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A Budtenders Product Thoughts
Dispensaries shopping can be like choosing your favorite meal from a menu .
by Sean Keast , contributing budtender
It ’ s been almost a year since the first medical cannabis sale in Missouri . Since then , we have come a long way . Since last October , our medical cannabis program has grown to approximately 140,000 patients , with 143 operational dispensaries and counting ( as of August 30 ). The variety of medicine available to those patients is growing every day , too . When most conjure an image of cannabis , they usually see the ubiquitous leaf — the green , crystal-covered , powerfully smelling buds that make for a good harvest and a good smoke . In both the old days and today , cannabis enthusiasts and ( in today ’ s case ) laboratories have taken that green bud and refined it further into hundreds of different consumption methods . Both classic and high-tech methods are used in today ’ s medical market , culminating in a true cornucopia of cannabis that provides for so many .
Love Affair flower by Proper Cannabis .
Keef Drinks , by Clovr and Sweet Stone Gummies by Heartland Labs are a few of the edibles now available at Missouri dispensaries .
To begin with cannabis , we cannot forget that flower . As of August 2021 , there are 29 operational cultivators in the state , and each of them carries its own strain profiles . Most grow a wide selection of strains , and dispensary menus have filled to double-digit selections of high-quality green . Most dispensaries also carry a wide variety of growers as well , and nowadays , patients can truly dial in their exact preferred flower better than ever . Dispensaries allow patients to see the product in real-time , and in many cases , it can be like choosing your favorite meal off of a menu . Many strains now have terpene profiles as well , allowing patients insight into what makes each strain different and closer control over their medicine .
We can ’ t forget about dessert , however . Edibles are the go-to choice for non-smokers but come with a longer release time for their effects . Through various methods , the THC is extracted from the flower in either a decarboxylated or isolated form . From there , it ’ s prepared in a cooking recipe in , you guessed it , food and even drinks ! Currently , in Missouri , edibles range from baked confections like cookies and brownies to gel capsules and gummies that can come in multiple pieces to sodas and THC candy . One of the primary advantages of a medical market like Missouri ’ s is that the THC dosage is listed on the packaging for every edible . In most cases , you can easily divide the edibles to create your own dosage and find a regimen that works best for you .
Concentrates like White 99 crumble from VIVID , Punch Cookies live resin from Proper , and Gelato resin and vapes from Illicit ( below ) are now widely available at dispensaries .
For higher tolerance patients , concentrates can now be found in force in Missouri . They come in many different forms , but ultimately most smoke the same way — through vaporization or dabbing . Concentrates are usually tremendously potent , and thus , a little bit can take someone a long way . Once you dial in the correct temperature for your dabs , they can provide intense flavor , terpenes , and effects like nothing else can . Furthermore , concentrates such as Rick Simpson Oil ( RSO ), also known as FECO / RSO oil , have been shown to have promising effects in several medical trials involving cancer . Concentrates currently have some of the highest-tech production methods , with manufacturers using techniques to create live resin , THC crystal diamonds , and more .
Missouri ’ s variety has grown to top-notch levels for such an early medical program and is growing better by the month . With the growing number of operational dispensaries , patient access to cannabis has begun to encompass the state . Many now offer delivery or drive-thru services for less mobile patients , and bartenders can provide answers to anyone with questions . Medical cannabis is becoming more accessible than ever , and whatever your favorite method of consumption may be , it can be found in today ’ s Missouri .
Watch for future issues as we look at the new products released by Missouri cannabis growers and manufacturers .
All photos by Sean Keast
Sean Keast is a Navy Veteran Mass Communications Specialist , cannabis educator , and advocate documenting the Missouri cannabis industry in all its forms and general purveyor of tomfoolery . He ’ s currently enrolled at MU , working towards a communications degree . He can be found @ givviehash on social media .