Elevate your munchies: A food lover’s guide to 4/20 cannabis cravings

When Matt Bellassai appears in a TikTok video, visibly stoned and wielding a spatula, it’s not your typical munchies montage. The comedian’s “Baked Baking” series, which features Bellassai preparing intricate desserts while delightfully elevated, has racked up millions of views — and perhaps just as many cravings. It’s a jubilant rejection of the guilt-laden connotations often associated with cannabis and food. Instead of shame, there’s joy. Instead of instant noodles, pâte à choux.

That shift reflects a broader cultural evolution. As of early 2025, medical marijuana is legal in 38 states and Washington, D.C., while 24 states allow recreational use. The legal cannabis market is projected to reach $76.39 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research.

Alongside legalization has come a culinary renaissance — one where cannabis and cuisine are increasingly intertwined. “Munchies” once meant hastily melted cheese over cornflakes (surprisingly good, to be honest). Now, it means saffron-infused honey, cannabutter croissants or carefully paired terpenes and tasting menus.

“The biological relationship that people have with both food and cannabis — and the cannabis culture of stereotypically being associated with creativity, happiness and enjoyment — creates a perfect storm for the cannabis munchie subculture to explode,” said Tommy Verderame, a longtime grower and now brand manager for Trulieve Cannabis Corporation.

Verderame recalled a visit from his 85-year-old grandfather, who stopped in Arizona en route to Las Vegas. Before heading to a local Italian restaurant, Verderame offered him a low-dose THC/CBD capsule.

Cannabis dinner with Trulieve Cannabis Corporation (Trulieve Cannabis Corporation)“We’re sitting outside on a beautiful, but warm late October evening and the patio is jumping. I can tell he’s feeling good,” Verderame said. “He’s cracking jokes and engaging with the waitress, just loving life.” Then came the lasagna, which disappeared in a flash. “I knew this was an elevated experience for him when he said it was the best lasagna he’d ever had. For an 85-year-old from New Haven, Connecticut, an epicenter of Italian cuisine, to say this — he must’ve been high.”

While cannabis may heighten appetite, it also enhances the entire eating experience. “When THC binds to our CB1 receptors, your hypothalamus gets activated, dopamine gets released and your olfactory sensitivity is heightened, “ Verderame explained. “So essentially, the mind and body are saying, ‘Bring it on.’”

This piece is a celebration of that amplified connection: a guide for those who savor both food and cannabis, offering inspiration, recommendation, and the tools to take your next meal — or high, or both — to another level.

Sweet snacks

Handcrafted Chocolate – Edibles work better and faster when paired with a fat. Instead of a spoonful of peanut butter, enjoy an indulgent Handcrafted Chocolate. My favorite is the Mango Passionfruit Black Sesame Bar. It’s gooey, the flavors all stand out, yet are completely balanced and it’s such a decadent treat. Handcrafted Chocolates also (read as: primarily) offers beautiful, hand-painted chocolate truffles filled with a variety of delicious, inventive flavors.

Sugar Plum Chocolate Covered Potato Chips – Sweet and salty really go hand in hand, especially when you’re toasty. Sugar Plum hand-dips rippled potato chips in milk and dark chocolate, though you can choose just dark chocolate, which was my preference. The chocolate is thick and sweet, but the entire snack isn’t dipped, leaving some salty chip exposed. They also have chocolate-covered popcorn!

Brownie Points Baby Brownies – Bite-sized brownies. Twenty-four flavors. Zero regrets. These chewy, rich mini brownies are perfectly portioned for late-night cravings, and the individual packaging makes them easy to stash in your bag — or next to your bed. They’re the ideal sweet treat when you want a little bit of everything.

Tamalitoz Chilli Pops Chamoy – These aren’t your childhood lollipops. Born in a small Mexico City candy shop and inspired by traditional Mexican flavors, these pops are an explosion of spicy, sweet and tangy. Swirls of coconut, tamarind, chamoy and cucumber are dusted with lime chili flakes, creating a deeply complex candy experience.

Zabar’s Mini Black and White Cookies – Everyone loves a good black-and-white cookie: dense but soft, cake-like, with its signature half-chocolate, half-vanilla icing and roughly palm-sized proportions. But Zabar’s mini versions make a compelling case for downsizing — the smaller format somehow delivers a better bite, with a more balanced ratio of icing to cake. If you’re ordering online, be sure to get some bagels, too.

