In celebration of Black History Month, Kush Queen is sharing our current obsessions spearheaded by inspirational Black female entrepreneurs.

You may see articles circulating that say women of color are starting more businesses faster than any other demographic. But don't be fooled by the boasting headlines. Yes, the State of Women-Owned Businesses Report does confirm Black women-owned businesses represented the highest growth rate of any other group between 2014 and 2019; however, these go-getters face a unique array of challenges to get there. Often referred to as "survival entrepreneurs" because of high unemployment rates and vast gender and racial pay gaps, the study shares women of minorities are more likely to have a "sidepreneurship" out of necessity. The venture capital space comes with even more scrutiny. Business Insider confirms “before 2021, only 93 Black female founders had raised $1 million or more in venture capital”. 

Model sits in a bathtub filled of Kush Queen bath bombs

At Kush Queen, we've experienced our journey as a women-owned business. It's because of your support and your support only that we exist in today's cannabis market. We know the struggles of being a small business in America, and the best thing we can do as a community is to continue supporting the businesses we want to see succeed. Our dollars truly are our power.

 

With that in mind, we'd like to highlight some of Kush Queen's Favorite Black Women-Owned Businesses:


Sexologist Goody Howard

Goody Howard Sexologist

We had the pleasure of being on a panel discussion with Goody back in 2019, and she left an impression on the KQ team that we sill talk about today! From her workshops to 1:1 consultation, Goody is determined to normalize sex-positive conversations as a way to ease stigma and improve sexual responsibility.

Goody Howard is a world-renown sexologist, educator, and consultant. She has dedicated her life to “Empowering through sexual exploration, education, and awareness.”

Goody teaches sexual skill workshops, offers sex-positive professional development opportunities, and creates dope, sex-centered t-shirts! She layers her focus on pleasure and education with her energetic and engaging presentation style. 

Ariana Foote, Cannabis Content Creator & Podcast Host

Ariana Foote, Cannabis Content Creator

 

You might know of Ariana as @indicawife, @fruit.worship or the host of Chat About It podcast. Regardless of the channel, platform or topic - you can trust the Ariana keeps it 100% real with you whether is talking about dating, mental health, smoking, edibles or making the most drool worthy smoothie bowls. 

Ariana began creating content, giving her followers an unfiltered look into her life as she navigated her medical experience through bong rips, blunts and the occasional dab.

“The biggest part was me being very vulnerable with my followers,” she said. “Many people smoke for physical pain. But we’re all human beings and there’s a lot of emotional pain there, too.”

 Give her a follow and a listen!

 

KNC Beauty

KNC Beauty Founder Kristen Noel Crawley for Morgan Lane and Hypebae
Image Source: Hypebae

KNC Beauty makes our favorite eye masks of all time. You won't regret having these beauties in your bathroom. We love to use them before a big night out or while we're soaking in a Kush Queen bath bomb. Founded by beauty and fashion influencer Kristen Noel Crowley, KNC Beauty also created the KNC School of Beauty to address the inequities in the beauty industry. 

Crowley has expressed in the past “as a Black female entrepreneur, it has always been extremely important to me to pay it forward and provide opportunities for emerging talent in our community. Having a skincare brand has always been a dream of mine and I’m excited to support other Black businesswomen who share similar goals and visions.”

 

Snocorner 

Ashley Monconduit stands outside SnoCorner, her New Orleans-style snoball shop across from Poly High School. Photo by Mike Guardabascio.
Image Source: Mike Guardabascio for Long Beach Post

Snocorner is a Long Beach-based storefront, specializing in New Orleans-style snowballs. As Louisiana natives, we can't get enough of this delicious local treat. Sure it looks like Hawaiian ice, but New Orleans-style snowballs are different. Trust us. 

Visit their storefront in Long Beach and taste this delicious southern treat for yourself. Interestingly enough Snocorner is a legacy Long Beach business, its current owner Ashley Monconduit is the third generation to own a business at this location!

 

Maya's Cookies

Maya Madsen, founder of Maya’s Cookies, a gourmet vegan cookie company in San Diego, holds a cookie at her bakery.
Image Source: K.C. Alfred for The San Diego Union-Tribune

Maya's Cookies is the number one Black-owned Gourmet Vegan cookie company in America. Founded by a vegan with a self-proclaimed sweet tooth, Maya Madsen launched Maya's Cookies after several unsuccessful searches for that soft, chewy, freshly-baked vegan cookie she badly desired. Madsen spent years crafting her award-winning recipes, including her "Chocolate Chip S'mores" and "Marble Fudge". 

You can visit their San Diego storefront or order online. Recently, Maya's Cookies released their Black History Collection, which was inspired by inspirational figures such as Chadwick Bosman, Michelle Obama, and Uncle Nearest.  

Moving Forward...

Taking a page from the crypto world, we encourage our readers to continue doing their own research before investing their powerful currency into companies that don't necessarily align with their moral values. Supporting minority-owned companies, more specifically Black women-owned businesses, remains a priority within Kush Queen's roadmap and company culture. As a society striving for change, we must develop more conscientious shopping habits if we really want to make a difference.

Follow these incredibly talented Boss Babes for more info!

 

 

When it comes to cannabis, hemp, THC, and the 2018 Farm Bill, understanding the surrounding legality can get confusing.

This post breaks down how Delta 9 THC can be sold online and what to expect from this cannabinoid's effect. Plus, meet our new Gummies Rx Delta 9 THC Chews!

