June was supposed to be the month everything changed. Thankfully, there were still plenty of goodies worthy of a spot in this month’s Mary Jane’s Picks.
The CBN ban finally arrived, favorite products disappeared, and for a little while it felt like everyone in Japan’s cannabinoid community was collectively holding their breath. But then something unexpected happened. The reformulations started showing up. And they’ve been pretty damn great.
While I definitely miss CBN, I’ve been far more satisfied with the post-ban landscape than I expected to be. Some old favorites survived. Some new favorites appeared out of nowhere. And more than once this month, I found myself thinking, “Well… that actually still worked… maybe even better.”
So instead of becoming a month spent mourning discontinued products, June ended up being a month of pleasant surprises. Long summer evenings. New legal cannabinoids entering the chat. Vendors are getting creative. And more than a few products that made me super excited about where things are heading next.
If you’re looking for legal Japan cannabinoid recommendations after the CBN ban, here’s what I kept reaching for in June.
The Daily Drivers
(Functional, smooth, socially acceptable energy)
If June taught me anything, it’s that a good daily driver is worth its weight in cannabinoids.
These are the products that made themselves useful over and over again — the ones that survived the honeymoon phase and earned a permanent spot in the rotation.
1. Kush JP’s BLAST
Best for: good moods, sunny afternoons, and accidentally listening to the same song three times in a row
This one has quietly become my favorite surprise of the month. Fast-acting, head-heavy, and intensely sativa-leaning, BLAST delivers all the euphoric, floaty, “wow, life is kind of nice actually” energy I could ask for while somehow staying bright, dreamy, and mentally active.
2. Kush JP’s Afghan Kush SUPER Hybrid
Best for: rainy days, body aches, and taking the edge off
This one has become my rainy season companion. Most days I’m not even using enough to get particularly lifted — just a puff here and there, microdose-style when my body starts complaining. The H4CBD-heavy profile seems especially helpful for taking the edge off aches and pains, and I love pairing it with CBG Pro for an extra little mood and focus boost.
Get Properly Lifted
(Not for meetings. Not for multitasking.)
I didn’t expect some of my favorite products to survive the CBN ban this gracefully. Yet here we are.
These are the products that reminded me that getting properly lifted is still alive and well in Japan—even if the ingredients have changed.
1. Kush JP’s Couch Lock (N-Free Reformulation)
Best for: movie nights, deep relaxation, and proving the sky wasn’t falling
I’ll admit it: I was nervous about this one. Couch Lock was one of my favorite products before the ban, and I wasn’t convinced removing CBN wouldn’t fundamentally change what made it special. Somehow, Kush JP managed to pull off what feels suspiciously close to witchcraft. The new version is still deeply relaxing, wonderfully indica-leaning, and every bit as capable of gluing me to the couch with a stupid grin on my face.
More than anything, this was the product that convinced me the post-CBN era might actually be okay.
2. Knockout’s Black Hole Supermassive
Best for: experienced users, cancelled plans, and exploring the outer reaches of consciousness
Gravity was already strong. Supermassive somehow found a way to become even stronger.
This is not a “take a few puffs and do the dishes” product. This is a “clear your schedule, grab snacks, and see where the evening takes you” product. Potent, immersive, and unapologetically designed for people who want to get very, very high. Approach with respect. And probably snacks.
3. BudsBrain H4CBH Joints
Best for: old-school vibes, sharing with friends, and wondering how they pulled this off
Holy shit. The first thing that caught me off guard wasn’t even the effect—it was the smell. Then the taste. For a brief moment, my brain genuinely had to stop and process what was happening because this thing smells and tastes remarkably close to the real thing.
The high itself was surprisingly functional, too. I shared one with Mr. Jane and spent the evening cycling through giggles, munchies, forgetting what I was doing, remembering what I was doing, and then immediately forgetting again.
In other words: a classic old-school high. The only difference? It lasted basically all night.
Bonus Round: Knockout’s Apocalypse
Best for: experts only, special occasions, and seeing what happens when Knockout decides to show off
A modern, legal recreation of Knockout’s legendary Harmageddon liquid, Apocalypse was released via lottery, sold out almost instantly, and is unfortunately no longer available. At ¥12,000 for just 0.5ml, it’s not only the most expensive cannabinoid product I’ve tried — it’s probably the most expensive thing I’ve ever smoked.
Deep, potent, and unapologetically designed for experienced users, Apocalypse feels less like a product release and more like a reminder of what Knockout is capable of when it decides to flex. It’s the kind of liquid that reminds you why the company has built such a loyal following over the years.
If they announce another lottery release in the future, pay attention. Even if you don’t enter, products like this are proof that Knockout still very much knows what they’re doing.
Accessories & Tiny Luxuries
(Sometimes the supporting cast steals the show.)
