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ABOUT THE COVER
Based in Brighton, United Kingdom, DrBaph is a renowned and pioneering digital artist that caught the eye of Leaf Contributor Matt Jackson, who recommended them for a cover slot.
"This year’s edition features a rosininspired piece rooted in visionary (psychedelic) art, capturing a moment of deep focus," notes DrBaph. "Inspired by the overlap of mysticism and scientific innovation, I aim to push the visual language of Cannabis culture through detail, technique and storytelling." Learn more about this unique artist and see more of their beautiful work on page 38.
ART BY DRBAPH | DRBAPH.COM | @DRBAPH
CONTRIBUTORS
WES ABNEY, NATIONAL NEWS
ANGELA-JORDAN AGUILAR, FEATURES
DANIEL BERMAN, DESIGN BOBBY BLACK, FEATURES + DESIGN
TOM BOWERS, FEATURES
DAVID DOWNS, FEATURES
DRBAPH, ILLUSTRATION REX HILSINGER, FEATURES + PHOTOS
GRACE HWANG, PHOTOS
MATT JACKSON, FEATURES + ART
TERPODACTYL MEDIA, FEATURES
HAILEY MOSCA, PHOTOS
MICHELLE NARANJO, COPY EDITING
MIKE RICKER, PRODUCTION
MIKE ROSATI, PHOTOS
JES SÁNATE, PHOTOS
JAMIE VICTOR, DESIGN
BRUCE & LAURIE WOLF, RECIPES JAMIE ZILL, PHOTOS
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Exclusive Cannabis Journalism CONNECT WITH CALIFORNI A LEAF
Thanks for picking up The Concentrate Issue of the Leaf!
Dab like an Egyptian would be the perfect Weird Al remix of the ’80s classic by the Bangles, and it’s the vibe I get when looking at our amazing cover this month. Which begs the question: Did the peop le who built the once-largest structure in the world also get high?
I’ll skip a long lecture about the improbability of people cutt ing and moving 2.3 million stone blocks (weighing an average of 2 tons each) without alien help or a pyramid potentially being a giant energy conductor and certainly not a tomb. But who's gonna refute those assertions anyway? The Egyptians were the first to document the healing and euphoric effects of the poppy plant. T hey would milk the flower for a delicious nectar that’s full of naturally occurring opiates. Sipping poppy tea, they’d celebrate the renewal of nature with rituals that included dancing and orgies. These were the first plant-resin parties, w hich they viewed as a gift in plant form from their deities.
Not too dissimilar from the process of squeezing resin from Can nabis, which was known as a medicinal plant in ancient times, is it that much of a stretch to assume they were smoking some hash too? Egypt was the bridge between the far East and the West at the time, facilitating trade along the Silk Road, which was surely traversed by wagons and cargos of hashish. While some historians believe that hash came to Egypt later in the 12th century by way of mystics from Syria, I’d like to believe that their documented medicinal use of Cannabis — da ting back to the earliest roots of Egyptian culture — included proce ssing the plant into a hash or rosin. How else would they have the wherew ithal to milk poppies, which eventually led to morphine, a drug that made surgeries possible and changed the misery of battlefield medica l tents during the Civil War and every war since?
Powerful medicines come from plants, and much of today’s pharmacopeia is generated by isolating compounds from holistic and natural medicines that were known to humans for thousands of years. From willow bark leading to aspirin or moldy bread giving the w orld the gift of penicillin, nature has been taking care of us for a very long t ime.
"THE EGYPTIANS WERE THE FIRST TO DOCUMENT THE HEALING AND EUPHORIC EFFECTS OF THE POPPY PLANT. THEY WOULD MILK THE FLOWER FOR A DELICIOUS NECTAR THAT’S FULL OF NATURALLY OCCURRING OPIATES. ”
I believe the Egyptians knew this, as people of the ancient pas t were incredibly connected with the natural world. They also had much more free time without the distractions of social media, daytime reruns of “Ridiculousness” and “Is It Cake?” on YouTube, so I’m sure somebody was trying to squish weed into resin to get a little higher. Which has nothing to do with why we chose this amazing cover image, but I digress. It could be the 75 concentrate reviews I wrote last week talking! So load up a dab, take a big inhale and enjoy the fruits of our labor: the best dabs we could find in each Leaf, reviewed with love and gratitude to God for the benefits of our favorite ancient plant, Cannabis.
TEXAS GOVERNOR VETOES BAN ON THC, CANNABIS
TEXAS GOV. Greg Abbott vetoed a ban on THC from hemp that was spearheaded by his lieutenant governor, exposing a rift and offering hope to Cannabis users and businesses in the Lone Star State.
Texans have enjoyed several years of a thriving Cannabis industry that has sprouted under the THCA and Delta 8 loopholes that have caused weed sales to proliferate around the country. Since the farm bill of 2018 established “Cannabis” as having Delta 9 THC, entrepreneurial folks have been using test results showing that weed has no THC and only THCA before smoking as evidence that it’s hemp, not Cannabis. This technical distinction is simply that when combusted, THCA converts to Delta 9 THC, which delivers the high we all love.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has been sipping the prohibitionist tea, claiming there are countless “families who have seen their loved ones’ lives destroyed by these very dangerous drugs.” The dangerous drugs he is talking about aren’t meth or fentanyl. It’s weed. Lt. Gov. Patrick and a cabal of ignorant lawmakers sought a complete ban on hemp and THC, which cleared the Senate and House and went all the way to the governor's desk. At a recent press conference, Lt. Gov. Patrick doubled down on his claims saying, “You might go into a store and buy [a THC lollipop] and not even know that you’re getting your kid high on drugs and hooked for life.”
Luckily, Gov. Abbott was as sick of the lies and Drug War bullshit as the average Texan is. With 53,000 jobs on the line, billions in sales and many businesses growing because of hemp and Cannabis, Abbott has seen the writing on the wall and wants a piece of the growing industry to take roots in Texas.
“Texas must enact a regulatory framework that protects public safety, aligns with federal law, has a fully funded enforcement structure and can take effect without delay,” Gov. Abbott said after announcing the veto. For those in the know, this sounds like a plan to legalize Cannabis, which he called for in a special legislative session starting July 21. For a state legislature that only meets every two years, this special session is a big use of resources and indicates that legalization could be coming soon to the Lone Star State.
MORE THAN 300 NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS ASSISTED IN A DEA OPERATION TARGETING ILLEGAL MARIJUANA FARMS IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY ON JUN. 18.
NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS
SENT FOR LA RIOTS RAID
WEED FARM INSTEAD
TROOPS SENT TO LOS ANGELES to combat the rising lawlessness and riots found themselves hundreds of miles away protecting Drug Enforcement Administration and immigration agents as they raided Cannabis farms suspected of being illegal.
While it might take the National Guard or Marines to break up a major protest, it seems like overkill to send those same troops out to a weed farm, no matter how illegal it is. Around 315 troops found themselves in the Coachella Valley raiding weed farms instead, looking for illegal activity and labor. Around 75 workers were detained pending verification of immigration status. While the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals approved the use of troops to stop violent protests, it's unlikely that they’d approve this use, which is essentially sending a military force to raid an agricultural farm.
