Spannabis 2023: Through the Eyes of Captain Hooter
Written By Captain Hooter
This year was the most successful ever with attendance figures over the 3 day event, hosting 25,000 people from 50 different nationalities, over 500 companies, 5000 accredited professionals and 2400 workers, to mostly make it all work!
This year is no different. Spannabis is now the equivalent of… the World Series of Weed,… the best of the Concentrates, and the Cannabis TOP CHEF of Edibles. There can be no doubt that this was the most successful Spannabis ever, and I bet they could have added a whole another day and another 100 exhibitors if they wanted.
The actual Spannabis event is now just the entree to a multi-course, Barcelona Cannabis Buffet of Bad Ass.
This year it opened on Monday with The Dab-a-Doo, followed by The Spanish Champions Cup, The Squash Off, The Masters of Rosin, The Organic Cup, The Crunch N Roll Cup and of course ending the week Friday, Sat and Sunday with Spannabis.
High at Any Cost: Weed Needs Ethical Laboratories and Official Testing Standards
Written By Daniel Crawford
State laws differ drastically when it comes to the variance of cannabis’ active ingredient, THC, as well as product sampling and testing methods. I know because I have worked in the Quality and Compliance realm for most of my professional career including Nevada, Virginia and Arizona’s Adult Use Cannabis markets. I have been the person responsible for compliance in each of those states.
Your purchase could be 20 percent higher or lower than the label claim in Arizona, 15 percent in Michigan and 10 percent in California. You don’t need a vivid imagination to be able to draw the line between inaccurate testing claims and the unpredictable-ness when it comes to dosing of patients. This is especially important for infrequent or new cannabis consumers who rely on accurate label claims for a consistent experience with their cannabis.
Editor’s Sample Hot Box: 420 Edition
Written By Melanie Rizzo & Lindsey Gunter
One of the many perks of being editors here at FNM is that we regularly receive samples. Samples, you say? Yes, LOTS of them. From candles, to prerolls, edibles, and flower, these samples provide us with first-hand knowledge of the latest products on the market, and by staying on top of the trends, we can share the scoop with our readers.
By receiving samples in a myriad of ways, we possess a lens into the product landscape, and as a publication, we are the voices here to spread the word!
But as you know, we at FNM are pretty discerning when it comes to what we smoke and what we support. So, for this 420 guide, we welcome you to the first of our Editor’s Sample Hotbox. An on-going series where we’ll gush about our favorite inhalable, edible and accessory products!
4:20 to 4/20
Written By OG Razor
The legends and myths of cannabis are still being unraveled as we speak, but the origin of what was a daily meeting time to smoke eventually led to an almost sacred day of recognition for the benefits of using cannabis. It all began with the Waldos in Marin County, Northern California during the start of the 1970s.
Whether celebrated to invite new consumers to experience the plant’s benefits, or to simply partake in a yearly tradition, this day has evolved into a grand advocacy and marketing platform which often eschews the cannabis culture itself.
The Legend of Rusty: Part 2
Written By Jonothon I. Wild
Now it was time to select music to weed by; head for Three Tree Bed and The Battle of Extraction. Appearing in concert today would be ZMayor & Z5GallonBuckets, Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks, with special guests Creeping Charlie and ZDandyLions.
As ZMayor approached, he noticed debris scattered at the base of the Hickory. No problem, HizBucketNess would make short work of it while weeding and gathering. He did not notice however the newly minted dreyless kid on the block, clinging to a branch and staring down at him.
Florida’s Proposed Hemp Bill Impacts Us All
Written By Jenny Ball
The last several weeks we’ve seen Senate bill 1676 and House bill 1475 panic the hemp industry. These bills as written would effectively put tens of thousands of small business owners out of business.
We believe we can work with legislators to upgrade these bills to protect children and keep small businesses open. Most Hemp companies in the state of Florida are start-ups.The federal passing of the 2018 Farm Bill Act enabled small businesses, farmers, and companies like our own Siesta G to make a livelihood serving the community with this plant.
Simply Put - The Legend of Rusty: Part 1
Written By Jonothon I. Wild / ZMayor
If Rusty were telling this story, he would swear he could fly.