1. Doteco Dual Cartridge Battery
Best for: DIY blends, finishing old carts, and tiny cannabinoid science experiments
One of the handiest accessories I could suggest. The dual-cartridge design lets you mix and match cannabinoids, making it perfect for creating custom blends or helping finish off half-used carts that would otherwise end up forgotten in a drawer.
My favorite use lately has been pairing BLAST with other carts. BLAST’s bright, heady sativa energy plays surprisingly well with heavier or more relaxing blends, letting you create custom combinations depending on the mood.
Tiny mad scientist energy. Super discreet. Highly recommended.
2. Bamboo Storage Chest with Rolling Tray and Divider
Best for: keeping your setup organized and pretending you’re a much more sophisticated person than you actually are
As I’ve been exploring more legal herb lately, I’ve found myself appreciating accessories that make the whole experience feel a little more intentional. This bamboo storage chest keeps everything neatly organized in one place and doubles as a rolling tray, which somehow makes preparing a session feel less chaotic and more like a proper ritual.
Also, let’s be honest: it just looks cool sitting on a shelf.
3. Galaxy / Aurora Projector w/ Bluetooth
Best for: turning your ceiling into outer space
A surprisingly effective way to make music sound 20% better and convince yourself you’re having profound thoughts or floating aimlessly through the cosmos.
Snacks That Pair Well
(Good altnoids are important. Good snacks are essential. These were my most dangerous discoveries this month.)
1. Coconut Sablé Pompompurin Pudding Flavor
Best for: late-night munchies and making your inner five-year-old extremely happy
I have absolutely no idea how these manage to taste so much like pudding while still being a cookie, but here we are. Cute packaging, dangerously snackable, and somehow the perfect amount of sweet without becoming overwhelming. I’ve been buying these embarrassingly often lately.
2. Georgia A-Shot-Chu Mango
Best for: adventurous caffeine enthusiasts
Mango tea and espresso sounds completely ridiculous. It also happens to be delicious. The peach version got my attention, but the mango version won me over completely. One of my favorite convenience store discoveries of the month.
3. Limited Cheese Kaki no Tane
Best for: elevated munchies
If Apocalypse was my luxury cannabinoid pick this month, this was its snack equivalent. Crunchy, salty, cheesy, and dangerously easy to keep reaching for, it’s the perfect upgrade from your standard convenience store munchies.
What’s Been Playing
(Summer has officially arrived, which means city pop season is now legally in effect.)
Miki Matsubara — “It’s So Creamy”
Most people know Miki Matsubara for Stay With Me, but this month I’ve found myself returning to It’s So Creamy instead. Warm, breezy, and effortlessly cool, it’s the kind of city pop track that feels tailor-made for long summer evenings and sunset walks.
Tatsuro Yamashita — “Ride on Time”
At some point every summer, Ride on Time inevitably re-enters my life. It’s upbeat, timeless, and somehow manages to sound like sunshine feels. If you’ve never gone down the city pop rabbit hole before, this is as good a place to start as any.
What’s Coming Next
If June was about discovering the post-CBN world isn’t nearly as scary as I thought it would be, July feels like the month things start getting really interesting.
While I definitely miss CBN, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how quickly companies adapted. Some of these new N-free reformulations have been excellent, and more than once this month I found myself thinking, “Well… that actually worked.”
Coming up soon, I’m especially looking forward to:
- Trying THAH for the first time and seeing what all the fuss is about
- More summer recommendations for Japan’s increasingly sweaty cannabinoid enthusiasts
- A deeper dive into some of the strongest and most interesting post-ban options currently available
- Continuing to explore the latest generation of N-free reformulations and seeing which ones truly stand the test of time
- Whatever exciting experiments companies like Kush JP, Knockout, Gohoya, and everyone else dream up next
We’re entering a really interesting new chapter for Japan’s altnoid scene right now. And as always, I’ll be documenting the successes, surprises, occasional disasters, and cannabinoid chaos responsibly from my little corner of rural Japan.
Final Thoughts
June was supposed to be the month everything changed. Instead, it mostly turned into a month of me repeatedly saying, “Huh. That’s actually pretty good.”
I’ll miss CBN. I won’t pretend otherwise. But between the reformulations, new blends, and the creativity companies have shown over the past few weeks, I’m feeling a lot more optimistic about the future of Japan’s altnoid scene than I was a month ago.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have summer snacks to eat, cannabinoids to test, and a mysterious new ingredient called THAH waiting patiently for its turn. Hope this list helped you find some new favs.
So stick with me and stay lifted, legally. 🍃
And does anyone have any edibles they recommend these days? Lemme know if you do!
Quick note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase them, it helps support Mary Jane in Japan and keeps this site running. Thank you! As always, opinions here are my own.
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