The raids occurred on a 112-degree day and spread across nearly 1,000 acres of land, which was too much for the freedomhating DEA to handle.
“Due to the vast magnitude of the operation, we needed partners to safeguard not just our personnel but also the individuals either working or living in the premises,” the DEA spokesperson said, noting that they found two men padlocked inside a trailer.
It is unclear how the arrest of 75 farmworkers is going to win the War on Drugs or stop the violence from cartels that trade fentanyl and push human trafficking across the border with Mexico. But one thing is clear: While the attention of the people is focused on larger societal issues of immigration and potential World War III, the War on Drugs is happily chugging along and grinding lives up for a plant in a conflict that has lasted longer than all prior U.S. wars combined.
CANNABIS USERS 'TOO
DANGEROUS TO HAVE GUNS'
THE LARGEST constitutional rights fight coming to America is that of Cannabis users, who have been denied their constitutional rights to bear arms based on a Drug Enforcement Administration classification and fear that marijuana makes people violent.
The Second Amendment of the Constitution reads, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
This language is clear and states that people’s right to bear arms should not be taken away for any purpose. Court cases have narrowed this in what many consider infringements, but no attack on this essential liberty casts a wider net than those restricting freedom to Cannabis users. According to federal law, illegal drug users cannot possess firearms, and Cannabis falls into this category.
This disturbing use of lawfare against citizens rights has been defended in court based on the fact that drug users can quit at any time.
Federal law “bars their possession of firearms only temporarily and leaves it within their power to lift the restriction at any time; anyone who stops habitually using illegal drugs can resume possessing firearms.”
Does this mean that when smoking a joint, a legal background-checked firearm owner is suddenly committing a federal crime?
Solicitor General D. John Sauer has insisted on the Biden administration’s interpretation, saying “users of illegal drugs [including marijuana] pose a clear danger of misusing firearms.”
There are three major cases challenging the constitutional validity of these laws. In U.S. v. Cooper, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed a three-year prison sentence for a Cannabis user convicted of firearms violations simply for using the plant.
“Nothing in our tradition allows disarmament simply because [the defendant] belongs to a category of people, drug users, that Congress has categorically deemed dangerous,” the ruling said.
In a time where so much societal focus is on the potential loss of rights, here is the largest class action group of all, facing the loss of the right to bear arms and secure personal protection and freedom. Cannabis users consist of all adult ages and demographics, vote blue and red, pay taxes and have categorically lost their most fundamental rights for using a plant that is legal in most of the country.
Continuing this illegal prohibition of rights is akin to Congress saying we choose Pepsi over Coke (instead of alcohol and pharmaceuticals over weed), and everyone who drinks Coke has now lost their freedom. For this writer and Diet Coke lover, it's a wonder if more people would protest the loss of a fizzy beverage than their most fundamental freedom.
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INAUGURAL AWARDS PARTY
On a cloudless, sun-dappled Saturday on the last weekend in June, dozens of the most legendary figures in California Cannabis gathered at Riggers Loft Wine Company on the Richmond waterfront to make their mark on history. After 12 competitions thrown over half a decade in Anchorage, Seattle, Portland and Baltimore, the Leaf Bowl had finally come to California.
But the many hundreds of people in attendance weren’t only there to find out who among the dozens of competitors would be named the best of the best, walking away with the coveted Leaf Bowl trophies. No, as the crowd grew, it became obvious that the community was there to prove something more.
The throng gathered at the Leaf Bowl demonstrated that the Cannabis community is as resilient as the plant that powers it. We’re still here. In fact, we love it here. And we’re not going anywhere.
Anchored by presenting sponsor Advanced Nutrients, a powerful list of sponsors and vendors offered their time and support to provide everyone with a place to gather and remind one another why we all chose to be a part of this community in the first place.
Fragrant clouds of the world’s best weed filled the air as revelers dabbed and dapped each other up, joked, laughed and swapped stories from the trenches of an increasingly unfriendly uphill battle against unfavorable market conditions and punitive state and federal regulations.
The light breeze carried bulletproof vibes from DJ Nikka T on the ones and twos, as he queued up deep reggae cuts and Bay Area hip-hop classics on the Cookies waterfront smoke lounge patio.
It was the perfect sound, set and setting for old friends to reunite, new friends to share their first memories and old adversaries to squash the beef.
Focus V showed off their hardware with the help of fire from RosinTech. Friends mugged for the camera in the Sluggers photobooth. Don P invited guests onto his podcast bus to share their stories. Casa Flor rolled deep with family and friends,
Ay Papi were among the big winners of the night — taking second place for Best Gummy and nearly sweeping the Concentrates category with products using the award-winning genetics of Huckleberry Hill Farms.
"The throng gathered at the Leaf Bowl demonstrated that the Cannabis community is as resilient as the plant that powers it. We’re still here...we love it here. And we’re not going anywhere."
bringing a lounge bus for partygoers who wanted a brief break from the crowd.
Hash legend Cherry Blossom Belle served up hookah at the Heritage Hash Co. booth in a style that would elicit a smile from her late mentor, Frenchy Cannoli (read more about Belle pg. 33).
As sunset began to cast the bright blue of the Cookies Lounge in the increasingly deep orange dusk light, a crowd gathered inside to watch as Leaf Bowl emcee Kidd Conez brought his boundless energy and charisma to the Humboldt Seed Company stage for the Leaf Bowl awards ceremony.
The thrill of victory filtered through the thick smoke in the air, and the Leaf team couldn’t help but notice that, as the cheers filled the winery with each announced award, something was missing.
There was no “agony of defeat” in this competition. This was a community that had been through so much together, that had seen so much strife and overcome so many obstacles together, that all that was left was support for one another.
Kidd Conez provided one of the night’s many highlights when he performed an electrifying set during the halftime show from Entertainment
Sponsor Mission Valley Bank. Kidd Conez lit up the crowd with his single “Hot Box” and the freshly dropped single “Hot Box 2,” while DJ Imperial backed him up with the beats.
The crowd cheered as community leaders Joe Sullivan of Wood Wide Highcraft, John Casali of Huckleberry Hill and others took the stage to accept multiple awards. They hooted when favorite fire producers Ay Papi and Sense won multiple awards. They chuckled in amusement when, after accepting a seemingly endless stream of trophies for his phenomenal Mixed Light flower, Lucas Sanders of Terp Mansion then kept returning to the stage, over and over again, to gather awards for his friend Cody King of Xotic Flavorz, who couldn’t be in attendance to celebrate his wins in the Light Dep category.
By the end of the night, the vibes were so high that all we at the Leaf kept hearing from people was, “That was great! When are we doing it next year?”
We’ll get back to you on that. One thing’s for sure: We’re definitely doing it again — and again. After all, we’re not going anywhere. We love it here.
Attendees enjoying a smoke, the beautiful weather and the killer view of San Francisco across the bay in the Cookies Lounge.