Let’s go! 

For starters, what is Delta 9 THC? 

On the most basic level, Delta 9 THC is a cannabinoid found in hemp and cannabis plants like CBD, CBN, and CBG

Of all the cannabinoids, Delta 9 THC is the most commonly known. By default, Delta 9's euphoric effects are what most people think of when they think of the plant. 

Delta 9 THC Structure

When it comes to scientific formalities, Delta 9 THC is known as Delta 9 Tetrahydrocannabinol and is the plants component for psychoactive effects. Of the many therapeutic benefits of Delta 9 THC, many users describe the effects as deeply calming, euphoric inducing, relaxing, and tension-releasing.

How does Delta 9 THC make you feel?

At Kush Queen, we describe our Delta 9 THC products as dispensary strength. High-quality Delta 9 THC products should deliver a noticeably intoxicating shift in consciousness even at low doses.   

Why the stronger effects? At its molecular function, Delta 9 THC has a stronger binding affinity to CB1 receptors found in our central nervous system than other cannabinoids. This strong binding ability is how we feel stronger effects from Delta 9 over Delta 8 for example. If you have tried Delta 8 products, the effects of Delta 9 products should feel stronger. 

How Delta 9 THC makes you feel also comes down to tolerance or your exposure to the cannabinoid and how much Delta 9 THC is in the product. 

For people that use THC, you can expect similar effects. New users that have never tried Delta 9, should start with lower doses to experience the shift in mind and body before trying full dose sizes. 

Now, why can you buy Delta 9 THC online?

This is where the 2018 Farm Bill comes into the picture. Under the 2018 Farm Bill certain amounts of THC content, 0.3% of dry weight to be exact, were deemed compliant, making it legal to sell hemp-derived full spectrum products containing limited amounts THC.  

When buying Delta 9 THC products, be sure to look at the COA (certificate of analysis). For the product to be sold in stores or online and meet the Farm Bill requirements to be considered hemp-derived, the product should feature less than 0.3% of THC by dry weight. All Kush Queen products meet the standards set in the 2018 Farm Bill to be considered hemp-derived. 

We also recommend you check local laws as some states regulate cannabis and hemp products differently even when buying products online. 

Meet Kush Queen’s New Gummies Rx Delta 9 THC

Y'all know we love releasing a new cannabinoid to the KQ community more than just about anything! We are so excited to share Gummies Rx Delta 9 THC Chews. Here are the most important things to note. 

Kush Queen Gummies Rx Delta 9 THC Chews

With Gummies Rx Delta 9 THC, you get more full spectrum, whole-plant benefits that unlock new levels of cannabinoid wellness. Perfect for when you want to feel uplifted!

The fast-acting, intoxicating effects of Gummies Rx Delta 9 can shift your mood, release tension and bring an extra sense of calm day or night. Featuring our best-selling fresh strawberry flavor, these gummies are a whole vibe!

Expect to feel delightfully shifted.

  • Dispensary Strength 
  • Includes 8 mg of Delta 9 THC and 12 mg of CBD Per Gummy
  • Farm Bill Complaint 
  • Vegan and Gluten-Free

It’s also important to note this is an adult-use-only product that is recommended for 21+ users. 

Conclusion

When it comes down to choosing which cannabinoid gummies are right for you, the most important factor to consider is how you want to feel. If you are looking for a balanced euphoric vibe try Gummies Rx Delta 9 THC Chews

* Disclaimer - Even with Farm Bill compliant levels of THC, users taking these gummies could fail a drug test which test for THC. 

Hi, it's Olivia Alexander here, founder of Kush Queen. I pretty much live and breathe our brand. But when I'm not at HQ working, I'm usually on the interwebs, and lately, I have been doing a ton of podcasting.

I really enjoy podcasting because it allows for long-form content, and let's be real, I love to talk. Naturally, conversations around cannabis, being a female CEO in the space, and my other personal interests, like psychedelics, all came up. I wanted to share some of my latest interviews with you for your listening pleasure, and hey, maybe you'll fall in love with one of these podcasts and binge some episodes (like I have done many times).

 

Kendalls World | Mindset | Spirituality | Travel

I sat down with Kendall Furman, content creator and social media influencer dedicated to exploring travel, wellness, and more on Kendall's World.

In my episode of Kendall's World, we chat about all the healing benefits this plant offers. Furman isn't as experienced with cannabis, and she can't seem to find the right type of high, so I obviously dive into the complexity and uniqueness of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). I also teach her about endogenous cannabinoids and the myths surrounding cannabis.

Furman is an engaging host and even has video episodes on her Spotify. Her favorite new Kush Queen product is our CBG-infused Diamond Hands Gummies (which she's been raving about on her IG stories). Thanks, boo!

 

From Pot To Popular

Rosie Mattio is an acclaimed and accomplished woman in cannabis. Mattio is the founder of Mattio Communications, a powerhouse cannabis PR agency based in New York City. In addition to lifestyle and cannabis, the firm is also interested in working with brands from another emerging market, psychedelics.

On this industry-focused podcast, From Pot to Popular, we discuss what it's like to be a woman in cannabis, why representation in this industry matters, and why small businesses really, really matter (especially in cannabis).

While you're at it, check out this amazing byline by Mattio, on "Why 2022 will be a defining year for women in cannabis".  

