Cannabis enthusiasts’ most cherished holiday, 420, is around the corner!

This year, as pandemic restrictions ease, there are sure to be more in-person 420 celebrations across Ontario than we’ve seen in the past two years.

The annual smoke fest has gone from an indie celebration at public gathering points, like Toronto’s Queen’s Park or Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Crowds would swell with thousands of stereotypical Cheech and Chong-style stoners waving pot leaf flags embellished with Bob Marley’s mug. It shows how far we, as a nation, have come in our legalization journey. 

Still, if gathering with a group of strangers is beyond your comfort level, there are plenty of ways to pay tribute to the plant in a more intimate setting by enjoying a pre-roll, having an infused bev, or dabbling in some high-end concentrates.

To get ready for this year’s 420 celebrations like the cannabis connoisseur you are, we’ve gathered eight top-tier cannabis products that are available across Ontario.

Happy 420, Ontario, from us to you!

Pink Kush Pre-Rolls

By: Pure Sunfarms

The pre-roll game is strong in 2022. Pre-roll packages come in varying strains, strengths and doses, which make them a solid choice for folks who are keen to explore new strains or cultivators without committing to an entire bag of bud.

There’s also the obvious convenience of pre-rolls: the job of busting, packing, and rolling is done for you. Who are you, Drake!?

Pure Sunfarms has taken the classic and popular Pink Kush, a heavy-hitting indica, and made it so easy to enjoy. The all-natural papers burn great, too, so you don’t have to worry about them canoeing during your session.

Instead, sit back, relax and enjoy the citrus-forward flavours of orange and grapefruit in a joint that someone else rolled for you.

Indie Pals

By: Bedfellows

The cannabis-infused drinks sector continues to grow. Retailers are receiving new beverages at an impressive rate and there’s no lack of choice when you’re standing in front of the fridge at your local weed retail shop.

Whether you’ve dabbled in cannabis consumables, like drinks, or not, a solid starting point is with Bedfellows’ Indie Pals for its familiar taste. Its flavour profile is remarkably similar to that of an alcoholic IPA beer, but instead of booze, this bev packs 10mg of THC and 2mg of CBD.

Like all edibles, including beverages, you should start with a low dose and go slow. A 10 mg drink, which is the highest amount of THC per drink that’s legal in Canada, will affect everyone differently, so depending on your tolerance, consuming the whole bottle could either send you to the moon or just feel relaxing, like you’ve had a glass of wine. 

Expect a hop-forward flavour with notes of melon and stone fruit.  Each bottle has just 110 calories, if you care about that thing, which is nearly 100 cals less than an average can of IPA. 

Jack Haze

Sponsor: 7Acres

Sweet & citrusy Jack Haze is a sativa-dominant stunner with high THC potency potential from 7ACRES. Known for its giggly energy, Jack Haze is big on uplift. The bright-green cultivar gets its sweet citrus aroma thanks to the terpinolene and nerolidol in its terpene profile. Available in 1g, 3.5g, 7g, and 15g weights.

BSCTI Diamonds

By: Dymond Concentrates 2.0

Bringing out the big guns for 420? BSCTI Diamonds, a heavy-hitting indica-dominant hybrid concentrate from Dymond Concentrates, look as good as they feel. At first glance, the product legit has the appearance of clear, oversized diamonds gemstones.

The brand’s new-to-market transparent white crystal extracts are rich in cannabinoids and terpenes and have an ever-so-subtle gasoline flavour when burned.

Dymond Concentrates cultivates all of its products in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley using a hands-on approach in combination with a top-of-the-line hydrocarbon extractor to create its high-end product offerings.

Tip: These diamond concentrates are best experienced at 500°F by using a dab rig, but can also be used in a vaporizer.

Banana Bread

By: Gage Cannabis

Cultivators are constantly marrying different strains to create fresh new options. An interesting one on the market right now is from Gage Cannabis. Its Banana Bread bud has an impressive terp profile.

The sweet notes are reminiscent of a pan of ma’s fresh-out-of-the-oven banana bread that is complemented by a nutty finish and vanilla finish. The flower has a rich violet hue to the bud, and Vietnamese Black, can have a deep purple colouring that’s almost as dark as night.

Banana Bread is an even mix of sativa and indica, which means you’ll reap the benefits of both. Leafly users report feelings of euphoria and feeling extremely relaxed. Others say it gives them a tingly feeling and helps them to relax after a long day at work.

Diesel Kusk pre-ground flower

Sponsor: Pure Sunfarms

Pure Sunfarms wants to help you skip the daily grind. Get right to it with their pre-ground flower, available in exclusive blends made from a combination of signature strains and limited harvests selected for their potency, aroma, and effect.

Diesel Kush pre-ground flower comes from a rotating blend of highly potent, high-octane indica strains to offer relaxing diesel-fueled aromas. Always made from whole flower and ground coarse, Pure Sunfarms pre-ground is available in 7g pouches sealed for freshness so you’re always ready to go.

Turmeric & Arnica Recovery Balm

By: Rebound (Stewart Farms)

Salves aren’t for everyone, but this particular option is a standout. Overdid it on a bike ride along the waterfront? A cannabis-infused balm like this one from Rebound by Stewart Farms just might help soothe those aches and pains.

The Turmeric & Arnica Recovery Balm is a potent 1:1 blend of 250mg CBD and 250mg THC in each 25g tin and quickly absorbs into the skin, so you’re not left with any sticky or greasy residue.

The fast-acting formula provides quick relief and aids in the relaxation of overworked and tight muscles as well as relief from other mild aches in the body. This stuff, which is meant for external use only, gets bonus points for smelling so good, too.

Park Life CBD 10 Sublingual Strip

By: Kin Slips

Not everyone is chasing the visuals that can come with consuming THC. Park Life’s sublingual strips are ideal for folk that don’t want to “feel high,” but do want to reap the benefits of the cannabis plant.

These mint-flavoured CBD strips are incredibly discreet and quickly dissolve under the tongue in under a minute. You’ll feel the effects in 10 – 15 minutes. CBD provides an overall calming feeling.

So, for example, if you’ve got a fear of heights, but promised your fam you’d go to the CN Tower and stand on the glass floor, dissolving one of these CBD strips before you get in the elevator could help relax those nerves.

Lisa Felepchuk

Lisa Felepchuk is a seasoned lifestyle editor, writer and digital nomad based in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia.

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