Skip to main content

Author: Rachel Nelson

Errganix Hemp Farm- 2024 Michigan Cherries

Written by Rachel Nelson on . Posted in Cultivation. No Comments on Errganix Hemp Farm- 2024 Michigan Cherries

The Taste of Texas Hemp Cup recognizes cultivators throughout the state for offering superior products. Errganix Hemp Farm won this year’s flower competition with its Michigan Cherries submission.

 

“It feels pretty good,” said Eric Goodman, owner of Errganix. “It feels deserved. I worked hard for it.”

 

Errganix is no stranger to the Taste of Texas Hemp Cup. In 2022, the brand took the top prize in the People’s Choice category and second place for best flower.

 

“The flower that I submitted this time was a lot better than the flower I submitted last time, so my competition was myself,” Goodman said. “I was trying to beat myself and succeeded.”

 

Michigan Cherries is a cross between the Tropical Cherries and GMO strains.

 

“It was a lime green with purple on the inside,” Goodman said. “The bud was really crystally, so even when you break it in half, it was really frosty and covered in trichomes. And the trichomes were intact, which means the weed wasn’t smashed or sitting around,”

 

A longtime grower, Goodman said he took a liking to cultivating plants as a young boy.

“The way I grew up, matter of fact, in our age in elementary school, sprouting beans and bringing the plant to school was just part of the grade,” he said. “I had carrots and beans in elementary school in our backyard. It was just fascinating.”

 

Later, Goodman said he was inspired to grow cannabis using lessons learned in Ed Rosenthal’s book, Closet Cultivator.

 

While Goodman was optimistic he would win this year’s top prize, he said he did not have a speech prepared for the big win.

 

“I just let the flower do the talking,” he said. “Everybody out here in Austin knows my flower. I’m always sold out.”

CBD GAVE ME MY LIFE BACK

Written by Rachel Nelson on . Posted in Health.

INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKER THRIVES POST-BRAIN INJURY

Elizabeth Meigs said she didn’t know what cannabidiol (CBD) oil was in 2019, but a friend’s Facebook post piqued her interest.

“One of my friends had cystic fibrosis, and she doesn’t like to get on elevators because she’s claustrophobic,” Meigs said. “She had to walk up five flights of stairs to get to her doctor’s office, but after using CBD oil, she said she wasn’t out of breath.”

In 2000, at the age of 14, Meigs suffered a life-altering accident that left her with brain damage. After seeing how her friend benefitted from CBD oil, Meigs began researching the benefits it might offer for people who have suffered strokes and brain injuries.

Although she notes that CBD oil is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, Miegs said many things in her life began to improve after she started using a CBD tincture. It wasn’t long before she noticed benefits for:

  • Sleep. Before CBD, Meigs had trouble sleeping for 19 years. “I was lucky to get maybe two or three hours of unrestful sleep a night,” she said. “I was always taking prescriptions or over-the-counter sleep aids. Then, within two to three days of being on CBD oil, I was sleeping good all night long.”

  • Pain. Meigs has had five surgeries on her left foot. She first found pain relief with CBD-infused topicals. “Once the CBD oil got into my system and started working on inflammation in my body, I hardly needed anything topical on my foot,” she said.

  • Hormones. Because she suffers with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), Meigs said her menstrual cycles were never regular without the use of birth control. Her periods were also heavy and painful. “After three months of being on CBD oil, I became more regular,” she said. “My periods were regular; they weren’t painful. The part of my brain that controls my hormones was damaged [in the accident]. I was 14, and I was having hot flashes, but within a month of taking CBD oil, I noticed a big improvement.”

  • Allergies. After her accident, Meigs said she suffered from year-round allergies. “After 30 days on CBD oil, I no longer needed my allergy medication,” she said.

  • Cholesterol. Because she has a family history of high cholesterol, Meigs was diagnosed with the condition at a young age. She was eventually put on medication to treat it but was able to discontinue her prescriptions after using CBD oil.

  • Muscle tone and spasms. Before discovering CBD oil, Meigs suffered from increased muscle tone that was treated with Botox. Additionally, muscle spasms required treatment with high-power muscle relaxers. “After two to three months of using CBD, I no longer require Botox injections, and I don’t even require all of the muscle relaxers I’m prescribed,” she said.

Because she was so impressed with how CBD oil improved her life, Meigs began sharing the inflammation-fighting remedy with others and realized its benefits for anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and high blood pressure.

For example, Meigs said she coached a woman named Barbara who could not make a fist with her hands for more than four years. After one week of using CBD topical and sublingual products, she noticed improvements in pain and dexterity.

Meigs said, “After one month of the products, she looked up at me making a fist with both hands and saying, ‘Beth you are my angel. I never dreamed I’d be able to do my job with no pain and I am, thank you.'”

When it comes to hemp, Meigs said, “so many people don’t have the facts.”

“Many of the illnesses we suffer with today are a result of increased inflammation within our bodies,” Meigs said. “Our cows and chickens used to graze to hemp, so we used to get it through that in our diets. Every mammal has an endocannabinoid system. God created this plant and created us to require it. It’s how we can help regulate our bodies naturally. It helps regulate the source of the issue instead of putting a Band-Aid on it and just helping the symptoms.”

 

A life changed forever

Before her accident, Meigs gained success as a singer and songwriter.

“I had been singing and songwriting for half my life,” she said, adding that a teacher arranged a recording studio session for her during her eighth-grade year.

“I was going to move to Nashville to pursue a career in country music right after high school,” she said.

