Looking for a little help in how you get high? Here in the Mile High City, we’re five years into the legalization of adult-use recreational marijuana, so of course, there’s an app for that.
Despite the wild discrepancies in marijuana laws from state to state, a slew of new mobile applications are built specifically for consumers to offer everything from social networking and strain reviews to dispensary locators and advance ordering online.
It’s worth noting that Apple’s App Store bans “facilitating the sale of marijuana, tobacco or controlled substances” or “encourag(ing) consumption of tobacco products, illegal drugs or excessive amounts of alcohol.” It has banned marijuana-related apps in the past, although it has since lightened up. Google Play recently banned apps that “facilitate” the sale of marijuana, but is working with cannabis-centric developers on compliance.
However, there are still plenty of pot-focused (and free) apps to enhance every smoke sesh, so we’ve rounded up the six best for Colorado’s cannabis-friendly crowd to download right now.
Weedmaps
The marijuana mapping company was way ahead of the game when it first launched its eponymous app in 2008 as a community where medical patients could find and connect with dispensaries. Since then, this OG has expanded its empire into an all-encompassing cannabis education resource that includes consumer reviews, Groupon-esque dispensary deals and a dedicated news site. Until state legislators implement home delivery of cannabis, you can order ahead online through the app for pickup at select dispensaries (Android only). The Southern California-based hive mind is also behind the Museum of Weed, a pop-up concept open through Sept. 29 in Los Angeles.
Free; Apple iOS and Google Play for Android; weedmaps.com
Leafly
Not far behind Weedmaps came Leafly, hitting app stores in 2010 as a dispensary and strain database, which, according to a spokesperson for the Seattle-based startup, is “the world’s largest flower resource with more than 3,000 cannabis strain names logged.” Late last year, Leafly Pickup launched in Colorado, allowing advance ordering online for pickup at select dispensaries (Google Play only). The Leafly news team is led by veteran cannabis journalists such as Bruce Barcott and David Downs, who, with a multi-city staff of reporters, provide industry news, lifestyle tips, long-form features, product reviews and more. Leafly’s weekly podcast, The Roll-up, recaps its top stories and recently marked its 100th episode.
Free; iOS and Google Play; leafly.com
Postmates
When the high hits, why not let someone else make your munchies run from your favorite Denver restaurant — or even from 7-Eleven? In addition to delivering dinner to your doorstep, Postmates gets bonus points for bringing Martha Stewart — a cannabis entrepreneur herself — on-board earlier this year as an official spokeswoman in its first national television campaign since the app launched in San Francisco in 2011.
Free; iOS and Google Play; postmates.com
High There!
What started in 2015 as Tinder for cannabis lovers has turned into a social network with more than 1 million members from around the world, according to the makers of High There! “We initially developed High There! to be a dating app for the cannabis community, but we are constantly evolving with the industry,” said Darren Roberts, High There! CEO and co-founder. “There is no denying that cannabis is now a part of a bigger global conversation, and with the increase in media and debate, trusted resources can be hard to come by.” After a relaunch earlier this year, and a second update coming this fall, the app allows users to connect with each other, create Slack-like discussion rooms and receive localized product recommendations based on user preferences.
Free; iOS and Google Play; highthere.com
Bud
Calling all cultivators: Whether you’re a home-growing hobbyist or working in a greenhouse, Bud provides an iPhone camera-compatible visual diary for your pot plants. While growing is usually an activity for one, app users can either keep their journals private or open them up to the mobile community to ask advice, discuss strains and talk techniques.
Free; iOS; growbud.co
RELATED: Dad-approved Denver dispensaries
Pax
The popular vape-maker unveiled its groundbreaking app in 2016 to give consumers autonomy over the length of their sessions through custom temperature and color settings. “With PAX’s Session Control, you can enjoy the full richness of the cannabis experience in a controlled environment,” said JJ O’Brien, PAX Labs’ vice president of strategy. The PAX Era oil vaporizer ($29.99) is a lightweight, sleek and user-friendly device outfitted for its patented pods (with dispensary partners spanning Colorado), each containing 500 milligrams of pure cannabis oil. The San Francisco-based technology company’s app is also compatible with its pricier PAX 3 device ($249.99) for vaporizing both extract and dry flower.
Free; iOS and Google Play, pax.com
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