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.

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.” 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

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, 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 

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!

 

 

Before jumping right in, we must go back to when we began our quest to answer a different version of this same question 6 years ago…how to make an instant cannabinoid concentrate.

It's 2016 and the California cannabis market was still in what we call the “early days.” At the time, the brains behind product development at Kush Queen were focused on solving two seemingly impossible problems… trying to make a great cannabis beverage and developing a topical that could provide serious relief. 

Back then cannabis extract mostly came in oil form and we all know that oil does not mix with liquids. Oil can’t penetrate your skin due to particle size or get mixed into beverages due to density reasons. Not to mention with the use of cannabis oil, the effects can take up to an hour to feel.

Our very own Chief Visionary Officer, Michael Sawyer, wan't satisfied with using oil for these types of products, so he got to work in the lab. He spent countless hours combing through the known science and technology available. It was possible to turn oil into water with several different methods, now we just had to apply the concept to cannabis.

Kush Queen's Instant Cannabinoid Concentrate

Turning Oil Into Water

Then like magic (read as tons of experimenting and hard work), Michael developed the first batch of what we now call Amplifi nanotechnology. This nanotechnology would become the backbone of our customer-loved topical formulas like Water-based Lube, Soaked Transdermal Shower Gel, and Melt Relief CBD Lotion. 

By solving the problems of particle size and density, this technology is what makes our topical products truly transdermal and more bioavailable. 

So back to the original question…what is an instant cannabis concentrate?

An instant cannabis concentrate is really just cannabis concentrate in liquid form. The instant part is where the magic happens. 

As most of us know, “cannabis concentrates are extracted, condensed parts of the cannabis plant that contain the highest concentrations of cannabinoids." Most concentrates make use of extracted oils from cannabis, which are rich in terpenes and cannabinoids. We take cannabis extract in oil form and with science and technology turn the oil into a nano-sized, water-soluble particle using our proprietary formula. This creates a liquid concentrate (water, extract, and natural flavors) that can infuse anything, instantly. 

Got a favorite beverage? Infused it. Have the perfect lotion? Add a few drops. Want to take it straight to the dome? No problem! 

Kush Queen's Boost Instant Cannabinoid Concentrate

Meet Bôost, Kush Queen’s Instant Cannabinoid Concentrate

The first of its kind, Bôost Liquid THC is a true water compatible, instant onset, flavorless concentrate that allows you to infuse any food, drink, personal care, or beauty product. Limits? There are none.

To recap, our proprietary, patent pending nanotechnology delivers the brains and beauty behind Bôost’s instant onset of effects. Cannabinoids get transformed into a size smaller than you can imagine so your body can absorb and transport the benefits quickly. We are still surprised at the speed!    

The quest to turn oil into water was long and now that it is complete, you can add Bôost to anything. Drop your desired dose into any food or beverage for instant infusion. It’s that simple. Our nano-infused formulas boost bioavailability in every product, especially our Weed Gummies.

Bôost features our first liquid concentrate 8:1 ratio of hemp-derived Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC (Farm Bill Compliant). Micro or macro, this gives you the power to control the intoxicating effects. Each bottle comes with a dosing guide to help you get started. Pair it with some Delta 9 Gummies for more effects. Our nano-technology enhances absorption in every product, including our fast-acting THC Gummies.

Sign Up For Early Access and Be One of The Firsts

We do not want you to miss out on the first batch of our revolutionary new formula! Get access to Bôost before it launches later this week; sign up here.

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

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

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

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

Olivia Alexander holding a vape from The Crystal Cut

 

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

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

The Crystal Cult Pride Vape Pen



Introducing Kush Queen Live Resin Vapes

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


Not All Vapes Are Created Equally

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

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

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

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

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


Natural Occurring Flavor is The Shining Star of Live Resin

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

Why is flavor such a big factor in live resin?  

Time to get technical! We love live resin because it is more flavorful and “terpy” than other concentrates. In preserving trichomes and terpenes, this type of concentrate retains the flavor profile of the original plant.  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. 

Model smoking Kush Queen Live Resin Vape


Your Battery and Voltage Setting Matter

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

When you are looking for a cannabinoid vape, be sure to understand what it’s made with and the care put into each cartridge. Ask your budtender about the brand, too. Doxxing cannabis companies should be as common as asking about THC percentages. Not a fan of vaping? Our THC Gummies offer a smoke-free way to enjoy premium cannabinoids.

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 with with Kush Queen's THC Products today!