The day of her accident, Meigs said paramedics had to bring her back to life several times. For the next 24 to 48 hours, she clung to life. She pulled through but faced an extensive rehabilitation journey.

“Once I was back in school, that was the most difficult,” she said. “My friends came and visited me back in the hospital, but once back in school their lives went on, and I was an invisible nobody. That was devastating. I would come home from school and tell my parents that I wish I had died. One day, I found myself on my knees asking God why he did this to me.”

According to Meigs, she felt a voice in her heart saying, “I have a plan for you. You can’t stop. You have to keep going.”

“I knew at that moment God didn’t do this to me — this was a worldly circumstance. I knew he was going to pull me out of the darkness. I didn’t know how, and I didn’t know when, but I couldn’t give up.”

From there, Meigs said she went to bed with a grateful heart each night. She began singing and performing again. She acknowledged that her voice wasn’t what it was before, “but it was still beautiful,” she said.

“People would see the one thing I was good at on stage, and that was the only time people weren’t judging me. That’s why those passions that you have — those are so important to get you through the tough times.”

A mission to inspire

Meigs graduated high school with her class and earned an associate’s degree in occupational therapy.

When I walked into the first patient’s room who had a stroke, and when I told them my story, it gave them a lot of hope,” Meigs said. “Every single patient would hug me at the end and thank me and tell me they couldn’t have gotten through their situation without me. That’s when I saw the power behind my story.”

She subsequently moved to Waco and attended a two-day speaking seminar in Dallas, which reinforced what she felt was her life’s purpose — to start a business as an inspirational speaker and transformational coach. She soon found her place in a church with a Celebrate Recovery group where she received more confirmation that others could benefit from her story.

“I found community and made friends for the first time in 17 years,” she said. “I knew I was right where I needed to be.”

Fast-forward to 2024, and Meigs offers coaching services and teaching strategies she developed while recovering from her accident. She also fulfills public speaking engagements and coaches clients on CBD oil so they can get the best benefits.

Meigs also contributed a chapter to a recently published book titled “Women Who Lead: Inspirational Stories and Influence of Female Leaders.” Learn more about Meigs’ journey, and book her services at elizabethinspires.com.

TEJAS TONIC: 3 FLAVORS, UNLIMITED ENJOYMENT

Written by Rachel Nelson on . Posted in News.

After receiving a positive response from customers on its inaugural lime-flavored beverage, Tejas Tonic released two more varieties: Agarita Berry and Frio Mango.

The agarita berry grows on a shrub commonly found in the Texas Hill Country. Fragrant, yellow blooms appear on the plant during spring, followed by a bright red berry often used for making jelly and wine.

The agarita berry offers a mostly tart flavor, and according to the blog Foraging Texas, it offers medicinal applications. Agaritas are said to relieve nausea, aid with digestion and help boost immunity.

 

Frio mango is the latest refreshing flavor offered by Tejas Tonic and is a homage to South Texas — the only part of the state with a climate suitable for growing mangos.

 

While many options are popping up in the hemp beverage space, here are four reasons to enjoy Tejas Tonic.

 

1. It’s all-natural. 

 

Aaron Owens, founder of Tejas Hemp and Tejas Tonic, believes in keeping his products natural and never uses synthetic methods. In its marketing for Tejas Tonic, the company emphasizes, “It hasn’t left our sight since the plants came out of the ground.”

 

2. It’s terp-boosted.

 

Terpenes, known as terps, are compounds in certain plants that give them distinct aromas and flavors. In cannabis plants, each strain has a unique terpene profile, and each terpene is said to offer certain benefits (such as reducing anxiety or improving focus).

 

3. It won’t give you a hangover.

One of the biggest benefits of hemp beverages is that partakers won’t suffer undesirable after-effects. As hemp-infused drinks become more widely available, many people are opting for them over a night of boozing.

 

4. It’s convenient to get.

Tejas Tonic is available in dozens of establishments. Visit tejastonic.com/finder to find a location near you.

Wyatt Purp: The Brand Changing Texas Cannabis landscape

Written by Rachel Nelson on . Posted in Business. 1 Comment on Wyatt Purp: The Brand Changing Texas Cannabis landscape

(Story Originally written Jan 16th 2023 but was withheld by Wyatt Purp Legal Council)

 

Longtime friends Wyatt Larew and Dustin Ragon started their cannabis brand, Wyatt Purp. The business name stems from their cannabis oil that turns purple when it oxidizes. It’s also a play on Wyatt Earp, the American lawman and gambler who is portrayed in the classic movie “Tombstone.”

 

Ragon plays a behind-the-scenes operational role, while Larew is the dynamic face of the company. The pair call themselves complete opposites, but they complement each other nonetheless.

 

“I can’t do what he does, and he can’t do what I do,” Ragon said. “So it’s kind of like a perfect match.”

 

Upon receiving Texas hemp producer license No. 413 in 2020, Larew said he was determined to remain compliant with state laws. Originally, Ragon and Larew set out to manufacture delta 8 and other synthetic isomers but changed their minds after speaking with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

 

“When you manufacture a drug, whether it’s delta 9 or delta 8 or any other synthetic isomer, you’re manufacturing a drug that replicates or is just like marijuana, and the intent behind that is that you manufactured a schedule 1 drug,” Larew said.

 

Larew said he went on to create a cutting-edge THC delivery system using recycled waste from hemp operations.