Could he fly? No.
Did he fly through the air moments earlier? Yes - approximately eight feet.
It was a Grey flight with accents of brown and white and a fly-by-night operator--The Barred Owl Express. Rusty had been wingtip-flipped by the Owl, who only had room for two on this twilight hunt. As runts go, Rusty was lucky to be one at that moment. Mom and his big brother, not so much.
What TF is Going on in NY?
Written By Jessica Reilly-Chevalier
From smoking apple bowls in the Big Apple to dispensaries in Times Square, cannabis in New York State has come a long way. But it’s been a convoluted path to get here – and where is here, actually? Two years after the Empire State formally legalized cannabis, we’ve still got a long way to go.
Here’s where the NYS market currently stands.
Hash Helped Me Heal
Written By Shelley Peebles
I remember the day I was sitting in my therapist’s office when I said, “I feel like he’s emotionally abusive. I don’t know if that’s a thing, but that’s what it feels like.” My therapist stopped and looked at me, eyes wide open. The next words out of her mouth hit me in the gut. “That’s because he is. And he will never change.”
I was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of a domestic violence incident. I knew I had to make a decision. Something needed to change. I needed my children to know that this was not a normal or healthy relationship, and I also needed to be in a better place. Mentally, I was not prepared for what unfolded.
Hasta Luego: From Barcelona With Love -Snowbirdstoner in España for Spannabis 2023
Written By Grant Mitchell
Barcelona as a city, functions as Europe’s beacon for trade shows. Despite weed being completely illegal in Spain, Spannabis shines as the largest European cannabis fair - now running 20 years strong.
Conglomerating 4 events, The International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC), Spannabis Fair, a symposium titled The World Cannabis Conference: International Cannabis Forum, and The Professional Growers Cup aka “Spannabis Champions Cup” all make up the juggernaut known collectively as SPANNABIS. Events are held in Fira de Cornellà from March 9-12th, with a plethora of afterparties, mixers, and networking gatherings usually in El Centro.
If you are thinking of visiting next year, it is definitely worth the trip. An article such as this, can never fully capture the magnitude of the breadth of the experience. Still, Spain should be on everyone's bucket list! Beyond just the convention, the culture in this part of the old world is magnificent.
Loving Yourself Is As Easy As 1 2 3
Written By Casey Renteria
I have always reserved edibles for pain management. Well, I used to until recently; Having food allergies makes finding edibles I can eat almost impossible. This is why I was thrilled when I found Love You Three – discovering it was women-owned and operated was a bonus! After learning more about the brand, I was curious to see if these edibles would do more for me than just manage my pain.
NECANN Boston: The Best of Cannabis in the Northeast
Written By Jessica Reilly-Chevalier
For years, the west coast has been the domestic mecca of cannabis, a shining paradise of legalization in a sea of prohibition. But it’s not 2012 anymore – over half of Americans now live where cannabis is legal, and the biggest wave of legalization reform has been on the East coast in recent years.
So, when NECANN descended on Boston for 3 days, it was the kind of good time you can only expect in the cannabis industry. This was the first time in 9 years that a majority of states in the NE were legal, and people were ready to celebrate.
I spent two days on the show floor, attending sessions, and afterparties, and talking to people. You don’t need to have visited the city to get the highlights - here’s the best of the best.
To Be A Woman In Cannabis Is To Be A Chemchix
Interview By The “Naive Newb” Blue Amnesia
To be a woman in cannabis is to be a “Chemchix'' and the CEO of Chemchix is leaning into that pleasure; the pleasure that is acknowledging all the incredible women making the culture what it is, the pleasure of finding and stepping into our power.
Her experience in the industry on the marketing side of things is where she began to feel the call to uplift the voices of women in the space. As she shared her experiences of repetitive stolen credit and misplaced honor with me, I understood completely how she got inspired to be the change.
What It’s Like To Be A Woman In Canna-Biz
Written By Christy Essex
My journey started by being only one of few women in cannabis meetings, gatherings, and collaboration events. As years passed, more and more women seemed to pop up at these events. All are there to support and be part of one of the greatest movements in our nation’s history!