 

That Budtender Podcast

Finally, I stopped by That Budtender Podcast for some serious girl talk and Seth Rogan slander. Hosted by cannabis journalist and Kush Queen ally, Bianca Blanche, listening to just one episode will have you craving a full sesh with the ex-budtender.

As a former budtender myself, fun fact: we actually got our start at the same dispensary but different years, Blanche and I give a well-deserved nod to the OG days of cannabis. Trust us, a lot has changed since then.

On my episode of That Budtender Podcast, we're getting a little stoney and speaking from the heart. We go over why I hate celebrity-driven cannabis brands, my experience consuming entheogen plants for my mental health, and dealing with the anti-cannabis tyrants at Instagram and TikTok.

There’s truly such an endless world available of podcasts and conversations. From Thirdwave to The True Beauty Brooklyn Podcast, I have over 16 hours of content on this playlist. I also have a bunch of exciting interviews coming up, so make sure to check them out. Not so much for me, but for the incredible women behind these amazing podcasts, especially if you're interested in learning more about women entrepreneurship, wellness, cannabis, and other psychedelics.

Follow us at Kush Queen for more interviews and brand updates!!

What are Acidic Cannabinoids?

It’s time for a deep dive on acidic cannabinoids. Our friend Levi from Awakened breaks everything down below to help you learn about how cannabis and hemp plants produce cannabinoids, and why we believe so much in the healing and medicinal powers of the plant.   

Acidic cannabinoids like cannabidiolic acid (CBDa) and cannabigerolic acid (CBGa) are naturally occurring phytocannabinoids found in the living cannabis sativa plant.

Contrary to popular belief, the cannabis and hemp plant does not actually produce THC or CBD, but instead create their acidic precursors THCAa and CBDa. Cannabinoids are first formed as acids and decarboxylate upon drying or heating to form their neutral derivatives.

In their raw, acidic form cannabinoids are non psychoactive, meaning they will not get you high, however they have demonstrated numerous therapeutic benefits that may be of particular interest to the health & wellness minded among us. 

When it comes to cannabis and hemp plants, where does it all begin? Let’s explore cannabinoids, the endocannabinoid system and the naming origins. 

Cannabinoids

Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that bind to cannabinoid receptors in the body and brain. The most famous cannabinoids are THC and CBD, however there are over 100 cannabinoids found in cannabis that may have potential therapeutic effects. Cannabinoids can be from plants like cannabis or they can be synthetic cannabinoids created in a lab. Cannabinoids are also created by our own bodies, these cannabinoids are called endocannabinoids. 

Cannabinoids can come from three sources:

  1. Phytocannabinoids - Plant produced cannabinoids
  2. Endocannabinoids - Cannabinoids created by the body
  3. Synthetic cannabinoids - Cannabinoids created in a lab.

The discovery of phytocannabinoids produced by cannabis came well before the discovery of endocannabinoids produced by mammals and the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) that regulates them. This is why our body's ECS is named after cannabis compounds.  

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS)

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a vast network of chemical signals and cellular receptors found throughout our bodies and brains. To stimulate these receptors the body produces cannabinoids and endocannabinoids that have a similar structure to molecules in the cannabis plant. The first endocannabinoid to be discovered was named anandamide after the Sanskrit word ananda for bliss. This bliss molecule closely resembles the cannabis derived phytocannabinoid THC which is largely responsible for the euphoric feeling associated with smoking cannabis.

The ECS is composed of two primary receptors:

  1. CB1 receptors
  2. CB2 receptor

CB1 receptors are located primarily in the central nervous system of the brain and spine and act like traffic cops to control the level of activity of other neurotransmitters. CB2 receptors, on the other hand, are primarily found in the peripheral nervous system and are believed to play a vital role in autoimmune responses and homeostasis. 

Whether they come from plants, humans or created in a lab, cannabinoids represent a large family of compounds that play a vital role in human health and wellness by engaging our bodies endocannabinoid system (ECS). 

Cold Pressed Acidic Cannabinoid Oil

Acidic Cannabinoids, The True Essence Of The Plant

The flowering buds of the living cannabis plant produce high concentrations of phytocannabinoids called acidic cannabinoids. These cannabinoid acids like CBGa, CBDa and THCa have an extra carboxyl group attached to them making them slightly larger than their neutral counterparts like delta-9 THC and CBD and are thus metabolized by the body differently and offer their own unique effects and benefits. Cannabinoids like ∆9-THC, CBD and CBN do not form in high concentrations in the cannabis and hemp plant, but rather are formed via a chemical process called decarboxylation.

Raw, acidic cannabinoids must be cold extracted and cold filtered from end to end to preserve the living compounds of the raw cannabis plant. Fresh frozen or freshly dried and cured cannabis or hemp flower can be used for acidic cannabinoid extraction and should not be heated to temperatures above what would normally happen outside (unless you’re in Death Valley!). 

Some common raw acidic cannabinoid based products include: Live Resin, Live Rosin, THCA Diamonds, among others, however remember when these products are heated they decarboxylate. The reason they are cold processed is to preserve the true essence of the plant, namely the phytocannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. Hash connoisseurs know that raw is better, so when will the rest of you catch up!?

Meet The Line Up Of Acidic Cannabinoids

CBGa - Cannabigerolic acid 

Cannabigerolic acid or just CBGa for short is the acidic precursor to Cannabigerol, CBG. CBGa can be viewed as the cornerstone cannabinoid because it is the building block that all other cannabinoids like CBDa, CBD, THCa and THC come from. CBGa is found in both cannabis and hemp, but tends to show up in higher amounts in hemp, especially raw (unheated) hemp. The plant produces CBGa by combining two organic compounds olivetolic acid and geranyl pyrophosphate.