 

“Every single person who makes CBD isolate has a byproduct of waste called mother liquor, and they throw it away,” Larew said. “I took their waste and turned it into natural THC. I found a way to isolate THC for $50 for 1 million milligrams. I took the same mother liquor and made 90% distillate so that I can make a much stronger product. When I started this, it was considered trash, and facilities would pay you to just haul off their waste. Now, they sell it. I completely changed the whole industry. This is the greatest up-cycle in human history.”

 

Larew calls his THC isolation technique multi-billion dollar technology but also says corporations have ignored it.

 

“They want to keep their monopoly [on synthetic THC], and they don’t want to produce quality products at a lower price,” he said.

 

Larew said he has concerns surrounding the production of synthetic products because the customer never knows who is making them or the equipment used.

 

A growing brand

 

Wyatt Purp’s products are sold in more than 100 Dallas-area shops, and the company also white labels products for Planet K stores.

 

“My company is always going to produce the best products,” Larew said. “I’ve won multiple awards for my edibles. My gummies are stronger than any marijuana gummy. They include all of your minor cannabinoids. That’s all I do is take the waste and remove the CBD, so you have an entourage effect.”

 

Wyatt Purp’s owners say they strive to cultivate long-term business relationships by providing premium products at competitive prices. The company also has a loyalty program that shoppers can sign up for on its website, wyattpurp.com. Every dollar spent equates to one point, and after earning 100 points, customers receive a coupon for 50% off all store products.

The flower of life

 

Larew said he had a near-death experience (NDE) related to a chronic kidney condition in 2019. During the phenomenon, he said he was given a glimpse into what’s next, as well as the notion that every plant is a conscious being like humans.

 

“I believe cannabis is a spirit, not just a plant,” Larew said. “That’s why there is so much karmic justice associated with it, and those that exploit it are never going to make it because they don’t realize what they’re messing with. During my NDE, I saw that cannabis was a really spiritual, powerful entity. It wasn’t like all of the other plants — it represents something like mother.”

 

While some may feel skeptical about Larue’s brush with the after-world, he says he has full faith in everything he saw and experienced. He calls cannabis “the flower of life” and believes humans were created through intelligent design to have and use it.

 

“Every mammal has an endocannabinoid system,” Larew said. “Whether you’ve ever used cannabis or not, you have it in your DNA. It controls your central nervous system and immune system. It’s part of what makes a Homosapien.”

 

Hate from the state

 

Larew has been vocal about his critical attitude toward state hemp and cannabis laws.

 

“The state just banned anyone in Texas from producing smokable hemp products in 2022,” he said. “We can still sell the products, just not from the farmers that are here.”

 

Additionally, Texas just opened a business license application period that will add more dispensaries to the state’s limited medical marijuana program. Requirements include a $7,500 non-refundable application fee as well as $10 million in liquid assets.

 

“The delta 8 and hemp thing in Texas was just a soft release of cannabis to get the people here to accept it. This was their incremental way of wedging their way in,” he said. “Now, they want to sell licenses to pharmaceutical companies and not allow anyone else to be part of it. The state wants to have a monopoly on cannabis productions.”

 

Larew points out that the state police are in charge of Texas’ medical marijuana program, which he calls obvious government corruption.

 

“They’re arresting people for using a schedule 1 drug that they say has no medical use,” Larew said. “They’re saying, ‘Unless you buy our drugs, it’s illegal.’”


A parting gift

 

As a result of his kidney condition, Larew said he has endured 15 life-saving surgeries in the past five years. Because he has a donor kidney that only matches three out of six genetic markers, he said he does not expect to live a long life.

 

“This is a patch, so this is my gift to everybody else,” he said. “I just know I was born for this. I know everything there is to know about cannabis. I’m a grower, and I have a spiritual connection to the plant.”

 

In the future, Larew believes that his technology will be accepted in industrial farming.

 

“We are just trying to bring natural safe cannabis options to the masses for a fraction of the cost of the government’s pay-to-play scam. It’s completely possible.”

 

Ragon echoes that sentiment and views Wyatt Purp as a way to provide a needed service for humanity.

 

“My mission is just to spread this medicine as far and wide as possible and get access to as many people as possible no matter what your income level is,” Ragon said.

 

Anthocyanins: Nature’s Antioxidant is Also Found in Hemp

Written by Rachel Nelson on . Posted in Cannabis News.

Texas A&M Student MJ Clay Takes a Closer Look at This Pigment-Producing Compound

 

By Rachel Nelson

 

College is a place where students prepare for future careers while transitioning into full-blown adulthood. For MJ Clay, it’s a time to conduct groundbreaking hemp research and help pioneer one of the first-of-its-kind university cannabis clubs — the Cannabis Hemp Innovation League (CHIL).

 

Clay is a horticulture science and plant environmental science major at Texas A&M University, While she has completed a variety of work at the school’s Industrial Hemp Breeding Program, Clay said she has taken a special liking to trichomes — the part of the plant responsible for producing cannabinoids and terpenes.

 

According to Clay, trichomes can also contain anthocyanins, or naturally occurring pigments that create red and purple hues. Anthocyanins give foods like blueberries and raspberries their color, she said.

 

“When we’re learning about his plant, it’s as useful as the vegetables and fruits that we eat in our daily meals. I love how interconnected nature is. It’s quite beautiful, really. But [anthocyanins also have] incredible health benefits for humans,” Clay said, citing their antioxidant and antiviral properties.

 

“There’s actually some arguments about whether or not higher anthocyanins could take away from either terpenes, which are the smells, or cannabinoids like CBD or THC,” Clay said. “So we just need more research, but that’s why the Industrial Hemp Breeding Program is here.”

