In days of yore, when marijuana was maliciously maligned as a most dangerous drug and hundreds of thousands of otherwise decent tax-paying citizens were arrested for simple possession, the black market ruled and stealth was its currency. Come harvest season, humorist Chris Barry flirted with joining the brotherhood of this underground economy but only if he could wear his unbelievably brilliant camouflage Bushsuit.

Listen in as musicians Ethan Miller, frontman of Howlin Rain, and James Toth, member of One Eleven Heavy, discuss The Dharma Wheel, Howlin Rain’s latest pandemic album. They swap views on writing techniques, playing hide-and-seek with their muse, putting in the time, overcoming roadblocks, finding their authentic voice, and when the ideal time to light up is. 

Steven Bernstein’s latest creative gift, Tinctures in Time, is a powerful expression of friendship and music making. Inspired by life and loss, Tinctures is the first of a four-record project of community music and offers a sense of otherworldliness. Backed by the Millennial Territory Orchestra, Tinctures’ influences include Jazz, funk, African traditions and Minimalism—all rolled up into what Bernstein calls cannabis music.

Lee “Scratch” Perry is a genius. The legendary mind behind a boundless catalogue of incredible records released throughout reggae’s history, Scratch needs really no introduction once you’ve heard a record like Superape. His dub experiments from the 1970s sound like music from an era we still are far from reaching. Thing is, a guy that can make music simultaneously sound like it’s coming from underwater and outer space at the same time is probably a little odd. 

Scarlet Fire, Toronto’s latest dispensary is an offbeat, funky cannabis boutique inspired by the Grateful Dead and the counterculture aesthetic that grew around the band. The store offers top-shelf craft cannabis and is complete with a hallucinogenic Rabbit Hole, a replica of the Wall of Sound, Dave’s Picks section offering the staff’s selections, and Terpene Station where customers can deepen their cannabis knowledge.