It’s Olivia, founder of Kush Queen here! Today we are going to dig into the minor cannabinoid, CBN, and why we choose to bring CBN Gummies to our Gummies Rx product line. 

If you didn’t know, my family and I created Kush Queen products to help me treat my bipolar disorder. From a young age, I’ve dealt with various modes of mania like high energy and the reduced need for sleep. When I was 18 years old, the first thing I found the cannabis plant to help me with was sleep. That was the real turn point in my journey to discovering the benefits of specific major and minor cannabinoids, especially CBN.

My Journey To Better Sleep

A decade ago, there were no cannabis gummies or CBD ingestibles, like literally none. So, like most people trying to use cannabis for sleep, I would have to smoke every single night before bed. Over time, smoking nightly just didn’t work. 

Like the cannabis industry's evolution, I had my journey in unlocking the power of specific delivery methods. Once I discovered edibles, it was over for my nightly smoking routine. My dear friend, Delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC as most of us refer to it, in the form of an edible became my nightly routine. I would eat chocolate or gummies to get to sleep and stay asleep every night. For those seeking similar benefits, Kush Queen offers a variety of weed gummies, including Delta 9 gummies designed to help promote relaxation and restful sleep. But if I’m being honest, I always struggled with my dose, either too much or too little, never just right so I could sleep and not wake up feeling high. 

When we ingest a cannabis edible, a very sophisticated process occurs in our body. The Delta 9 THC is converted into 11 hydroxy in your liver. During this conversion the molecule’s potency increases. So, even though I was an old pro I frequently woke up feeling high and groggy. Nailing my dose was a big problem with THC edibles, even after 11 years of cannabis use.  

Then I Learned About CBN

There was always a rumor that CBN could help people sleep better than THC. When I was a budtender, people would come in looking for yellowed or decayed weed. Why? Well, aging cannabis was reportedly high in CBN. The decay was a sign of this lesser-known cannabinoid or minor cannabinoid, CBN being present. 

Back then accessing CBN was the problem, you couldn’t easily access CBN or consume cannabis that was grown specifically to highlight its properties. 

Why We Created CBN Gummies

With the recent growth of the cannabis and hemp markets, CBN has become more accessible. Once reliable access opened up, the Kush Queen team knew we had to explore this molecule. 

All of our product testing surrounded one question: would CBN be able to be better than THC for sleep?

Once we made our first batch of CBN gummies, we entered a serious phase of testing. You know I was first in line! 

With every single new product concept, I always battle the question, is this placebo, or is this a consistent targeted effect? But night after night, I got the best sleep of my life and the most life-changing part is that I had no hangover like with traditional THC edibles. 

After taking Sleep CBD and CBN gummies, I wake in the morning feeling well-rested. Ok, so that is my experience, what about others?

Our beta testers reported similar results. We even experimented with asking some to take it during the day. Would CBN have the ability to make us sleepy mid-day? It did and it's not advised to take when you need to be functioning and alert.  

For Me, Sleeping Well Equals Being Well

Sleep is the foundation of my wellness. Without sleep, I am simply a moody mess. I get sick easier, I get angry easier, and science supports why. So many major things go down when we sleep and the cannabis plant has always been the plant to take me to my best slumber. 

Now that we have the innovation and science to bring you our CBN gummies, it feels like we are truly harnessing the power of the plant. 

Give our Sleep CBD and CBN gummies a try to get to sleep and not have the next morning clouded by the previous night’s dose.

Written By: Carly Fisher

Come closer, I am going to let you in on a little secret: until recently asked, I had no idea where the term 4/20 originated. It’s true! Hopefully, this admission provides some reassurance to those who are new to the game that you can always learn new things—and still humble yourself 20 years later. 

Despite being a seasoned weed witch who has called upon Miss Mary Jane in all her countless, beautiful forms since I was a teen and a veteran cannasseur capable of developing a complex alignment of the psychological effects of cannabinoids and terpenes with the mystical lunar cycles of the astrological calendar, I was somehow completely clueless about the ubiquitous sequence of numbers gracing the sides of bongs, commemorated as an universally recognized day of shamelessly toking up and among the most frequently-used gif files on my Instagram stories. Imagine my embarrassment.

High History: A Brief 4/20 Recap

Like many others, I was under the false impression that “420” was a police code for the possession of marijuana.

It turns out that it is not, though, in an ironic twist of fate, is now being used within enacted legislature as a bureaucratic wink-nod to the culture, such as H.R. 420 Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act, the S.420 Marijuana Revenue and Regulation Act and California Senate Bill 420.

The real story remains a well-documented countercultural urban legend, immortalized by former High Times legacy editor, Steven Hager, who recounts a group of pot-smoking teens under the guise “the Waldos” who coined the term in the 1970s at San Rafael High School in California, where they’d use “420” as a shorthand for their regular smoke ups at the campus statue of Louis Pasteur at—you guessed it—4:20 p.m.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, “‘Waldo Steve,’ a member of the group who now owns a business in San Francisco, says the Waldos would salute each other in the school hallway and say ‘420 Louis!’” The term eventually became a catch-all dog whistle to discreetly refer to marijuana and its effects.