Currently, Clay is working with private companies on an inbreeding project focused on creating uniform cannabis similar to how rows of corn grow.

“So then we could do field seeding, and your crops would all look the same,” she said. “We’re also trying to select for the plants that have higher anthocyanins, not only because it has a great benefit to the users but it also gives the plants some tolerance to heat and drought.”

 

Clay said that although she works in controlled environments, part of her research includes stressing plants out by heating the room to 99 degrees at times.

 

“The plant really shows you a lot of different genetic traits that we didn’t know were possible,” Clay said. “If a plant is able to bounce back more readily than another, we know that plant is going to do better in field conditions in Texas, so whenever we find a plant that’s just resilient, we want to continue those genetics.”

 

Clay presented some of her research at the second annual Texas Hemp Summit at Texas A&M University in December. The summit is organized by the Texas Hemp Coalition, an advocacy and educational nonprofit. Clay and her counterparts from CHIL were also part of the inaugural Texas Hemp Summit in 2022.

 

“it was really rewarding because we were just kind of introducing the club,” she said. “Coming back the second time around at the summit and seeing so many familiar faces and so many people just supporting the work we’re doing at A&M — It’s really rewarding. Having one of the first cannabis clubs at a university has been quite a feat for us. We’re very proud of what we do, and we’re just hoping to continue growing our organization.”

 

Cannabis Meets Fine Dining

Written by Rachel Nelson on . Posted in Cannabis News.

Chef Tavis Petersen Tours the U.S. Serving Infused Dinners at Luxury Air BnBs

Travis Petersen was a long-time professional in the oil and gas industry when his love of the culinary arts led him to sign up for a show called Masterchef Canada. He appeared in two episodes in 2016.

“I had fun with that,” he said.

Around that time, oil and gas hit a recession, and Petersen was laid off from his job. However, he received a severance package that allowed him to kick off a new career in cooking. He began doing chef popups, cooking lessons and meal prepping until October 2018, when his home country of Canada federally legalized cannabis for recreational use.

That’s when Petersen hosted his first cannabis-infused pop-up dinner. He converted his house into a restaurant and served 150 people in four days. Since then, Petersen has served more than 15,000 people their first cannabis-infused meal, with 900 of those guests being first-time cannabis users.

“A dinner party is a perfect introduction for people,” Petersen said. “If you were ever going to try cannabis, our dinner parties are the best way.”

Safety is paramount to Petersen, and guests are dosed individually based on their tolerance level.

“We don’t want to give people too much or not enough,” he said. “It’s about hitting that perfect medium and utilizing the terpenes to mold the experience they’re about to have. Everything is full spectrum, so we’re not using isolates.”

Launching Nomadic Nights in The US

In 2021, Petersen relocated to Arizona, where he launched his latest business endeavor — Nomadic Nights. He travels around the U.S. hosting infused popup dinners in 29 cities where recreational cannabis use is legal.

“I rent luxury Air BnBs and turn them into little popup restaurants,” he said. “It provides a dinner party experience for all the guests.”

Guests have been known to enjoy menu items like 72-hour short ribs with a miso glaze and infused kimchi, or a mini croissant dessert cereal with infused matcha milk.

“What’s really cool is we’ll have anywhere from 20 to 40 people at the dinners, and they’re all strangers sitting around the table,” Petersen said. “Looking at them, one might think, ‘Oh, those people have nothing in common.’ But at the end of the night, they’re exchanging numbers, they’re friends, and they’re planning to see each other again.”

Petersen said that although he didn’t originally set out to be a cannabis chef, watching these special connections unfold is what inspired him to take the idea full-time. He even published a cookbook titled “Introduction to Culinary Cannabis” that is available for purchase at www.thenomadcook.com/shop.

“I thought this was going to be a niche fad,” he said. “The average age of my guests is 39, and they are 60% female. I couldn’t have been any more wrong about what the clientele was going to be, and that this is an actual cuisine that is here to stay.”

A Dedication to Safety

In 2020, Petersen launched the first recognized Culinary Cannabis Certificate for Safety and Responsibility in Canada, which he said received a great deal of positive media attention.

According to Petersen, people too often Google, “How do I make weed brownies?” Then, they make recipes that do not provide the correct dosing information, which can lead to bad experiences.

Properly dosing cannabis-infused dishes is an art Petersen hopes to share with others. This year, he is turning his certification course into an online master class that will launch on April 20. Through it, he will teach the methods, equipment and fundamentals necessary to serve infused meals safely and responsibly.

“The ultimate goal of what I’m trying to achieve is that I want the next generation of chefs to be able to do this in a restaurant,” he said.

Last year, Nomadic Nights hosted 102 dinners in 11 months, and their calendar is filling up for 2024 as well. All dates and locations are announced on Petersen’s Instagram, @the_nomadcook.

Meet The High Flyers Club

Written by Rachel Nelson on . Posted in Pop Culture.

The thriving Austin comedy scene has a new place for stoner comedians to gather and share jokes.

Comweedians Open Mic Cannabis Comedy Show takes place every Wednesday from 8-10 p.m. at The Yard TSC, located at 523 Thompson Ln. Comedians can sign up to perform three-minute sets starting at 7 p.m. The event is 420-friendly, and prizes are given for the night’s best joke.

The weekly event kicked off on Jan. 17. Chris “2Stoned” Adams, event coordinator for the venue, said the premiere event was well-attended despite cold weather.

