HQ²

While the rest of the world soaks up the last rays of summer, we’re sweating through holiday deadlines and itchy Santa suits to bring you the latest from the counterculture frontlines. In this week’s episode of The HeadLine , we spotlight Pressure Smoke & Vape’s fire indoor hemp flower and dive into the international fallout over HHC—now banned in Ireland and flagged by the UN. We’ve also got...

From couture cannabis to data-driven dabs, this week’s HeadLine is stacked. Creative Director David Pogge previews the August issue of HQ Magazine , featuring style disruptors like Pinks founder Ali Bianco, engineering-turned-extraction powerhouse Arvida Labs, and a sobering call to unity from cannabis legend Steve DeAngelo. Plus: a peek at tomorrow’s tech in today’s accessories, smart strategies...

Connecticut is redrawing the hemp map—and smoke shops are in the crosshairs. This week on The HeadLine , we break down the new enforcement blitz, the legal gray zones, and why retailers should be paying close attention. Then: nicotine pouches go thermonuclear. With growth outpacing Bitcoin (yes, seriously), we look at the marketing loopholes, FDA approvals, and why “Zyn bros” are laughing all the...

It’s 710, baby — and this week’s HeadLine hits harder than a Boost EVO on full temp. First, we’re spotlighting Dr. Dabber’s slick new collab with streetwear king Anwar Carrots. Then, it’s off to Rhode Island, where kratom just made U.S. history by going from banned to back in action — legally. We’ll also dive into Texas' latest cannabis tug-of-war, where local decrim laws keep getting stomped...

This week's HeadLine is a code red ! Connecticut just quietly banned kratom and squeezed hemp-THC, while Rhode Island is on the brink of legalization. Meanwhile, Texas is a legislative battleground for hemp's future, despite a surprising veto from Governor Abbott. Plus, federal hopes emerge, and a powerful psychedelic shows breakthrough results for depression. Tune in, because the news is...

Governor Abbott just saved the Texas hemp market with a veto that shocked the state—and gave head shops a reason to celebrate. Plus, we crack open the July issue of HQ for our hottest stories, smartest strategies, and industry insights you won’t find anywhere else.

This week on The HeadLine from HQ Magazine, we grab the counterculture by the business end and shake out the top stories making waves in the smoke shop space. RAW founder Josh Kesselman just bought High Times —yes, that High Times—and we got the scoop straight from the man himself. Meanwhile, California and Missouri double down on hemp bans, North Carolina takes a more measured approach, and Louis...

This week on The HeadLine , we take a closer look at the recent wave of reporting around the federal court decision involving RAW Rolling Papers and Republic Brands. A press release issued on June 10 reignited interest in a ruling originally handed down in April, leading to widespread media coverage. But with so many outlets echoing the same top-line takeaways, key parts of the story were left beh...

Capitol Hill takes aim at hemp. We break down the bill that could wipe out THCA flower and Delta-8 overnight. Plus: RAW faces a federal injunction, the vape supply chain hits a wall, and Texas picks a fight with its own cities over weed reform. It’s a stormy week in the smoke shop world—catch up before it catches you.

The legal landscape is shifting fast and if you're in the smoke shop, hemp, or counterculture biz, you can’t afford to miss a beat. HeadLine from HeadQuest Magazine breaks down the week’s biggest stories, from hemp bans and kratom crackdowns to cannabis wins and psychedelic reform. No fluff. No corporate spin. Just sharp, street-smart reporting — fast enough to hit on your lunch break, real en...

An inspiring story of resilience, transformation, and thriving against the odds. 🌟 This episode explores how embracing life’s challenges head-on can lead to incredible personal growth and a renewed perspective on what it means to truly live. From finding hope in unexpected places to redefining what “living” looks like, this is a must-listen for anyone seeking motivation, empowerment, or a fresh s...

Marijuana Isn’t Cool Anymore takes a hard look at the shifting cultural tide 🌊—from counterculture symbol to corporate commodity. 💨✨ This thought-provoking discussion unpacks how mainstream acceptance has reshaped cannabis and what that means for its roots in rebellion and individuality. 🛑🍃 Get ready to rethink everything you thought you knew.