 

Today, the term has been adopted as a global day of civil disobedience and political reckoning for the legalization, regulation, and decriminalization of industrial hemp, medical marijuana and recreational cannabis, as well as calls for reparative justice for marginalized communities unfairly impacted by the War on Drugs. This includes smoke- filled concerts. protests, marches, performance art, dancing, parties and other demonstrations in cities around the world, like New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Berkeley, Denver, Toronto, Vancouver, Mexico City and Montreal.

And if you work in the weed industry?

Expect a pretty heavy workday! Just like picking up a shift on New Year’s Eve, it’s always more fun to not be working, but certainly do-able. 

While the West Coast helped pioneer what we presently know as the multi-billion dollar cannabis industry, speculation continues to surround the future of New York and how that will influence the rest of the country in the wake of legalization. A certain amount of mental gymnastics are often required to make sense of this cultural paradox filled with murky areas of accessibility, quality and acceptable social norms impacting so many communities. It’s at once omnipresent and covert; serious and unserious; inclusive and exclusive.

For that reason, it remains a bit ironic that many users still face hurdles overcoming reductive stigmas and labels when you consider the tremendous complexities that exist scratching beneath the surface. From the fundamental realities of local and international governing law, taxation, business practices, agriculture, and medtech that will impact innumerable conditions, to points of differentiation and advancement within holistic health, the emergence of luxury goods, bioethical considerations and the legitimization of ancient ritualistic practices and standard intake. So much for being “a stupid Pothead.”

Once upon a time, you‘d get what you’d get.

Often, that meant taking a whiff of a bag, saying “Smells good,’ then handing off a wad of cash to your dealer.

Occasionally, there might be a choice between sativa or indica, and a strain name. Lucky travelers might incur some local flavor in the form of legendary and landrace strains like pineapple-laced Maui Wowee in Hawaii, Amnesia Haze in the Netherlands, Lamb’s Breath in Jamaica, Acapulco Gold in Mexico, Durban Poison in South Africa or Thai Stick in Thailand.

The most enlightening discovery, however, is the covert history of medical patients who had been using cannabis to self-treat conditions, including Rick Simpson, who famously healed his skin cancer with a highly concentrated cannabis oil dubbed Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) that he supplied to others free of charge along with DIY tips for making at home, as well as the underground marijuana brownie delivery business, Sticky Fingers Brownies, operated by Meridy Volz in San Francisco during the height of the AIDS crisis and documented in her daughter Alia Volz’s journalistic memoir, Home Baked. That’s not counting the countless ancient healers who have integrated the plant within their practices pre-dating prohibition.

420 Vibes Post-Prop 64

Post-legalization along the West Coast has given rise to a new wave of finely engineered hybrid strains and luxury products ranging from gourmet edibles and finely crafted stash boxes to sumptuous bath bombs and top-shelf, small batch, intelligently designed products (thanks, Kush Queen!).

2 years ago, New York City announced the passing of the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) —bizarrely the day before April Fool’s. The city was mostly quiet, as I walked through the Village after long periods of isolated captivity. A dry herb vaporizer miraculously showed up, which I took to the Hudson River, where I sat in the misty rain watching the boats sail by as I cried—crying with relief, joy and grief.

By the time 4/20 arrived, Washington Square Park became its annual spectacle, heralding warmer days filled with flowers and the promise of a new wave of culture emerging from so much darkness. Cities around the world followed suit, smoking up in solidarity.

So, what is 420 to me?

For me, 4/20 is a moment to relax and practice self-care. It’s a time to appreciate the present, to feel and experience life earnestly. And yes, 4/20 has also become a multi-billion dollar industry that transcends realities in ways we never imagined. But at its core, it’s still a celebration of the plant that’s helped so many of us.

If you're looking for a way to unwind this 4/20, try our CBD Gummies or explore the more intense effects of THC Gummies. They’re perfect for finding that balance between relaxation and focus, without feeling overwhelmed.

That’s what I love most about Kush Queen—it’s accessible. You don’t need to be a cannabis expert to enjoy a CBD bath bomb or treat yourself to a moment of relaxation. Many of us forget to take time for self-care when we’re stressed or overwhelmed, but Kush Queen makes it easy to unwind.

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”.  For those hard-working women who need a moment to relax, our THC gummies can help ease the stress and provide much-needed relaxation.

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

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.” Pair your next self-care session with one of our relaxing CBD gummies while learning from Goody's amazing workshops.

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

 

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

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, while enjoying weed gummies, 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 

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

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!

 

 

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. 

 

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. Just like our CBD gummies and weed gummies, our vapes are crafted with care to offer a premium experience.

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

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. 

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.  Pairing this with our THC gummies offers a complete, balanced experience for your body and mind.  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. 

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". 

 

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. (Photo by AMANDA McCOY via Star Telegram)

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 

“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. 

