• by Ray Schultz , October 19, 2022

Pot enthusiasts are being provided with a new print magazine called Mary Zine.

The product, a crafted, hand-drawn zine reflecting the self-published zine culture of the 1990s with titles like Maximum Rock ‘N Roll, is now dropping at dispensaries across California.

“It’s a physical experience, designed to complement using our products or any other thing you may have bought at the dispensary," a spokesperson says, adding, “We have no intentions to digitally distribute the zine, but I fully expect it to be so cool that it’s collectible and people take photos and post them -- that’s encouraged.” 

The name is a play on Mary Jones, the “Cannabis-spiked sibling of Jones Soda,” the company states. (And, of course, it seems to reference “Mary Jane,” the one-time nickname for marijuana joints in pot-smoking circles).  

The magazine profiles budtenders, aka weed retail employees, who are good at photography, music and other creative pursuits. It also contains do-it-yourself activities and tips for readers.

How are copies being distributed? That’s not clear. There are no plans to mail it or distribute it digitally. “Scarcity is part of the fun,” the spokesperson says. “We’ll be super excited to announce expanded distribution of Mary Zine into other states, because that will coincide with our products being there, too.” 

In any event, there’s “no reason to be specific” about a frequency plan. 

“How many are we making?  As many as we need, no reason to be specific,” the spokesperson continues. "We hope to publish multiple editions a year, but we aren’t holding ourselves to a schedule.  Our content will be driven by submissions from our fans and the trade, so when the next edition is ready, we’ll publish. “

The spokesperson concludes, “Mary Zine is free, no purchase required. Keep reading it, we’ll make more.”