2017 was a busy year in the world of cannabis. The options for quality genetics grew at an incredible pace, the student of a master chef started a chocolate edibles company, cannabis-related technology advanced by leaps and bounds, and all that was just in the product sector! Cannabis also enhanced our fine dining experience, our entertainment, our travel, and our overall health and well-being, not to mention our politics, as it was used as a political tool for both the right, the left, and everyone in between.
Yes, 2017 saw the continued expansion of cannabis products, opponents, and the industry as a whole, and while there was definitely a lot to take note of, it was clear certain products, people, and events stood out among the rest. And to that end, we took a look back at 2017 to highlight some of the best the year had to offer.
Now, it would be impossible to try and list off all the best strains of cannabis that came out in 2017, as these days, everybody’s growing something and it’s rather difficult to keep track of—whatever’s being concocted in states like Washington or California will take some time to show up in Colorado, and vice versa. That being said, there are a few standouts that seemed to generate quite the buzz throughout the legalized (and non-legalized) states this past year. Gorilla Glue was certainly one of them, and not just for it’s sticky buds and well-received high, but also for its lawsuit, as the makers of the actual Gorilla Glue (the glue) it’s named after filed a lawsuit against the original breeders to have them change it. Then there was Dynasty Genetics’ Cosmic Brain, a solid-hitting indica-dominant strain bred by crossing Oregon Afghani with Space Queen. Watch out for the folks over at Dynasty Genetics this year, as they’re currently making some of the best strains available now on the west coast, with significant amounts of THC and rather high terpene counts throughout their buds.
As for tinctures and topicals (mainly CBD-based), there were several notable standouts. While well-established players like Apothecanna and Dixie Elixirs still remain at the top, recent newcomers such as CBD For Life and Iovia have been making significant headway in becoming true market players. CBD For Life is known for producing innovative, natural CBD-infused pain and beauty products all geared toward the more luxurious market. With sleek packaging and impressive shout outs in places like Cosmopolitan, Elle, the Daily Mail, and other popular publications, they’ve been gaining a solid following of loyal fans and advocates who swear by their products. Then there’s Iovia, a relatively new entry into the market that’s been spending the past several years perfecting their product in the development phase. Iovia has created their THC and CBD products specifically with precise dosing in mind, resulting in a true tonic for the nerves that recently received the coveted gold prize at the High Times Cannabis Cup.
Of course, no “Best Of” Cannabis list would be complete without the mention of edibles, and this past year saw a rather notable standout—Coda Signature. The quality of their chocolates will stop you in your tracks, which is no surprise considering their head chocolatier is a classically trained student of famed chef Thomas Keller. Coda doesn’t just create delicious chocolates, but beautiful, cannabis-infused confections as well. From uniquely flavored bars and oils to truffles and even hot chocolate spoons, their products are a clear demonstration of just how far the edibles market has come.
2017 also brought us some rather innovative advancements in the vaporizer market, mainly from newcomers that clearly put the more established players on notice. Topstone came out with their gorgeous countertop V2 vaporizer that greatly improved on their launch model, while The Dipper by Dipstick made waves throughout the industry with their unique vaporizer that also doubles as a dope-as-fuck electric nectar collector. The hit I managed to pull through it rivaled that of a regular dab rig, and the vaporizer itself was as discreet and low key as you could ask for. A sleek, compact device for the evolved concentrate connoisseur, The Dipper proved to be the perfect example of quality and convenience coming together in one innovative, compact solution.
Then there are the pipes, which, when it comes to convenience, really can’t be beat. Boulder-based Silverstick re-invented the classic one-hitter by designing one with a built-in removable filter, then creating a beautiful Hawthorne leather case to house it in. Taking inspiration from those classic DIY apple pipes we all used to smoke in high school, newcomer Awmoo created a sleek and sexy ceramic water pipe that also doubles as a gorgeous tabletop centerpiece. And finally, Kleager created a clever coffee mug that also does double-duty—as a bowl! The perfect item for the perfect wake and bake, the Kleager “wake and bake” mug just makes sense. And with sleek knockoffs being offered up on Etsy, Amazon, and even Urban Outfitters, it’s clear the mug/bowl combo was one of the true winners of 2017.
Another winner was the movie Blade Runner 2049, which receives a mention here as the best movie of the year to see after blazing. A follow-up to arguably one of the coolest sci-fi movies of all time, the new Blade Runner was the type of visually striking thriller we don’t really see much of anymore, making it the ideal movie to see after a few solid puffs of your favorite buds.
There were also plenty of amusing cannabis headlines throughout the year, with the best probably going out to the state of Nevada and their declaration of a literal “state of emergency” after they ran out of herb. Never has the phrase “state of emergency” brought a smile to so many faces, not to mention proof that the cannabis market is ripe for blooming. Running out of cannabis that early after legalization means more licensing will hopefully be provided, which in turn clearly serves as a positive sign for the rest of the country when it comes to legalization.
Not to be confused with the best cannabis headline of the year, the best cannabis tweet of the year goes to the TSA. Back in April, the TSA made it publicly known what most of us basically assumed all along— that they’re there to stop bombs, not buds. And while the tweet was taken down after just a few hours, it was long enough for most of us to breathe a sigh of relief when planning our next vacation.
And then there was the loser—the “Best Loser,” or shall we say, “Best Villain,” has clearly got to go to Jeff Sessions. From his elf-like stature and stern southern drawl to his statements regarding the type of people who smoke weed and his verbal aggression against the legal industry, he’s become the modern caricature of marijuana’s evil villain. Much like Harry Potter’s Voldemort or the Wicked Witch of the West, cannabis users cringe at the sound of his name, and for good reason. This guy created fear in the hearts of every cannabis smoker and industry professional across the nation in 2017, but with that fear also came smiles and laughs in the form of hilarious late-night digs and spot-on SNL impersonations centered around our newly minted Attorney General. How long he remains as such is another question, but hopefully not long enough to put a dent in all the progress we’ve made with cannabis thus far.
As 2018 begins, it’s rather exciting to think about the coming years ahead for the cannabis industry. Recreational marijuana is now officially legal in California, and starting in July you’ll be able to take a cannabis vacation to the east coast. Look out for the Pax Era and other innovative new vaporizers making their way to your hometown, along with cannabis inhalers, Evolab topicals, fresh terps, and something known simply as The Vape Cup. A rolling stone gathers no moss. Everything up until now has been a small step in the right direction, and we’re only gaining momentum. Here’s to a great 2018!
By Chris Fisher
