Another year has come and gone, and for the Leafly editorial team, that means reflecting on some of the top stories we authored in 2016. We’ve come a long way since our 2014 and 2015 Best Ofs—last year we beefed up our news reporting and debuted a newly designed News & Culture portal. We have even more changes in store for you in 2017, including exciting stories, compelling features, and even better user functionality, but for now revisit some of the top articles from the past year.
1. Leafly’s 2016 Election Coverage
November 8th was a hectic day for the cannabis industry as we waited with bated breath to see how nine different initiatives would play out across the country. The night was full of surprises, not just from the presidential election, but in terms of the resounding success for legalization in eight of nine states (boo to you, Arizona). Our live election recap was the most popular article written in 2016, as hundreds of thousands of curious visitors refreshed the page throughout the evening to see which states would joint the cannabis legalization club.
2. New DEA Rule Says CBD Oil is Really, Truly, No-Joke Illegal
It’s only been a few weeks, but Deputy Editor Bruce Barcott’s coverage from December 14th rattled readers who were (rightfully) outraged by the DEA’s move to position all cannabis extracts, including CBD oil derived from hemp, as federally illegal Schedule I substances.
3. How Brand Licensing Allows Cannabis Companies to Expand Across State Lines
We took a closer look at how the cannabis industry can legally expand businesses across state lines thanks to a clever workaround: brand licensing.
4. How to Roll a Joint
Our easy-to-follow step-by-step guide on how to roll a joint, complete with instructional gifs to act as a visual aid, was a go-to reference for both cannabis newcomers and veterans who wanted to dust off their joint rolling skills.
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Showing you dispensaries near5. How Long Does THC Stay in Your System?
It’s a question that every cannabis-curious individual has pondered at some point or another. Our resource on how long THC stays in your system aims to offer some answers, detailing how drug tests work, factors that may impact drug test results, whether CBD will trigger a positive drug test, and tips on how to rid your system of THC in hopes of passing a test of your own.
6. In Photos: These “Dragon Balls” Contain 3,000 Grams of Pure Cannabis Oil
The fine folks at X-tracted Labs whipped up these golden globes full of 3,000 grams of pure cannabis extract. Containing 99% THC, the mesmerizing beauties pack a powerful punch.
7. Cannabis and Sleep: 10 Things to Know About Your Herbal Nightcap
How does cannabis affect your sleep? Our editor Bailey Rahn explores the delicate relationship between our favorite plant and our most cherished pastime, including why CBD and THC affect sleep differently, why indica strains are better sleep aids, why old cannabis makes you sleepier, and other interesting facts about strains and snoozing.
8. Cannabis Tinctures 101: What are They, How to Make Them, and How to Use Them
Learn what tinctures are, how they’re used, and how you can whip up a batch at home based on a few different easy-to-follow recipes. Happy dosing!
9. Dabbing vs. “Dabbin”: The Dance Craze That’s Confusing Cannabis Consumers
Okay, so the “dabbin'” dance craze was quickly replaced with other flash in the pan memes like “Damn, Daniel,” Harambe tributes, the Mannequin Challenge, and Prankster Biden (which I never, ever want to end), but for a brief stretch of 2016, it still held relevance. Unfortunately, cannabis-savvy individuals like Seattle Seahawks players Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett were easily confused by the difference between “dabbin'” the dance and “dabbing” the cannabis consumption method. Yes, one may have subtly influenced the other. And yes, one has far more enduring appeal.
10. How to Roll a Perfect Blunt: A Step-by-Step Guide
Now that you’ve mastered the simple art of rolling a joint, why not try your hand at perfecting the blunt? Pick up a new skill this year and learn how to roll your own blunts — it’s a new year’s resolution you won’t regret!
What were some of your favorite Leafly articles, resources, features, and news items from 2016?