Women who demonstrate passion and perseverance towards their goals in cannabis, despite the challenges and mountains they must climb, have GRIT!
It is not easy, and I’ve had my fair share of times I’ve thought to myself “this is the hardest thing I have ever done”- but I also know that working in the cannabis industry is the best decision I have ever made!
I truly believe that the women within the industry who will last know that the only way to truly excel and survive is to support and empower each other any chance we get.
Cannabis After Birth: Redefining Motherhood
Written By Casey Renteria
If you have ever had a c-section you already know coughing, sneezing, laughing, really everything can make you feel like you’re just going to collapse into a puddle. It’s not a great feeling at all, and not one I’d want to mix with a high.
For the first few weeks, I avoided smoking because I was literally afraid to cough. Immediately after being moved from the observation room to my recovery room, I got motion sick (which I knew would happen). There is no feeling that compares to your empty stomach dumping its contents, while several people hold compression on your core and incision site. I never wanted to feel that again… and I think that is really where my fear came from.
The Montana Cannabis Tour: Fat Nugs Under Big Skies with the Traveling Cannabis Writer
Written by Veronica Castillo
Montana’s cannabis legalization journey was a wild one in my opinion. So, I decided then that I wanted to travel to Montana someday to cover the people, the stories, the industry, and overall culture.
Fast forward to 2023, to a LinkedIn post by James Stephens, one of the owners of Sinful Beverages looking to sponsor a cannabis writer and sampler to roam the wilds of Montana!
I commented that I’d love to collaborate on this with Fat Nugs Magazine. Within a week we were on a call, and on that call, the planning of the tour commenced.
Covering Montana’s cannabis scene is important, covering Montana’s history is important, and covering Montana’s travel scene is important.
Here’s a little insight into the why’s.
ZMayor & Diana: A Love Story
As Told by Jonothon I. Wild
Sadly, softly they parted. The phone flirting slowly faded into each other's new life. HizSingleness broke the heartbreaking news to the Budsburg ladies. HizLoneliness spent the rest of that growing season at ZBend, spending his weekends caring for his cannabis plants also referred to as “The Ladies of Bburg.” When he needed a fan leaf to cry on, they were only a Stoner's-throw away.
ZMayor had a good habit of not playing favorites because he believed each and every lady was unique in her own Phenoness. Though he would never mention it to the others, this season and this season only, he had a favorite. She was alone just south of the barn. He would take time to gently guide her limbs each visit. He would compliment her on her pistils and terpene perfume. He would take time to gather Forget-Me-Nots on the way. The Dragonfly loved the white ones. They reminded her of the snow, and her winter walks at ZBend.
Rolling it up without RAW
Written by Melanie Rizzo
The news of RAW’s recent court case left us all feeling a bit bamboozled. As a joint aficionado, I frequently try new papers in an attempt to find the smoothest smoke that doesn’t burn too quickly or cover up the taste of my delicious and intentionally selected flower.
In my experience, paper preferences are personal, so take my suggestions with a grain of salt (or a puff of smoke) as my criteria may be different from your own.
No More Monkeying Around: That Manila Hemp Is Bananas!
Written by Shannon Flaherty and Austin Roberson
As the industry learns of the bad corporate behavior coming from prominent suppliers of rolling papers (and other smoking accessories) one might wonder: “I know the product I have is safe, I have a lab report for that, but what about the paper I’m about to roll it up with?”
Some have already been asking these questions, from growers to testing labs, to even TikTokers. You know, people. People who have a relationship with cannabis that is central to their daily lives.
As two people who refuse to harm the patients that are about to walk through our dispensary doors, our loved ones, and our personal health; we are now intent on finding the cleanest and most ethically produced rolling papers out there. Manila hemp is not the way.
Don’t know where to turn to now? We got you!
LaWann’s Famous Infused Sweet Potato Pie: A Butter Brewer Review
Review by LaWann Stribling
“As a baker, I wanted to test the limits of this machine to see if it could handle a Strib’ble Treats bestseller: Infused Sweet Potato Pie…”