“Most comedians were new to Austin,” he said. “We want to be the spot where, if downtown spots are booked and busy, they can come here.”

In addition, the owner of The Yard TSC launched a community called High Flyers Club. Visit 420highflyersclub.com to join an 8.3k-member private Facebook group that provides event information, cannabis-themed giveaways, as well as a safe space to post 420-themed topics.

Adams said The Yard TSC began hosting events in 2023. In addition to the new comedy series, they have sports watch parties, movie nights, vendor markets and more. One of The Yard TSC’s most unique offerings is its recurring “Head in da Clouds” Mic Drop event. For $50, artists and bands can do a one- to three-minute performance, which is filmed by staff. Lights and smoke machines are provided, and performances are edited and mixed by in-house engineers and directors. Artists receive a digital copy of the performance for promotional purposes, and they also air on High Flyers Club’s YouTube and Instagram channels.

The Yard TSC is nestled behind the Texas Smoke Connection smoke shop, which is open daily from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Follow @theyardtsc on Instagram to stay up-to-date on future events.

Upcoming events at The Yard TSC in Austin


Every Wednesday Comweedians Open Mic Cannabis Comedy Show, 8 – 10 p.m.
February 3 Cartoons and Cereal Wake & Bake Party, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
February 3 Indoor Popup Market, 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Join High Flyers Club
Instagram @420highflyersclub
Youtube.com/@highflyersclub
Facebook.com/groups/420highflyersclub

Sweet Sensi’s 3rd Annual Texas Hemp Harvest

Written by Rachel Nelson on . Posted in Events.

Festival Brings an Elevated Cannabis Experience to Austin
On Nov. 3-4, the aroma of hemp and jerk chicken filled Distribution Hall in East Austin.

Sweet Sensi’s Third Annual Texas Hemp Harvest Festival featured two days of live music,

Jamaican cuisine from Winston’s Kitchen and meaningful connections.

The event hosted an impressive lineup of reggae bands, from Austin’s Mau Mau Chaplains to national acts Passafire and 10 Ft. Ganja Plant. Greg Autry, owner of Sweet Sensi CBD, curates the bands based on his own playlist. He was especially enthusiastic about bringing Josh Heinrichs & SkillinJah to the event.

“The amount of enthusiasm that goes into their shows is just ridiculous,” Autry told the Texas Hemp Show Podcast on Episode 148. “These guys are just on fire when they’re on stage.”

The two-day festival also gave small businesses a chance to promote their products — everything from decorative straw hats and tie-dyed overalls to hemp-infused seltzers and honey.

“We’re doing this for the industry,” said Autry, who organizes the event with is wife, Tracy. “That’s why we started it was to bring attention to cannabis and the hemp industry.”

A gift basket raffle also took place with proceeds benefitting two local charities — Mobile Loves and Fishes and Forney Memorial VFW.

Although the event just wrapped, plans are underway for next year’s festival.

“We’re already thinking about next year,” Autry said. “We have some really big possibilities coming up. We’ve been invited by some local municipalities to apply or put our name forward for a huge venue in town. So, we’ll see what happens with that. We don’t know for sure yet. We’ve got our feelers out for bands that are bigger than what we’ve had.”
 

Visit texashempharvestfestival.com to stay updated on future events, and check out The Texas Hemp Show Podcast’s live stream from the 2023 festival at youtube.com/@texashempshow.

Does The Hangover Blocker by Sweet Sensi actually work?

Written by Rachel Nelson on . Posted in Health.

As the years go by, I find myself drinking less and less because the hangovers keep getting worse and worse. But every once in a while, it would be nice to indulge in a fun night out without having to suffer the brutal consequences. 

This is exactly the problem Sweet Sensi’s new product solves. The Hangover Blocker is comprised of prickly pear, CBD and B12. I have heard that prickly pear is a magic hangover cure, but I brushed it off as an old wives’ tale. With Sweet Sensi’s new product hitting the market, I finally had the chance to find out for myself. 

It was a typical Saturday night, and I decided I wanted to go out and unwind with some drinks. I took the four capsules that make up The Hangover Blocker with 16 ounces of water as the package directs. The directions also advise taking the pills two hours before drinking, but I only waited one hour.

I wanted to put The Hangover Blocker to a true test, so I didn’t hold back. I had beers. Then, I had shots of tequila and whiskey followed by more beers. I indulged in what would normally result in two days of misery. But not this time.

When I woke up the next morning, I felt hungover at first. But the symptoms quickly faded. The next thing I knew, I was out enjoying brunch and a Bloody Mary at Bouldin Acres In Austin. Based on past experience, I would have without a doubt spent the day in bed if it weren’t for The Hangover Blocker. 

Needless to say, Sunday Funday got a little carried away, and the drinks kept flowing. When I got home that night, I took another package of The Hangover Blocker hoping it would save me. On Monday morning, I arrived at my office at 8 a.m. with a smile on my face and no hangover. 

I 10/10 recommend this product. Visit sweetsensiwellness.com to try it for yourself.

2 Brands of Blue Gummies Everyone Must Try

Written by Rachel Nelson on . Posted in CBD News & Business.

When it comes to covering hemp and cannabis in Texas, testing out new products is a perk of the job. Recently, I indulged in two brands of gummies that I highly recommend. Coincidentally, they’ll both turn your tongue blue. 

1. OnlyDank’s Forbidden Fruit Gummies

During the SXSW music festival in Austin, I ran into Albert, Founder and CEO of OnlyDank. OnlyDank boasts a collection of branded merch — including rolling trays, grinders and hats. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that this growing brand recently added edibles to its sleek product catalog. 