The connection between cannabis and Juneteenth runs deeper than most brands are willing to admit, and that discomfort is exactly where this conversation needs to start. This piece gets into the real history behind that link, what corporate exploitation of the holiday actually looks like in practice, and how to tell the difference between a brand doing meaningful work and one that's just timing a promotion. If you've ever felt skeptical watching a cannabis company post a Juneteenth graphic, your instincts are worth trusting.

Why cannabis and Juneteenth belong in the same conversation

Juneteenth marks the end of legal enslavement in the United States — a moment of profound freedom and resilience that deserves genuine recognition, not a marketing moment. The connection between cannabis and Juneteenth isn't a convenient pairing someone dreamed up for June content calendars. The history runs deep, and it's impossible to talk about one without the other.

For decades, Black Americans have faced disproportionate arrest, prosecution, and incarceration under cannabis prohibition. Meanwhile, the legal cannabis industry grew into a multi-billion dollar market where Black ownership and leadership remain significantly underrepresented. That gap didn't happen by accident. It's the direct result of policies built on racial targeting, and that context doesn't disappear just because a brand slaps a red, black, and green color palette on a product drop.

When cannabis brands post a Juneteenth graphic or run a June sale without acknowledging any of that history, it's fair to feel a little skeptical. Borrowing the cultural weight of a freedom holiday to move product, with no real commitment to cannabis social equity or support for Black cannabis entrepreneurs, is exactly the kind of opportunistic messaging worth calling out.

This article gets into why that distinction matters, what Juneteenth cannabis activism actually looks like in practice, and how to tell the difference between a brand that genuinely understands the moment and one that's simply timing a promotion. If you want to start with who's been doing the real work, this roundup of Black cannabis trailblazers is a great place to begin.

What the War on Drugs did to Black communities

The War on Drugs didn't land equally. Despite research consistently showing that Black and white Americans use cannabis at similar rates, Black Americans are 3.73 times more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession, according to ACLU data. That gap has held for decades, and its consequences go far beyond a single arrest.

By the numbers:
- Black Americans account for nearly 50% of cannabis possession arrests while making up about 13% of the U.S. population
- In some counties, the arrest disparity climbs as high as 10 to 1
- Federal cannabis convictions have historically carried mandatory minimums that added years, sometimes decades, to sentences

Those aren't abstract statistics. They represent jobs lost, housing applications denied, federal student aid revoked, and voting rights stripped away. For millions of people, one arrest became a permanent economic barrier, not a mistake someone moved past, but a wall that stayed up.

That enforcement history shapes the legal cannabis industry today, and it's central to understanding cannabis and Juneteenth meaning:

  • Black entrepreneurs face steeper barriers to entering the legal market, from limited access to capital to complex licensing requirements
  • The communities most harmed by prohibition often benefit least from legalization's economic opportunities
  • Cannabis social equity programs remain underfunded and uneven across states
  • Distrust of corporate equity messaging runs deep, especially when it arrives without accountability or follow-through
  • Juneteenth cannabis activism increasingly calls out the distance between brand symbolism and actual structural change

This is the backdrop that makes cannabis brands showing up on Juneteenth complicated. When a company profits from a plant that was used to criminalize Black communities for generations, the bar for meaningful engagement is genuinely high. Recognizing that tension isn't pessimism. It's just an honest starting point.

How corporate cannabis brands use Juneteenth marketing

As cannabis and Juneteenth have both moved into the mainstream, some corporate brands have started treating the holiday like any other item on the marketing calendar. The pattern is pretty recognizable by now: a themed drop, a heartfelt caption, maybe a small donation pledge, and then silence until next June. Visibility without accountability is still just marketing.

Performative tactics tend to look like this:
- Limited-edition Juneteenth product drops
- One-day social posts with no follow-through
- Holiday discount codes tied to the date
- Small, one-time donations announced publicly for the press value
- Temporary campaigns with no structural commitment behind them

Genuine support looks different:
- Year-round hiring from communities most impacted by the War on Drugs
- Active expungement advocacy and legal support funding
- Reinvestment in Black neighborhoods, not just Black aesthetics
- Equity ownership pathways for Black cannabis entrepreneurs
- Sustained, long-term partnerships with community organizations

Performative support shows up on June 19th. Real support shows up on June 20th, and every day after.

Juneteenth cannabis activism deserves to be a standard for accountability, not a seasonal campaign. The brands actually doing the work understand that honoring Black freedom movements means showing up consistently, not just when there is content to post. That kind of sustained commitment should not reset on July 1st. It is worth carrying into every month of the year, which is exactly what this piece on finding your path forward gets into.

