By: Robb Reefa

Being the best isn’t all about numbers. With close to 1,000 brands now available on New York dispensary shelves, Budtenders and Buyers are smoking ’em all–in search of NY’s very best strains, growers, and brands. With the most smokers per capita in the world, and over 420 legal dispensaries now open, New York’s legal industry promises plenty of smoke ahead. Here’s your summer guide to New York’s best bud.

Rec Roots

Benny The Butcher’s new “Benny Batch” is a top-seller at dozens of dispensaries, including JFK Cannabis, located directly next to Kennedy Airport. At JFK, top shelf clients are pointed straight to Benny’s Batch. “It took me three months to build my menu,” said JFK owner and buyer Nnamdi Ukasoanya, who takes pride in curating local heat like Rec Roots over hype. The Rec Roots menu also boasts strains like NY#5 (their first pheno-hunted strain), Jezus Juice, and Benny’s Batch. Not to mention, the company is run by true OGs of the New York legacy community. With top genetics that keep smokers stuck, and exclusive events coming with Benny, Leafly and New York’s top dispensaries.

Vitabudz

Our friends at RNR dispensary swear by Vitabudz. The legacy brand boasts clean grow techniques and a growing selection of strains. They’re launching a micro-operation soon that will include a retail store. But until then, they’re selling fast in dozens of dispensaries from upstate to downtown.

1937

JFK Buds carries 14 strains of 1937. And they swear they’re all gas. Looking for quality indoor with a wide selection and fair price point? 1937 checks all boxes. The JFK teams holds 1937 as the bar setter for their whole menu. As more stores get hip, you should stock up before they sell out everywhere.

DOJA

Whether you go to Happy Munkey Dyckman uptown, or Torches by Polanco Brothers downtown, budtenders are raving about DOJA’s New York offering. DOJA is one of the world’s most respected flower brands. And now it’s finally available in New York dispensaries. Find DOJA strains Gelonade, Permanant Marker and Giraffe Puzzy now at Torches by Polanco Brothers in Midtown or Happy Munkey Uptown.

This craft quality grower made a huge name for himself on the legacy market over the years. Now he’s partnering with top dispensaries like Good Grades and Torches for limited drops in the legal market. His first run sold out in a few hours earlier this month. Stay tuned to Good Grades and Torches on Leafly for menu updates and restocks from The Mechanic.

Hashtag Honey

Don’t let the sweet name fool you. This is one of New York’s most potent flower brands. If high-THC indoor is your speed, Hashtag Honey won’t disappoint. Triple Diesel and Strawberry Diesel are top sellers at Culture House and other stores that specialize in top tier flower.

Noizey

This is a staff pick at Valley Greens thanks to low price, high potency, and that extra .5g blessing in every jar.

Tarot Tokes

Tarot Tokes leans into the mysticism of cannabis. The brand works with the cultivator Java Sprout Farm to curate strains that complement various cards from the Tarot deck. Tarot is a centuries-old practice that uses cards and their meanings to tell people’s fortunes or clarify aspects of their lives, and cannabis can work much in the same way. Each strain embodies the card on the packaging; one of their most popular offerings, the sativa-dominant Lilac Diesel, is The Sun card, which reflects its vitality and energizing effects. Others on their roster: Priestess Haze (The Queen), Chemdog (The Emperor), RS11 (The Chariot), and Sour Hour (The Fool).

Rolling Green

Rolling Green may be the most respected brand among budtenders in New York, based on our research. No matter who we talked to, Rolling Green got a nod in the discussion for best flower in New York state dispensaries. They aren’t hard to find. Hit the button to roll with the best.

Synergy

Synergy’s dialed in on the strains high-end smokers are looking for. Sweet and pungent genetics like Blue Gushers, Sour Space Rocks, and Pink Guava Synergy are available now in The Bronx (The Bronx Joint, Bleu Leaf), Manhattan (Torches NYC by Polanco Brothers), Queens (Weedside), satisfying the real Zaza lovers city-wide. They just dropped pre-rolls, too, for a more convenient, lower-cost option.

The team at Nicklz shared some RYTHM flower on a night out. We were impressed by the nug structure and terps on the Zoap and Animal Mintz strains. Available statewide, click below to find RYTHM at a nearby dispensary on Leafly.