Benefits of CBGa

CBGa has been gaining popularity from consumers and researchers alike due to its potential therapeutic benefits as well as what it tells us about how phytocannabinoids (plant made cannabinoids) are created. Researchers in Germany figured out how to create CBGa from olivetolic acid and geranyl pyrophosphate. Because CBGa is the building block of cannabinoids once scientists unlocked its creation they have been able to produce THCa and other cannabinoids in yeast without the need to grow the plant at all. Their findings were published in the Journal of Biotechnology 2017.

In 2019 researchers from the University of Califonria Berkely added to their work by also creating CBGa from yeast and then creating THCa. This research is significant because it allows scientists to explore the therapeutic properties of these cannabinoids without having to source outside plant derived compounds that can conflict with federal and state law. 

CBGa has numerous potential therapeutic uses, including: SARS-CoV-2 prevention and treatment

CBGa is one of many cannabinoids found in the cannabis and hemp plant that may offer numerous therapeutic uses as well as ground breaking ability to generate other cannabinoids from yeast due to its capacity as a cornerstone cannabinoid, that is CBGa is the original cannabinoid created by the plant that other cannabinoids like THCa, CBDa, CBC, THC and CBD come from.

More research is needed, but we are excited to have this lesser known cannabinoid finally getting the attention it deserves. 

Keep an eye out for products with CBGa, like our Awakened X Kush Queen 1:1 CBDa/CBGa Tincture and experience what full spectrum hemp can do for you.

CBDa - Cannabidiolic acid 

CBDa is the acidic precursor to CBD found in raw (unheated) cannabis and hemp flowers. CBDa converts to CBD with heat, oxidation or prolonged uv light exposure. 

In a recent study conducted in Italy, researchers found CBDA to be more than 18x more bioavailable than CBD. The way that the study measured this was by first preparing two different means of cannabinoid administration—a decoction (alcohol) and an infusion (olive oil). They then measured the levels of the CBDA and CBD in each preparation before administering them to the participants (on separate occasions). Interestingly, the level of cannabinoids were highly variable in the alcohol preparation, but stable and predictable in the olive oil infusion. After they gave the participants the sample(s), they then drew their blood over various time intervals, recording the concentration of cannabinoids and their metabolites at each interval. The results were remarkable: in every case, the level of CBD in the participants’ blood never even came close to that of CBDA. And this was true even when the cannabinoids were administered in equal amounts.

What all of this means for the cannabis consumer is that not only do the raw cannabinoids have superior bioavailability compared to their “activated” counterparts, but also that you would need far less of them to attain the same therapeutic benefits. This is especially important for those who practice “milligram counting”, or measuring a product’s effectiveness by the sheer amount of CBD it has. Really, those molecules comprise only a very small part of what makes a hemp product “work”. When evaluating what is best for you, it’s crucial to consider where the cannabinoids come from (e.g. isolate, distillate, infusion, etc.), and what that means for the overall formula (e.g. terpenes, flavonoids, and nutrients—or lack thereof).

Benefits of CBDa

Studies have begun to show the many benefits of CBDA, including: CBDA for sleep, CBDA for aches, CBDA for anxiety as well as powerful anti-nausea, stress-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and cancer-fighting properties. An OSU study published this year found that CBDa along with other acidic cannabinoids helped treat and prevent SARS-COV-2 infections offering potential antiviral and powerful immunity boosting capabilities. 

Much like CBD, CBDA interacts with the serotonin receptor 5-HT1A, and it is via this pathway that CBDA suppresses nausea and reduces stress responses in mice models. 

THCA-A - Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A

THCA, or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is the acidic precursor to THC found in unheated, RAW CANNABIS. THCA is the most prevalent non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis and has demonstrated numerous therapeutic benefits, including: (i) immunomodulatory, (ii) anti-inflammatory, (iii) neuroprotective, and (iv) anti-neoplastic effects. THCA converts to THC when heated via a process called decarboxylation. 

Benefits of THCa

Research shows that like CBDA. THCA also exhibits anti-nausea effects, though it seems to do so not through serotonin receptors, but via selective activation of the CB1 receptor. Additionally, THCA inhibits COX activity, reducing inflammation in much the same way as NSAIDs like ibuprofen. In another study, THCA was shown to exhibit neuroprotectant properties, shielding brain cells from chemically-induced cell death.

The three primary acidic cannabinoids produced by the cannabis and hemp plant are THCa, CBDa and CBGa.

The majority of acidic cannabinoids decarboxylate quickly when smoked or vaped and the majority of products on the market including oils, topicals and edibles have been decarboxylated before consumption. 

New research is pointing to the power of these plant based phytocannabinoids as a source for non intoxicating health and wellness and a plant revival may be awakening right before our very eyes.

Kush Queen bare+ CBDA CBGA Tincture

Conclusion

Acidic cannabinoids are naturally occurring phytocannabinoids produced by the cannabis plant that offer a wide variety of benefits. Acidic cannabinoids like CBDa and CBGa will not get you high, but what they lack in psychoactivity they make up for in therapeutic value.

As more research is conducted on cannabinoids and a better understanding of our bodies own endocannabinoid system is revealed the truth about cannabinoids may be more raw than we previously thought. 

