Critics who feared that legalized recreational pot in Colorado would cause teen use to skyrocket can breathe a cannabis-free sigh of relief.
According to a new report released by the Colorado Department of Public Safety, youth in the state have not begun lighting up at higher rates. Adults, on the other hand, have. The first to look at the impact of Amendment 64, which legalized pot for recreational use in 2013, the study found “no significant change” in marijuana use among those under 18—and a 7 percent increase among adults.
The upward trend of adults using marijuana in Colorado follows a similar one nationally, leading a spate of parents to declare that they’re “coming out of the pot closet.” But Colorado, unsurprisingly, has maintained a higher rate of adult use than the rest of the nation. Among adults polled in the Colorado Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 14 percent reported pot use in the past 30 days.
With an increasing number of adults jumping onto the cannabis train, the cannabis retail market is shifting from a Doritos-fueled house party to a bespoke Brooklyn boutique. Those who doubt the marijuana world’s ability to sophisticate itself, look no further.
In honor of pot’s high holiday, here are some gift ideas for the ganja lover who’s all grown up.
Tetra Plasma Lighter, $70
Tetra bills itself as a company that is “dedicated to elevating the aesthetics of the smoking experience,” and it doesn’t disappoint. Dreamed up by three friends in Los Angeles, the online shop is taking cannabis products to new heights. With $820 incense burners and $110 marble pipes, it earned a spot in T magazine last September. One of its newest products, a plasma lighter, is an eco-friendly alternative to the gas lighter that’s chargeable with a USB port. Let the flames begin.
To Whom It May Chocolates ($50, box of 8)
Created in partnership with The Art of Edibles Cannabis Collective in California, To Whom It May Cannabis Chocolates is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the premier cannabis-infused chocolate makers in the country. In colorfully painted boxes, it sells four chocolate flavors—with exceptionally hipster names: Vivienne (cherry cayenne bonbon), Zak (smoked almond butter truffle), Myra (hazelnut brandy bonbon), and Ralph (hazelnut butter bonbon). Sold in packs of 4, 8, and 24.
Dr. Sebagh High Maintenance Hand Cream, $70
French cosmetic surgeon to the stars Dr. Jean-Louis Sebagh’s cannabis face lotion is back by popular demand at Barneys, this time in a hand crème. Developed with “French chemists,” the crème contains Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil and promises to “decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, even skin tone, and brighten the look of skin.” It’s a far cry from the surgical option that has made the “Botox king” famous, but undoubtedly a less invasive one.
Cedar & Finch Merry Bento Stash Box, $295
Northwest-based company Cedar & Finch was established in 2014 to create cannabis storage options for the “sophisticated smoker.” The company’s top seller is a birch and walnut stash box called the “Merry Bento Box,” which includes two 2 oz. storage jars. “All sorts of people are using cannabis as a safe and effective medicine, as an aid to creativity and as a way to relax without the morning after hangover,” the website reads. “Yes, our attitudes have matured. But, by and large, our smoking paraphernalia has not. We wanted to change that.”
Shine 24K Gold Cone, $14
Inspired by London Cut Cigars $200 gold-covered cigars, a group of friends in Las Vegas created Shine, the company behind the world’s first 24 karat gold rolling papers. The shimmery blunts have quickly earned a loyal following from the music world, prompting a partnership with rapper Tyga on a box of “king size” papers. The company’s gold cone is a large pre-rolled paper that provides, in the words of the company’s makers, “luxury at your fingertips.”
PAX2 Vaporizer, $280
In the world of vaporizers, Pax reigns supreme—for good reason. The San Francisco-based company’s sleek portable vaporizers are regularly ranked the best in show, both for their power efficiency and ergonomic design. The newest version, PAX2, boasts a larger compartment for weed, longer-lasting battery, and a bigger temperature range. For the sleek, health-conscious stoner, it’s as good as it gets.