion for women and people of color in cannabis. 

Late last year, Peterson invited Kush Queen out to a weekend cannabis educational workshop for women and we left oozing with excitement for how she brings opportunities, shares education, and keeps things transparent about the industry. 

 

It takes great courage and tenacity to go against the cannabis corporate machine. Through the community these amazing advocates continue to build, these inspirational cannabis professionals are aiding in creating visibility, changing the stigma, and opening doors for more BIPOC individuals to come.

 

 

Black History Month in 2021 hits differently. In the midst of a pandemic affecting Black people disproportionately, off the heels of this past summer’s civil rights movement, and with white supremacy conversations finally being had in mainstream America it seems like everyone everywhere is reacting to it all. 

And sure, I understand why everyone is reacting, but we need action to follow. To not have any action at this point or understanding is not an option.

Somehow, many people were blind to the atrocious suffering of Black people in America. So many people were ignorant to the statistics and systematic racism that many of us have seen or experienced first hand. There was no excuse for fostering oppression before, but now the zeitgeist of American culture has seemingly caught up with it and thankfully our younger generations are becoming the majority. 

As we welcome Black History Month, our biggest task is that despite race or gender you do not act out of reaction but pure love and appreciation for Black people and culture. 

Kush Queen CBD Black History Month, Arian Roman

Growing Up With Injustice, Racism, and Beautiful Black Culture

Our family is from the deep south. We’re talking south Louisiana, and a place that knows racism and white supremacy all too well. We saw the injustice Black people face every day growing up in the deep south living alongside Black communities. 

So while many people are just waking up to the deep-seated racism that lives in America, experiencing it is something that gives you a completely different perspective. 

The other side of our experience growing up in the south is that we also got the privilege to know, feel, and explore Black culture. So much of our history and culture in Louisiana from food to music exists because of brilliant Black men and women. 

Our experience truly built an overwhelming love for Black people and an empathy for understanding their experience in America.  

Black History Month 2021: The Black Family, Representation, Inclusion, and Diversity   

Ya’ll know education and history are two of our love languages, let’s get into it. 

The theme of Black History Month 2021 is The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity, chosen by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.

The month and timing of Black History Month are significant and intentional. The Father of Black History, Carter G. Woodson, “chose the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass, a famed abolitionist who escaped from slavery, and President Abraham Lincoln, who formally abolished slavery," shares writer N’dea Yancy Bragg.

N'dea goes on to say, "he recognized that the American education system offered very little information about the accomplishments of African Americans and founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, now called the Association for the Study of African American Life and History." 

Woodson believed it was essential for young African Americans to understand and be proud of their heritage.

We like to think that it’s essential for ALL Americans to understand Black heritage. 

If you’ve never celebrated Black History Month, N’dea Yancy Bragg shares basic and historical information on who created Black history month, why it was created, and how to celebrate in her recent USA Today article. 

Kush Queen CBD Black History Month, Verita

Our Call To Action, Act Out of Love and Empathy

It is our greatest hope at Kush Queen, that the world would act not from a place of reaction, but of deep love for Black people.

The truth is that when you educate yourself beyond our white supremacist revisionist history on the brilliance of Black people past and present you can see so much of our culture is from Black people. 

We can never understand the struggle of being Black in America, and we must dismantle white supremacy and protect Black lives because it is the right thing to do. 

If you can step outside your comfort zone, dive deep into Black history, know real Black people, and educate yourself on the truth of their experience you too will find that big love to drive you to want to change the world for Black people. 

Join us for Black History month as we highlight our team, creators, and activists that will take us on a journey of love, understanding, and action!  

We will be hosting weekly Instagram Live’s, posting educational and action-oriented blogs. Follow @kushqueenshop on Instagram!

You’re probably familiar with the common cannabinoids found in cannabis and hemp known as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), as well as some of their benefits, like calming nerves, relieving pain, and minimizing irritation throughout your body. 

And you most likely know that some cannabinoids come from plants (phytocannabinoids) and others are produced within our bodies (endogenous cannabinoids).

But chances are that you haven’t heard much about CBG (cannabigerol), a non-psychoactive minor cannabinoid closely related to THC and CBD. Today, we are going to take a deep drive into CBG to learn how it helps regulate your internal systems.

Like it’s better-known cannabinoid cousins, CBG helps: to relieve pain, puffiness and has antibacterial properties. CBG also works to boost the body’s internal production of the endocannabinoid, anandamide (AEA), naturally. 

 

What is CBG? See the breakdown of the cannabinoid molecule.

What is CBG?

  • CBG is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid, found in hemp and cannabis. It’s precursor, CBGA (cannabigerolic acid), or the compound from which it originates, is the same precursor from which CBD and THC originate. CBGA is converted to CBG at an earlier stage in the plant’s growth cycle than THC and CBD, and is found in very low percentages, which is what classifies CBG as a minor cannabinoid.

I get a lot out of my CBD and THC supplements...why should I add CBG to the mix?

