It’s difficult to believe that 2024 seems to have passed even faster than 2023 did, but as the Foo Fighters say, “Here we are.” In the past year, we’ve reviewed more than 40 products on our YouTube channel, and while there were a few stinkers, the innovation in cannabis tech continues to amaze us. For those long-time consumers, the idea of making a pipe out of an apple feel like a lifetime ago – where do you plug the charger on an apple?!
For our Holiday Gift Guide this year, we went with a limited selection of products, from stocking stuffers to high-tech, we picked some options we think our viewers and Greenway/Patients readers will enjoy.
Let’s get started!
For the “on-the-go” movers and shakers…
Jane West Compact – $38.00
Inspired by high-end makeup compacts, this sleek design will be right at home in your makeup bag, purse, or man-bag. A removable dual compartment lets you take your essentials from your kit on-the-go, without crushing your flower. With a custom Solo pipe, multitool, the perfect spot for your own lighter, and a mirror for post-session touchups, the Compact has everything you need in one glossy case.
Measuring 6.75″ X 3″ X 1,” this handy gift looks exactly like the compacts that most of us throw in our bag for a night out, discreet and sturdy, the compartments are perfectly sized for the contents. We love the stash container, which fits in the compact alongside a pipe, multi-tool, and lighter. Nothing about this feels cheap or throwaway and we loved the ability to grab only what we needed for a short sesh or walk with the cousins at Thanksgiving.
If you’re ready to purchase, you can find these classy companions at YEN-ology, online or in person.
Vuber Atlas Kit – $49.99
Perhaps the category in which we see the most innovations and variations is portable dab pens – many of which double as power supplies for vape carts as well. The Vuber Atlas Kit is just one of many we’ve played with this year, but we really like the balance of features and price point on this, which makes it a great value.
We were big fans of this wax & oil concentrate vaporizer, designed to provide a discreet but powerful vaporizing experience. Dab your wax, shatter or crumble in a dual quartz atomizer for a generous and tasty draw. The Atlas comes with a 900 mAh battery charged lightning fast and the dual-titanium coil heating element wrapped around a quartz core, really helped taste the full flavor of your concentrate. Included extras in the kit, which I always look for, include a dab tool, stash container, and a suction-cup silicon stand to hold the pen upright when not in use. These little extras are thoughtful and a sure surprise-and-delight for the dabber on your list.
Get yours here: https://geni.us/RUNTHC_VUBER
For the traditionalists…
Stache Grynder – $39.99
Thinking about our nearest and dearest that we consume with we all have that person that is fiercely loyal to certain tools in their arsenal. Doug is adamant that his Space Case has been a constant companion for decades, and if you watch us frequently, you’ll find that I give him a hard time about it pretty regularly when we talk about grinders.
This grinder might be supplemental until I can convince him to part ways with his old dirty one. The size and heft of this are what you would expect from a grinder in this price range, but two things make it a no-brainer for this year’s Holiday Gift Guide:
NO shredding teeth. Instead, there are what we can only describe as metal nubbins that were impressive to see in action. Our flower remained gorgeous, and instead of looking like we had run it down a box grater, it was consistently shaped and sat nicely in the compartment intended.
A stash compartment in the top. Can it hold an eighth, no. But who wants to store/carry around an eighth in their grinder? Not this girl. Instead, it holds an adequate amount so that if you take it with you, you’re set; even better, if you think you ground the perfect amount to fill a cone or roll a joint and overestimated, the remaining can easily be kept up top until your next use.
The fine mesh screens are high quality and the kief catcher is exactly what we look for in a handheld manual grinder. We like the feeling that it’s indestructible and easy to use without being over-the-top expensive. These would be a great stocking stuffer for the tokers in your tribe.
For those who like to build a better mousetrap…
Kactus Kutter – $79.99 (plus 10% off)
We did an unboxing (our first ever) for this and we were intrigued (and somewhat perplexed) by the inclusion of a fidget spinner. We’ve since realized that the fidget spinner is actually a great way to expel energy and our pets are mesmerized – bonus!
But what about the grinder, is it REALLY as advertised? The K5 is thoughtfully designed and truly different than any powered grinders we’ve tested previously. A few highlights that set the K5 apart:
One-Touch Operation: The K5 offers effortless grinding at the touch of a button.
Dual Button Design: Prevents accidental activation, ensuring safety.
Large Capacity: K5 could grind up to 5 grams of herb in one go, this thing is part of my Sunday night ritual of grinding and replenishing my week ahead needs – don’t judge.
Smart Grinding Direction: K5 automatically adjusts the grinding direction based on the material for optimal results.
