The holidays have rolled back around again, and as more and more New Mexicans start experimenting with weed, it’s almost a given that you’ll have at least one stoner on your gift list. But what do you buy the pothead who has everything? Read on and find out what they didn’t even know they were missing.
Munchies
What’s the one thing every stoner can appreciate? A pile of food, of course. Weed famously gives users the mean munchies, and can quickly lead to cleaned-out cupboards and empty refrigerators. Help quell that ungodly pot appetite with a gift certificate from Blake’s Lotaburger, where weed heads can indulge in mountains of American comfort food. If the stoner on your list isn’t a burger fan, you can’t go wrong with a Burque Bakehouse (640 Broadway SE) gift card. There’s nothing like baked goods for baked people.
Grow Gear
More people are switching to homegrown cannabis every day. Potheads with green thumbs across the state are learning that growing your own weed means better quality control, healthier pest management and happier plants. If the tree smoker in your life is interested in a personal garden, the good people at AHL Garden Supply (1051 San Mateo SE) can set you up with everything a beginner will need. From grow lights, to fertilizers, to watering systems and even starter grow kits—AHL is the perfect stop for a green gift.
Mind Expansion
Weed is good for treating a number of ailments, but it’s especially good at kicking open the doors of perception and expanding the mind. If your stoner is like most, they’ll love the opportunity for enrichment that a New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science (1801 Mountain NW) membership can provide. Members get special discounts and free admission to more than 350 participating museums across the country. With events like First Friday Fractals and 3D nature films, this place was practically built for potheads.
Natural Novelty
As many cannabis-lovers will tell you, there’s something about pot that really amps up the awareness and appreciation of natural beauty. With 35 state parks less than a day’s drive from Albuquerque, stoners have access to some of the nation’s most beautiful natural spaces (although it should be noted that using cannabis while at a state park is strictly prohibited). The best part is that the state offers annual passes for unlimited free visits at emnrd.nm.gov—the perfect gift for the stoned wanderer.
Freaked Out Fun
For stoners who eschew the outdoors, Electric Playhouse (5201 Ouray NW) offers 20,000-square-feet of mind-blowing immersive gaming, dining, drinks and art exhibits that incorporate interactive motion-activated electronic visuals that will blow their socks off. This place is perfect for psychonauts looking to spice up their lives with color and sound. A gift certificate from this place will definitely put a smile on the face of your favorite pothead.
Couch-Locked Entertainment
Of course, pot doesn’t always make you want to get up and go. Solid, brain-crushing indicas can leave users stranded between couch cushions, binging vapid reality shows and eating mountains of processed sugar. Visit Yo! Toys (1605 Juan Tabo NE Ste. C) to give your stoner a fun vintage toy to play with while they stare into space. You can also drop by Astro Zombies (3100 Central SE) to pick up some comics and replace their soul-sucking television with some quality entertainment.
Burque Gear
This season, give your pot-smoking friend the gift of a classy stoner wardrobe with specialty clothing from local clothing company, Good Company NM (2117 Central NW A-3). They’ve got shirts, hoodies, hats, jewelry and a ton of New Mexico and Albuquerque-themed gifts that will give your weed-lover a chance to rep their town while looking great. It’s the perfect gift for any style-conscious stoners on your list.
Chill Enhancement
Is your favorite stoner having trouble reaching maximum chill? Give them the gift of improved set and setting and watch their bad trips disappear. Head down to Blue Eagle Metaphysical (1605 Juan Tabo NE Ste. G) for some candles and atmospheric decor and order some New Mexico-made incense online from Incienso de Santa Fe. Once the setting is taken care of, head down to New Mexico Tea Company (1131 Mountain NW #2) for an herbal tea blend that will perfectly compliment their far out sessions.
Glass
Nothing tickles a pothead’s fancy like a new pipe, bong or rig. If you’re looking for an easy gift that’s bound to please, you won’t find a much better smoke shop than Just Urban (1317 San Mateo NE). Just look for their iconic mural to guide you to some of the best glass and accessories in Albuquerque. You can even build your own weed-themed gift set filled with papers, lighters and other goodies that are perfect for a weed-smoker. The shop also sells pre-made gift sets that can take some of the guesswork out of your selection.
Weed
Why complicate things? Don’t overthink it. You know what they want: Weed. And since the state law allows for gifting cannabis to adults over 21, you’ve got nothing keeping you from walking into a dispensary and buying copious amounts of legal pot, wrapping it up in paper and slapping a bow on it. You can’t throw a bong in Albuquerque without hitting a weed store, so it’ll probably be harder to find the bow than get a hold of a decently-priced ounce.
Trust us. Nothing warms even the grinchiest of hearts like a free ounce of cheeba.