Junk Edibles Review: Exploding Candy and More

Junk is the candy arm from popular Oregon edibles brand Leif Goods. And while Leif Goods candy bars, topicals, and tinctures retain contemporary millennial branding, junk is just pure weed candy.

Its line of Mardi Gras-esque treats is an understated stoner’s dream: bubbly candies, chocolate-covered cookies, and fat, mushy marshmallows dipped in dark chocolate and coated in chocolate salt — that’s right, chocolate salt exists. The maximum dose is 100 milligrams of THC, but it’s also available in 50 milligrams, and – in the case of the marshmallows – CBD is also an option.

I spent the first scorching weekend of summer auditioning Junk’s Holy Moly O’s, Marshmallow Super Bon Bons, and Candy Dynamites while sipping ice cream at the mall, floating on my back in an icy river, and lazing the hottest hours comfortably behind.

First impressions

Junk is doing something unique in the cannabis edibles space by capitalizing on nostalgia. The branding is, simply put, darling.

Each item is housed in colorful packaging adorned with the JUNK brand logo, and while each pack is slightly different, they all seem to come from the same closet, and the result is a cohesive line of edibles that are borderline in their cuteness are for collecting.

Each of these edibles are made with full-spectrum cannabis oil, not isolate. While the effects were robust on all, none of them have the characteristic skunky undertone of cannabis, a take-or-leave note for cannabis connoisseurs who prefer a bit of diesel in their edibles. Personally, I felt the novelty eclipsed what could be construed as a lack of authentic cannabis flavors and aromas, but that begs the question: Who’s going to shadow pop-rocks for not tasting herbaceous enough?

Marshmallow Super Bonbons

These easy vegan marshmallow candies were named Best Edible by the Oregon High Times in 2019. The fluffy, ultra-aerated texture is a confectionery wonder made even more delicious with the addition of super-rich dark chocolate. It’s all topped off with chocolate-flavored sea salt and party sprinkles, which add the same energy as the truffles and candies you’d see in old candy store windows.

They come in two packs with 50 milligrams of total THC. Without meaning to, I ate both 25-milligram candies at once. It just so happened that I would get distracted while furiously scrolling through my newsfeed (how one does) and go on autopilot in my dopamine desperation and treat the edibles not like edibles but like the very special boutique candies I love deserved to survive another day of being an American.

The effects of these edibles were enhanced with a smooth mouthfeel and satisfying pleasure. I was treated to a top notch sugar high as soon as the second candy landed in my stomach. Once activated, the effects were deeply relaxing for me, and not just because I accidentally doubled my dose.

For me, the full dose was a panacea for both the mind and body, gently dulling the cognition while delivering a velvety, calming body high, both of which lasted for nearly three hours while I escaped the summer heat by pounding through strolled the mall. Dairy Queen diving cone in hand.

Popping candy dynamite

Exploding candy has always been an event. Who hasn’t loaded their tongue with a tiny mountain of candy shards only to flap their mouth open at their friends as it popped and visibly sizzled? If you’re a stoner who at some point in your life has really enjoyed those little candy explosions, then do yourself a favor and grab this adorable depiction of an all-star corner store.

Popping Candy Dynamites deliver the same observable effects as their OG inspiration, with the clever addition of either 100 or 50 milligrams of THC from full-spectrum cannabis oil. These dynamites come with a tiny spoon for measuring and sharing, although licking up a handful is just as satisfying as one would expect.

A scoop is a 5-10 milligram serving, depending on the total THC in the pack, and the entire pack contains 10 servings. From a practical point of view, this is an exceptional edible for sharing or to cool down throughout the day.

My partner and I shared a full package of the Watermelon Dynamites before sunning ourselves on the Columbia River. Consider the flavor labels as suggestions rather than a rule — the watermelon and strawberry flavors just taste like sugar and electricity, but the tart orange flavor had a summery citrus punch. At a lower dose for us (around 25 milligrams of THC each), the effects, once activated, were bright and giggly before escalating into manageable binge eating.

Though nostalgic, these rocks give grown-up contemporary vibes. You can experiment with them as rims for mocktails, decorations for baked candy, or toppings for rocky sundaes.

Find high quality Popping Candy Dynamites

Holy Moly-Os

Holy Moly-O’s are chocolate sandwich cookies coated in THC-infused dark chocolate and adorned with party sprinkles. The aesthetic is over the top: tea party opulence, but in an understated, accessible way. They could be served alongside petit fours on vintage china or eaten at a food stall at a carnival.

Each cookie delivered 25 milligrams of THC with the same heavy intonation as the Super Bon-Bons. The effects were velvety and calming, and depending on the dose, could be deeply soothing or just plain relaxing. When I ate alongside an iced coffee in temperatures of over 90 degrees for the third day in a row, a cookie completely wiped out my 16 ounces of caffeine, allowing me to take an afternoon nap. The few hours of soothing effects were mainly felt in my gloomy nap dreams. Having slept through the worst of the afternoon heat, I still appreciated it.

Of all the products, Holy Moly-Os seemed the most functional to me. A day later I tried the mint flavor and found the mood effects calming yet uplifting – perfect for a lazy day at work. Eating one when you’re already hot and exhausted might put you to sleep, but you probably needed it anyway.

bottom line

All of Junk’s edibles are accessible to both varsity consumers and newbies alike. The Dynamites’ nostalgia factor alone is worth the attention, and each item in the lineup offers a similarly immersive, standout experience.

Strain specificity isn’t listed on the packaging, although when I tested all flavors of the 50-milligram Dynamites and Holy Moly-Os, I’ve found the effects to be consistent.

Bottom line: These edibles are more than just a stoner tea party necessity, they’re low-key comfort food.