Golden hour is a photography term used to describe the two perfectly lit times of the day. Just after sunrise and right before sunset, the earth is bathed in a soft red light—ideal for getting the perfect shot. The hue also evokes serenity, which may be one reason why people stare thoughtfully into the setting sun. The hemp THC brand Golden Hour hopes to harness the same energy and fulfill the vision to elevate the everyday.
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Golden Hour was founded by Miles McKirdy, and the company is run by CEO Jessica Arnone. Operations are supported by Mark and Carole, McKirdy’s parents. Recently, the founder shared more with GreenState about the brand’s mission and products.
“We offer functional ingredients for enhanced effects, including adaptogens, cannabinoids, and nootropics, putting you in the driver’s seat in controlling your mood,” McKirdy described. “Whether it’s relaxation, a fun night out, or any mood in between, we have products crafted to enhance it.”
Tapping into the Golden Hour
The brand sent their current line of self-proclaimed wellness gummies for GreenState to try. Each has been formulated with a proprietary blend of functional ingredients that are intended to enhance certain moods. Right now, the moods are Sleep, Relax, and Energy.
One Energy gummy captures the power of cordyceps mushrooms, ashwagandha, guarana, and ginseng, alongside 5 mg THC, 10 mg CBG, and 15 mg of CBD. Sleep contains 2 mg THC, 10 mg CBD, and 10 mg CBN along with 1mg melatonin with L-theanine, chaga mushroom, and a Sleepy Girl Mocktail secret ingredient, magnesium. Relax takes a balanced approach with 5 mg THC, 5 mg CBG, and 5 mg CBD paired with lion’s mane and ashwagandha.
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Each product delivered on its goal in my tests. Blueberry Bliss Sleep gummy dropped me into a good night of rest with a noticeable but minimal hangover. The Lemon Drop Relax took the tone down after a stressful workday without knocking me out before dinner. Lastly, the Strawberry Cream Relax gummy square was a valuable pick-me-up, inspiring keen focus without an edge.
In my case, the Golden Hour guided effect followed through on its promise. Each gummy felt exactly as it was advertised, which is a top priority for McKirdy and the Golden gang. McKirdy has served cannabis companies like Cheech & Chong for five years and currently acts as CMO for the Missouri-based cannabis company Agri-Genesis.
After working weed over the last five years, McKirdy learned that customers are often unaware of the plant’s potential. Golden Hour seeks to mix carefully selected cannabinoids with functional herbs, mushrooms, and flowers to biohack their bud.
“We have tailored formulations to enhance specific moods and aspects of wellness. And just as important, our customers inherently become a little more educated and empowered to better understand cannabis and all its wonder,” McKirdy said.
Caring for customers is the motto
It stood out how much McKirdy cares for Golden Hour customers, which is valuable from hemp-THC brands that are often under-regulated. This is displayed in their donations, $1 of every sale goes to the National Parks Service and Last Prisoner Project. Knowing a brand has customer interests in mind is one checkmark in the hunt for hemp THC products without pesticides or harmful additives. Most Golden Hour ingredients (including active cannabis flower) are sourced from Oregon, with some minor ingredients imported from Colorado.
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“This sounds far too cliche, but we honestly take a lot of pride in being committed to sourcing the quality ingredients from trusted suppliers who share our values of sustainability and ethical sourcing practices,” McKirdy marveled. “While our cannabis may come from multiple farms, we ensure that all our suppliers adhere to strict quality standards and sustainable farming practices.”
Focus on consumer needs carries from sourcing to new development, with the team seeking to understand what people want before building new product offerings. It’s rare that McKirdy sees a product or service and doesn’t ponder on how wonderful it would be with the addition of cannabis. But as for dropping something new, that’s some time out.
What’s next for Golden Hour
Golden Hour is exploring chocolates, packet baking kits, and even infused butter sticks, with McKirdy’s sweet tooth leading the way. The cannabis executive also sees momentum building behind cannabis drinks and alternative spirits. He teased that the brand is actively formulating in the beverage category with a revered U.S. cocktail expert.
The wellness gummy trio is enough to keep consumers busy for a minute, helping make any time of day golden. For me, Sleep, Relax, and Energy gummies promised exactly that, thanks to the cannabinoids and other functional ingredients working together.
This certainly isn’t the first brand to take advantage of natural ingredients coveted for tangible effects, and it most likely won’t be the last. What is noteworthy about Golden Hour is the high-quality product, classy (and very child-proofed) packaging, and care that goes into every sugared square. With the unregulated nature of the hemp THC industry, believing in the company behind the products is essential, and Golden Hour is positioning itself as a brand to trust.
