Best of Phoenix 2016: Pot Stuff!

The 2016 edition of New Times' Best of Phoenix is out now, making an argument for our status as a border town. Here's our list of the best our town has to offer when the subject is weed.

Best Cannabis Festival: The Errl Cup
The Errl Cup was created by Jim Morrison to help promote cannabis in Arizona while holding dispensaries and caregivers accountable for delivering high-quality medicine to patients. The events — The Errl Cup, the 710 Degree Cup, and Errl Camp — all offer the opportunity for medical-marijuana patients to enjoy consuming cannabis in a festival-style environment.

Best Dispensary Swag: Arizona Natural Remedies
The most creative pieces of dispensary marketing this year were the T-shirts at Arizona Natural Remedies. In the style of the classic D.A.R.E. campaign, the shirts celebrate Arizona medical cannabis with just the right amount of humor. The shirts read, "D.A.N.K. Keeping locals supplied with quality medication." Pick one up next time you're checking out Arizona Natural Remedies' truly quality medication.

Best Medical Cannabis Dispensary: TruMed
TruMed is committed to bringing quality medicine to Arizona patients at competitive prices. President Lauren Gooding is a registered oncology nurse who prides herself on helping patients become acquainted with cannabis as medicine while tailoring treatment regimens to their individual needs. TruMed's flower is grown in-house and represents some of the best genetics and attention to detail in the Arizona market.

Best Medical Cannabis Strain: Verde Electric
Grown exclusively by Harvest of Tempe, Verde Electric is a genetic cross unique to Phoenix. This strain is a mix of Durban Poison, Platinum OG, and Sherbet genetics. It is known as "electric" because of its energetic, relaxed, and clear-headed but potent effects. For a fantastic strain that is truly unique to the Valley, Verde Electric is a must-try.

Best Edible: Pourable THC Syrup by Baked Bros
Baked Bros Pourable THC Syrup is a revolutionary product in the world of cannabis-infused edible products. Each batch is strain-specific, allowing patients to choose between sativa, indica, and hybrid options. It can be purchased in bottles containing either 300 or 600 milligrams of THC. Given that 10 milligrams is a widely accepted standard dose of the active ingredient responsible for the cannabis "high," either bottle will likely last a while.

Best Concentrate: Melting Point Extracts (MPX)
Melting Point Extracts is on the cutting edge of cannabis-extraction technology. Its Butane Hash Oil (BHO) shatters and waxes are flavorful and potent, with impressive terpene retention that allows you to smell and taste the plant matter that went into these extracts. For the terpene-obsessed, they also offer flavorful and aromatic live resin. MPX offers CO2 extracts as well.



Best Medical Cannabis Consultation: Monarch
For those who are unfamiliar with cannabis as medicine or who seek a personalized treatment plan, it would be hard to find a better consultation than at Monarch, a dispensary in Scottsdale. The staff is happy to discuss any and all questions related to cannabis and offer recommendations of products and treatment methods that patients should try.

Best Cannabis Advocate: Kathy Inman
Few Arizona cannabis advocates are as committed as Kathy Inman. Her organization, MomForce AZ, leads outreach efforts explaining the benefits of legalizing medicinal and adult-use cannabis around the state. One of her biggest victories so far was getting Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio to attend one of her events last October in Sun City. At the event, Arpaio affirmed that cannabis was medicine and could be used by those with a prescription from their doctor. Inman selflessly volunteers her time for the benefit of the Arizona cannabis community.

Best Cannabis Prohibitionist: Bill Montgomery
For claiming medical marijuana led to a spike in heroin overdoses, calling U.S. Navy veteran Don Ream an "enemy" because of his cannabis use, and accepting $8,050 in donations from Big Alcohol to campaign about the "dangers of marijuana," Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery has earned the dubious crown as our Best Cannabis Prohibitionist. There couldn't be a better example of a completely hypocritical and out-of-touch politician weighing in on the issue of cannabis legalization.