That's a wrap! The Leaf team — Ricker, Tom, Rex, Wes, AJ and Bobby, along with our trophy girl, and emcee Kidd Conez (center) — celebrate their 13th successful Leaf Bowl event, and the first in California!
Winning three 1st-place trophies, Joseph of Emerald Spirit Botanicals shows off some of his flower at the booth they shared with Farm Cut Cannabis.
>> continued from previous page
INAUGURAL CA LEAF BOWL
array of sparkling
Thanks to all of our partners and sponsors!
Leaf COO Tom Bowers speaks from the heart about his love and respect for Cali's OG Cannabis community.
The legendary DJ Nikka T keeps the crowd grooving all day on the bay.
Brandon Kight and Keyla Ryness from Buddies with first place awards.
An
nugs on display at the booth of SF's own Sense Cannabis, who took home an impressive five trophies in the Indoor Flower Category.
Terp Mansion won both first and second place in the Mixed Light / Greenhouse Flower Open Category.
The first-ever Leaf Bowl halftime show featured a rap performance by our emcee Kidd Conez and his crew.
Cherry Blossom Belle from Heritage Hash Co.
Holy Water won top honors in the Vape & Pre-Roll categories for collabs with THC spot & Casa Flor.
Jason Tozer, Bob Cain, Victor Romito and Chuck Riggs at the Advanced Nutrients booth.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS!
INDOOR FLOWER
CITRUS
Celestial Peak from A Golden State WINNER (201)
Yuzu Sour from Sense RUNNER-UP (192)
DESSERT
Permanent Sunset from Sense WINNER (201)
Blueberry Parfait from Phases RUNNER-UP (200)
EXOTIC
Strawberry Cherry Gelato from True Classic WINNER (172)
Zangria from Heady Heads RUNNER-UP (151)
GAS/OG/CHEM
HeadBanger from Wood Wide WINNER (206)
Sour Diesel from Sense RUNNER-UP (191)
JACK/HAZE
Sour Durban from Sense WINNER (199)
Dutch Treat from Wood Wide RUNNER-UP (173)
SWEETS & DREAMS
Point Breeze from Khalifa Kush WINNER (179)
Lipsmackerz from Maven RUNNER-UP (165)
TROPICAL/FLORAL
Freeze Cup from Team Elite Genetics WINNER (207)
El Chivo #5 from Sense RUNNER-UP (191)
OPEN CATEGORY
Tropicana Cherry Cookies from Clone Goddess WINNER (181)
Jet Fuel Gelato from Clone Goddess RUNNER-UP (168)
SUNGROWN FLOWER
DESSERT
Whitethorn Rose from Most Wanted & Hogwash Pharms WINNER (165)
Tropicana Cherry from Coastal Sun RUNNER-UP (140)
GAS/OG/CHEM
Velvet Lushers from Most Wanted & Hogwash Pharms WINNER (161)
Grape Cookies from Briceland Forest Farm & Farm Cut Cannabis WINNER (192)
MIXED LIGHT / GREENHOUSE FLOWER
DESSERT
Blackberry Caviar from Ridgeline Farms WINNER (166)
Blueberry Caviar from Ridgeline Farms RUNNER-UP (163)
GAS/OG/CHEM
Ridge Lion from Ridgeline Farms WINNER (166)
GMO Garlic Cookies from Coastal Sun RUNNER-UP (147)
OPEN CATEGORY
Blue Raspberry Icee from Terp Mansion WINNER (154)
Rainbow Runtz from Terp Mansion RUNNER-UP (150)
LIGHT DEP FLOWER
EXOTIC
Bubblegum Bonsai from Xotic Flavorz WINNER (166)
Purple Ghosties from Xotic Flavorz RUNNER-UP (138)
GAS/OG/CHEM
Platinum OG from Xotic Flavorz WINNER (162)
JACK/HAZE
Double Haze from Xotic Flavorz WINNER (153)
OPEN CATEGORY
Zoap from Terp Mansion WINNER (153)
CBD FLOWER
Royal Blueberry from Emerald Spirit Botanicals & Farm Cut Cannabis WINNER (185)
Citrine Dream from Whitethorn Valley Farm & Farm Cut Cannabis RUNNER-UP (169)
PRE-ROLLS
TRADITIONAL
Whitethorn Rose 1g Pre-Roll from Most Wanted & Hogwash Pharms WINNER (188)
INFUSED/ENHANCED
Pink Zote Infused Pre-Roll from Holy Water & THC Spot WINNER (184)
CONCENTRATES
ROSIN (SOLVENTLESS)
Ridgeline Rose #1 Live Rosin from Ay Papi, Huckleberry Hill Farms & My Green Network WINNER (210)
Maple Nectar Rosin from Mountain Man Melts & Gaia Gardens RUNNER-UP (209)
FULL-MELT/BUBBLE HASH (SOLVENTLESS)
Purple Papaya 6-Star Full-Melt Ice Water Hash from Ay Papi, Mattole Valley Sungrown & My Green Network WINNER (207)
Whitethorn Rose 6-Star Full-Melt Ice Water Hash from Ay Papi, Huckleberry Hill Farms & My Green Network
RUNNER-UP (197)
FECO/RSO - ALTERNATIVE CANNABINOID
White CBG 1g Syringe from Emerald Bay Extracts WINNER (98)
FECO/RSO - HIGH THC Ice Cream Cake 1g Syringe (Indica) from Emerald Bay Extracts WINNER (95)
VAPES
ALTERNATIVE CANNABINOID
Purple Daddy Cloud 9 CBN (2:1:2)
Vape Cart from Halara WINNER (176)
GENERAL HYDROCARBON
Crossbow Cured Resin Vape from Buddies & Ember Valley WINNER (185)
Lime Sherbert Z (LSZ) Enhanced Diamond Sauce Vape Cart from Halara
RUNNER-UP (162)
LIVE RESIN / SAUCE
Agua Frescas All-in-One Vape from Holy Water & Casa Flor WINNER (205)
Pearz All-in-One Vape from Holy Water & Casa Flor RUNNER-UP (199)
SOLVENTLESS
Papaya Bomb OCal Solventless 1g Mini Tank from Jetty Extracts WINNER (200)
Black Bubblegum Horchata Tier 1
Live Rosin All-In-One Vape from Shasta Flower Company RUNNER-UP (192)
EDIBLES
ALTERNATIVE CANNABINOID
Rose Queen Relieve & Relax CBD Tincture from Emerald Spirit Botanicals WINNER (172)
White CBG 25mg Tablets (CBG) from Emerald Bay Extracts RUNNER-UP (153)
BEVERAGE/TINCTURE
Pink Boost Goddess Focus & Joy THCV Tincture from Emerald Spirit Botanicals WINNER (171)
Not Your Father's Live Resin Infused Root Beer from Not Your Father's & Pabst Labs RUNNER-UP (168)
CAPSULE/TABLET
Blue Skunk 100mg Indica Tablets from Emerald Bay Extracts WINNER (187)
Glitter Bomb 25mg Indica Tablets from Emerald Bay Extracts RUNNER-UP (170)
GUMMY
Sour Lemonade Space Drops from Terp Mansion & Space Gems Candy WINNER (201)
Whitethorn Rose Single Origin Live Rosin Infused Gummies from Ay Papi, Huckleberry Hill Farms & My Green Network RUNNER-UP (195)
TOPICALS
CREAM / LOTION
Fire & Ice High THC Roll-On Topical from Buddies WINNER (207)
Citrus Cedar Topical Healing Cream from Blue Sage THC & My Green Network RUNNER-UP (195)
For more photos, as well as the complete list of entries and judges' scores, scan here or head over to our website at
HIGH SEAS
Opened on April Fools’ Day 2024, owners Mike Moussalli, Rachel Xin and Matteo Tabib navigated rough waters putting together the project, which first started around 2021, but the result has been a beautiful store nestled near the Newport pier. Each of them have backgrounds in Cannabis, but it wasn’t until they worked together on a cultivation facility for Xin that they discovered a shared dream for a retail location. This combination of partner s working on their own projects as well as High Seas helped them create a store that is decidedly unlike most Cannabis retail.