  • The Entourage Effect proposes that cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids which occur naturally as components of the cannabis plant are more effective when used together. This is what whole-plant wellness is all about. Stripping away or isolating one cannabinoid from the rest of the plant can hinder cannabinoids from reaching their full healing potential.
  • Chances are that you’re already taking a small amount of CBG if you regularly consume full or broad-spectrum cannabis or hemp supplements, like bäre Daily Wellness Tincture. Since CBG is a minor cannabinoid, you’re getting a minimal amount of it from your supplement, which is why Kush Queen developed Gummies Rx BlissWith a 1:1 ratio of CBD and CBG in support of whole-plant wellness and increasing cannabinoid exposure this combo offers a euphoric feeling.

    What are the benefits of incorporating CBG into my daily wellness routine?

    • CBG boosts the body’s production of the endocannabinoid anandamide, which is known as “the bliss molecule.” Ananda means “bliss, joy, and delight” in Sanskrit. Taking CBG as a daily supplement is a natural way to elevate your mood. CBG is ideal for daytime use or as a stepping stone for someone who wants the euphoric experience of cannabis without getting high.
    • CBG is neuroprotective and has antidepressant properties that support healthy brain function and mental health naturally. 
    Gummies Rx Bliss contains CBG and CBD cannabinoids.

      Why did Kush Queen combine CBG with CBD in Gummies Rx Bliss?

      • Product development at Kush Queen starts with innovation and effectiveness. We are all familiar with the benefits of CBD and wanted to offer our community a new way to incorporate whole-plant wellness into their lives. Isolating CBG from the plant would counter the intelligence of the entourage effect, however when we combine the forces of major and minor cannabinoids health and wellness benefits that you can feel are the result.

      Conclusion

      Incorporating the benefits of minor cannabinoids into your wellness routine is just one of the ways we work to elevate you daily. 

      Try Gummies Rx Bliss and feel the CBG difference for yourself!

       

      Shop Gummies Rx Bliss CBG:CBD

      The recent murder of George Floyd and the countless Black lives that have been taken before his have left us heartbroken, angry, and frustrated. In the cannabis industry, we know all too well of the injustices faced by Black communities and legal weed, imprisonment, and cultural appropriation. 

      This is a time to stand up, speak up, and demand changes for justice.   

      Two years ago, Freeway Ricky and our CEO Olivia Alexander had a conversation about race, social justice, and cannabis that is as relevant today as it was in 2018. Ricky shares advice for young people, thoughts on accountability, and the power of a unified community.

      You can listen to the interview here, hosted by High Times Podcast Network. Fast forward to 9:09, that’s when the interview starts. 

      Thank you Freeway, you gave us hope then and you give us hope now.  

      Kush Queen Stands Behind, Supports and Amplifies Black Lives

      Money doesn’t talk, it screams. We’ve donated to the following organizations and individual campaigns and encourage you to do what you can. 

      Minnesota Freedom Fund - The Minnesota Freedom Fund pays criminal bail and immigration bond for those who cannot afford to as we seek to end discriminatory, coercive, and oppressive jailing.

      New Orleans Safety and Freedom Fund - A revolving community bail fund and advocacy campaign with the goal of making New Orleans a safer, more equitable place to live, by redesigning the role money plays in the criminal justice system.

      AWARE LA via BLM LA - The Black Lives Matter Global Network is comprised of 40 chapters around the globe bound together to be a vision for Black freedom, unwavering commitment to liberation work.

      Reclaim The Block - Reclaim the Block began in 2018 and organizes Minneapolis community and city council members to move money from the police department into other areas of the city’s budget that truly promote community health and safety. 

      Radical Self Care

      “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” -Audre Lorde

      The Audre Lorde Project shares "in moments of grief, crisis, or trauma, and in the time before and after, we need each other to survive and thrive. We are obliged to lift up, honor, and hold space for our self-determination, to fight for our lives, and to remind each other of our worth and that none of us are disposable." Read that again and again.

      Breaking Isolation: Self Care and Community Care Tools For Our People digs into creating a wellness plan and implementing a community based support system. 

      Remember self care is whatever every you need it to be. A walk, a social media break, grounding your racing mind in breath work, exercise - anything that gives you a sense of calming is self care. 

      Like Freeway Ricky Said Education Is Power

      Here are resources you can use to educate yourself and others. 

      Join Girl Trek’s Black History Bootcamp

      George Floyd Was Murdered. We Must Not Be Silent - Here’s How To Help

      10 Books About Race Non-Black People Should Be Reading Right Now

      Your Black Colleagues May Look Like They’re Okay — Chances Are They’re Not

      Conscious Capitalism In Support of BYP100

      When you spend your dollars with Kush Queen know that we stand against racism, we stand for inclusion and are calling for people to speak up and act against racial injustices.

      Our platform employs Black people, People of Color, and LGTBQIA+ folxs and creates inclusive storylines that further health and wellness accessibility for all.   

      We believe in the intersection of self-care supporting social change. Every purchase of our Black Magic CBD Bath Bomb, 25mg will donate 5 dollars to Black Youth Project 100 during the month of June.

      Black Youth Project 100 is a member-based organization of Black youth activists creating justice and freedom for all Black people.

      Conclusion

      Black Lives Matter.

      Donate (volunteerism or money). Stand Behind. Listen. Support. Amplify. 

      Take time to take radically care of yourself.