3 Sizes of Grinding Plates: Three plates for customizable grinding:
Fine: For a smooth, fine grind
Medium: Ideal for versatile use
Coarse: Perfect for larger, fluffier particles
You’ll notice the use of “grinding plates.” Like the Stache, this doesn’t have shredding teeth, but instead uses physics and a rotating plate that ensures consistency like you wouldn’t believe. When I refer to thoughtful design, it’s the little things that make this a winner – a light in the bottom of the collection chamber, a safety lock to keep it closed with dual buttons, and a battery indicator that is easy to read. Included in the packaging is a shovel to load cones easily as well as cleaning supplies.
More than anything, we think most people will be most impressed by the capacity and the end results. Being able to change grinder plates means it’s versatile. While the price point is higher than a manual grinder, the unit has a great warranty and customer service is swift with inquiries.
Ready to buy? Click HERE and receive 10% off with coupon code TPP10
Altafuse Home Infusion Machine – $329.99
In the past 5 years, I’ve reviewed several home infusion machines because I love making DIY-infused products – topicals, tinctures, edibles, all of the above. Among them, the Ardent FX, the Original Gear Guy, the Levo 2, the Levo C – and they all had features and functionality that I’m a fan of. In reality, I use each of the ones I have at home for different purposes and usually choose based on what I’m making and how much of whatever it is I’m making.
While using a machine certainly helps with clean up and undoubtedly smell when compared to a sheet pan in the oven, they still usually mean a long processing time. Decarb cycle, then infusion cycle, it can easily eat up the better part of a weekend day.
That’s where the Altafuse is superior. This machine not only looks like a fancy coffee machine, but it uses ultrasonic technology so the time from start to finish is 50 minutes. That comes from the ability to dry, decarb, and infuse all in one cycle. Another feature that ranks high for me (pun intended) is that there’s a built-in scale on the top of the unit. I don’t have to get out my old reliable digital kitchen scale and have one more thing on the counter for curious pets to contemplate. The scale is accurate and easy to use and honestly, it’s just a great extra touch that this device offers. The pitcher is dishwasher safe, the parts are all easy to clean. Capacity-wise, the Altafuse delivers for most home users and the ability to keep the house from skunking up is excellent, as is the quality of the finished products.
We know this one is on the high end from a price perspective, but if you infuse frequently or know someone who does, this one is worth the price.
Get yours: https://geni.us/RUNTHC_ALTA1
For those who are tipping their toes in the cannabis water…
E1011 Lab Ari53 THCA Flower – $35.99 per 10 gram bag (plus 10% off)
We know this one might seem controversial to some of our industry but let’s be realistic. Not everyone is ready to walk into a dispensary and some view THCA flower as a starting point on their potential journey to using cannabis. Here’s a disclaimer – this product is NOT available except online and can be shipped to most states legally. These products are lab-tested and have full and responsible COAs.
Right wrong or indifferent, we’ll never all agree on products referred to as THCA vs THC flower. People will try things in their home to avoid the perceived stigma, are intimidated by the thought of visiting a dispensary for the first time, or simply prefer legal alternatives to the legacy cannabis market in archaic states without a legal program.
You might be familiar with our review episode of the Iven Dry Herb vape from E1011 Labs, we were big fans of that product and they reached out to us when they introduced their newest product, ARI53 Diamond-Infused Pre-Ground THCa Flower. When it comes to packaging, I’m the biggest nerd you’ll ever meet – and this really delivers on the concept of thinking of everything. The pouches have a resealable flap on the outside, that when you open, includes an aluminum spoon/scoop for easy removal of the material. Inside the flap is an airtight zipper closure that keeps the preground flower fresh and is lined with mylar.
Our results when consuming were similar among all of our testers – the effects are obvious and pleasant and while I did blind tests with both Doug and others using the ARI53 strains they traditionally enjoy from legal cannabis, they did suspect the product was “different.” As with traditional cannabis, effects vary from person to person and everyone has a different experience. Personally, my eyes went zoomie quickly (Ice Cream Cake strain) and I had the same amount as I would with traditional cannabis. The effects wore off slightly sooner than I usually find in cannabis flower, but there were no negatives from me or the other testers.
From a marketing/consumer experience perspective, it makes good sense that they are dry herb vape makers and offer legal products that can be used in their devices. As always, the team at E1011 is super responsive with customer service and we love that they reached back out to us and volunteered samples for us. If you or someone you know is interested in trying THCA flower, please ensure they purchase safe and lab-tested products and not something at a gas station or fly-by-night strip mall shop.
Want to try it? Follow this link: https://geni.us/RUNTHC_ARI53
As always, we love doing the Holiday Gift Guide every year and we’re so grateful for our viewers and readers, but especially to Greenway/Patients for letting us do this!
Need some new RUNTHC gear?👕👕
Shop gear: https://geni.us/RUNTHC_SHOP_HGG
Use the code: THETEA10 for 10% off