Cannabis on-the-go

Dogwalkers Cherry Maui Wowie – Tiny prerolls aren’t usually my go-to, but when you’re on the move—or short on time—the Cherry Maui Wowie minis from Dogwalkers hit a sweet spot. Each .35g preroll comes in a pack of three, neatly tucked into a portable container that’s easy to reach for when you want a quick, low-commitment smoke.

Hi-Snaps – Need a quick boost? Hi-Snaps offer a portable, discreet, and genuinely clever way to take the edge off, with microdoses you can fully control. As the name suggests, each one is a slim packet you snap in half over a cold (or warm, but not hot) beverage, releasing 5 milligrams of hemp-derived THC alongside 5 milligrams of CBD. They ship nationwide, which makes them an easy add-to-cart for curious first-timers and seasoned microdosers alike.

STIIIZY 40’s Blue Dream 2G Blunt – I was intrigued when I first came across STIIIZY’s 40’s 2G infused blunts—and quickly fell in love. They’re heavy hitters, full stop, and that’s before you factor in the size. The flower is infused with live resin, wrapped in hemp, and dusted in kief, which sounds like a lot because it is. Still, they burn beautifully (pun intended). Blue Dream — a sativa-leaning hybrid, and very much my speed — is fruit-forward and delivers a bright, buoyant high. If you’d rather roll your own, STIIIZY also offers its infused 40’s flower in 3.5- and 7-gram loose formats.

Encore Espresso Caramel – I often enjoy edibles for the effect rather than the flavor, as I often find them to have an unpleasant aftertaste. But Encore’s Espresso Caramels left me absolutely smacked beyond anything I expected for how much I took, and most importantly, they taste lovely. They are 10 milligrams, each but — at least for me — felt like they pack a much larger punch.

RYTHM Blue Dream Liquid Diamonds Vape – RYTHM’s all-in-one disposable liquid diamonds vape fits nicely in your palm without announcing your indulgence to everyone around you. Strain-specific, in my case, one of my favorites, Blue Dream, is infused with cannabis-derived terpenes and live THCa crystals for a powerful combination that’s certainly enjoyable.

Muha Meds Frosty Mint Blueberry Infused Prerolls – For menthol lovers, try the Frosty Mint Blueberry infused prerolls from Muha Meds. While I personally find mint a borderline repugnant flavor, I know it has a devoted following—especially among cigarette smokers who may appreciate it here, too. Each pack includes five joints, just over half a gram apiece, infused with live resin and coated in kief. They’re a solid, on-the-go option with a flavor profile that, if it’s your thing, really leans in.

Easy (elevated) meals

Algea Cooking Club Roasted Garlic Oil – Sometimes it’s hard enough to get off the couch when the munchies hit, let alone cook something from scratch. In those moments, a bottle of roasted garlic oil and a loaf of bread will absolutely save you. This one smells as good as it tastes—deeply savory, a little sweet—and makes an ideal dipping oil. Munchies: handled. It’s also excellent drizzled over salads, used to sear steak, or tossed into a quick vegetable stir-fry.

Toom – Lebanon’s beloved garlic condiment, toom, is as versatile as it is addictive. A fluffy emulsion of garlic, oil, salt, and lemon juice, it’s naturally vegan and gluten-free. The packaged version I tried was milder than what I’ve made at home or had in restaurants, but still plenty flavorful. Scoop it up with pita chips, swipe it onto sandwiches—or, honestly, eat it by the spoonful.

Pair with: Dialed In Rosin Drops turn anything into an edible. Each small bottle contains 100 mg of strain-specific rosin; the Max Volume hybrid pairs especially well with Toom, thanks to its bright, citrusy notes. Add a capful (or more) directly to your container and get snacking—you’ll be elevated before you know it.

St Pierre’s Belgian Waffles – Sweet, buttery, and crunchy Belgian waffles that you can buy at the grocery store and pop in the toaster to enjoy? Yes, please! St. Pierre’s offers four varieties: butter, chocolate chip, cinnamon and maple, all with crunchy sugar pearls that almost melt and burst in your mouth as you eat the waffle. It’s not gourmet, but it hits just right. Add some crispy chicken tenders and you have easy chicken and waffles.

Delicious spreads

Johnsonville Original Fully Cooked Breakfast Sausage – Craving breakfast when the munchies hit? Johnsonville’s original breakfast sausages come fully cooked and ready when you are. A quick 30 seconds in the microwave, and you’re set. They also make frozen, sandwich-sized patties, which makes building a proper breakfast sandwich feel almost too easy.