“FROM THE START, we knew we wanted to create a different experience,” Moussalli told Leaf, “and we wanted something that involved how near we are to the water.” Growing up with a passion for scuba diving and ocean conservation, he said the idea came out of his mouth naturally. “I joked, ‘What about a bunch of fishtanks?’ And they took me seriously.” Moussalli said the retail floor was actually designed around the placement of three large saltwater tanks installed in the building. These aquariums house a selection of fish as impressive and diverse as the over 2,000 products on their shelves. There’s even a section on their website showing what’s in each tank.
Education, be it about clown fish or Cannabis, is as important as the tides to High Seas. The store has their own guidebook for employees to get them acquainted with what Cannabis is, the various products and the departments that work together. Along with this, Moussalli said they try to keep their staff on a constant course of education. We have to shout out their new Hash Club program, which offers staff and existing clientele information on types of hash and ways to dab as well as highlights their heavily curated menu to the local dabbing community. Keeping it local is something Moussalli said they focus on through partnerships, which have created a monthly in-store yoga class as well as brought kombucha and cold brew on tap to receptions. The three partners know that these types of give-back programs are part of extending that unique experience beyond their walls.
“WE SELL CANNABIS BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT WE’RE GOOD AT, BUT WE WANT THIS TO BE A PLACE WHERE YOU COULD PUT ANY PRODUCT IN THE STORE AND SHOPPING WOULD BE THAT SAME UNIQUE, COMFORTABLE EXPERIENCE.”
With their handcrafted menu, specialized environment and style of staff training, it’s no wonder High Seas refers to its store as a Cannabis Boutique. “When we talk about High Seas, to us it’s a brand,” Moussalli said. “Cannabis is what we sell, but we always envisioned a retail store that could sell things by creating a feeling. We sell Cannabis because that’s what we’re good at, but we want this to be a place where you could put any product in the store and shopping would be that same unique, comfortable experience.”
HIGH SEAS COSTA MESA 1921 HARBOR BLVD. COSTA MESA, CA
@HIGHSEASOC | SHOPHIGHSEAS.COM
OPEN 8:00AM - 10:00PM DAILY
(424) SEA-WEED
KODY GRIFFIS
CALIFORNIA LEAF BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH
Kody Griffis was recommended by his teammates because of the way he strives to learn all aspects of the business and helps others on their road to education. In a popular tourist destination like Lake Tahoe, a budtender has to be ready for the various types of customers who walk through the door needing help on any given day. Kody told California that the job has helped build his confidence as a leader at work and head coach for the local high school football team.
“YOU CAN’T LEARN ANYTHING IF YOU AREN’T PUTTING YOURSELF OUT THERE.”
NOW IN a leadership role at Tahoe Green, Kody first walked into the store as a summer intern. Having grown up with one of the Tahoe Green owners as a family friend, he watched how they treated their employees like a family and how the employees were constantly presented with new and different scenarios in which they needed to connect with someone. Why did Kody want to work in a dispensary? “To get out of my shell and to practice being more outgoing and talkative around people,” he said. He spent the first summer helping out any way he could in every department and worked hard to prove himself to the team and the owners, and the next year he returned as a fulltime budtender.
In Tahoe Green, he found a place that would allow him to spend hours being required to interact and talk with all sorts of new people. After two years full time, he told Leaf that the experience has given him the skills to emerge from his shell and the confidence to feel comfortable as a leader at work and head coach for the local high school football team. Kody said both jobs are about saying the same things over and over again but broken down in a way that works for different people. “Not just repeating a script, but being an active listener and teacher,” he said.
All of the skills that budtending has given Kody are what he wants to eventually use to break off from the industry and coach high school football full time. His advice to new budtenders and new running backs is the same: “You can’t learn anything if you aren’t putting yourself out there. Be confused and ask questions, but also be confident that just because you don’t know the answer, that doesn’t mean people think less of you.”
We asked Kody about his favorite way to consume Cannabis. “I’m a really big fan of edibles, but it can be hard to time taking edibles. You can’t do it too late at night or you wake up groggy, or too early in the afternoon or you can get sleepy. Right now, Drops 250-milligram jellies made with rosin are really potent for me,” he said. “If I can’t take an edible, I usually prefer to smoke, and I’m more of a sativa smoker, so 7 Leaves Super Lemon Haze x Durban Biscotti has been perfect for me — and it looks so nice.”
CLEAR THE SMOKE
6 CONSCIOUS WAYS TO CULTIVATE FOCUS IN A NOISY WORLD
AS 2025 continues to unravel, we are seeing a lot of chaos swirling around us — politically, socially, cosmically — and it’s directly impacting our collective ability to feel grounded or simply maintain concentration. Whether it’s the constant ping of screens or the undercurrent of anxiety woven into daily life, many of us are seeking refuge in clarity. The good news: Nature is overflowing with solutions. Through holistic, herbal and intentional lifestyle practices, we can strengthen our concentration and invite mental stillness to return. Here are six tried-and-true, soul-centered ways to enhance your focus.
Cannabis for clarity
Not all Cannabis makes you cloudy. Some strains have been long respected by medical users and spiritual seekers for their ability to cut through mental fog and aiding in ADHD and anxiety management. In seeking Cannabis-inspired relief, lean toward cultivars with terpinolene, pinene and limonene to enhance alertness and creativity.
Mushroom allies
Unlocking cerebral superpowers
Our ancestors have long since known that functional mushrooms are master allies for nervous system regulation, brain health and cognitive clarity. Add fresh-picked mushrooms to meals for adaptogenic elevation.
#1 #2 #3
Rooted remedies
Herbal and nutritional brain boosters
TOP STRAINS FOR FOCUS
JACK HERER
A legendary strain named after the Cannabis activist, perfect for focus, euphoria and insight.
JACK’S CLEANER
Zesty, uplifting and laser-sharp in effect.
DURBAN POISON
A powerful landrace sativa known for a clearheaded buzz.