The Forbidden Fruit gummies by OnlyDank not only taste great, but they also reflect the quality the brand stands by. They are organic, vegan and manufactured through a solventless extraction process. They are also made in a Kosher Certified Facility.

The first time I indulged in one of these 10mg Delta 9 THC gummies, I noticed that it was fast-acting. I took it right before bed, and it quickly brought me to a mellow, contemplative place. While my mind was moving in an analytical way, I felt euphoric and not the least bit anxious as I dozed off into a tranquil slumber.

Based on my experience, I highly recommend heading to onlydankofficial.com to make a purchase.

2. Blue Buzzberry Gummies from Buck’A Buzz 

It was through Texas Hemp Show’s recent partnership with Weed and Whisey TV that I discovered the Buck’A Buzz gummies. Jerry “J-Man” Joyner, the streaming platform’s frontman, is involved in the venture and gave me a pack to try.

I have to give this brand an A+ on its marketing. For one, the packaging is colorful and attention-grabbing. Furthermore, a 5-pack of 10mg Delta 9 THC gummies costs $5 (hence the name “Buck’A Buzz”).

Yes, the concept is amusing, but the effects are no joke. When I took a Buck’A Buzz, I found the experience to be rather uplifting. For the next few hours, I felt chatty and upbeat.

If you want a gummy that will provide a quality sesh for yourself and four friends at a value, Buck’A Buzz is for you. Find them at buckabuzz.com.

Former NFL Running Back Ricky Williams Launches Highsman Cannabis Lifestyle Brand

Written by Rachel Nelson on . Posted in Cannabis News.

Every year since 1935, the Heisman Trophy has recognized the best American college football player. In 1998, the honor fell on University of Texas running back Ricky Williams.

Williams went on to play 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) and one season with the Canadian Football League (CFL). During his time in the NFL, Williams failed several drug tests for marijuana — which even spurred an early retirement in 2004. 

Williams returned to the Miami Dolphins in 2005 but was suspended for the entire 2006 season after failing yet another drug test (that’s when he spent a year playing for the CFL). In 2007, Williams returned to the Dolphins, where he remained until 2010. He spent a season playing with the Baltimore Ravens before retiring from the NFL a second time in 2011.

After putting his career on the line multiple times, it’s obvious Williams is a big fan of cannabis. Clearly, using the herb didn’t stop him from breaking NFL records. Now, Williams is encouraging others to “spark greatness” through his Highsman cannabis lifestyle brand.

Visit highsman.com to browse Williams’ products, which include three categories of cannabis flower: 

  • Pregame: An energizing lineup of game-changing sativas with terpene profiles proven to promote motivation and alertness. 
  • Halftime: A balanced collection of unique hybrids with terpene profiles naturally designed to create a smooth, leveled euphoria.
  • Postgame: A roster of recovery-focused indicas fueled by terpenes that promote pain relief, relaxation and better sleep. 

Fans can also buy apparel on the site — from jackets and hoodies to beanies and sweatpants. Highsman also features an assortment of water bottles, stickers, rolling trays and more.

Williams’ new venture has caught the attention of major media outlets like Forbes, Market Watch and the New York Post. To Williams, it’s obvious Highsman is more than just another cannabis brand. The website describes it as “an elite mentality that is defined by an appreciation for greatness.”

Through the years, Williams has been vocal about his relationship with cannabis, revealing that it has helped him to manage his anxiety. 

“Ricky was scrutinized by the NFL and sports fans alike throughout his career, but he knew that restricting his cannabis consumption meant restricting who he truly was as an individual,” the website explains. 

Be sure to follow @highsman on Instagram to get the latest updates. 

Mau Mau Chaplains’ Moe Monsarrat talks life, loss and legalization

Written by Rachel Nelson on . Posted in Pop Culture.

For the past 15 years, 10-piece reggae act Mau Mau Chaplains has played Wednesday nights at Flamingo Cantina, a staple of Austin’s downtown live music scene. Singer and multi-instrumentalist Moe Monsarrat said people commonly refer to the standing gig as “reggae church.”

“It’s because it’s every Wednesday, and you can come and get a blessing from the music,” Monsarrat said. “We’re not preaching or anything like that. It’s nothing like that. We just play our stuff, and people feel like it’s kind of like a religious experience.

“To put it one way, I have a heart doctor, and I went to see him one day, and he said, ‘How’s the music business?’ I said, ‘It’s kind of like the doctor business.’ He said, ‘How so?’ I said, ‘Well, people come in feeling one way, and they leave feeling better.’”

Monsarrat’s love for reggae music began in the ‘70s. In his older years, he said he has stepped into a new level of confidence musically. 

“When you’re younger, you kind of wonder, ‘Am I really that good?’ You kind of doubt yourself,” he said. “I don’t doubt myself anymore. I’ve been doing it too long to doubt myself anymore.” 

Regarding cannabis, Monsarrat said the band partakes regularly and is happy to see the changes that are happening in Texas. 

“[Cannabis is] certainly part of our daily lives,” he said. “It’s something that’s important to all of us, and it’s something we’ve always had between us, and that’s where we stand. 

“I’m really happy that Austin is kind of relaxed about it, and of course, the police are pouting because they no longer have a reason to search you. They know that even if they find weed, the [district attorney] won’t prosecute it, so it’s a waste of time. So give thanks for that, and give thanks for the medicinal legalization. We can only hope that the recreational part will be passed soon. We’re great supporters of Texas NORML, and I play their golf tournament. They have their meetings here at Flamingo when they have public meetings.”

