Ravon Williams
October is basically one big countdown. The leaves change, pumpkins pop up on porches, and the whole month builds towards the spookiest night of the year. For kids, it’s about costumes and going door-to-door for Skittles, Runts, and Butterfingers. For adults, we go after those same candies, just spelled slightly differently: Zkittlez, Runtz, and Butterfingerz. Dispensary menus are loaded with strains that sound like they belong in a candy store, making Halloween the perfect time to combine your love for sweet treats with good weed.
Here are my picks for the best candy strains this October:
Zkittlez: Smoke the Rainbow
Just like the Skittles you know and love, Zkittlez has a fruity flavor that’s hard to resist. Its flavor leans towards grape and berry sweetness, thanks to its parents Grape Ape and Grapefruit. As an indica-dominant hybrid, it delivers a relaxing body high with a mellow lift. Perfect for a spooky movie marathon and can almost always be found in Worcester.
Runtz: The Candy Strain King
I truly cannot say enough about this strain. A powerhouse that rose to stardom fast, Runtz has a candy-sweet flavor, smokes smooth, and packs an uplifting punch of euphoria. A cross of Zkittlez and Gelato, Runtz won Leafly’s Strain of the Year in 2020, and has spawned over 25 crosses — Rainbow Runtz, Obama Runtz, Pink Runtz, and many more. Like Zkittlez, you can almost always find Runtz somewhere in Worcester.
Butterfingerz: Nobody’s Gonna Lay a Finger on Mine
Butterfingers are one of those staple chocolates that you either love or trade away — but the weed version is spectacular. Sweet, and powerful, this indica-dominant hybrid offers a nutty, dessert-like flavor. It’s grown by one of my favorite cultivators, Impressed, so you already know it’s going to deliver.
Cotton Candy Kush: A Carnival in October
Not your average Halloween candy, but pure sugar nonetheless. Its sweet flavor pairs with calming effects that melt stress away, making it the perfect way to close out a long night of dishing out free candy. I’ve only seen this grown by Hidden Hemlock, a cultivator that grows in organic living soil, but they don’t have much shelf space in Worcester — so keep your eyes peeled for it next time you shop outside of Worcester!
LA Pop Rockz: Smokable Chaos
Anyone who shops at the Botanist should know this one — it’s been a staple strain of theirs for at least 3 years. LA Pop Rockz fizzes with fruity flavor and delivers a balanced high that’s relaxing and uplifting. Imagine the snap and tingle of actual Pop Rocks after a smoke… I might try that after I finish this piece.
Reesez: The Yin and Yang of Chocolates
Reese’s is a candy classic — chocolate and peanut butter, so good they even made it into a cereal. Halloween isn’t complete without them, and the weed version is just as much of a must-have. Reesez delivers a nutty, creamy flavor and is the perfect nightcap. I can’t say I’ve seen this strain in MA yet, but it’s so good that I couldn’t leave it off the list.
Honorable Mentions:
Blueberry Gushers, Gummy Bears, Fudge Ripple, Scooby Snacks (we’ll pretend this is a candy), and Wonka Bars.
Halloween might be all about the costumes and trick-or-treating for the kids, but for adults, it’s about the candy where the “S” gets swapped for a “Z”. From Zkittlez to Butterfingerz, these candy-inspired strains serve up a nostalgia and great high to make October feel like magic again.
And aren’t you glad I didn’t make a terrible “Halloweed” pun? Yeah, me too.