THE TRUE OG Surprisingly centering for its indica lineage, this pick offers peaceful focus without sedation.
Ayurvedic and naturopathic wisdom offer powerful, Earthgrown tools that support the body’s natural focus. Several of the best include ginkgo biloba, maca root, creatine, ashwagandha and Brahmi.
MUSHROOMS FOR HEALTH
LION’S MANE
The queen of neurogenesis, this mushroom promotes nerve growth and regenerates brain cells, improving memory and mental clarity.
CHAGA
Antioxidantrich, protective of brain cells, deeply grounding and immuneenhancing, chaga balances energy and reduces internal distractions.
REISHI
This “spirit mushroom” calms anxiety, allowing focus to root for serene concentration. Cordyceps: A natural energy booster that enhances oxygen intake and
HERBAL REMEDIES
GINKGO BILOBA
A classic herb known for increasing blood flow to the brain and improving alertness.
MACA ROOT: Enhances energy, hormonal balance and resilience to stress.
CREATINE
Not just for athletes, creatine boosts adenosine triphosphate energy in brain cells, improving short-term memory and logical thinking.
ASHWAGANDHA AND BRAHMI
Two sacred Ayurvedic herbs for nervous system regulation and sharper mental capacity.
FINDING YOUR FLOW
SLEEP DEEPLY
A well-rested mind is the key to productive focus. Achieve REM state, protect your circadian rhythm by limiting blue light at night and rise with the sun.
MOVE YOUR BODY
Just 20 minutes of cardio or grounding yoga can wake up your prefrontal cortex.
BREATHWORK
Alternate nostril breathing (Nadi Shodhana) or simple box breathing can regulate the nervous system and awaken your intellectual presence.
MEDITATION
Just 10 to 60 minutes of meditation upon waking and
INHALE AND EXHALE
PEPPERMINT
Invigorates the senses and improves concentration.
LEMON OR ROSEMARY
These are mental energizers.
VETIVER OR SANDALWOOD
Both are grounding and stabilizing.
FRANKINCENSE
It clears the air and mind.
Try diffusing or applying these for additional mental clarity.
HEAL AND HYDRATE
REDUCE SOCIAL MEDIA USE
#4 #5 #6
Flow state foundations
Rest, movement and breath
Conscious stillness is the path to meaningful focus.
Intentional aromatherapy
Inhale clarity
Essential oils are one of the quickest ways to shift mental and emotional states. These sacred plant scents affect the limbic system, bringing calm or alertness in seconds.
Detox and hydrate
Clarity doesn’t only come from life enhancements. It also comes from refining our daily practices, diet and habits.
In a world designed to distract you, choosing to focus is a revolutionary act, but we don’t have to do it alone. The Earth has given us everything we need, from Cannabis to mushrooms, herbs to water, breath to movement. You don’t have to be perfect. Just be present, and let the plants guide you. Let the noise fall away. Concentration is not about control — it’s about communion with your vibrant, liberated soul.
Research shows constant scrolling affects our theta brainwaves, dulling our ability to focus or access creativity.
LIMIT SCREENS
Reduce screen time, especially in the first and last hour of your day.
DITCH PROCESSED SUGARS AND DYES
These inflame the brain and disrupt mood regulation.
AVOID
MULTITASKING
It splits your energy and leaves fragments behind.
HYDRATION IS KEY
A well-hydrated body equals clarity. Drink mineral water steadily, add sea salt or chlorophyll and infuse gratitude into each sip.
WFresh off a win at the 2025 California Leaf Bowl in the Best Indoor Flower - Citrus category for their phenomenal Celestial Peak strain, the team at A Golden State is getting some well-deserved attention for their dedication to quality.
hile we would love to pontificate about Celestial Peak as it basks in the awards show afterglow, we’d prefer to shine a spotlight on another flavor in the AGS lineup: Palo Cedro. A cross between NorCal benchmark strain Tahoe OG and the more recent high watermark Permanent Marker, this gorgeous flower features a tight bud structure with bright orange pistils and twinkly trichomes set against a dappled light and dark green backdrop. It really is a stellar-looking flower.
When you crack the impossibly white AGS jar and peel back the freshness seal, brightly sweet citrus notes give way to earthy tones with a hint of pine aromatics. “Wow, you can tell that’s really good weed,” one of the people in our tasting circle commented.
On combustion, the front of the palate eschews the aromatic sweetness for the earthy tones, complemented by a little spice. The slightly confectionery notes come back on the finish, leaving a pleasant, relaxing effect that eases the tension in the shoulders. The Palo Cedro is smooth, well-finished flower, and it further proves that AGS deserves the accolades it continues to earn.
Keep an eye out for the NorCal cultivator’s minimalistic packaging design, and if you can, pick up both the Palo Cedro and the Celestial Peak for your collection. AGOLDENSTATE.COM
“THIS GORGEOUS FLOWER FEATURES A TIGHT BUD STRUCTURE WITH BRIGHT ORANGE PISTILS AND TWINKLY TRICHOMES SET AGAINST A DAPPLED LIGHT AND DARK GREEN BACKDROP.”
When it comes to smoking hash, we've come a long way from butter knives on the stove. Those blackened paddles were once a mainstay. And while smoking devices continually evolve, arguably, the dab tool has stayed closer to the world of craft. Here are some of the ways people are putting their unique spin on this essential yet classic object.
True dream-makers, these German crafters launched in 2021 with a goal to tailor custom dab tools to match the headiest pieces popping up in private collections. I personally have a magnetic Apex Ancillary tool from DMK with the disembodied heads from “Spirited Away.” dmk710.com @dmk_710 Allow 7-14 business days for shipping.
Made in limited batches of 10, these highly prized tools from glass legends Mothership are finally out to the public. Made from stainless steel and with some serious heft, they look like a Space Age communicator. @mothership_glass | MothershipGlass.com
the terpshank
These handcrafted, stainless steel tools are modeled off of a hand-forged cheese knife. Their creator, Bubba, told Leaf Magazine, “I really liked the aesthetic of the shaping and instantly knew I wanted to turn it around.” These are the luxury vehicles of the hash community. @bubbasface - Watch Instagram for new drops, or catch him in person at trade shows
cellini & co. canablades
Handcrafted in the Bay Area, Cellini & Company are the Ollivanders of dab tools. Started in 2018, Cellini himself produces each one in his workshop, matching the perfect combinations of shaped wooden handles, brass fittings and stainless steel tips. celliniandco.com @cellini_co
These are miniature versions of classic weapons from around the world. We asked him what was the craziest recreation he’s ever made. “I’d have to say the Dragon Spear,” he answered. “It’s a solid, hand-carved piece of gold-dyed curly maple with a tanzanite eye, custom-fitted to a 7,500-year-old black bog oak staff.” @canablades @canatools DM for purchase.
snuff glass
A favorite with photographers, Snuff attributes this reputation to focusing on how a tool looks from a macro level as well as in your hand. “I use my eye for detail to create something that contains visually pleasing subtle nuances,” they told the Leaf. @snuffglass | Watch Instagram for new drops.
