It’s been a decidedly great year for weed, we’ve had states like New Jersey and Arizona legalize, Congress passed the MORE act which puts another dent into federal prohibition, and dispensaries and other cannabis businesses were designated as “essential” amidst the pandemic. With more patients and general consumers gaining access, that means more products hitting the market, and that means your stoney baloney friend Sean here telling you which brands of edibles to look for on whatever fly-by-night delivery app your friend told you to download. I am here to share my learnings with you young Padawan, walk with me as we look back at the best-infused treats, beverages, and ingestibles of the year.

As always, the factors that make for an outstanding edible are: consistency in cannabinoid content, accurate dosing (with a reliable THC:CBD ratio), freshness, flavor, onset, duration, labeling, and packaging.

Mindy’s Lush Black Cherry Gummies

Dose: 5mg THC and 5mg CBD per gummie (20 gummies per pack)
Availability: California, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Michigan

“I want you to taste the best fucking edibles of your life” — those are Chicago Chef Mindy Segal’s swearwords, not mine. Punk vixen, seasoned chocolatier, James Beard Award winner, and a highly productive entrepreneur; Segal’s true calling was always to bring weed-infused confections to the masses. Her quest for the perfect infused sweet has led her to a partnership with multi-state operator Cresco Labs to produce Mindy’s Artisanal Edibles, a line of decadent gummies that are just *chef’s kiss*.

With options like glazed clementine orange and key lime kiwi, she works with food scientists to channel the intense, fresh fruit flavors of her desserts into the form of edibles. The lush black cherry variety is a complete knockout, having originated as a cobbler recipe where the sweet and tart cherries then poached in their own juice and topped with cream. The Artisanal gummies capture the peak of farmer’s market produce as you, yourself, are peaking as well.

Sweet Reason CBD Sparkling Grapefruit Water

Dose: 10mg CBD per 12oz bottle
Availability: Nationally (except for Alaska and Hawaii)

Sweet Reason’s lineup of canna-bevs range from lower dose light sips – in flavors like lemon and rhubarb or strawberry and lavender – on up to their 30mg dose Evening Blends sporting a powerful combo of calming herbs and stress-reducing adaptogens, all of which made with broad spectrum hemp CBD. The grapefruit flavor is easily a permanent replacement for whichever sparkling water brand you’ve been hooked on since working at that one cool startup that had the stocked office fridge up until the whole company went under. Made with top-quality Colorado hemp extract, it’s a crisp, effervescent drink with very little sweetness and a nice dry finish.

Kanha Nano Cran-Pomegranate Punch Gummies

Dose: 5mg per gummy (20 gummies per pack)
Availability: California

Los Angeles-based Kanha holds their own in the pantheon of infused sweets with their cran-pomegranate punch gummies, energizing edibles that are sweet and gumdrop-ish in texture. This line utilizes a patented nanomolecular technology, which I can only assume involves the transmitter that shrinks Mike Teavee in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The payoff of having a “nano” gummie is that it has a quicker onset of effects than your average edible of the same dosage, so instead of having to wait 30-40 minutes to begin feeling blissed out, Kanha approximately cuts that time in half. Pop one and in no time you’ll be relaxing more than that “bed-ridden” grifter Grandpa Joe.

Coda Signature Burnt Caramel Chocolate Truffles

Dose: 10mg THC per truffle (6 truffles per pack)
Availability: California

If you’re trying to picture the type of edibles that would find their way into swanky Oscar nominee swag bags, you’re thinking of Coda Signature’s truffles. The haute truffles are trippily hand-painted and the latest flavor is filled with rich and smooth burnt caramel with a hint of smokiness and a dusting of English Maldon sea salt. Some of you who think luxury and cannabis can’t coincide haven’t had the pleasure of eating a weed truffle and ripping a ceramic Chongo bong, and IT SHOWS.

Lagunitas Hi-Fi Hops Tuner

Dose: 5mg THC and 5mg CBD per 12oz bottle
Availability: California, Colorado

The brainchild of Lagunitas brewmaster Jeremy Marshall and Absolute Xtracts budmaster Patrick Anderson, Hi-Fi is a citrusy sparkling water that, while sporting a hoppy taste, is non-alcoholic and instead draws its buzz from an infusion of sun-grown cannabis oil. It’s no surprise coming from the circus freaks over at Lagunitas who’ve spent decades cultivating a 420-friendly brand, from their collaborations with The Waldos to having endured a sting operation that shut down their Petaluma brewery over a single joint back in 2005. The Tuner varietal, with an even balance of THC and CBD, provides a clear, relaxed hangover-free headspace primed for your next high happy hour.

Kikoko Mint Green Positivi-Tea

Dose: 10mg THC and 5mg CBD per tea bag (10 tea bags per package)
Availability: California

Kikoko is a women-founded, women-run botanical wellness company that puts out one of the top-selling infused beverages on the market. Formulated to address specific ailments, Kikoko’s offerings include Tranquili-Tea for insomnia, Sympa-Tea for pain relief, Sensuali-Tea to enhance sex, and a brisk minty Positivi-Tea for mood elevation. Taken with one of their antioxidant HoneyShots, it’s an idyllic option for a high tea gathering complete with scones, finger sandwiches, and some cheddar cheese Combos.

Platinum Vape Baked Apple Gummies

Dose: 10mg THC per gummy coin (10 gummy coins per package)
Availability: California, Oklahoma

Ah apple pie, just like mom used to make, or at least like mom used to pick up from McDonald’s have you begged her nonstop to take you to McDonald’s. Apple pie in a THC-laden gummie coin form, even better. Platinum Vape’s edibles are packed with the rich sweetness of fresh apple pie and hints of cinnamon and spice. This stellar seasonal mood-setter comes from Platinum’s father-son team who built the highly successful cannabis brand with the money they made from selling a used dirt bike.

Pop-up Potcorn Jalapeño Cheddar Popcorn

Dose: 10mg THC and 1mg CBD per bag (10 bags per package)
Availability: California

There’s no better all-purpose utility stoner snack than popcorn and Pop-up Potcorn combines kernels and cannabis in a microwaveable bag that’s a breeze to make at home. The 10mg bags are lab-tested to ensure potency after cooking and they’re also well-dosed with live resin cannabis oil to allay concerns about over-indulging. Potcorn is such a natural fit for movie night, so heat up a bag and take in the majesty of Nic Cage’s anguished toilet screaming performance in Mandy.