Plus, we've been in the lab working with Levi on our first cold-pressed, raw acidic cannabinoid tincture featuring the powerhouse wellness combo of CBDa and CBGa. Drops tomorrow!

Valentine’s Day can feel like any other corporate holiday, outdated, boring, and not evolved to align with our highest self. Just like, well always, the KQ team is here to challenge that, to peel back a layer if you will, and create a version for us! This Valentine’s Day is all about unconditional love and raising our vibrations. 

Have you found yourself spending time with people because you like the energy they are emitting? Or telling yourself, “oh, I like their vibe” or letting friends know, “the vibes are on point!”

These are all vibrations that we feel within ourselves and from others. The same goes for love. Since love is a vibration we emit and feel, we can raise our vibration around love. 

Recognizing your vibration makes you aware of the love you feel for yourself and others, to keep the vibes high this time of year, we created a ritual to help raise our self-love vibrations.

Love As A Vibration

Our friends at The Spring Spa in Desert Hot Springs sum this concept up beautifully: 

According to science, human beings, just like other creatures, radiate electromagnetic fields from the heart. When you love someone, you can radiate thoughts, feelings, and emotions at the same rhythm.

When you achieve coherence in your vibrations and emit higher vibrations, you experience more benefits. It is easier to make decisions and device solutions since your discernment is clear. You also have an easier time deflecting negative attitudes and emotions such as frustration, anxiety, impatience, and chronic stress that strains your reasoning.

Overall, you will experience more composure when your vibrations are higher. However, it can be hard to maintain a constant flow of high vibrations. If you describe love as a combination of qualities such as attentive care, affection, kindness, gratitude, and compassion, then you experience more love and give more love when these qualities surround you.

To experience and to give love in return means that you need to love and in turn, feel loved. Your vibrations remain high, and your attitude automatically lifts. When your attitude is positive, your judgment and conscience are clear. Your decisions include both you and your loved ones.

Now, let’s explore ways to raise our love vibes - it starts with us.

Kush Queen's Love Potion No. 9 CBD Bath Bomb


A Bathing Ritual For Self-Care and Gratitude

with Love Potion No. 9 CBD Bath Bomb and Cannabinoid Elixir

This ritual combines intention, self-care, and mind-expanding cannabinoids to transform our self-love mindset and raise our vibrations. 

Before jumping into this ritual, we recommend a self-check-in. Ask yourself, where are your emotions, what is your frequency? 

Remember to meet yourself where you are. Awareness and acknowledgment are two of the most important aspects of authentic self-care and ritual. For example, If I begin a ritual and find myself in a place of sadness or anger, I know to start with a release. Wherever you are, be gentle to yourself. 

Step 1: Set up and Check-In 

Rituals focused on raising vibrations require preparation. With this self-love and gratitude ritual, we recommend a sip and soak with the Love Potion No. 9 CBD Bath Bomb and Cannabinoid Elixir

If you have other tools like rose quartz, a pre-roll, a poem, or music, pick your faves and bring these into your bathroom. Lighting candles or burning incense can also help you ground and deepen this self-connection bath. 

This is your time; prepare with care. Taking time to reflect and raise your love vibration requires a calm and peaceful environment, and you are in control of that environment. 

Step 2: Ground and Release

Once setup is complete, run your bath, and while the tub fills up, take 5 grounding deep breaths. Then, set your intention. 

Your intention could be focused on “self-love” or “releasing stress and fear.” When you set your intention, proclaim it and speak it out loud. 

Next, place your bath bomb in the water, let it dissolve, and get into the tub. Once you are submerged and soaking, sip half or the entire bottle of your Love Potion No. 9 Cannabinoid Elixir. Mind your tolerance and how elevated you want to feel. 

Step 3: Create Space For Unconditional Love

Now that you are beginning reflection and creating openness within yourself, focus on detaching from external influences to create a path to unconditional love. 

When you are here, love yourself in the biggest way possible. Speak the reasons you are awesome out loud. Know that you are worthy and valuable. Give yourself what you need in this moment. This could be support, reassurance, being the aligned-parent - anything that comes up, meet yourself with love. 

At this point, your vibrations are not subject to preexisting conditions, limitations, or the requirements of others. This is where your vibration is raised, loving yourself unconditionally, encouraging healing and positive transformations that can be taken into your daily life.

Kush Queen's Cannabinoid Elixir, Love Potion No. 9

Conclusion

The benefits of this self-love and gratitude ritual translate into so many aspects of life. Increased kindness to yourself and others, clarity in decision making, resilience to fear and self-doubt, and deflecting negative emotions all are long-term benefits that can come from making time to love ourselves unconditionally.

Join the KQ community this season, there is no better time to get loved up!

Shop the Love Potion No. 9 Cannabinoid Collection and soak into a state of unconditional love. 

As we are celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I can’t help but sit and reflect on the life, words, and lessons of Dr. King.

This quote feels fitting of the moment…

If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.” - MLK, Jr.

In a world that can feel leaderless, where division seems easier than community, and threats to fundamental things like democracy and voting rights are real-life conversations, it’s easy to find despair and focus on what seems like endless challenges rather than finding our paths forward.

In these moments, Dr. King’s legacy is at the forefront of my mind.

Last year, we called on our community to honor with action and operate from love. Surely, the way we can honor Dr. King is action and we should always operate from love, but we can’t help but feel where we are. 

