Hey crew,

I promised I’d share the good, the bad, and the ugly and that this crew here will always hear Halara updates first.

Over the last week we’ve been reviewing numbers and, wild as it feels to say, we’re up 18% quarter over quarter in sales. I was mind blown.

I know Croptober is around the corner and the industry has taken a beating. But it honestly feels like we’re firing on all cylinders. Our turn around time on ideas is faster than ever, we are working on new packaging (don’t worry, you’ll see that here first)

And this is just California.

But California isn’t enough. From day one, our mission has been to bring the best vapes to everyone. And we can’t stop here. Every week we get DMs asking where to find Halara… from people in Tennessee, Texas, Colorado. Until now, all we could say was, “Not yet.”

That’s changing.

Over the last month, we’ve been sprinting to make this a reality. And I’m stoked to share that Halara is expanding to New York next month!

Here’s the inside story: about four weeks ago, an old friend hit me up. I’ve known Amber for years. She actually worked for one of our big competitors and I remember the first time I met her I gave her the side eye, a Hall of Flowers trade show as I'm a rather competitive person. (She still gives me shit about that to this day).

Anyways, in August she mentioned she’s started a new co-packer opening in New York and asked if we’d be interested in partnering. I had to stop her: “Wait, back up — what did you just say?” I’ve been hesitant for ever as I don’t trust many people and partnering is a big deal, but I trust her.

Next thing I know, the team is in full sprint. We applied for licenses (total mess, but not quite California-level), locked in the partnership, and started planning a launch. Two weeks later, they hit us again: “Want to do the New York Hall of Flowers, October 8–9?”

At first, I laughed. Two weeks to turn this around? No way. But the more we talked, the more it clicked: this could be our soft launch in New York. I set the goal — and damn, did the team deliver.

So here it is: we are entering the New York market. Our first samples will debut at Hall of Flowers NYC. I’ll be there with our booth in Downtown Manhattan. If you’ve got friends in New York, tell them California Gold is landing. And if you’re in the city, swing by, grab a pic, let’s hang.

A lot of good friends have moved East, and now we get to meet them there. High THC, All-In-Ones, same Halara standards — just manufactured and available in a new state.

From day one, our thesis was simple: people want California Cannabis. Well, now we get to test it.

DM me with ideas on which states we should hit next year.

See you next week — wish us luck.

— Malcolm

I cracked up when Nick sent me this. Feels small, but it nails what matters to me. Opening a Halara package should feel like an experience — not a hassle.

We’re reengineering our whole packaging system right now, and my team will tell you I’m militant about making it the best it can be. More on this to come, but I’m obsessing over the mm differences in a package so the feel of opening is better. I want out package to feel like a little gift every time you open it.

“I liked that it wasn’t a pain in my ass to open.” — Reg W.

Think you’ve got a better review? Reply with your submission on the Reddit feed! Nick will critique 📨

So I teased it last week and I’ll actually link it this week. Y’all saw teh video a week early, but Fire OG is here!

It’s currently the fastest selling Resin cart that we have on the menu and it should be debuting in shops as soon as today.

Flavor notes: think lemon zest and pine needles roasted over a campfire.

As a reminder we are partnering with One Tree Planted to plant a tree for each one sold.

Get it near you or tell your local shop to pick it up!

Tune in and enjoy. Tracks I’ve been listening to this week.

Some of my favorite things since the last newsletter (note: I don’t get paid to recommend anything here):

If you enjoyed it, share with a friend! I get a little spark of joy every time I see our crew grow. If you have other ideas for this newsletter lmk! Or check out our website for more info.

Halara · License No. CDPH-10004369

Santa Rosa, CA · USA