Stephanie Shepard takes you into the shadows of her untold story in Why the Caged Bird Wouldn’t Sing . 🖤 From wrongful incarceration to the fight for justice, this gripping account exposes the darkest corners of the system and the strength it takes to survive. 💔🔥 Prepare to be moved, challenged, and forever changed.

Join us in this episode as we sit down with Rebecca Abraham, a trailblazing nurse and the founder of Plesio Health, who is on a mission to revolutionize the American medical community's approach to cannabis in clinical practice. From chronic pain to cancer treatment, Abraham believes that the integration of cannabis into healthcare could be as transformative as antibiotics once were. We delve...

The Florida hemp industry's been duped into contributing to a GOP slush fund set up in part to curb the reproductive rights of women. Speaking of Florida, one unlucky resident recently learned to never carry drugs in a bag labeled "bag of drugs." Jeff and David get nerdy explaining Chevron Deference and how the recent SCOTUS decision may apply to our industry. Zach's new nickname...

This episode, David, Jeff and Nick take a few minutes to dig into the new regs on hemp beverages in Lousiana and Iowa, but spend the majority of the show playing a new game David invented called “Cannabis Strain or Slurpee Flavor.” The rules are exactly what you think they are—but they did have to get fleshed out as the game was played. The glorious results were twofold: 1) We have an amazing new...

This podcast was actually recorded a month ago, but circumstances beyond our control caused a delay in getting it posted. And by “circumstance beyond our control,” we mostly mean our digital media assistant had too many gummies. Late as it is, though, there’s still more than enough pertinent information and fun conversation to make it worth your while: In our fifth episode, we find ourselves testi...

We’re back for our fourth episode, and holy hell are things ever popping off in the hemp space. We’re getting pinned in on every side, but it’s not over yet. It’s time to take some action and protect your livelihood. Get engaged, get active, and get listenin’! Nick’s back from Greece! David forgets to comb his hair. We <3 Wook Science. It’s Andy  Harris,  not Miller, and he’s the WORST. Ron DeS...

While Nick’s off galivanting in Greece, David and Jeff are soldiering on, exploring the nuances at the intersection of legality, culture, and counter-cultural commerce with reckless abandon. Not to be left shorthanded, they’re joined by Ginny Saville, founder and owner of The Botany Bay, a three-store chain in the greater area of Lexington, Kentucky. Now in business for 27 years, The Botany Bay is...

Join us as we explore the world of kratom; exploring its benefits, controversies, and the ongoing efforts to ensure its safety and accessibility. Mac Haddow shares his expert insights on the latest policy developments, the science behind kratom, and the AKA’s mission to protect the rights of consumers.

Queue the sad violin music and say adios to our dear friend,  THCA . You flew too close to the sun—or, at least, the governor’s office. The state of Georgia now defines THC as: tetrahydrocannabinol, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, or a combination of the two. For business owners, this means some of your most popular products are now illegal to sell. We’ve seen  THCA cause headaches  (and  incarcerati...

Holy $#%$, it’s our first episode! Jeff used to be a lawyer. Nick could have owned a bowling alley, but he studied biology instead. David’s first writing gig was for a Christian rock Magazine. He also happens to look just like Christian rock icon, Steven Curtis Chapman. Is THCA actually legal? Jeff says probably not; David tries to find the loophole for his clients anyway. Massachusetts just releg...

In this (roughly) bi-weekly podcast, industry insiders, David, Jeff and Nick nerd out about cannabinoids, playing on the intersection of law, politics and science to get their collective finger on the pulse of the hemp space and find out where it’s going, as well as what it all means for business owners in the head shop marketplace. This week: David and Jeff reminisce about Limewire before taking...

Have you ever wondered if nature holds the key to a healthier, more vibrant life? HeadQuest welcomes renowned author, documentarian, and plant guru, Sharon Lett, for a conversation that will blossom your mind! Sharon's story is one of resilience and rediscovery. Facing a serious health challenge, she found unexpected healing in the power of plants, specifically cannabis. But Sharon's journ...

Ever heard of a business getting its start in a Grateful Dead parking lot? That's exactly how our guest on this episode got his empire rolling. We're talking about Howard Franklin, the founder of North America's largest glass pipe designer and distributor, West Coast Gifts. But the name is a bit deceiving, because this company's origin story is anything but boring. Join us as we di...