We want to hold space for truth: your truth and the truth of our community.

This MLK Jr. Day we would love to meet you where you are with encouragement to find your path forward.

We’re not here for toxic positivity or pretending everything is ok. Right now, things just aren't ok. TBH we're feeling tired, sad, and a little angsty. And even in that expression of truth, we can look to Dr. King for inspiration.

He was met with adversity, he was threatened, and he was constantly on the defensive. Yet, he always kept going and moving forward. 

As always, our community work starts with us which makes this year's MLK Day theme of "It Starts With Me: Shifting Priorities To Create The Beloved Community" so fitting. 

Join us in celebrating Dr. King’s legacy today and in your way, keep moving forward.

Dr. King Quote

So How Do We Keep Moving Forward...

Did you know that Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the only federal holiday that is also a national service day? DOsomething.org shares, the who, how and why of MLK Day and ideas for celebrating through service. The next portion of this post was sourced from DoSomething.org.

Who was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is best known for his leadership during the American civil rights movement of the ‘50s and ‘60s (a wave of activism contesting racial segregation, discrimination, disenfranchisement, and injustice). From 1955 to 1968, Dr. King lead several efforts to eliminate Jim Crow laws and other forms of systemic racism that hindered the mobility of people of color in the US. From sit-ins to marches, Dr. King championed demonstrations that combined nonviolence with direct action.

Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech from the 1963 March on Washington is one of his most celebrated. In it, Dr. King envisioned a world with equal justice for all people under the law. He went on to earn a Nobel Peace Prize and see the passing of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act.

Towards the end of his life, Dr. King’s advocacy emphasized the importance of economic justice in the fight for equality and racial liberation. He was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, where he was supporting Memphis sanitation workers in their strike for union recognition, better safety standards, and live-able wages.

How did MLK Day become a holiday?

Today, Dr. King’s contributions are pretty undeniable. We’re taught about Dr. King and the civil rights movement in school, and celebrating his legacy on MLK Day feels only natural. But this wasn’t always the case.

The creation of MLK Day was a hard-fought battle between Dr. King’s supporters and those who felt threatened by his advocacy. Calls for the holiday began shortly after Dr. King’s assassination in 1968, but it wasn’t until 1983 that Congress passed legislation making Dr. King’s birthday a federal holiday. This was thanks in large part to the work of Coretta Scott King and the King Center and Rep. John Conyers and the Congressional Black Caucus.

Then came the battle for MLK Day to be recognized at the state level, which included a stand-off between the NFL and the state of Arizona over their refusal to adopt the holiday. Southern states showed the most resistance, and some even tried combining MLK Day with celebrations for Confederate leaders. In 2000, all 50 states officially adopted MLK Day -- 32 years after it was first proposed.

Why does it matter?

MLK Day matters because it recognizes Dr. King’s legacy of service while inspiring us to serve in our own ways. A lot of the things Dr. King advocated for during his lifetime (racial justice, economic equality, affordable housing, labor rights, etc.) are issues we’re still trying to move forward in 2022. The protests of recent summers, for example, followed in the footsteps of the civil rights movement and leaders like Dr. King. The fight for justice is ongoing, and we can use this day to reflect on the work that Dr. King started and take responsibility for the work we still have left to do.

How can I celebrate MLK Day?

According to the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service, and Americans are encouraged to spend this day volunteering to improve their communities.

Here are some ways you can participate:

1. Learn about and discuss Dr. King’s life and teachings. The King Institute's Liberation Curriculum is a great place to get started. Don't forget to include younger folx!

2. Do an act of community service. Any act of service can build community. Clean up your street, reach out to neighbors that have been isolated through the pandemic, or volunteer at your local shelter. 

3. Educate yourself on systemic barriers. Read about the racial wealth and income gap in the US and the 12 key federal policies that have contributed to it.

4. Protect existing civil rights. Consider donating to the Social Impact Center to help them promote community, educational equality, economic justice, and expand their mental health resources.

Community Care Above All Else

When times feel especially challenging, leaning into community, acts of service, and caring to make a change can keep us all finding our paths forward.

Like Dr. King said, "faith is taking the step, even when you don't see the whole staircase." Today, we celebrate and find hope in the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

 

 

 

We didn’t start Kush Queen with a fancy business plan and investors, we birthed the very first Kush Queen products from our garage. In 2015, we were stacked with passion and vision and wanted to be part of the community to create something for people like you and me.  

Since the earlier days, so much has changed and our journey has shaped the way we look and think about the world. Over the years, we have undeniably faced every growing pain of startups in the cannabis industry. And like most cannabis businesses, banking issues are on the top of that list.

Sure, times have changed, but we can never forget the struggles we faced to operate basic business functions. Our experience with these issues brought us up close and personal with the power banks and governments have over our money and access. 

Fast forward to 2020 and the start of the pandemic. Our world was changing daily, some industries were experiencing a bullish market while others were facing shutdowns and crippling unforeseeable events. At that same time, cryptocurrency exploded, we couldn't help but join the movement. 

Believing in the power of cryptocurrency was easy for us at Kush Queen. 

We have experienced so many of the problems that cryptocurrency solves and felt a deep understanding of the upward battle around a topic that can easily be something so misunderstood. 

We found ourselves not just HODLING (holding on for dear life), but inspired by the crypto community. The parallels between cannabis and crypto are seemingly endless. And when we are deeply inspired by something at Kush Queen, we create. Meet Diamond Hands Cannabinoid Gummies.

