Founded by prolific cannabis advocate, writer, and cookbook author Laurie Wolf and her daughter-in-law Mary, Laurie + Mary Jane is a Portland-based edibles company with a distinct foodie-centric POV. Its award-winning truffles, cookies, fudges, and savory crackers are ubiquitous on dispensary shelves across Oregon and available in a variety of flavors.
Laurie + Mary Jane’s lineup includes a number of full-spectrum stashbox staples like chewy chocolate chip cookies and bite-sized brownies, as well as signature items like the “Cake Party” fudge and crispy cheese crackers. While other edibles tend to deliver cannabis solely for the sake of getting high, Laurie + Mary Jane’s edibles are thoughtful confections that would feel just as correct behind elegant boulangerie glass as they do behind dispensary counters.
We had the opportunity to audition a curated selection of Laurie + Mary Jane’s edibles: classic fudge, prizewinning truffles, and fragrant almond cake bites.
Through a weekend of weird suburban mall adventures, drag queen watch parties, and the everyday chaos of parenthood, here’s what I thought of Laurie + Mary Jane’s edibles.
First impressions
The cylindrical containers that house Laurie + Mary Jane’s cakes bites, truffles, and crackers look like oversized weed canisters. They popped open with a super heady exhale of amaretto in the almond bites, and rich dark chocolate with the brownie truffles. Both items maintained a bakery-fresh perfume that literally made my mouth water.
Each product’s ingredient lists support the assertion that the brand’s sensibility is couched in creating something deliciously decadent first and medicating it second. The contents read like a grandmother’s recipe cards, which stands to reason, considering that Wolf is a recipe wizard whose contributions have been featured in publications coast to coast.
The formulations are straightforward, familiar, clean, and just specific enough to set them apart from their shelf mates. Bonus: the branding is bright, easy to comprehend, and easily recognizable.
Almond Cake Bites
Potency: 10 milligrams THC per cake bite, 50 milligrams THC per package
Fans of sweet amaretto will be delighted that these moist cake bites deliver a super luscious mouthful of almond essence. The texture of this confection is just crumbly enough to escape a cake pop definition, and still tender enough to melt against the tongue. The slivers of almond scattered throughout are more decorative than contributory, flavor-wise, but they add some needed give to an otherwise velvety mouthful.
I brought my tube of almond cake bites to my squad’s weekly RuPaul’s Drag Race viewing party and — though the 10 milligram-per-cake-bite dosage felt a bit mild for our tolerances — we all fawned over the patisserie-delicate arrangement of butter and amaretto.
The whole package made the experience more about sharing a delicacy with friends than inhaling an edible in an effort to get sloppy-stoned. I would nibble these even if they weren’t medicated, which, frankly, is how I want to feel about all my edibles.
For the high-tolerance consumers, the buzz these bites delivered was relaxed and convivial, eventually winding down into epic munchies and, in my case, a solid nap.
Find Laurie + Mary Jane Almond Cake Bites
Brownie Truffle Bites
Potency: 10 milligrams THC per truffle, 50 milligrams THC per package
Having auditioned all manner of medicated chocolates over the past few years, I can say with sincerity that, whether compared to dispensary fare or trendy bakery vittles, Laurie + Mary Jane’s brownie truffle bites are top-tier chocolates.
The aroma, mouthfeel, and density of these truffles made them feel more satisfying and substantial than other craft edibles — like it was meant to be savored rather than passively snacked. To that end, eating just one or two satisfies a sweet tooth in a way that a special occasion bakery item might.
Each brownie truffle is ensconced in chocolate jimmies, a throwback for sure, but one that adds a necessary bit of texture to this otherwise fudgy bonbon. I popped two of these truffles — 20 milligrams THC total — with my morning coffee in anticipation of a manic day of motherhood. Between the silky chocolate and the thoughtfully applied cannabis infusion, this was a stellar way to start my day. And motherhood definitely felt marginally easier as soon as the first sprinkle passed my lips, but your experience may vary.
Find Laurie + Mary Jane Brownie Truffle Bites
Fudge Yourself: Double Chocolate Charge
Potency: 5 milligrams THC per serving, 50 milligrams THC per block
Laurie + Mary Jane produces a number of fudge flavors, some carnivalesque and others more run-of-the-mill. I split the difference and auditioned the classic, straightforward chocolate fudge infused with a buzzy sativa hybrid on a day walking around a suburban mall with the family.
I split the 50-milligram block of fudge and nibbled on half as we approached the mall. Having come from a family of holiday fudge devotees, I felt as if I had filled my fudge quota early on in life. It’s not a confection I typically crave, but it still wouldn’t take much persuasion for me to reach for the Fudge Yourself bar.
This block delivered precisely what I expected: a straightforward, thoughtfully produced brick of rich, pliable chocolate. Plus, the size and shape make this unit super shareable.
The high arrived with the same mild euphoria and giddiness as I’d experienced with the other Laurie + Mary Jane products, but with a soft, effervescent edge. That bit of fizz had me jogging through the mall arcade for more than an hour with all the exuberance of an over-sugared grade-schooler. It was sublime, and, though your experience may vary, I still recommend it highly.
Find Laurie + Mary Jane Fudge Yourself: Double Chocolate Charge
Bottom line
Laurie + Mary Jane’s brand uses simple formulations and high-quality ingredients to create edibles for people who love to consume cannabis but not for the sake of their reverence of culinary culture.
This brand bridges the gap between a dedicated foodie and a contemporary stoner gracefully, delivering top-shelf edibles with lasting, manageable effects even newcomers can enjoy.
