There are myriad ways to celebrate National Queso Day (Sept. 20), whether you use this culinary delicacy as a dip, a dollop or a full-on smothering agent. Thanks to one Colorado cannabis company, locals will be able to enjoy queso in a new way \u2013 by smoking it.<\/p>\n
Denver-based company O.pen recently teamed up with local Tex-Mex chain Illegal Pete\u2019s to create a marijuana vape pen inspired by the restaurant\u2019s signature side. According to O.pen spokesperson Brittany Hallet, the oil in the Illegal Pete\u2019s Queso pen gets its well-aged flavor from a strain of cannabis called UK Cheese, a sativa-leaning hybrid that boasts \u201ceuphoric\u201d effects.<\/p>\n
The pen, which costs $37, hits dispensary shelves on Friday to coincide with National Queso Day. Those who buy it also get a coupon for free small chips and queso (retail value $4.29) redeemable at any Illegal Pete\u2019s location in the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cFood and marijuana go well together, so we felt this is nice harmony,\u201d Hallet said.<\/p>\n
When O.pen approached Pete Turner, founder and president of Illegal Pete\u2019s, with the idea for this cheesy collab, Turner thought \u201cit was genius.\u201d While he hasn\u2019t yet had an opportunity to try the vape pen, several staff members told Turner it resembles the restaurant\u2019s dip.<\/p>\n
Illegal Pete\u2019s queso is a dank mix of three cheeses \u2013 cheddar, Monterrey jack and a processed, Velveeta-like yellow cheese \u2013 hot sauce, pickled jalape\u00f1os, jalape\u00f1o juice, green chiles, tomatoes and milk.<\/p>\n
Those looking to compare and contrast the flavor profiles can do so while the pen is available through Halloween. Thereafter O.pen will still sell the UK Cheese vape, but it will not come with free chips and queso. Dip and dab while you can.<\/p>\n