Kush Queen Diamond Hand Gummies Made For HODLing

Why Diamond Hands Cannabinoid Gummies?

One thing is for sure crypto can be a rollercoaster. We all know we're going to the moon, but the ride to get there is often a bit complicated. 

After feeling the pressure and tension of the deep HODL, we went to work and had a little fun in the lab creating a special limited edition gummy optimized for holding the line. 

We formulated Diamond Hands Cannabinoid Gummies to enhance HODLing, give you an uplifting boost, chill you out and ease tension. Because you don’t have to do it alone!

Our product development team's deep understanding of how to use cannabinoids to help our bodies feel the desired outcome coupled with using cannabis to synthesize a repeated effect is the foundation for all Kush Queen products. So as we stacked more and more SATS, realized HODLING wasn't THAT easy, we made a gummy perfect for this stressful occasion. 

What’s In Diamond Hands Cannabinoid Gummies?

Diamond Hands Cannabinoid Gummies are Kush Queen’s first triple stack cannabinoid ratio. 

This gummy features CBG, CBD, and ∆8 cannabinoids - a ratio that will leave you in a silly-goofy, mood because you don’t need to HODL alone. 

The Cannabinoid Stack Features:

  • CBG - Often referred to as the “mother” of all cannabinoids and delivers uplifting euphoric feelings.
  • CBD - Delivering the foundation for chill relaxation and tension releasing benefits. 
  • ∆8 - The vibe, inspires creativity, full-body effects

Diamond Hands Cannabinoid gummies create an effect that is seriously uplifting, vibey, and elevated. Your bag may not have gone to the moon yet, but you surely will feel like you have. 

Kush Queen Diamond Hand Gummies inside the bag.

Like Crypto, Kush Queen Is Rooted In Technology, Innovation, and Community

If we know anything about mainstreaming something new and innovative, we know it's not an easy journey, but it's always worth it. We can’t wait to see how cryptocurrency and web 3.0 will change the world. Until then, we'll be popping diamond hands gummies and HODLing right there with you. 

Shop Diamond Hands Gummies

Available for $20 in fiat or crypto, thanks to our friends at Coinbase commerce

 

This time of year can bring out a lot of emotions, high energy demands, and events that require some mental gymnastics! Before you get swept up in it all, let’s take a minute to reflect, ground ourselves, and center on gratitude. This gratitude ritual might seem like a simple practice; however, it can give you the power to change your mood, reframe your day, or process anxiety.  

It’s easy to overlook gratitude in our day-to-day lives, so we’ve put together a simple practice that focuses on the quality of being thankful and a readiness to show appreciation and to return kindness.

Before I share the ritual, I want to share my experience with creating a gratitude ritual. The short story is I didn’t think I needed a gratitude ritual. I’m a grateful person and I express thanks and appreciation to those around me. What was another ritual going to do for me?

Well, let me tell you this practice is a must when I feel overwhelmed, anxious, or need to raise my frequency. 

Couple together drinking coffee out of a Kush Queen mug.

We often tell ourselves the same stories about what we need or don’t need, just like I was doing by resisting a gratitude practice. When we take the time to reframe and center on gratitude the following can happen: 

  • boost our level of happiness
  • reduce stress
  • improve mindfulness 
  • change daily perspective

Everyday Thanks - A Gratitude Ritual

The 4 step guide below is a short and sweet daily gratitude ritual. Don’t let the short list of requirements fool you, if you dig deep and get into the habit of expressing gratitude daily this ritual can change your life, just like it has mine!

Step 1 - Get something to write on. This can be a notebook, a scrap of paper, anything that isn’t digital. This is the only part of this practice that is non-negotiable. When I was building my practice, I researched gratitude rituals and the physical act of writing was the one constant in every article.

This is an important part of the process as ​the mind-body connection of handwriting your gratitude amplifies the benefits.

Step 2- Pick a time of the day, then put it on repeat. This is the "building a routine" part of the ritual so it becomes a habit and a helpful tool.

Just like creating a CBD self-care routine that actually works, if we don’t repeat the practice, how can we expect to see change? 

Step 3 - Take a moment to decompress. Before asking yourself to get into an exploratory mindset, your body and mind need some time to slow down before meaningful connections can happen. Try breathing deeply for 2 mins, closing your eyes and focusing on a color, or simply putting your phone down to disconnect before getting started. 

Step 4 - Write what you're grateful for. Anything that comes to mind is fair game. This can be “big stuff” like your friends and family members, your health, or “small stuff” like CBD Bath Bombs, the new coffee shop down the street, or that you could afford your therapy appointment this month.

Get specific. For example, rather than saying that you’re thankful for the nice weather, think about describing the temperature, the quality of the light, or the scent in the air. 

Step 5 - Reflect On Your Feelings. A recent blog featured on sipsby, frames this part of the practice perfectly. “Gratitude is about more than the actual thing or person that you are grateful for: it’s about how it makes you feel."

"Don’t be afraid to dive a little deeper into the experience, thinking about the emotions that it brings up. Does it make you feel cared for? Safe? Excited?" 

"Gratitude is a personal experience, so thinking about how each entry makes you feel and why you are grateful for it is a way to become more connected with what you consider to be blessings in your life.”

The Kush Queen family is grateful to have you on this journey with us. We hope you take this gratitude ritual and make it your own to reframe those ordinary occurrences into beautiful moments of everyday life!

