Gary Payton Strain Review + Congress Delays Hemp THC Ban

This week: a strain review of Gary Payton — the balanced hybrid named after the NBA Hall of Famer — plus the Washington cliffhanger that almost pulled every hemp-derived THC seltzer and gummy off the shelves. In this episode: Gary Payton strain spotlight: bred by Powerzzzup Genetics, a cross of Snowman × The Y Leafly categorizes it as a balanced hybrid, with users reporting giggly, relaxed, euphoric effects and an "even-keeled experience" Why a chatty-but-chill strain is perfectly on-brand for the trash-talking Sonics point guard On Sept. 2, 2026, the House passed a Senate-approved funding measure delaying the federal recriminalization of hemp-derived THC products — now headed to President Trump's desk What was at stake: Delta-8 gummies, THC seltzers, and hemp beverages in gas stations and liquor stores nationwide Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) tried to block House leadership's agenda in protest of the delay — and lost Lawmakers are now pivoting from banning hemp THC to figuring out how to regulate it Key distinction: state-legal dispensary cannabis is untouched — this fight is only about the hemp-derived THC loophole Sources: Leafly: Gary Payton strain Marijuana Moment: Hemp ban delay passes Congress, heads to Trump's desk Marijuana Moment: Lawmakers turn focus to hemp THC product regulation Marijuana Moment: Senate votes to delay hemp THC product ban Subscribe: mncannabishub.com Full transcript Daisy: —and I'm telling you, I opened the jar and my dog LEFT the room. Astoria: Your dog left the room? Daisy: Astoria, she got up, she made eye contact, and she walked out. Like she had somewhere to be. Astoria: Okay that's not a review, that's a restraining order. Daisy: It was Gary Payton. The strain. Not the basketball player. Astoria: I was gonna say. I was like, did Gary Payton come to your apartment. Daisy: "Hey, it's The Glove, let me in, I brought snacks." Astoria: Wait, is it actually named after him though? Daisy: Yes! Yes. Powerzzzup Genetics. It's Snowman crossed with The Y, and they named it after Gary Payton, the Sonics point guard, Hall of Famer, guy who trash-talked people until they cried. Astoria: Huh. And what's it supposed to do to you? Daisy: Okay so Leafly has it as a balanced hybrid. Not a knockout, not a racehorse. People report giggly, relaxed, euphoric. They literally use the phrase "even-keeled experience." Astoria: Even-keeled. Named after Gary Payton. Daisy: I KNOW. Astoria: The most un-even-keeled man in professional sports history. Daisy: Right? The man was NOT even-keeled. He was famously... keeled. Astoria: He was fully keeled. Daisy: But here's the thing, and this is my hot take, the terpenes actually check out. Because it's chatty but chill. It's a strain that makes you WANT to talk. Which is on brand. Astoria: Okay that's fair. A weed that makes you run your mouth in a good-natured way. That IS Gary Payton. Daisy: That's The Glove. Astoria: So back up. Your dog left the room. Daisy: My dog left the room. Because I opened the jar and I went, "OH." Out loud. In an empty apartment. To no one. Astoria: You scared her with your enthusiasm. Daisy: I scared her with my enthusiasm for a jar. Astoria: Daisy. Daisy: I know. Astoria: You're a grown woman. Daisy: I'm a grown woman who yells at cannabis. Astoria: Okay and then what, you smoked it, and did the even-keeled thing happen or did you become Gary Payton? Daisy: So this is where I have to be honest. I don't actually know what a normal hybrid is supposed to feel like anymore. Astoria: What do you mean. Daisy: Like. I've been smoking for so long that "balanced" doesn't register. Someone hands me a balanced hybrid and I'm like, is this doing anything, is this a