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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Everyone wants to know—’Where’s the best 420 events near me?’ April is already upon us, and with it the biggest day of the year for those of us who love weed. As you well know, 420 is history, culture, industry, lore, and always a whole lotta fun. To get you in the spirit, we have here a lineup of the best ways to celebrate stoner Christmas, from concerts with acclaimed artists to all-day fairs to drops with the biggest breeders around. Make this 420 yours, whichever way you want.

California

The Big Lebowski Screening: An Evening with The Dude

Firstly—The Dude is The Dude! Join the dude and the man himself, Jeff Bridges at San Francisco’s Masonic theater for a screening of the iconic Coen Brothers movie and a Q&A with Bridges.

The 420 Status Music Festival 

Secondly, try a little music, a lot of cannabis, and lanes of tricked out rides in Adelanto, CA. The 420 Status Music Festival showcases all the pillars of SoCal culture—cannabis, cars, and crooners. For adults 21 and up, there will be a separate vendor area to shop the wares, plus all-ages areas for the whole family to enjoy the day safely. 

Kushstock 

Thirdly, Kushstock returns to Los Angeles! The ninth year of the cannabis-music-culture festival will take place at The Bee Hive, a versatile events venue space with the means to host music performances, artist installations, vendors, food, and a whole lot of cannabis lovers. Evidently, general admission is FREE, with paid tickets for general admission-plus and VIP if you prefer mile-high treatment. 

Sesh Fest 2025 (April 19)

Fourthly, this multi-faceted cannabis festival blends all the different faces of Hollywood—a wellness zone with yoga and meditation, food vendors for all kinds of palates and dietary needs, a mix of live music and DJ sets, VIP lounges, and of course, lots of cannabis industry leaders and consumption areas. Sesh Fest goes from 10 am to 6 pm on April 19, so you can still go out at night. 

Sessions By The Bay Grand Opening

Up next, a new dispensary experience in San Diego opens on the dankest weekend of the year. Sessions By The Bay launches the city’s first consumption lounge with 16,000 square feet of possibilities. Undeniably, the dispensary comes with the works—top tier brands, nearly a dozen experiential art rooms like soundscapes and murals, a fine dining restaurant, a customizable canna-cocktail, and some of the best weed tech (Puffco, Volcano, etc) for rent. [link]

Hippie Hill 

Up next, San Francisco, the birthplace of medical cannabis, is also home to one of the oldest and most infamous 420 celebrations in the world—Hippie Hill in Golden Gate Park. It’s grown a lot over the years from a smokey gathering to a full-fledged concert and marketplace. Most importantly, Hippie Hill has gone unofficial for the second year in a row this. Still, diehard seshers can still gather on any other hill in the park. See also: SF Space Walk parties all 4/20 week long.

Colorado

Wiz Khalifa at Red Rocks Amphitheater

The more things change in the cannabis industry, the more some things stay the same. Chiefly, the 420 concert bash at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado. This year, Wiz Khalifa’s April tour has him blowing smoke and beats across the amphitheater with supporting acts Larry June, Ab-Soul, and Chevy Woods. Certainly, if you want to relive the best 420 soundtrack anthems of the last decade, don’t hesitate—tickets are going fast. 

Sublime (April 18)

Before Wiz lights it up, join the original members of Sublime on Friday, April 18 at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado. Seriously, how many more chances will there be to witness legends at work? 

Mile High 420 Festival

Denver continues to do it in style with their annual Mile High 420 Festival. Gather at Civic Center Park for a day hosted by one of the best to ever chief it—Tommy Chong. Live tunes come courtesy of artists like Bone-Thug-N-Harmony, Cordae, and Kaliii, with plenty of food options and cannabis brand vendors onsite. Tickets start at $20 for general admission, with VIP options offering guests exclusive areas and swag.

Oregon

Homegrown Music Festival

Oregon has one of the most prodigious cannabis industries around, but they still love something a little homegrown too. As shown above, the third annual Homegrown Music Festival showcases the best of Bend, with bands that range from psychedelic, blues, Latin, and jazz. 

Washington

Phish in Seattle (April 18+19)

“Young poh-theeds,” as Phish addresses the crowd of Springfield in a classic episode of “The Simpsons,” gather around. Of course, this jam band needs no introduction nor justification to be at Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena for 420 weekend, with plenty of shop options nearby. 

Nevada

Dead & Company: Dead Forever 

For those of us who love The Dead, we go to see The Dead at their Vegas residency. Even though they won’t be jamming on 420 proper (who can blame them?), you can catch them on April 17, 18, 19, and 24, as well as plenty of shows in May. 

420 State Fair

Downtown Las Vegas will get a little greener this 420 with the 420 State Fair. Specifically, Nu Wu Cannabis Marketplace, home of Nevada’s first consumption lounge and one of the state’s biggest dispensaries, hosts a noon-to-midnight mix of classic stoner activities and carnival games. Particularly, attendees can patron the dab bar, rooftop deck, and concessions stands in between DJ sets, rides, art activities, and even a pie-eating contest. 