Last year, tragedy struck the band when drummer Miguel Pankratz lost his battle with cancer. 

“It broke everybody’s heart, but you know, we’ve got to carry on,” Monsarrat said. “The show’s got to go on, and that’s the way he wanted it. So that’s where we’re at, you know? Jah bless him, you know, because he was our brother, and we think about him every time we get up to play. There are certain songs that were his favorite songs, and we try to always include those. It’s a difficult thing, but when you’re getting older, it’s around you more and more all the time — like more and more of your friends die.”

While Tom Leslie now leads the band’s rhythm section, Monsarrat said he will never forget the friend he shared the stage with for three decades.

“While we’re playing it’s pure bliss, and Tom Leslie is a great drummer,” he said. “We never have to worry about anything being on time or mistakes or any of that kind of thing, so we couldn’t really be in a lot better shape as far as the players go. But nobody could play it like Miguel because we played it for so long together, so sometimes I miss little things that he did that Tom doesn’t know about or plays it differently, which is the way it should be, but still I do miss certain things about it.”

Aside from Dreadneck Wednesdays at Flamingo Cantina, Mau Mau Chaplains can be spotted playing events and the occasional out-of-town gig. They also live-stream their Wednesday night performances on Flamingo Cantina’s Facebook page at 10:30 p.m.

“It’s a wonderful thing for us to perform. We’re very thankful to be able to still do that,” Monsarrat said.

Texas Hemp Day at the Capitol

Written by Rachel Nelson on . Posted in Legislative.

The Texas Hemp Reporter attended the first ever Texas Hemp Day at the Capitol and Rachel was there for a report with activity with lawmakers. Written & Produced by Rachel Nelson.

Texas Hemp Day at the Capitol was a huge success, marking the first time that Texas’ hemp industry came together at the capitol. The event provided an opportunity for members to interact with one another, as well as state representatives and senators. The work accomplished at the capitol is expected to benefit the industry in the current legislative session.

The Texas Hemp Coalition expressed their appreciation to all those who came to Austin to show their support for the coalition and the Texas hemp industry, and looks forward to seeing them again soon.

As the 88th Texas Legislature convened on January 10, 2023, the Texas Hemp Coalition’s tenant of “advocacy” is carried out during this session as they continue to fight for the industry’s prosperity. The final day of the legislative session is May 29, 2023, and the coalition encourages industry supporters to reach out to their State Representatives and Senators to voice their concerns and support for the hemp industry in Texas.

The coalition’s federal and state legislative priorities include protecting all cannabinoids for consumable hemp products, ensuring retailers and manufacturers are protected for future cannabinoid products for the market, advancing regulatory efforts towards legalizing hemp feed as a protein for animals for human consumption, urging the FDA to regulate CBD as a dietary supplement, protecting and fighting for farmers to have a more efficient program, updating legislation to reflect changes from USDA rules, passing a 2023 Farm Bill to reflect a more industry-supported hemp program, and giving agencies the ability to update statute per the 2023 Farm Bill.

In terms of Texas legislative priorities, the coalition is supporting SB 264 by Senator Charles Perry, which relates to the production, sale, distribution, delivery, and regulation of consumable hemp products, and SB 321 by Senator Charles Perry, which relates to the production and regulation of hemp, providing administrative penalties, and creating a criminal offense.

On the federal level, the coalition is supporting H.R. 6645: The Hemp Advancement Act of 2022 by Rep. Chellie Pingree, which aims to make it easier and more profitable for U.S. farmers to grow hemp while ensuring consumers of hemp are protected against unsafe products, the Safe Banking Act by Rep. Ed Perlmutter, which would protect institutions administering financial services to all legal cannabis businesses by preventing any penalization from federal regulators, and the Hemp and Hemp Derived CBD Consumer Protection and Market Stabilization Act of 2021 by Rep. Kurt Schrader, which would ensure that hemp-derived CBD and other non-intoxicating hemp ingredients could be lawfully marketed as dietary supplements.

Overall, the Texas Hemp Coalition’s legislative efforts are focused on supporting the growth and prosperity of the hemp industry in Texas, and they are actively engaging with lawmakers and stakeholders to achieve these goals.

Dr. MAK’S Apothecary

Written by Rachel Nelson on . Posted in CBD News & Business.

Native Austinite Embraces The Budding Hemp Industry

By Rachel Nelson

Marco Krause began experimenting with cannabidiols after a high school baseball injury left him with chronic shoulder pain. Today, he’s an entrepreneur, hemp activist and aspiring chemist. 

Krause launched Dr. MAK’s Apothecary, an Austin-based e-commerce store, in 2019. With his chemistry background and help from his dad’s lab — Krause Analytical — he has formulated an assortment of natural therapeutic products. 

Dr. MAK’s signature formula is its Magic Pain Juice (MPJ), a mixture of natural monoterpenes, alcohols and herbal extracts that provides several hours of pain relief. Eventually, Krause decided to add a hemp extract to the formula and dubbed it MPJ Extra Strength, or MPJXS. 

While Krause admits that he laughed about the concept at the time — saying the name sounded like a gimmick — the product quickly gained popularity. 

“It blew up like crazy,” Krause said. “So we started thinking, why not sell it to the CBD stores?”

Currently, MPJXS is sold at several central Texas locations.