Pair with: Benevolent Bakery’s original infused pancake mix is a natural match. Just add water and get it on the griddle. It’s currently available at dispensaries in Oklahoma, with hemp-derived options expected to be available online soon.

Pasturebird Chicken Wings – Grilling steak has its place, but chicken wings? That’s the move for a slow, sunny afternoon spent hovering near the grill. Pasturebird’s pasture-raised chicken is, as the name promises, a step above your standard grocery-store wings — more flavorful, a little more satisfying, and made for this exact scenario.

Pair with: Now here’s the fun part. When the chicken is done, slather it in Sanders BBQ Supply Co Sticky Icky Peach Wing Sauce and let it caramelize for a few minutes over the heat. Infused with 25 mg of THC, it turns your wings into something a little more… transportive. Sticky, smoky, and sweet, it’s basically what wing dreams are made of. Available at nuEra Cannabis dispensaries.

Build-your-own munchies moments

(Blue Ribbon / Goldbelly ) Blue Ribbon Special Sushi Kit

Tex-Ethiopian Whole Smoked Brisket – I had the pleasure of visiting Smoke‘n Ash BBQ during a recent visit to Fort Worth and haven’t stopped thinking about their incredible Ethiopian-style Texas-smoked brisket. It’s seasoned with the traditional salt and pepper, along with berbere, rosemary, garlic and ginger. As it turns out, it’s available for nationwide shipping on Goldbelly. Simply defrost the whole brisket, slice it, and vacuum-seal it in small portions to enjoy whenever the urge hits you, if a whole brisket is just too much for what you had in mind.

Benevolent Bakery Double Chocolate Brownie Mix – Brownies and cannabis are a quintessential pairing. Benevolent Bakery makes enjoying a good home-baked option easy with a cake mix that comes already infused with 100, 250 or 1,000 milligrams, depending on the state. Just add water to the mix and bake, or dress it up with a variety of recipes they offer. For the easiest way to take them up several levels, swap the water for espresso! Available at select dispensaries in New York, Arkansas, Montana, Missouri, and Oklahoma, or online with hemp for national shipping.

H&H Bagels, Cream Cheese & Nova Scotia Salmon – A bagel and lox might be the ultimate edible-era brunch. This kit from H&H delivers the chewy New York-style bagels, thick schmears of cream cheese and perfectly salty slices of Nova Scotia salmon. Add some sliced tomato, avocado and red onion if you’re feeling fancy—and eat it slowly, because every bite is worth it.

Force of Nature Venison Tomahawk Steak – You’ve heard of a beef tomahawk. But a venison tomahawk? Leaner, more complex, and richly flavorful, this bone-in beauty brings that dramatic presentation with a little extra edge. It’s not always easy to find, but Force of Nature delivers straight to your door. Go ahead and get two—you won’t want to share.

Blue Ribbon Special Sushi Kit from Goldbelly – Sure, you could order sushi from your usual takeout spot. But this kit from Blue Ribbon turns dinner into a whole vibe. You’ll get everything prepped and ready to roll (literally): cooked rice, spicy tuna and scallop, sashimi-grade salmon, tuna, shrimp, yellowtail, blocks of crispy fried rice, plus sauces and fixings. The directions are simple, but you can freestyle — I opted for handrolls instead, but no matter how you slice it, the sushi tastes pretty good and makes the perfect stoner date night.

Want to level up with your own rice and fish slicing? Try the Ichiban Home Sushi Kit from Honolulu Fish Co. for an upscale alternative.

Glassware

The Vase by Mantelpiece – Forget about hiding your smoking pieces. Get The Vase by Mantelpiece instead. Versatile and beautiful, it can be a true flower vase or a bong, depending on the day. It’s made to be displayed and has separate water chambers for its dual uses: flowers and flower.

Pair with: Try the Vase with (the) Essence Forum Cut Cookies, an earthy and sweet sativa with purply nugs. Available in 3.5-gram resealable mylar bags in many recreational markets.

NWTN Home Highball Hand Pipe – NWTN says their hand-blown smoking pieces are inspired by heirloom glassware, and I would certainly agree. The new Highball Hand Pipe is almost too pretty to smoke with, but it’s truly perfect. The bowl is exactly the right size for a comfortable session without the flower tasting too burnt, it fits well in your hand with a comfortable weight, and it’s available in multiple colors; orchid is my favorite. Put it in a sealable plastic bag with salt and isopropyl alcohol, and give it a few shakes to make cleaning easy.