STA Exotic (cultivated by Torrwood Farm)

Cultivated by Torrwood Farm, New Yorkers are grabbing STA Exotic’s premium flower and infused pre-rolls by the handful. Grown in 200-year old living soil, STA livest up to its exotic name.

SUPER DOPE

I recently tried this brand SUPER DOPE from Good Grades and gave it a great review overall. They got pulled from shelves momentarily, due to censorship on their Hentai-themed packaging. But more drops are coming from this high-demand craft quality brand. Happy Munkey (Inwood) also carries this super rare brand.

Heady Tree

According to cannabis sales data platform Headset, Heady Tree is one of New York’s bestselling cannabis brand, namely the strain Blue Lobster. Blue Lobster was bred by Maine Trees, drawing on two strains from the acclaimed Chris Compound during his time with Compound Genetics. The strain has made waves on the cannabis cup circuit and pages of weed magazines alike. Blue Lobster is currently one the most searched strains by Leafly users in New York. It’s a testament to Heady Tree’s eye for unique terpene profiles and strains that don’t always get the hype that the Gelatos and Diesels do. Their offerings of flower eighths, quarters, half-ounces and prerolls include numerous strains we’ve highlighted throughout the year, like Blue Zushi, Glitterbomb, our 2024 Strain of the Year Super Boof, Peach Pie, and Tangie Colada.

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This micro-license brand has been around for years in New York’s legacy space. Their first legal release is a hit, and shows steady development over the years. The Sensei Cult always puts cannabis above clout. And that dedication translates to their legal flower.

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Leal Organics

Leal does it better than most. Which is impressive for the volume of flower they produce. The attention to detail is pristine according to the budtenders and buyers we spoke to at New York dispensaries. This is the flagship brand for Sapphire Farms, a 100-acre grow upstate in Newfield.

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Doobie Labs

No hesitation. Doobie Labs is one of the most popular brands on New York dispensary shelves thanks to rare strains like Blue Lobster (one of NY’s most-searched strains on Leafly). According to budtenders, Doobie Labs is an instant buy for true tokers in New York.

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With strains like Wet Dream and WAP, Zizzle is flying off of shelves. Their whole flower eighths are a cut above most brands. And they’re not hard to find statewide. Next time you’re in Queens, stop by House of Strains for one of the state’s best selections of Zizzle flower.

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Ghost.

Strains like Hot Glue and BBK are some of Ghost’s best sellers. Their 7-gram jars are supernatural, according to our friends at House of Strains.

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For this mother-daughter duo, cannabis isn’t just a commodity—it’s a carefully curated tool for healing.

Anacostia Organics opened in 2019, becoming the first medical dispensary east of the Anacostia River in Washington, DC. At a time when most dispensaries were planting roots in affluent neighborhoods or behind layers of security glass, Linda Mercado Greene chose to set up shop in Ward 8, one of DC’s most underserved communities. 

It’s not your typical dispensary. Granted, Linda isn’t your typical cannabis entrepreneur. With decades of experience navigating Capitol Hill, running PR firms, and advising the powerful (including Nelson Mandela and Michael Jackson), the 70-something cannabis trailblazer brings both clout and compassion to an industry still fighting for legitimacy. 

Family-owned and operated

Helmed alongside her daughter Tamia, who serves as Director and General Manager, Linda has created something rare in today’s legal weed landscape: a minority- and women-owned dispensary that isn’t just a place to buy cannabis, but a place to be seen, heard, and cared for.

For this mother-daughter duo, cannabis isn’t just a commodity—it’s a carefully curated tool for healing. The inventory reflects this intentional approach with attention to terpene profiles and cannabinoid content, even if most DC consumers still shop by THC percentage. “People are learning,” says Tamia. “For a long time, people would come in and ask for one brand only—like, ‘I only smoke District Cannabis,’” she recalls. “But lately, they’ve become more open. If we’re out of something, they trust our staff to recommend something new.”

On the menu: Hyper-local and medicinal

For Linda and her team, building trust is just as important as the products on offer. In a city where many patients—yes, patients, because DC is still a medical-only market—are seniors managing chronic conditions, Anacostia Organics caters to people with arthritis, cancer, and people on multiple medications. “A lot of people want the relief without having to smoke.” Linda adds.