After MPJXS took off, Krause said he began to experiment with making cannabidiol-infused gummies. Because he heard many horror stories about gummies melting in cars and warehouses, Krause said he saw the need to create a heat-resistant product. He formulated gummies that are able to withstand temperatures of up to 170-degrees fahrenheit. 

“Even though they’re heat-resistant, they do dissolve, and people can digest them,” Krause said. 

Perfecting his gummy formula, combined with the release of MPJXS, led to the launch of Krause’s hemp-focused brand — Underground Alchemy. In addition to specializing in the business-to-business wholesale of its own products, Underground Alchemy helps other businesses create and manufacture their own custom product formulations.

“We’re very small, but we end up doing what five- to 10-man companies do with custom formulations, and we can do it cheaper because we have less overhead,” Krause said. 

To date, Underground Alchemy has helped hemp entrepreneurs create high-quality tinctures and edibles.

Beyond running his two businesses and working to complete a chemistry degree, Krause has championed hemp farming at the state level. In 2021, he testified in front of the Texas Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs, speaking out against a bill that would have placed stricter guidelines on hemp faming in Texas (like limiting THC levels to 1% rather than 3%).

“Thankfully, that never made it through,” Krause said. 

Moving forward, Krause plans to continue making a name for himself as a pioneer in the Texas hemp space. 

“It’s been fun navigating the waters and finding out exactly what’s coming forward,” he said. “It’s impossible to stay ahead of this market.”

CBD Delivery ATX Serves Customers in Austin and Beyond

Written by Rachel Nelson on . Posted in CBD News & Business.

Get a Variety of Products in 2 Hours or Less

By Rachel Nelson

In March 2020, before anyone knew the pandemic would drastically change the world, three Austinites launched CBD Delivery ATX. According to co-owner Liz Pruett, timing was on their side. 


“Delivery became a more important part of everyday life,” she said. “A lot of our customers have been with us since the beginning because for whatever reason, they can’t leave the house, don’t want to leave the house or feel intimidated about going into a head shop. So I think it does kind of fill a niche market of people who want to stay closer to home.”

Pruett and the other co-owners — brothers Rob and TJ Leonard — received their first delivery order a week prior to the COVID shutdown and say the phone has not stopped ringing since. Initially, the trio said they went with a delivery business model to save money on leasing a storefront, but they hoped to eventually grow into a brick-and-mortar location. However, they soon realized that “delivery was kind of the way to go,” Pruett said. 

“In the early days of our business we kind of thought it was going to die off when the pandemic was over, but it kind of went the other way,” Rob Leonard said. “It just became more, so I guess this is what so many businesses are doing because people love the convenience of it.”

The owners of CBD Delivery Service tout their assortment of locally sourced products as well as their diverse customer mix — from war veterans to soccer moms and massage therapists.

“We have some people that order bath bombs and others that want every type of THC that we carry that’s legal,” Rob Leonard said.

Compliance is a priority at CBD Delivery Service, and every customer must show their ID upon arrival. 

“We always ensure that it doesn’t get into the wrong person’s hands,” Rob Leonard said. 

While the owners of CBD Delivery Service steer clear of making medical claims about their products, their customers have boasted many healing effects — such as relief from pain and anxiety. 

TJ Leonard said his business motivation stems from wanting to help people consume hemp legally. He grew up in Maine and later moved to California — both legal states. Now that he lives in Texas, he said he hopes the business helps keep people out of legal trouble. Additionally, CBD Delivery Service aims to be fast and discreet. 

“When you go into a head shop, it kind of feels like you’re doing something illegal, even though everything’s legal,” TJ Leonard said. “With us, it’s as discreet as you can make it. We don’t wear uniforms, our cars aren’t decorated.”

The owners all say they are pleasnatly surprised at how busy they have been since the pandemic cooled off, and their delivery area extends beyond the Austin city limits. A map of the service area can be found at cbddeliveryatx.com, and everyone who orders can expect to receive their products in two hours or less. 

Standard delivery is $10 but jumps to $20 for the extended delivery region. However, all customers who spend $100 or more receive free delivery. Additionally, every new customer receives 25% off of their order total. 

Why California-based CBD Seed Labs is an ideal supplier for Texas hemp farmers

Written by Rachel Nelson on . Posted in Agriculture.

Moses Levin and Dan Marinelli, both seasoned cannabis cultivators, crossed paths when their kids shared a kindergarten class. 

“I was in charge of the school garden,” said Marinelli, who has a degree in horticulture from UCLA. “I have a love for horticulture and growing plants.” 

The two soon realized their common love for hemp farming. When it was federally legalized in 2019, they embarked on a venture to discover, breed and refine what they believe to be the best legal CBD seeds for their particular climate. That’s when CBD Seed Labs was born.

Although located in Southern California, the business caters to Texas farmers because of the environmental similarities. 

“A lot of what we do in our genetic development is called climate tuning, which means picking out the best varieties to reproduce that tolerate the challenges of a particular climate,” Levin said. “The particular climate that we’re in has a variety of challenges that match very well with what the Texas farmer has.”

From heat and high humidity to sometimes cold temperatures, CBD Seed Labs breeds plants that are resistant to those challenges, giving the seeds an advantage to those that are produced in Colorado, Oregon and other states where there are vast climatic differences.

Additionally, “If you grab a map and draw a line from Southern California to Texas, you’re going to find that we’re at the same latitude, so we have the same light cycle, too,” Marinelli said. 

Soil is also a factor. While there are many soil variants in Texas and California, Levin said one thing many of them have in common is their ability to drain quickly, which is exactly what hemp plants want. 

  • 1
  • 2