What meaningful support looks like beyond a social post

Separating genuine commitment from a well-designed graphic takes some practice, but the signals are there once you know what to look for. Here's a practical framework for telling accountability apart from aesthetics.

  • Transparent sourcing and ethical production. Does the brand explain how its products are made, who benefits, and where the supply chain leads? Understanding how cannabis products are made is a reasonable starting point for seeing who actually holds power in that process.
  • Real reinvestment in Black communities. Look for specific dollar amounts, named partners, and ongoing programs. Vague promises to "give back" are easy to make and easier to forget.
  • Equitable hiring and ownership. Who runs the company? Who holds equity? Representation in leadership tells you more than representation in a campaign.
  • Year-round cannabis social equity advocacy. Brands doing real work support expungement efforts, licensing reform, and policy change in October the same way they do in June.
  • Amplifying Black cannabis entrepreneurs. The spotlight should shift toward community voices, not stay fixed on the brand doing the spotlighting.
  • Respecting what Juneteenth actually means. A discount code is not solidarity. The day deserves reflection and community, not a conversion funnel.

The standard: If the brand benefits more from the moment than the community does, that's a signal worth paying attention to.

Juneteenth cannabis activism is not a marketing category. It's a call to examine who has been harmed, who is being heard, and who is genuinely building something different. Hold brands to that standard, including the ones you already love.

Where Kush Queen fits into the conversation

Kush Queen isn't here to slap a Juneteenth graphic on a product page and call it advocacy. That's exactly the kind of move this article is pushing back on, so doing otherwise would be more than a little hypocritical.

What the brand does instead is try to show up consistently, and not just in June. That looks like talking openly about cannabis history and racial justice year-round, centering education over sales pressure, and being honest about where the industry still falls short on cannabis social equity. It also means not pretending that buying a bath bomb is a political act. Products can support a wellness routine in genuinely useful ways, but they're not a substitute for systemic change, and conflating the two helps no one.

Kush Queen was founded by a woman who built the brand from the ground up without corporate backing. That history matters here. There's a real understanding that cannabis and Juneteenth aren't just a content opportunity, and that the industry's complicated relationship with the communities most harmed by prohibition deserves honest acknowledgment rather than a seasonal marketing spin.

If you're looking for a cannabis brand that tries to engage with culture thoughtfully rather than opportunistically, Kush Queen is worth exploring. The goal is to earn trust over time, not ask for it upfront.


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

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

At Kush Queen, Pride is Honoring a Shared History

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

Marsha P. Johnson Poster by MICAH BAZANT

 

Marsha P. Johnson Poster by MICAH BAZANT

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

Pride is Revolutionary and Non-Conforming

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

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

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

 

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

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

Pride is About Community and Peers Supporting Peers

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

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

 

Kush Queen 2022 Pride Collection

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

Kush Queen Pride Collection 2022

 


Queer Liberation is Still Needed

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

 

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

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


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

Pride is Personal

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

Kush Queen CEO Olivia Alexander protesting
Pride inspired Crystal Cult vape

 

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

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

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

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. 

KQ Hemp Flower Trio


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. Looking for the perfect cannabis gift? Our THC Gummies make a crowd-pleasing choice for any enthusiast.

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 Kush Queen's Sexual Enhancement Gummies.

Model smoking KQ premium hemp pre-roll
Orgasmic KQ CBD lube sits on top of model


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. 

Model using Melt, KQ's infused CBD pain relieving lotionModel uses Relax bath bomb by Kush Queen


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 Best CBD for Energy and Mood.

Model smokes a Kush Queen hemp pre-roll

Model lounges with KQ GummiesRx

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 CBD for Wellness collection.

Model uses Bare+ CBDa CBGa TinctureCEO Olivia Alexander getting lifted

 


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 Sleepy Time Gummies. 

Model soaks in a relaxing Kush Queen CBD infused bath

Kush Queen Sleep CBD Bath Bomb floats in bath

 

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?

Kush Queen Olivia Alexander enjoys a cannabis Soak and Toke

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

 

A Touch of 'Toke' History

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

 

How to Bathe like Weed Royalty

Maybe you're looking to take your bath effects even higher. That's where another delivery system comes in. Sure, you could pop a gummy, but most edibles take longer to hit than your bath will take. 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.

Kush Queen cannabis products for Soak & Toke

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

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

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

Kush Queen Sleep CBD bath bomb fizzing

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

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

 

 

Extra Tips from the Experts at Kush Queen

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

The key to a successful soak and toke is preparation. 