Tourists, enabled to self-certify their need for cannabis, seek the store out, too, and the insular DC market means that the menu is dominated by only a handful of DC-licensed cultivators. District-grown flower, terpene-rich edibles, topicals, and infused honeys are all part of the mix—though keeping the shelves stocked isn’t always easy in a medical market that’s still playing catch-up.

It’s not easy being a DC dispensary

“There’s a shortage right now,” Linda explains. With DC’s recent push to transition legacy operators into the legal space, the demand for products has surged—without a matching supply. “Cultivators didn’t have enough time to prepare for all these new businesses entering the market,” she says.“My stock levels fluctuate a little bit more now than they did previously.”

Despite being one of the earliest jurisdictions on the East Coast to legalize medical cannabis in 1998, the District has faced unique challenges in regulating its cannabis industry.

Shortages aren’t the only uphill battle that DC dispensary owners face. The struggle for dispensary owners is further compounded by federal tax code 280E, which prevents cannabis businesses like Anacostia Organics from deducting standard business expenses. “Eighty-five cents of every dollar goes to the IRS,” Linda says. “That’s because of 280E. We can’t write off rent, salaries, utilities—nothing.” It’s an especially heavy burden in a jurisdiction barred from building the retail infrastructure to compete with the illicit market.

Despite being one of the earliest jurisdictions on the East Coast to legalize medical cannabis in 1998, the District has faced unique challenges in regulating its cannabis industry. Federal interference delayed implementation of its medical program for more than a decade, and although voters overwhelmingly approved adult-use legalization in 2015, Congressional control over the District’s budget has prevented the city from establishing a regulated market. 

Every year, a rider introduced by Maryland Congressman Andy Harris—commonly referred to as the “Harris Rider”—blocks the District from using local funds to enact the will of its residents. “Only one member of Congress can stop the whole thing,” says Linda. If not for that, “DC would have a flourishing adult-use market generating tens of millions in revenue.” 

A sanctuary, not just a store

Despite the challenges, Linda keeps pushing forward. From organizing job fairs and educational sessions to hosting the city’s first government-sponsored cannabis podcast, Cannabis Conversations, she’s building something bigger than a dispensary. “Our motto is that ‘we are family, not a factory,’” she says. “We hug, we celebrate birthdays, we educate. It’s about community, not just cannabis.”

At Anacostia Organics, the mission goes beyond selling cannabis—it’s about restoring dignity, building trust, and creating space for healing. While the industry in DC is still grappling with restrictive laws and uncertain access, Linda has made her dispensary a sanctuary. The space itself is proof of that intention: warm, welcoming, filled with plants and original art. Patients are greeted with knowledge and kindness, not bulletproof glass. 

“Our motto is that ‘we are family, not a factory.’ We hug, we celebrate birthdays, we educate. It’s about community, not just cannabis.”

Linda Mercado Greene

The team takes time with each person who walks through the door, whether they’re seeking pain relief, guidance, or just someone who will listen without judgment.

As for the future? Linda is considering cultivation, “some sort of vertical integration.” She wants to expand into the South, bringing the Anacostia Organics experience to communities that need it. And, she wants to see federal legalization finally become a reality. No matter how the business grows, one thing won’t change: her commitment to compassion, community, and care.

“I think what sets us apart,” she says, “is that we see this plant not as a product, but as a tool for healing. And everyone who walks through our doors—no matter where they come from—deserves to feel that.”

Looking for cannabis and community in Washington DC? Shop the Anacostia Organics menu on Leafly for pickup, find daily deals, and stock up on all your favorites today.

In a cannabis market only beginning to recognize the potential of home delivery, Delivered Inc. is already setting the standard. Founded by Ruben Seyde, Eddy Twal, and Tut Liu, Delivered Inc.—based in Worcester, Massachusetts—launched in July 2023, becoming the fifth licensed home delivery operator in the state.

With backgrounds in both the legacy market and regulated industries, the Delivered Inc. leadership trio brings a passion for the plant that provides street-level cred along with business acumen.

The idea was born out of a pivot. Ruben originally planned to launch a 55-acre outdoor grow, but when COVID derailed funding, he shifted focus to the state’s new delivery license—a more accessible entry point into the legal market. Investor connections and shared values brought Eddy and Tut into the fold.