New York/ New Jersey

MARY Fest 2025 

The Big Apple means big cannabis business. Consequently, MARY Fest, the event arm of Mary Magazine, has fogged up New York City for years now, and a partnership with legacy dispensary operator Happy Munkey means 2025 will keep it blazing. Specifically, it’s part trade show, part festival, and all dank. MARY Fest will have food, vendors, activations, industry icons, and some foundational wisdom from the I Love Growing Marijuana (ILGM) team. Spending $50 at Happy Munkey gets you into MARY Fest free. ILGM has an infused dinner in the works,

Cypress Hill and guests at Hard Rock Live (April 19)

Luniz said it best—”light another blunt like Cypress Hill.” Thus, the spawners of some of the best 420 songs come to Atlantic City for an unforgettable concert experience with support from Atmosphere, Dilated Peoples, & The Pharcyde.

Weedtopia Festival 2025 “EL BLOQUE” (April 19)

Edison, New Jersey puts all the shades of cannabis culture and communities on the map with “El Bloque,” a throwback to the block parties of old set to a soundtrack of Latin beats. Purchase and consume local New Jersey cannabis, with food, option, art, raffles, and VIP experiences to spend your Saturday riding the best vibration. 

Ohio

420 Gala (April 19)

Another legalization state has come online. Ohio is now for cannabis lovers. The Midwest lights up with lots of events this year, and The Kee in Downtown Columbus is not to be ignored. Specifically, The Organic Light event organization puts on its 420 Gala with a little bit of everything—celebrity appearances, munchies, product samplings, games, a fashion show, and even an Easter egg hunt to coincide with the holiday. 

Georgia

Sweetwater 420 Fest

Obviously, the people of Georgia love 420 and all things cannabis culture, even if their state laws haven’t caught up with the people. Hence, the annual Sweetwater 420 Festival at Pullman Yards offers a wide-ranging musical lineup all weekend, from Cypress Hill to Marcus King to Greensky Bluegrass.

Tennessee

Nashville Cannafestival (April 18-20)

Yeehaw! Nashville brings cannabis culture and community down south with the three-day Cannafestival. One of the biggest music cities in the world also wants you to know that they love cannabis, hemp, and CBD. Particularly, this weekend offers attendees workshops, food, artist installations, music (duh), vendors, and panels to help keep Tennessee’s cannabis laws pushing in the right direction. 

Texas

Willie Nelson at the Whitewater Amphitheater (April 18+19)

Lastly, Willie Nelson is, indeed, on the road again. He stops by New Braunfels, Texas, during 420 weekend for two nights of music with supporting act with Robert Earl Keen.

Related

Leafly’s top 10 energizing THC gummies of 2025

Arizona

Cannaland

Mesa, Arizona’s Golfland Sunplash becomes CannaLand—with a mix of mini-golf, laser tag, bumper cars and boats, live DJs, arcade games, and more April 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for $70. It’s Arizona’s best festival.

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So the next time you wonder, ‘What’s the best 420 events near me?’ Now you know! Have fun out there and drink water!

New York marijuana regulators are reportedly investigating six companies that may have taken part in illegal shipments of cannabis across state lines in violation of both federal and state law, according to The New York Times.

The targets of the investigation, according to unnamed sources, include California-based Stiiizy and Turn, Oregon-based Gron, Washington-based Mfused, and New York companies Waahoo and To the Moon, The Times reported.

The companies all came up in conjunction with an inspection Monday at two licensed cannabis processing facilities on Long Island owned by Omnium Canna, where New York Office of Cannabis Management agents were seen. The investigation has been ongoing since February, The Times reported, and Omnium works with all six of the targeted companies.

Omnium produced 1.2 million cannabis products for the six businesses, with a value of $47 million, just since October, The Times reported.

Spokespeople for Stiiizy, Gron and Omnium denied any wrongdoing and said their dealings have all been by the book. They characterized the inspections at Omnium as a routine audit. A spokesperson for Mfused also told MJBizDaily that it is “not under investigation.”

“At no point have we sourced cannabis from out of state or engaged in practices that violate New York’s cannabis regulations,” Stiiizy CEO James Kim told The Times.

Drew Tybus, a spokesman for Gron, added, “We are not under investigation in any state in which we operate or where our products are manufactured and sold, and refute any claims or references to the contrary.”

The OCM didn’t respond to requests for comment by The Times, but a former state Cannabis Control Board member said the practice of shipping marijuana illegally across state lines is essentially an open secret in the cannabis trade.

“Everybody knows it’s going on, but nobody’s being held accountable for it,” agricultural scientist Jennifer Gilbert Jenkins told The Times. “If the (OCM) wants there to be confidence in the state market, then they need to come out and show that they’re on top of it. And that’s not the case.”

The Times also obtained a whistleblower report that was more than 2,000 pages long, which claimed there’s a major disconnect between lab testing results of cannabis goods that look for contaminants and the product safety labels on many products being sold at licensed dispensaries. The true testing results, according to the whistleblower, could result in products being recalled or quarantined, The Times reported.

Part of the problem is that New York has been slow to roll out a track-and-trace system for cannabis companies, similar to what’s required in most other state marijuana markets. These software programs are designed to track inventory and prevent illegal diversion. During testimony before a joint budget hearing in February, Felicia Reid, acting executive director of the Office of Cannabis Management, said the agency was in the process of standing up BioTracl as the state’s track-and-trace system.