Cannabis. Culture. Conspiracy. Welcome to the New Frontier.
ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO — Weird Magazine is officially expanding distribution into the Roswell and Pecos Valley region, bringing its signature blend of cannabis news, paranormal investigation, and ufology to one of the most iconic destinations in American mystery culture.
Known worldwide as the epicenter of the 1947 UFO incident, Roswell is a natural fit for the next phase of Weird Magazine’s evolution. With deep roots in alternative media, counterculture publishing, and fringe journalism, the magazine is positioning itself at the crossroads of truth-seeking, storytelling, and emerging cannabis markets in southeastern New Mexico.
RADIO SHOW IN PECOS VALLEY:
Dowden has contracted with Pecos Broadcasting to air his “Cosmic Cowboy” paranormal radio show Weird Weekly News to go along with his alternative magazines. The 2 Station project will begin in late May 2026 profiling paranormal topics and alternative new every Wednesday from 9pm-11pm leading right into the Coast to Coast AM Audience right from the New Mexico desert! “Live from Roswell with Weird Weekly News doesn’t get any Weirder that that” said Dowden. Thomas Beard the General Sales Manager for Pecos Valley Broadcasting Company is “excited to partner with Dowden, who also has a news and sports background in his extensive radio career.”
A Perfect Match: Cannabis Meets Cosmic Curiosity
As New Mexico’s cannabis industry continues to grow, the Pecos Valley region has become a hot-spot for new dispensaries, entrepreneurs, and consumers. Weird Magazine aims to spotlight:
Local cannabis businesses and brands, Industry developments and legal updates, Culture, lifestyle, and product features. But unlike traditional cannabis publications, Weird brings something extra—a cosmic twist.
From Hemp Fields to Flying Saucers
Roswell isn’t just a city—it’s a symbol. And Weird Magazine leans all the way in. Readers can expect expanded coverage on: UFO sightings and disclosure developments; Historic and modern investigations into extraterrestrial phenomena, deep dives into government secrecy and classified programs. Profiles of researchers, witnesses, and experiencers, from the desert skies to underground theories, Weird connects the dots between what we see, what we’re told, and what might be hidden in between.
The Return of Alternative Media
Publisher Russell Dowden, a veteran of underground publishing and paranormal radio, sees this move as a return to form.
“Roswell is ground zero for everything Weird Magazine stands for—mystery, truth, and questioning the official story. Expanding into this region just makes sense. This is our audience.”
Print Lives On
Weird Magazine will be available in select: Smoke shops. Dispensaries, local businesses throughout Roswell and the Pecos Valley. With its bold covers and unapologetic editorial voice, the publication continues to prove that print media—when done right—is still powerful. Weird Magazine: Where Cannabis, Culture & Conspiracy Collide
From Texas to New Mexico, the mission remains the same:
Question everything. Print the truth. Stay Weird.
Contact us Today to reserve your June/July Edition Advertisement • weirdmagazine@gmail.com
The 2025 Texas THC Challenge: A New Era for Blazed Magazine
This year marks not only another round of the Texas THC Challenge, but also the beginning of a new chapter for us as Blazed Magazine. Formerly known as the Texas Hemp Reporter, our publication has evolved alongside the hemp and cannabis industry we’ve been covering for years. In 2025, the rebrand reflects our broader mission: to highlight not just hemp, but the full spectrum of cannabis culture, advocacy, and innovation.
The THC Challenge began as a grassroots way to spotlight Texas’ hemp entrepreneurs, product makers, and activists in the face of restrictive policies. Back when we ran as the Texas Hemp Reporter, the contest helped elevate small businesses who were pioneering CBD, hemp flower, and infused product lines across the Lone Star State. Over the years, it became more than a competition—it became a community showcase of resilience and creativity.
The 2025 Edition
This year’s Challenge arrives during a tense legislative climate. With Texas lawmakers again targeting hemp-derived THC products, participants are not only competing for recognition but also standing as symbols of resistance against an industry under siege. From delta-9 gummies to innovative hemp drinks and topicals, the 2025 lineup represents the best of what Texas cannabis entrepreneurs can still create under federal legality—even as state leaders push bans and restrictions.
From Texas Hemp Reporter to Blazed Magazine
The rebrand to Blazed Magazine represents a bold new direction. We’ve grown from reporting on hemp regulations to becoming a full cultural platform, amplifying stories that matter to cannabis advocates, small businesses, and consumers nationwide. The THC Challenge is a perfect reflection of that growth: it’s not just about products anymore, but about identity, politics, and the fight for fairness in the marketplace.
Looking Ahead
As the 2025 Challenge unfolds, we celebrate the innovators who continue to push boundaries and remind lawmakers that this $8 billion industry isn’t going away. Just as Blazed Magazine has expanded beyond its origins, the THC Challenge stands as a reminder that cannabis culture in Texas is here to stay—resilient, resourceful, and blazing a trail for the future.
The Rise of THC Beverages: A Booming Market • National Landscape: Brewing Momentum
Rapid Growth, Small But Mighty
In Q1 of 2025, cannabis-infused beverages
accounted for $54.6 million in U.S. sales—
representing roughly 0.9% of all cannabis sales—but that figure reflects a 15% year-over-year jump from Q1 2024. Within the edibles segment, beverages captured 6% of sales, making them the fourth-largest category behind candy, chocolates, and pills.
Projection and Reach
Forecasts are soaring: Euromonitor estimates that hemp-derived THC drink sales in the U.S. will surpass $1 billion in 2025, with the market potentially expanding to $4 billion by 2028. Brightfield Group reported sales of $382 million in 2024, with expectations to grow to $750 million by 2029. Meanwhile, the legal cannabis beverages sector as a whole could total over $2 billion by 2026.
Texas: Facing Reckoning Amid Rising Demand Economic Stakes Are High
Texas’ hemp industry is a formidable economic engine with $5.5 billion in annual revenue in 2025 $268 million in state tax revenue
53,300 jobs, with $2.1 billion in wages across retail and wholesale sectors
according to AP News, Cannabis Business Times
& Axios.
A full ban on hemp-derived THC, as proposed in Senate Bill 3, SB5 and the newley filed SB6 threatens to wipe out $7.5 billion in output and eliminate over 40,000 jobs in the lone star state.
Thankfully, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott wants lawmakers to have a sensible regullatory framework in place for the Hemp Industry here.
How to Submit for the Texas THC Challenge
BEVERAGE EDITION –
As the Texas THC Challenge evolves under the Blazed Magazine banner, we remain committed to showcasing excellence in hemp‑derived THC products. Whether you’re a seasoned edibles innovator or a newcomer crafting micro-dose beverages, these are the official rules and guidelines to enter the 2025 Challenge:
Place a Display Ad for your Brand – Sinlge Full Page • 3 Drinks or Less $1000
Double Truck Ad for • Submitting more than 4 Drink flavors – $2000 (2 pages)
Categories: Sweet / Non Sweet / & Drink Additive –