John Cretella’s stainless steel Daburai katanas, first created in 2013, are collector's items for longtime and old school hash heads. Each piece features custom details like handles or scabbards inlaid with gems and precious stones. @the_daburai | Big Al's in Berkeley, CA often has a small selection, but you can order directly through the artist on FB or IG.
Dunkin’ Dabbers
Made in sunny San Diego, these dab tools have acrylic block handles that contain everything from copper leaf to shredded cash. You might have seen his work with 710 Labs releasing dab tools in their colorful box pattern. dunkindabbers.com @dunkinmedz | Releases 4-5 drops/week on IG.
Antoine Pochon Knives
Arguably the most popular dab tool I’ve seen in Europe, these feature titanium, stainless and Damascus-patterned steel with handles of exotic wood and mammoth ivory. Antoine said he was inspired to create more than the sword style he kept always seeing online.
@antoine_pochon_knives
Contact via DM for purchase
tenacious tools
Each Tenacious Tools collection showcases a different way of opening like an actual blade. Their maker told Leaf that each style draws a lot of inspiration from his experiences collecting and studying custom, high-end knives. @tenacious_tools | Watch Instagram for drops.
HYDROCARBON
BUDDERS AND BADDERS, sauces and shatter, diamonds and dots: These are the classic, time-honored concentrates that brought many of us to where we are today. Whether you’re buying resin now or you used to handle slabs, these are super popular and quality forms of concentrate that often strike less of a dent in the wallet while dealing out dabs that will take your breath away. By using solvents like propane and butane to separate terpenes and cannabinoids from plant material, you can produce live and cured resins in a wide variety of forms, including diamonds, batter, sugar, shatter, sauces, budders and wax.
-Matt Jackson @actionmattjackson
Buddies “Blueberry Cupcake” Diamonds and Sauce Live Resin
Opening a jar feels like cracking an oven full of freshly baked muffins, with bright bursts of blueberry and creamy, gassy baked dough that turn on our palate and send our tummies grumbling. The live resin terps and diamonds melt into a golden oil before sending a rush of warm, sugary, fruity, gassy cake that bakes the mind and melts the body in a chillaxed, ready-for-treats buzz.
@buddiesbrandofficial | 85.39% THC 2.73% Terpenes
“Runtz” THCA Micro Diamonds
Microcrystals of THCA diamonds look like glistening fluff inside a jar, beckoning with the nearly pure THC that’s waiting to be melted and activated in a heady smack of Runtz. The crystals have a gentle scent of Z terps with a light gas that comes alive with a dab. As the crystals melt, a rush of fizzy lemon and lime coats the palate before a huge smack of effects crushes the senses in a high-THC high that's ready for the couch, entertainment and snacks. @golddropca Golddropco.com 86.7% THC
Goldrop
“Pina Acai” Diamond Badder
If you love Pina Coladas and dancing to ’80s synthwave remixes as much as we do, you’ll love the buzz that comes with this uplifting and potent diamond badder. Opening the jar reveals a skunky, rubber funk that hits the senses first before a gentle wave of coconuts and tropical floral notes rushes over you in a complex flavor profile that’s as delicious as a well-made cocktail. The first inhales are bold and thick with coconut gas, and an extremely smooth exhale brings on a rush of frontal lobe melting, slowing time and the senses, as the mind tells the body that it’s 4:20 — no matter what time it is.
@golddropca | 78.3% THC
Errl Hill
“Kosher Starfighter” Living Soil Live Resin
The deep classic notes of Kosher Kush dance with the bright hazy citrus of the Starfighter to create a fizzy and fresh live resin that’s ready to fly. The first notes are bright and funky, with classic haze and deep kush mingling for a captivating high that dulls the senses while placing the mind in the moment for old-school giggles and a chillaxed, fun-in-the-sun buzz.
@errlhill
Buddies “Lemon Cherry Pop” Crumble
Deep and rich notes of lemony gas ooze out of this golden crumble that smells like summer, with an icy cherry finish that teases the senses as a glob is loaded. The crumble melts into a smooth vapor, rushing warming and euphoric effects to the mind as cherry and lemon gas tingles the senses that are ready for a sunny day popsicle treat.
@buddiesbrandofficial 78.23% THC, 4.8% Terpenes
Sluggers “Euphoria” Live Sauce
Golden glimpses of rainbow terps with bright floral and fruity notes of vanilla gas, warming cook ies, lemon and ginger captivate the senses in a flavor profile truly worthy of the name Eupho ria. The first inhales are creamy and tingle with a terpy, sherbet-like rainbow. Heady and euphoric effects send the mind and body floating into the clouds in a halo-worthy buzz. This is definitely a winner from the powerhouse brand out of Sacramento. @sluggersworldwide | 72% THC
1654 W CARSON ST. TORRANCE, CA
A blanket in my trunk, always ready for impromptu picnics or stargazing. The perfect playlist is always queued. I’ve got a Google Maps list of the best spots to catch the sunset. My doobie rolling essentials are all there: king-size papers, filters, and a trusty grinder. I keep back-up chapstick, just in case. And Liquid I.V.—for when the heat hits hard and hydration is a must.
SPF is non-negotiable—I don’t leave the house without it. Same goes for a beverage: my Stanley full of ice water, a matcha, or something fruity and blended.What’s in my bag? The full survival kit. Lighter (obviously), prerolls if I’m with friends, and my pen for movie nights or stealthy road trips. Gotta stay hydrated, protected, and prepared.
I keep snacks in the car for any munchies, dried mango and beef jerky are my go-to. I’ve always got a gallon of water on hand to stay hydrated, especially on hot days. Can’t go without my king-size cones, lighter, grinder, and some sativa. I love a good beach walk at sunset, soaking up vitamin D, blazed and relaxed.
GOT MUNCHIES?
OUR CREW’S FAVORITE EATS, SIPS, AND SNACK STASHES
STASH
DRIED MANGO
BEEF JERKY
WATER
SOUR CANDY
SPICY CHIPS
TRAIL MIX
PICKLES
FRUIT SNACKS
COLD GRAPES
STRING CHEESE
CHERRIES
SHAVED ICE
Roger Avila NEIGHBORHOOD BITES
CHECK OUT THE OGC SUMMER PLAYLIST!
BEARD PAPA’S
SUNRIGHT TEA STUDIO
GARCIA MEXICAN GRILL
WANNA CHILL
SALT & STRAW
CREAMY BOYS
Jennifer Androwski
solventless
HASH HAS SO MANY FORMS, it’s almost mind-boggling. Nowadays, we’re seeing futuristic advancements like rosin aerosol spray, but there’s still plenty of excitement over current work with classic techniques like cured water hash or dry sift. Still, the most popular form you’ll see in stores is cold cure rosin. Solventless extracts take a lot of time and practice to craft, both from the farmer and the hashmaker. Besides needing to find and secure the most suitable material, hashmakers must also work with the washing, curing and pressing process to create a product that will wow hash heads’ demanding palates.