With backgrounds in both the legacy market and regulated industries, the trio brings a passion for the plant that provides street-level cred along with business acumen. That lived experience drives their mission: to fix what’s broken about cannabis delivery—whether it’s unreliable ETAs, poor communication, or bottom-shelf flower. 

Their solution: fast, reliable logistics and a thoughtfully curated menu, with service in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Customers get real-time tracking, prompt drop-offs, and a streamlined experience that feels as convenient as Uber Eats. There’s no reason it should feel sketchy, inconsistent, or late, according to Eddy. “It’s our responsibility to make our customers feel safe and give them an easy and seamless transaction.”

The nose knows

On the menu: pre-rolls, edibles, vapes, tinctures, rolling papers, and lighters. “We carry just about everything a typical stoner would want,” says Eddy. “But we put a lot of thought into how we build our inventory.”

That thoughtfulness starts with choosing the right partners. “We love working with small, social equity, and minority-owned businesses,” says Ruben. “Our goal is to offer value beyond just the product—supporting local entrepreneurs who care about the plant and the people consuming it.” He points to brands like Bailey’s Buds, Haven, U-4-EA, and even local competitors—like local producer (and fellow home delivery trailblazer) Major Bloom. “They paved the way. We credit them with helping to build this market.”

“I go by the nose—the smell tells you everything. If it’s got those terpene-rich aromas, it’s going to hit well for the consumer.”

While Delivered Inc. aims to serve a wide range of consumers, the realities of running a delivery service introduce some limits. “We have a delivery minimum of $75, which unfortunately prices some folks out,” Ruben acknowledges. “But we work hard to offer real value at that price point—like full ounces for $75, including tax. That way, people on a budget still get quality and convenience.”

At the same time, the team’s craft-first philosophy appeals to cannasseurs. Touring every grow facility themselves, Ruben and Eddy prioritize cultivators who put care into their practices. “I don’t really look at strain names or test results,” Ruben says. “I go by the nose—the smell tells you everything. If it’s got those terpene-rich aromas, it’s going to hit well for the consumer.”

Education also plays a role. “A lot of people still shop by THC percentage, but that’s not the whole story,” Eddy explains. “We try to help them understand the entourage effect, the role of terpenes, and that lower-THC flower can still deliver an incredible high.”

Tech-driven, human-led

With a menu populated by highly curated picks, Delivered Inc. sets itself apart further with a blend of cutting-edge tech. “We offer something unique—an AI budtender that gives personalized recommendations based on your tastes and mood,” explains Eddy. Powered by cannabis platform Jointly, the feature bridges the gap between digital ordering and a real dispensary consultation.

“We’re connecting with communities that previously only had access through the illicit market.”

“And every page on our menu includes AI suggestions based on your shopping history,” adds Ruben. “We want to make shopping as intuitive and frictionless as possible.”

But the tech doesn’t come at the cost of connection. With founders fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, Delivered Inc. is reaching customers who’ve historically been underserved by the legal market. “We’re connecting with communities that previously only had access through the illicit market,” Eddy says.

Speed bumps and roadblocks

For Delivered Inc., the road hasn’t just been uphill—it’s been underfunded and full of systemic barriers.  They weren’t selected as a recipient for Massachusetts’ Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund, and the “lack of access to capital is the biggest challenge. It really hinders our ability to grow, ” says Ruben.

Marketing is also an uphill battle. As an online-only brand with no storefront, Delivered Inc. remains largely invisible to consumers unless they already know where to look. “We want to reach people compliantly,” says Eddy. “But building a social presence is hard.” From restrictive ad rules to being excluded from the state’s “Find a Retailer” locator, digital cannabis companies are often cut off from basic tools of modern marketing.

But limitations have also sparked creativity. One upside of not having capital, Ruben reflects, “is that we’ve developed a very personal approach with our customers.” With founders handling daily operations, “it really allows us to build strong relationships with our customers.” That kind of connection becomes a referral engine: “People love us, and they tell their friends.”

Looking ahead: Cannabis goes mainstream

When asked what’s next for Delivered Inc., Ruben doesn’t hesitate. “We’re going to be the best delivery operator in Massachusetts.”

After that? New England. Then the nation. “That’s our goal,” says Eddy. “We want to deliver an experience that’s easy, safe, and convenient for folks everywhere.”