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


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

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

 

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

We started this company with infused bath bombs because we recognized how approachable this product is and how much a stigma breaker it could be. Destigmatizing cannabis, and the people who use it, has always been our mission as a brand.  That mission also extends to the innovative ways people enjoy cannabis today, like through our CBD gummies, Weed Gummies and THC gummies.

Model mesmerizes with Kush Queen's CBD bath bomb

Photo Courtesy of Kush Queen

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

 



Successful Reality Television Executive turned Cannabis Industry CEO


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

Whitney 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 


Blunt Blowing Mama - Lizzy Jeff smokes a cannabis joint

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, Co-founder, Cannaclusive

Mary Pryor - Activist, Writer, Founder Cannaclusive


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

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

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

 



The Ivy Leaguer and Former Athlete turned Cannabis Maven 


Nadir Pearson - Co-founder Get Hybrid, Founder Student MMJ Alliance 


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

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

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

 



Award-winning Business Coach, Strategist, and Serial Entrepreneur

Glam University CEO Sabrina Peterson

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


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

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

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

 

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

 

 

‘Jackass Forever’ Star Rachel Wolfson Shares Her Best Tips on Love and Dating For A Cheeky Valentine's Day

 

It's rare to meet someone who’s as passionate about your brand as you are, but one thing we can say for sure about L.A.-based comedian Rachel Wolfson is that she’s an OG Kush Queen.

 

 

Kush Queen CEO Olivia Alexander shares a smoke on set with Wolfson


 

Making her film debut in the new 'Jackass Forever', Wolfson is currently crushing it on screen as the franchise’s first female cast member. It was an unexpected opportunity for the stand-up comedian, Johnny Knoxville became a fan on Instagram, and the rest was history for our bestie! 

Wolfson has been a Kush Queen stan (and basically my personal hype lady) since the beginning. We’ve created incredible cannabis content together on our Youtube channel The Budd, which we eventually turned into a podcast, and have done countless Kush Queen photoshoots over the years. Ya’ll she even showed up to package bath bombs and roll joints in the super early days of Kush Queen. 

While our friendship grew so did Wolfson’s career and she ultimately made a name for herself in comedy and on social media by becoming cannabis meme-queen extraordinaire, @wolfiememes. 

Now, 'Jackass Forever' is the number one movie in America. 

The ‘Jackass Forever’ family poses together on the red carpet for the U.S. premiere

Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

We were there when she got her first likes and comments from Knoxville, and the moment she received the big news she was a part of the cast, officially making history as the first woman in the multi-million dollar franchise. Now, Jackass Forever is the number one movie in America and we stan our queen, #wolfiememes!


In the spirit of Valentine's Day, we sat down with our favorite Jackass to get a few of her tips on love, first dates, and sexy times!

FYI: They're as unconventional as you think.


On First Dates… 

“A first date should be something romantic like going over each other's mental health history or going to see Jackass Forever.”

On Pre-Gaming a Date or Sneaky Link… 

She’s a fan. “Sativa for the streets and indica for the sheets,” Wolfson confessed.

Pro tip: Pair your pre-game with CBD gummies, weed gummies, or THC gummies for a chill, laid-back vibe. It’s a perfect way to set the mood before heading out!  


On Breakups… 

“Love stings sometimes.” One of our favorite moments from the Jackass movie is when Wolfson shares some sizzling on-screen chemistry with a scorpion in a stunt called “ Scorpion Botox.” 

You’ve got to see it to believe it. 


In The Bedroom… 

“EAT ASS.” She continues, “Millennials believe they have invented eating ass, but people have been doing it for generations.” And for good reason. 


Pro tip: If you're going to take Wolfson’s advice consider pairing that activity with our CBD lube and Love Potion No. 9 CBD bath bomb. 

 

Wolfson and Alexander celebrate at Kush Queen event


As a living legend going where no woman has ever gone before, it’s not surprising that while filming 'Jackass Forever' Wolfson found herself looking for some major pain relief - let’s not forget the scene where she actually licks a taser. 

Wolfson’s undeniable favorite product for mitigating the acute pain from being a total and utter Jackass was our Relieve 1:1 CBD:Delta 8 Bath Bomb. 

For those minor and major body aches? Wolfson loves using Kush Queen’s Melt Pain lotion and is always recommending or gifting it to her friends and family. 

The truth is we wouldn't be Kush Queen without OG supporters like Rachel Wolfson. 

Find Jackass Forever in theaters everywhere and be sure to follow our favorite comedian @RachelWolfson. 

 

 

 

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.  Pair these moments of reflection with a little self-care—perhaps a relaxing bath or weed gummies to ease stress and focus your mind on positive action.

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.