Pair with: Savvy’s unfortunately-named B52 Bomber flower is from the Durban Poison and Blue Dream lineages, both excellent strains and some of my favorites. It offers a more budget-conscious experience without significant sacrifice.

Magritte Pipe by AMITHA – A glass pipe is often functional, but it can absolutely be a beautiful home decor piece as well. The Magritte pipe is a perfect example. It’s a sculptural glass pipe that sits atop a silver, or brass, glass base when not in use. It’s creatively designed to be used with or without water, pulls nicely and is simple to clean.

Stündenglass Kompact Gravity Infuser – The Stündenglass is my favorite cannabis “toy” hands down. It’s a gravity bong meets hookah meets hourglass, and allows for serious and delicious rips. But the full-size one is big and hard to bring with you to friends’ places and gatherings, despite my infatuation. I recently tested the Kompact version, toting it along to meet some friends at Canni Infusion Bar, a cannabis lounge in Milwaukee. Not only was it a showstopper, literally, it was so much fun to use, easy to transport thanks to a carrying case, and it also provided for smaller rips for first timers or smokers that prefer to build up their high.

Pair with: Grown Rogue Triple Beam flower is a gorgeous purple hybrid from Apples & Bananas and Hellcat #15 lineage. It’s an earthy and fruity hybrid that offers a balanced experience perfect for the Stündenglass.

Cones for entertaining

Smoke Temple Cross Cone – The cross joint — three ends, one very memorable experience — is about as iconic as it gets when it comes to group smoking. It’s also easier to pull off than it looks, thanks to Daysavers’ ready-to-fill cones. Just be sure you’ve got a second set of hands nearby. Lighting all three ends at once is very much a team effort.

RAW Classic Emperador Cones – RAW makes a lot of cones in many different sizes, but my favorite for sharing, by far, are the Emperador cones. Eight inches long and offering a 4-gram (or more) capacity, it is somehow the perfect size to pack comfortably. Not to mention, it holds up well while you’re passing it around, staying lit and avoiding the dreaded canoeing.

Cannabis gear and storage

(CTOAN) Sticker sheet

Buddy Flowers Fresh Kit  – If your bud storage needs an upgrade, the Buddy Flowers Fresh Kit might be just what you’re looking for. It’s a high-tech twist on the classic mason jar, using a silicone lid with a degassing valve and an AirGone Argon Gas Canister to flush out oxygen. This results in fresher flower that last longer without losing potency or flavor.

Judd Joint Case by AMITHA – Tired of smushed joints or plastic tubes? The Judd Joint Case from AMITHA provides a classy way to store your joints and a few cards, slipping right into your pocket or bag until you need it. Available in silver or brass to suit your personal style.

CTOAN’s Lighter Holder Keychain – Never lose your lighter again with CTOAN’s creative and unique 3D printed lighter holder keychains in the perfect green for the holiday. Shaped like the human form and available in four body types, CTOAN’s designs feature rolls and butt dimples, top surgery scars, and stretch marks. They fit perfectly in the palm of your hand and include a lobster clasp for ease of use. Check out CTOAN’s munchies and cannabis themed sticker sheet while you’re at it.

Stash Case and Lighter Duo – For a transportation solution of a smaller variety, you’ll want Smoke Honest’s Stash Case and Lighter Duo. Taking up about as much space as the average lighter, it’s so much more than that. The lighter is hollow with room for a single joint and it’s windproof allowing you to enjoy that joint on the go without stress.

Cannabis tech

Vessel Compass Rise – If you’re tired of the flimsy vape batteries from your local headshop, the Vessel Compass Rise is a welcome upgrade. Sleek and comfortable in the hand, it’s equipped with a USB-C charging port for easy recharging and dependable performance—ideal for leveling up your game.

For a budget-friendly alternative with some features you wouldn’t expect at this price point, like a USB-C charging port and a digital display, check out the G Pen 510 Original for just $12.95!

Pair with: Legend Green Crack Vape Cartridge is a half-gram sativa which, in my experience, helps with the blowout some carts experience, since you finish it off before it has a chance to stop working. The strain enhances creativity and boosts energy while offering citrus notes from the added terpenes.

Puffco Pivot – Whether you’re new to dabs or a seasoned enthusiast, the Puffco Pivot offers a sleek, portable upgrade from the classic torch-and-rig setup. This pen-style vaporizer is discreet and easy to use, with precision heating that delivers smooth, flavorful hits—perfect for dabbing at home or on the move. It’s ideal for those who want potency without the production.

