The Origins of Lobo Cannagar

Greetings, your fellow smokers and friends over at Fire & Oak back again, to tell you about a recent sit down we had with the co-founders of the Lobo Cannagar brand. Aaron Raskin and Eduardo Whittington spoke with us about themselves, their history, and the kick-ass line of products they’re excited to be bringing to New Jersey. Hold on to your hats ladies and gentlemen, or should I say your papers, because you won’t be needing them for this one. That’s right, we’re talking pre-rolled, Hemp wrapped blunts available at your favorite Mt Holly Dispensary, Fire & Oak.

Eduardo Whittington, a Newark native and cannabis creative, and his business partner Aaron Raskin, founder of multiple tech startups and entrepreneurial guru of Brooklyn NY, are no strangers to the cannabis culture in the Garden State. While Lobo may have had its origins in the California market, they both emphatically agreed, “It was a core part of Lobo’s conception back in 2017, that they would definitely be returning home”.  After having parted ways with Puffco, Ed teamed up with Aaron to bring this concept of craft quality cannabis to market starting in Cali, then expanding into five other states, and Canada before finding their way back home in NY and now NJ.

To those new to the brand, they offer a selection of premium pre-rolls as well as buds of their own, and smoking accessories. And while many pre-rolls on the market offer an affordable and accessible experience for smokers of all styles, the team at Lobo believes that they offer something different, that sets them apart from the average pre-roll. What they offer is a quality experience. Each joint or blunt is meticulously hand-crafted by professionals to ensure a premium quality roll and precise pack. And when asked about his aspirations during the beginning days of Lobo, Ed remarked, “I just wanted a pre-roll that didn’t suck, and I believed that there were others out there who wanted the same thing as me.”

It was clear while talking to the guys that first and foremost on the table comes the weed itself. Long past their days of sketchy parking lot deals and huddled back-alley sessions, the weed is now all grown in state-of-the-art facilities. Aaron and Eduardo select the strains that go into their blunts through a deliberate and methodical trial process, and that is no more apparent than their choice of the Biscotti strain spearheading their Jersey efforts. Aaron and Ed fondly reminisced over the selection process here in Jersey and how out of the strains they tested, the Biscotti really spoke to both of them as the right fit to start with.

After the buds have been selected and processed, the rollers get to work wrapping two grams of bud into a 100% natural hemp leaf. While most traditional pre-rolls come with cardboard or ceramic filters, Lobo once again shows the premium quality of their craft by ending every Presidente with a reusable glass filter tip that’s optimal for keeping your smoke cool and preventing debris from hitting your mouth. Afraid that the whole 2g behemoth is too much for one sitting? Have no fear, the good folks over at Lobo thought of that as well. The tube it comes in doubles as a smell-proof container allowing you to spark up or stamp out as many times as needed. A quick pro tip; to ensure the perfect relight, it’s more than handy to keep a cigar cutter nearby to prevent any boating or a wobbly relight.

When asked what they believed set them apart in such a congested marketplace full of new brands popping up daily, here’s what they had to say: “We aim to not just be a cannabis company, but a provider of experiences. We want every session to be unique and memorable”. Without being overzealous, I’d have to say they’ve hit their mark in NJ. Whether it’s their gorgeous packaging, their lust for quality adventures, or the outrageously cool line of promotional bubblers that are 3D printed by the Lobo team themselves with recycled plastics, Eduardo and Aaron are looking to make their mark on their home turf in a big way.

After having gotten my hands on the Presidente, I can speak from experience when I say I would be more than happy to bring one of these to any “sesh”. If you are one of those people who don’t think you can finish this bad boy yourself, I’m sure your friends will thank you for adding it to the mix. But hey, who are we kidding, if you want to sit on the couch and smoke the whole thing by yourself, I wouldn’t blame you for that either; yes, it’s that good. The hemp wrap burned so smooth and evenly I barely noticed it wasn’t a traditional tobacco leaf, and if I may be so bold, I didn’t miss it one bit.

I asked the gang what new and exciting things they had in the works for us here in Jersey, and they certainly did not disappoint. Early in the new year, we can expect to see two more strains of Presidente, not just their full-sized joints, but also their famous minis as well, with flower on the way in the near future. So far, since our interview, the guys have already made good on their first promise of dropping two new strains, the High Society and Turbo Diesel Presidentes. This can only indicate good things in store for the rest of the year as we wait to get our hands on those joints and minis.

Well, there you have it, folks! Big thanks to Aaron Raskin and Eduardo Whittington for taking the time to sit down with us and share their journey, passion, and vision for Lobo Cannagar. It’s clear that they’re not just about offering great products, they’re all about creating memorable, premium experiences for the cannabis community. As they continue to make waves in New Jersey and beyond, we’re excited to see what’s next for Lobo. Keep an eye out for their upcoming releases, because it’s safe to say this will be a homecoming to remember. We hope you pop into the shop and pick up a Lobo Cannagar for yourself while supplies last. Until next time, stay lifted and keep enjoying the ride! Thanks for tuning in.