Chemistry is an Oakland-based brand specializing in single-cultivar, full-spectrum cannabis products using small batches of whole flower. While they don’t grow their own weed, they utilize transparent partnerships with sun-grown farms, mostly within the Emerald Triangle.

The name Chemistry is probably a nod at their scientific approach to the business, employing the wisdom of a PhD level organic chemist at the brand's helm. Instead of traditional methods of extraction like butane and CO2, Chemistry uses steam-distillation. Though I’m not exactly sure what that entails, they say it better preserves a “complete profile of the plant’s therapeutic agents such as acids and other entourage molecules—not just isolated THC or CBD.” It also should be noted Chemistry never introduces terpenes into their oil, which I was surprised to learn given the undeniable berry taste of their Huckleberries pod.

“As I continued to take hits of the lovely new vape, my mood continued to lift. ”

Like all things that have occurred in the year 2020, this year’s solstice felt strange, isolating, and nothing like the hot, fun days of years prior. The grey sky I woke up to still lingered outside my window at noon, dashing any hopes of an early burn-off. I felt depressed, bored, and over it.

I rolled over dramatically in bed, looking at my nightstand. The Chemistry Uno Pen, with its matted white frame and rainbow accents, stared back at me. It looked bright and happy like summer is supposed to. Might as well, I thought to myself.

My spirits rose with the first hit. The aptly named Huckleberries Pod had the same sweet-tart berry flavor as an IRL huckleberry, which if you’ve never had one, kind of tastes like an off-brand blueberry. Now, knowing they don’t reintroduce terpenes to preexisting oil, I’m even more impressed, as I would have bet money they must have to achieve such a distinct and specific flavor.

Grown by Moon Made Farms in Humboldt Country, this pod is a hybrid that contains 72.2% THC, 5.27% terpenes, and 77.8% total cannabinoids. As I continued to take hits of the lovely new vape, my mood continued to lift. By the time I was adequately high, enjoying the balanced, joyful, and euphoric feeling, my phone buzzed. It was one of my best friends.

“I just bought a boat!” She screamed through the receiver. While she’d been practicing sailing for a while, this was shocking news. Buying a sailboat is a huge fucking deal, especially for someone who only sort of knows how to sail, and has a net worth hovering around $300 at any given moment. “Fuck yeah!,” I matched her excitement to mask apprehension. After five minutes of an enthusiastic back and forth, we resolved to meet in the Santa Barbara Marina.

“Buying a sailboat is a huge fucking deal, especially for someone who only sort of knows how to sail, and has a net worth hovering around $300 at any given moment.”

Driving through Santa Barbara was strange. The California beach town, which celebrates solstice like other cities celebrate the 4th of July, was kind of cold, and kind of sad. People milled around the boardwalk, lining up outside expensive sushi restaurants in masks carrying Gucci bags. Their children running circles, sun-bleached hair. Though the vibe was a little off, the vibe in my car was top notch. I was chilling, puffing Huckleberries, and listening to 1970s Nigerian funk-pop. I rolled into the Marina just before what I imagined would be sunset.

“Just because you can’t see the sun doesn’t mean it’s not there,” said my friend. We sat on the old black sailboat she said she got a bargain on, rocking as it slapped wakes in the harbor. I handed her my new favorite vape. She took a big pull, and exhaled with, “Fuck it. Let’s have a boat party.” An hour later, her boat was covered in our friends who had also been let down by the alienating, cloudy lack of summer celebration. We got high and drunk until the sun set on the longest day of the year, lingering til it was too dark to see.

This vape is the perfect summer companion in that it creates the cozy, sweet, euphoric feeling that pandemic summer 2020 is having a hard time cultivating on its own. The flavor is great, and the high is mellow enough that I can’t think of anything this pen wouldn’t make better.