Stay grateful this season!

 

The 2021 holiday season is here and I’m sharing my Kush Queen favorites! It’s hard to imagine just a few years ago our team was shipping holiday orders from my garage, we’ve come a long way.

For the Kush Queen team and myself, this time of year is truly wild and stressful most days but knowing that we are making gifts that impact lives, help loved ones, and introduce people to cannabinoid wellness makes it all worth it!

There is no better holiday gift than the gift of cannabinoids simply because they transform our wellness from the inside out. That's the tea, you heard it from me!

Gifting cannabis or cannabinoid products is unlike gifting typical presents. Why? For starters, you're not just giving a product, but an effect. Every Kush Queen product delivers a specific effect, like Sleep, Lifted Chill, Relief, or Focus for starters. 

With that being said, my favorite Kush Queen gifts are less about what they are and more about how they will make you feel. 

Let’s dive into my favorite CBD gifts by effect. 

The Gift of Getting Lit 

Kush Queen Gummies Rx Elevated

The Litty Gift List

  1. Gummies Rx Elevated
  2. 1:1 Extra Strength Bath Bombs 

Unsurprisingly, at the top of my list is giving the gift of getting lit. This is for your cannabis-loving fun cousin, BFF, and your stoner bae. Spoil them with our Delta 8 THC + CBD gummies available in strawberry, watermelon, and lemon. For only $20 (maybe less if you hit our holiday sales) you can give your friends lifted chill vibes so the Christmas tree won’t be the only thing that's lit. 

Take it up a notch and pair Gummies Rx Elevated with our Delta 8 THC Extra Strength CBD bath bombs: available in our targeted essential oil blends Sleep, Immunity, Relieve, and Relax


The Gift of Sleep

Kush Queen CBD Products For Sleep

The Sleep Gift List

  1. Gummies Rx Sleep
  2. Sleep CBD Bath Bombs

About 70 million Americans struggle with chronic sleep issues, it's a staggering problem many people face. Cannabis and cannabinoid-based products have the power to not only help us rest, get to sleep, but most importantly stay asleep. Finding sleep for the first time in my life is what brought me to cannabis wellness, so we know a thing or two about sleepy times at Kush Queen. 

Our Sleep essential oil blend harnesses the power of the entourage effect for a bath that will give you the best sleep of your life. Available in 25mg CBD, 100mg CBD, 200mg CBD, and 1:1 Delta 8 THC, Kush Queen Sleep CBD Bath Bombs are all gifts I will be gifting this season! 

For the ultimate sleep combo, pair one of our handmade CBD bath bombs with our best-selling CBN gummies. CBN or Cannabinol is known as the sleep molecule and is an incredibly effective minor cannabinoid that users report to improve their sleep quality and duration. Take it from me, it puts you ouuuttt! 

The Gift of Energy and Focus 

Kush Queen THCv gummies

The Focus Gift List

  1. Gummies Rx Focus, THCV gummies
  2. Bare+, THCV Tincture
  3. Gummies Rx Bliss

Stigma has led us to believe that cannabis makes us lazy and couch-locked, but not all cannabis is intended to put us to sleep. At Kush Queen, we’ve dedicated the past few years to delivering minor cannabinoids (CBG, CBN, TCHV, and Delta 8 THC). These powerful minor cannabinoids allow us to develop targeted effects even more effectively, which means you can now improve focus and energy with cannabinoids. You may have an overworked friend or someone struggling with focus during the never-ending pandemic we are living in and we’ve got the perfect gifts! 

Our CBG gummies are the perfect gift for those looking to increase energy and focus with a plant-based solution. Another molecule that promotes energy and focus is THCV. Explore our THCV Bare+ or our THCV Gummies. THCV is a revolutionary new cannabinoid backed by promising scientific research; this is your geek out and gifting moment!

The Gift of the Spark

Kush Queen CBD Products for the bedroom!

The Spark Gift List

  1. CBD Lube
  2. CBD Massage Oil
  3. Love CBD Bath Bombs

Facts: cannabis is a known aphrodisiac and the holidays are undeniably cuffing season. Whether you want to gift a single friend, your favorite couple, or even your parents (what? parents get freaky too) orgasms are good for your physical and mental health and these products will help you get there! 

Our CBD lube is the perfect way to increase blood flow and heighten pleasure. For a pleasure forward experience, start with our Love CBD bath bomb available in 25mg CBD, 100mg CBD, and 200mg CBD and our massage oil for the perfect warm up, then for the final act, it's CBD lube time baby!

There is nothing like the power of cannabis when it comes to our wellness, and my Kush Queen favorites are perfect seasonal gifts!

Conclusion

Follow me on Instagram @TheLivAlexander and @Kushqueenshop for a special holiday presentation of the Cannabis Shopping Network, where I’ll be breaking down my favorite products in greater detail. 

Happy Holidays! 

Your Kush Queen team is here to help make easy work of that daunting gifting season list!

So when it comes to asking yourself what should you get for all the loved but hard to buy for, wellness-focused, trendy, self-care gurus or stressed folx in your life?
Let us help.

We've hand-picked our best gifts by cannabinoid experience and effect to help you check everyone off your list.

Need a super specific gift?
Our gift concierge Nathan is at your service, drop us a line support@kushqueen.shop

A note: For stress-free deliveries order early and take advantage of our sales!
 

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