Q: What is your first and last name?

A: My name is Samuel Epstein.

Q: When did you first start smoking pot?

A: Sam first experimented with cannabis when he was just 15 years old. He didn’t jump straight into joints or blunts like most of us did. Instead, he started with dry herb vaping. That opened up a whole new level of curiosity — he got into the science of it, experimenting with different temperatures and noticing how it changed the experience. Pretty soon, he’d eat the already-vaped bud and notice he still got high, connecting the dots between heat, chemistry, and cannabis effects, he realized the beauty cannabis was at a young age.

Q: What is your favorite way to smoke pot?

A: For Sam, nothing beats the bong or a solid piece of glass. There’s something about the craftsmanship of glassware — the colors, the weight, the feel in your hands — that makes the whole session more special. He says the experience is both visual and functional: you get to admire the artistry of the piece while also enjoying the smooth, fast-hitting delivery that glass provides. For Sam, smoking from a bong isn’t just about getting high — it’s about the ritual, the aesthetics, and the satisfaction of combining fine flower with fine borosilicate.

Q: What are the strains that you love and/or effects you’re looking for?

A: Sam has always gravitated toward flower that leans more on the terps than sky-high THC levels. He appreciates cannabis that smells and tastes rich, flavorful, and layered — something that shows the grower cared about the plant. He usually looks for Indicas or Indica-dominant hybrids, because what he values most are relaxation, stress relief, and physical ease. Instead of chasing potency, he’s chasing specific effects— the kind of flower that enhances the experience rather than overwhelms it.

Q: What is your favorite activity?

A: Sam draws a clear line between activities he pairs with cannabis and ones he doesn’t. If it’s something that requires total precision and physical sharpness — like climbing, lifting at the gym, or playing a serious round of golf — cannabis takes a back seat. He doesn’t want any distractions. But when he wants to unwind, music is everything. Sam says that when he lights up and throws on his favorite tracks, the world slows down and he gets completely absorbed in the sound. Music becomes richer, deeper, and more emotional, making it his number one activity while high.

Q: Favorite place to smoke?

A: For Sam, there’s no place quite like the reservoir in West Hartford. It’s where nature, quiet, and beauty all come together. He described it as a peaceful escape — a place where you can light up, breathe deeply, and take in the stillness around you. The reservoir holds a lot of personal meaning for him, almost like a sanctuary where cannabis and nature meet in harmony.

Q: What is your go-to word for weed?

A: “Dank,” plain and simple. Sam laughs when he says it, because it’s one of those words that just feels right to him. If the flower is dank, you already know it’s something worth smoking.