-Matt Jackson @actionmattjackson
Ay Papi & Mattole Valley Sungrown
“Purple Papaya” 6-star
Full-Melt Ice Water Hash
Purple Papaya is a strain that makes you want to eat it the second you crack the jar. Ripe tropical fruit candy notes abound in this supple, succulent treat from the collab between Ay Papi and Mattole Valley Sungrown. Smooth and sweet, this delight is perfect for a summer sesh. Oh, did we mention that this won the 2025 California Leaf Bowl Award for Best Full Melt? @aypapico @mattolevalleysungrown @officialgreennetwork
Review by Tom Bowers @megabombtom
Heritage Hash Co.
“Garlic of OZ” Live Bubble Hash
One of the most consistently stellar hash producers we know of, Heritage Hash Company continues to push out heat in their Mendocino home, under the watchful eye and skillful care of hashmaker Cherry Blossom Belle. A master in making solventless ice water hash, Belle’s Bubble Hash is some of the meltiest, most delicately delectable and dabbable drip out there. The Garlic of OZ offers notes of candy gas and hints of spicy funk, and it would round out the head stash in any freezer.
@heritagehash.co
Review by Tom Bowers @megabombtom
“Black Maple” Live Rosin Beautifully golden and dripping in terps, this rosin delights with a doughy, maple gas. Syrupy berries melt into an earthy, kushy, maple bar vapor, igniting the mind and sending a wave of euphoric, munchie-inducing madness that’s ready for morning adventures to the donut counter. @frshprss710
Review by Wes Abney @beardedlorax
“Papaya Burger” Live Rosin Loud, funky notes of fermented and gluey papaya burst out of the jar like a spilled glass of juice, overwhelming the senses as raw banana burgers add depth to a complex flavor profile. Sweet and raw funk together are the new hotness, and the Papaya Burger comes supersized with loud terps that enhance in a low-temp dab, sending waves of creamy banana and fuel funk with each breath. Effects hit like a backyard barbecue, with a warming euphoria that builds from the chest and wraps the mind and body in a warm, weedy hug. @frshprss710
Review by Wes Abney @beardedlorax
Sluggers “Rainbow Road” Rosin
We’ve had our share of Sluggers rosin-infused prerolls, and Rainbow Road has always been one of our favorites in that line. So, when we saw that the Sacramento-based brand offered the Rainbow Road Rosin in a jar, we had to check it out. Fruity and slightly creamy, this vibrant dab might have you seeing flying turtle shells, eating turbocharged mushrooms and hollering “woo-hoo.” @sluggersworldwide
Review by Tom Bowers @megabombtom
Fresh Press
MAKE GROWING EASY AGAIN
BEEN
SIMPLIFY YOUR GROW BY SWITCHING TO A GRANULAR FERTILIZER THAT HAS BEEN SPECIALY FORMULATED FOR CANNABIS. IT’S AS SIMPLE AS MIXING IN WITH SOIL OR COCO THEN IT’S WATER ONLY AFTER THAT.
CUT COSTS REDUCE ERRORS INCREASE QUALITY AND YIELD MOST AFFORDABLE FERTILIZER AT SCALE
SOLVENTLESS
Frenchy Cannoli & Ali Jamalian Marble Temple Ball
This one might not be commercially available, but we couldn’t help but write about it. The art of crafting temple balls is something of a waning practice in the U.S. hash community, as newer product categories and fresher methods of production and consumption continue to take precedence on the trend line. While gathering samples for this edition, we spent some time with Ali Jamalian, owner of Sunset Connect in San Francisco and friend to the late, great Frenchy Cannoli. A lover of classic hash styles, Jamalian dug into his freezer and sliced off a legacy marble temple ball for us to enjoy. “The outer shell is aged Frenchy Temple Ball, crafted with Frenchy Cannoli before his passing,” Jamalian describes. “Beneath it lies rich, resinous Moroccan hash wrapped around a golden core of Lebanese 0-0 full melt. Notes of pine and burnt sugar lead into a clean, expansive high. Full plant, full body, full soul. This isn’t just hash. It’s history, technique and terroir, hand-rolled into a single, unforgettable sphere.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. @sunsetconnect
Ay Papi & Huckleberry Hill Farms
“Ridgeline Rose” Rosin
What do you get when you cross two landmark award-winning strains and put them in the highly capable hands of the hashmakers at Ay Papi and My Green Network? You get this intensely scrumptious morsel of a dab. The Ridgeline Rose is a cross between Ridgeline’s own amazing Lantz strain and Huckleberry Hill’s famed Whitethorn Rose strain. The resulting rosin offers some of the citrus candy top notes of the Whitethorn Rose along with some of the earthier tones of the Lantz. No wonder this one took home the Best Rosin trophy at the 2025 California Leaf Bowl Awards in June. @aypapico | @ridgelinefarms1 @huckleberryhillfarms_wtr
CGO Hash Hole Infused Hand Rolls
One of the OGs of the NorCal joint-rolling scene, CGO has made a name for himself as a widely recognized advocate of the hash hole. The founder and organizer behind California’s annual Hash Hole Island party in late spring and National Hash Hole Day each year on November 30, CGO is a household name when it comes to rolls. His recently launched retail line pairs flower from producers such as Wizard Trees and Blueprint with top-tier hashmakers, including Mountain Man Melts and Kalya. They were all on the money, so it was hard to pick a favorite, but the pairing of Blueprint’s P90 Gasman and Mountain Man Melts’ Sherbcake rosin packed a whale of
hash holes
THE TREND has taken over and become not just an evolution of the past but a product of the future. Not just the hash snakes we used to see Europeans put into their spiffs, now we take big juicy slugs of rosin and slap them onto a weed tortilla and roll up burrito bombers. That unmistakable donut shape made when the rosin melts is not just fun to watch, but how centered the circle is often indicates the mark of how masterfully it was rolled.
-Matt Jackson @actionmattjackson
Sluggers
“The Ace” Euphoria x Hurricane SZN
Considering Natura’s Josh Schmidt was one of the masterminds behind the popularization of the donut/hash hole trend, it makes sense that their Sluggers brand would have a killer hash hole offering. Dubbed The Ace, this whopping 2-gram hash hole comes packaged like a cigar, and it holds its ash like a wellrolled stogie as well. Sweet candy terps along with hard-hitting effects make this one a great smoke at the end of a marathon meal. @sluggersworldwide
Bruno Rolls “Lemonfeen x Orange 76”
If you’ve been to a Cannabis event in the past few years, you’ve probably seen him: the dapper tuxedoed chap in the black food handler’s gloves rolling stellar glass-tipped joints and hash holes for the crowd. That’s Bruno, and now, you don’t have to be in the know about the parties to get in on his mastery. Bruno Rolls infused joints pair stellar flower with top-notch hash. We loved the pairing of Blueprint Lemonfeen flower with HHCO’s Orange 76 rosin. Zesty! @itsbrunobars
ANDREW BEES • JUBBA WHITE • TRISTON PALMA & CARLTON LIVINGSTON FT KAYLAN ARNOLD • BLVK H3RO • CHI CHING CHING
TARRUS
JULIAN MARLEY • AFRO B • I-OCTANE • TURBULENCE
MD ot R • HEMPRESS SATIVA • LOS RAKAS • LAHREL • SMALL AXE • KANAKAMON & THE BLAK SOIL BAND & THE UPRISINGS
THIRD WORLD • T.O.K • ROMAIN VIRGO • BUGLE
CHRISTOPHER ELLIS • SARA LUGO • CULTURE FT. KENYATTA HILL
SOUL SKA FT. ANGELO MOORE OF FISHBONE
cartridges all-in-ones
FOR A LONG TIME, purists regarded the vape community as newcomers who just hadn’t quite committed to being a Cannabis enthusiast. Now, even the hash community has seen how big of a community of people prefer a cartridge experience, and a boom of solventless options is now side-by-side with the classic live resin and botanical terpene options. Discreet, flavorful and effective, these are the easiest ways to take a hit on the go or in a lessthan-traditional smoking spot.