Today, we celebrate cannabis not just through the consumption of oils and concentrates but also with CBD gummies and THC gummies, and weed gummies—products that have made cannabinoids more accessible and enjoyable. However, the road to enjoying these products freely has not been equal for all. The cannabis industry has a responsibility to acknowledge this legacy and actively work toward social equity.

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. 

(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. 

(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

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

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

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.

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.

 

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.

We can’t deny our favorite time of year is here! The KQ team LOVES celebrating 420, plant-based wellness, and shining light on all the different ways to share in the holiday! 

If you're reading this, you’ve probably celebrated 420 before or at the very least know the typical stoner activities on this much anticipated holiday, such as 7-gram blunts, gas masks, and ridiculously potent edibles. However, if you're feeling disconnected from the 420s of your past, don't worry because Kush Queen's here to expand the experience from its usual bro-ish vibe to create mind and body connections for genuine self-exploration. 

Welcome to thoughtful cannabis consumption—don't get it twisted though, we can still smoke you under the table ;)

Having control of your experience and tapping into cannabinoids with intention is a whole new way of experiencing cannabis. Our 420 gift guide this year centers on Kush Queen's five targeted effects: Orgasmic, Chill, Lifted, Well, and Rest. 

Gifts For An Orgasmic 420 Experience

Perfect For Lovers, Reconnecting, Self-Exploration

Did you know that cannabis is an aphrodisiac? These molecules help set the mood and increase blood flow to the area for heightened pleasure and electrifying sensations. Forget getting stoned and dealing with the munchies this year, instead hit up a sneaky link and have a transformative evening! 

Here’s what you’ll need Infused CBD Massage Oil, Kush Queen’s legendary CBD lube, Love CBD Bath Bomb, and for an extra treat, our weed gummies.

Now turn off your phone and get ready for a mind and body connection like no other... Shop the 'Orgasmic' collection.

420 Gifts That Will Chill You The Eff Out

Perfect For Stressed-Out Friends, Your Mom, Playing Hooky

You’ve been stressed lately and need to decompress in a major way. The 'relax' effect delivers chill vibes perfect for decompressing on 420. And if you've never experienced our Soke and Toke, now is the perfect time! 

Grab these KQ favorites Relax CBD Bath Bomb, a Bare 500mg CBD tincture, the Kush Queen Pre-Roll Trio, and our amazing Melt CBD Relief Lotion.

These chill products are some of our favorites to gift to friends and family; and they're usually accompanied by a little note saying “It’s 2022, a little weed won’t hurt ;P!”. Shop the 'Relax' collection. 

Gifts To Get You Lifted On 420

Perfect For Stoner Friends, Exploring The Plant, Psychoactive Effects

Let's be real the best part of 420 is blasting off into a place where rules and responsibilities don't exist. Luckily, we’ve captured that feeling of the sun washing over you and worries drifting away with our Delta 8 THC products. 

Here's what you'll need Delta 8 Soaked Shower Gel, our uplifting Delta 8 GummiesRX, any of the Delta 8 THC Bath Bombs, and KQ's premium indoor hemp flower and pre-rolls.

Word to the wise, these products are psychoactive and will produce a euphoric buzz when consumed, so we suggest enjoying these in nature like on a beautiful hike or at the beach. Shop the 'Lifted' collection.

420 Gifts That'll Have You Feeling Well

Perfect For A Wellness Reboot, Ppl w/ Allergies, Your Gramps

After the last two years, feeling well just hits different. With your health and well-being in mind, our CBD-infused products are designed to aid in this very important glow-up. 

Grab these KQ favorites Melt lotion, Kush Queen's top-selling Relieve bath bomb, our Gummies Rx Original, and the Bare+ CBDa and CBGa tincture. 

Just like that feeling, these cannabinoids are here to power you from the inside out. Seriously, who doesn't wanna feel good? Shop the 'Feel Well' collection.

 

Gifts To Help You Rest This 420

Perfect For Night Owls, Deep Rest, Meditation

Wanna skip the party and head straight to bed? Try these KQ products for intense relaxation and tranquility. The calming essential oils paired with minor cannabinoid CBN create a quick on-set of sleepiness that lasts throughout the night. 

Here's what you'll need Our nighttime CBN Gummies and the wonderfully sedative Sleep Bath Bomb. It's as simple as that. 

Unwind with this nighttime and morning combination of relaxing cannabinoids that'll have you feeling rested but ready to take on anything. Shop the 'Rest' collection. 

 

It’s now your time to indulge in all your feelings with our ‘420 Find Your Feeling Sale’—Celebrate this 420 with Kush Queen by taking 50% Off all our products site-wide this 4/20!!! 

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?

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. 

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. For a quicker alternative, try weed gummies, which can deliver a delicious, relaxing experience while you soak. Pair them with a pre-roll for an instant delivery of cannabinoids, making this ritual the ultimate in cannabis self-care.

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. 

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

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.  That mission also extends to the innovative ways people enjoy cannabis today, like through our CBD gummies, Weed Gummies and THC gummies.

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 - Founder, 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 

Lizzy Jeff - Founder, 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 - 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 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

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.