IN REVIEW: The future of cannabis is here. With just a few puffs of E1011 Labs Ari53 Stems, you’ll feel as though you’ve reached a higher level of consciousness without getting stoned to the bone. Delta-8, along with a host of other naturally occurring cannabinoids, gives you a sense of calm to help you rise to any occasion. Simply toss one in your bag for a road trip, take a few draws before a first date, or just ride the reliable wave of calm anytime you need to chill out.

We’ve all heard of Delta-9 THC, but you might be new to its less psychoactive sister, Delta-8 THC. Usually derived from hemp plants, this smooth operator of a cannabinoid is supposed to offer effects somewhere in between those associated with CBD and Delta-9 THC. Imagine coasting in the sky, cool as a cucumber. Since it was recently thrown into the spotlight, there’s been a lot of buzz over Delta-8, so I’ve been curious to try it myself.

That time came when E1011 Labs Ari53 Stems came across my desk. I’d heard about flower pods like these instead of the conventional concentrate-filled pods you usually see at dispensaries, but this was my first time experiencing them for myself. They came in this slim, constellation-colored package that could easily fit into my pocket or in my bag. They look like little half joints filled with hemp flower, with a mouthpiece on one end and a thin paper film covering the other.

“I felt clear, focused, and relaxed as I settled in to do more work.”

Since the flower is tucked neatly into this paper tube, it was hard to get any notable aroma from the Ari53 stem. It was definitely herbal and smooth, but it was difficult to get much else from them on smell alone. Although, I think that a virtually odor-free experience makes it great for travel, or any other time you need to be discreet.

Much like their concentrate counterparts, the pods are designed to be used with a combustion-free device, similar to a vape pen. In this case, you need the E1011 Labs version of a dry flower vape, called Elon. It’s completely combustion-free, so it’s ideal for on-the-go smoking, and it fully charges in just 30 minutes.

At first, I was a little intimidated because I have never used a device like this, but I figured it out pretty quickly with their easy-to-follow instructions. All you have to do is simply place the stem into place and inhale—and inhale I did.

It took a few puffs to get a handle on this new way of smoking, but the experience is super clean and comfortable. You hardly notice the smoke slithering down your throat. It feels sort of like breathing, only you get a little pick-me-up in a few minutes. There wasn’t much of a discernible taste either, but again, I think this would be great for discretion. I didn’t feel like I was leaving a loud AF cloud hovering over me.

When I finished the stem, there was virtually no clean-up. I just tossed it out and went on with my day. I really appreciated the sustainability of this product. It wasn’t like throwing out a plastic or glass pod that will still be here in a landfill somewhere years after I’m dead and gone.

“Just enough to get me in the zone, but not enough to take me off course.”

By the time I sat back down at my desk, I did notice a slight shift in my mindset. It was almost imperceptible, but sure enough, I felt clear, focused, and relaxed as I settled in to do more work. As the day went on, everything seemed to sail smoothly over calm waters with a comforting breeze whooshing by to soothe my energy. It wasn’t a massive shift—just a little nudge in the right direction to help me conquer my day. Being that I was in the middle of a busy workday, these are the exact effects I was hoping for. Just enough to get me in the zone, but not enough to take me off course.

Overall, E1011 Labs Ari53 stems just helped me feel like a more clear and calm version of myself. I loved how easy it was to get a little elevated in my day without going all the way to the moon. Along with the sustainability and smoothness of these smokes, it just feels good to puff on these little guys. I can see myself taking these with me when I’m on the go, taking a few puffs to get my mind right during work, or anytime I just want to feel relaxed from the inside out.