For a much more premium experience (at a serious price point), consider the DaVinci Electric Quartz Rig. It’s chock-full of technology, water-cooled, and touchscreen-enabled, but less portable and discreet, and has a lot of settings to play with.

Pair with: Kind Tree Tangieland Live Resin Sugar is a top-shelf selection for dabbing, since Live Sugar is made from fresh-frozen flower, which is terpene-rich and retains the strain’s flavor profile. Tangieland, a cross between Tangie and Candyland, is citrus-forward and can also be added to joints and bowls.

GermGuardian FLT420B Cannabis Smoke Filter – Tired of waking up to yesterday’s smoke hanging stale in the air? GermGuardian offers a new HEPA filter that’s specifically designed to remove cannabis odors, in addition to everything else. I can’t say I fully understand how it works, but I can say it seems to work. We’ve had an air filter running pretty much nonstop for a long time, and despite its much higher price point, it wasn’t nearly as good at cleaning the odor left behind from a serious sesh. Compatible with the AC4880 Tower Air Purifier.

LĒVO II+ – Making edibles at home used to be a messy, smelly, high-effort affair. The LĒVO II+ changes the game. This countertop infusion machine automates every step—drying, decarboxylation, and infusion—letting you infuse oils, butters, honeys, and more without the usual guesswork. A built-in herb pod keeps plant material separate (no need to strain), while the replaceable carbon filter helps keep odors at bay. The connected LĒVO app adds even more ease, with step-by-step recipes, guided instructions, and a potency calculator to help you dial in your ideal dosage.

Pair with: You don’t necessarily want to use the prettiest nugs or premium flower to make edibles. It would just be a waste. Legend Blue Lemonade Flower Littles, a sativa with fruity and citrus notes, is an excellent option. It’s a budget-conscious flower in little nugs, perfect for making edibles.

Handheld vaporizers

Tabletop and cartridge-based vaporizers are old news, even for occasional users. But handheld dry herb vaporizers offer a notable step up in flavor, convenience and discretion. Designed for life on the go, these devices combine portability with more control over your experience.

Storz & Bickel VENTY Vaporizer – For the cannabis connoisseur, the VENTY delivers best-in-class technology from a trusted name that’s been in the game for over two decades. It offers precision control over temperature and airflow, with USB-C charging for portability. While slightly bulky and encased in plastic, it’s a powerhouse built for performance, not looks. For a smaller, more budget-conscious version with far less customization, and my personal preference, try the VEAZY instead.

Pair with: Vaporizing flower is a completely different experience than smoking it, and really allows you to taste the nuance and flavor in a way you just don’t when you light up. Try the top shelf Verano Reserve Strawberry Cough using the Venty (or better yet, Volcano Hybrid) and then roll up a joint for a cannabis flavor tasting experience. Strawberry Cough is an earthy and berry-forward sativa that is uplifting, flavorful, and energetic.

PAX Four – The PAX Four is the successor to the Plus. It’s the simplest dry herb vaporizer to refill between sessions, and it’s no longer recommended to pack it tight. Thanks to a new hybrid heating system, it creates larger clouds than the Plus, and a redesign allows for easier loading. The updated charging system, now with USB-C, makes it easier to charge on the go. The downsides: Longer heating time, a slightly smaller oven than before, and it shuts off a little too quickly if you forget about it. Still, in a late-night session when ease trumps everything, the PAX Four is a dependable choice.

POTV Lobo – The Lobo finds a sweet spot between discretion, experience and value. It supports a wide range of accessories—from glass mouthpieces to bubblers and dosing capsules. The capsules themselves can be a little finicky, so if fuss-free is your priority, you may prefer the PAX. That said, pre-loading the capsules ahead of time makes for seamless use — and extra batteries mean you can keep the session going without interruption.

Ashtray or home decor?

Houseplant Side Table Ashtray – Add a practical and elegant piece of decor to your home with Houseplant’s glazed porcelain and stainless steel ashtray side table. It’s a beautiful and well-made piece that can also hold your beverages, joints, and, of course, ashes, preventing them from inevitably getting knocked over all the time (ask me how I know). Available in a beautiful green, as well as black, orange, and blue to match any home.

Rogue Paq Poppy Party Ashtray – The ultimate host’s ashtray, the Poppy Party Ashtray looks like a beautiful poppy, in polished brass or nickel-plated finishes. But when you pull out the petals, they transform into individual mini ashtrays, and the stamens become pokers or packers. It’s an elegant way to turn the humble ashtray into a dinner party centerpiece.

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