Holy Water & Casa Flor “Aqua Fresca” All-In-One Award-winning Bay Area extractors Holy Water and the family-owned cultivation team at Casa Flor team up on this stainedglass-looking mini all-in-one. The side button turns it on or off and toggles between three heat settings, but you just need to inhale to take a hit. Live resin from fresh frozen material, the flavor here was Agua Fresca, a sweet yet earthy strain that combines Tresh Leches (Koolato x Cookies and Cream) with Flight 23 (Sugar Skullz x Cookies and Cream).
@holywater710 | @casaflorfamily
Review by Matt Jackson @actionmattjackson
Goldrop Liquid Diamond Sauce
Hurricane Haze, Mendo Breath and
Blueberry Fritter All-in-ones
that delights the palate before sending an uplifting cerebral kiss of happy energy and relaxed muscles that prepare the mind and body for fun in the sun. @buddiesbrandofficial 74.28% THC, 8.5% Terpenes
Review by Wes Abney @beardedlorax
Explore the benefits of Cannabis and terpenes with this high caryophyllene concentrate that’s tucked into a super fresh disposable that’s see-through, reflective and ultramodern while still giving a window into the golden liquid diamond sauce within. The first inhales are bright and breathy with a gentle breeze of lemons, flower petals and an earthy, gassy tang on the exhale that sends a soothing rush of relaxation to the mind and body. This one has 10.2% terpenes and lots of caryophyllene, which is also found in black pepper and cloves and
is known for providing pain and stress relief, its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to help people seeking to end alcohol use. The potent liquid diamonds power Goldrop’s full lineup of disposables with beneficial terpenes, including their high terpinolene Hurricane Haze that’s full of energetic hazy euphoria, the high linalool Blueberry Fritter that’s ready for relaxation and the classic Green Crack, whose high pinene is ready to lock in on work or play. With intentional terpenes and delicious liquid diamond sauce, these disposables are worth collecting in every color and flavor. @golddropca 69.9% THC | 10.2% Terpenes
Review by Wes Abney @beardedlorax
Juice Bar by Cold Fire
“Banana Dump Truck” Resin Juice
Grab an adult juice box that’s ready to transform an afternoon with bright golden resin juice. The first sips of this cart from the award-winning lab at Cold Fire are creamy and full of melted, gassy bananas that wash into a funky, tropical, fruity haze that captivates the senses, slowing time and enhancing sounds as a chillaxed island time sensation takes over the mind and body. @officialcoldfirejuice
Review by Wes Abney @beardedlorax
Cold Fire “Donny Banana” Live Resin
There are smells in life that send a memory sensation right to the mind, which is called olfactory memory or the Proust effect, and this yummy vapor sends our minds right to an Orange Julius and the smell of bananas and fruit in the air, with a childlike buzz that’s truly wonderful. The Donny Banana inhales with creamy banana terps that are surreal in flavor accuracy and instantly gassed up by the GMO roots of the Donny Burger, which adds complexity and sour funk to the sweetness. With an uplifting, silly and heady high, the mind floats off with the body following dutifully in a euphoric haze for a happy daze. @officialcoldfirejuice | 75.6% THC
Review by Wes Abney @beardedlorax
Grown with love and living soil in the hills of Humboldt, Errl Hill’s family team delivers brilliant sun-grown terps in delicious, smooth live resin form. Strawberry Hashplant sends a wave of hashy sugared strawberries that wash over the palate with a hazy, creamy, gassy funk that is both creative and relaxing, preparing the mind for mind-melting adventures in the real woods or in Minecraft land.
eview by Wes Abney @beardedlorax
Jetty
“Strawberry Guava”
Solventless All-In-One
Small enough to fit in your fifth pocket but capable of producing big clouds, Jetty uses Ccell’s Mini Tank hardware with patented ceramic heating technology to create this buttonless, wholegram all-in-one set to 3.4 V. The Strawberry Guava has a light flavor that reflects both fruits playing back and forth rather than creating a mixture. This hardware also did quite well holding an even temperature over multiple draws. @jettyextracts
Review by Matt Jackson @actionmattjackson
cartridge. Bred by Archive Seed Bank, Crossbow brings together Moonbow 75 and Planet Purple F2 to create a version that was tailored for resin production. Grown by the caring hands at Ember Valley up in Shasta County, Buddies has stewarded in a cartridge with bright, punchy terps and a serious lung buster for hits. As always, we recommend lower temps and more hits.
@buddiesbrandofficial
Review by Matt Jackson @actionmattjackson
WOMEN WHO WASH
GET TO KNOW THREE OF THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY’S HASHANISTAS
ATHENA SNOW
PHOTOS BY TONY SIMONELLI @SIMONELLITONY
Athena Snow cannonballed into the solventless scene with the kind of commitment that can’t be taught. Now, after years of a behindthe-scenes hustle that has not gone unnoticed by her fellow hash makers, she’s preparing to launch what may be Oregon’s only entirely woman-run, recreational hash brand, from seed selection to single-source solventless.
ORIGINALLY from Sacramento, Athena landed in Talent, Oregon, six years ago with her wife, Becca, who now works full time at BonaFide. She started washing hash at an indoor farm when she hopped on the opportunity to head their new solventless lab. Hungry to learn and eager for opportunity, Athena soaked up every resource she could find and leveled up with a hands-on intensive from legendary maker and consultant Nikka T. Her skills spoke loud and clear at the 2023 Smoking Jacket when a last-minute product mishap threatened her original entry, and a quick-thinking collaboration with BonaFide flower became one of the event’s standouts, gaining her further notoriety.
RAISED IN a conservative Christian household in Yakima and Arlington, Jayme was taught that Cannabis was strictly off-limits. But during her college years at Eastern Washington University — where she played women’s rugby — her world began to expand. “Cannabis became central to our postgame rituals,” she said. “It calmed the adrenaline, soothed our bodies and built community.”
As an athlete, she quickly discovered its deeper value: Cannabis helped her recover and gain strength. “I was never the bulkiest on the team, to my surprise the munchies effect became an unexpected ally for my weight gain goals.”
In those early days, Jayme began selling herb, earning trust as the approachable dealer and giving her access to bulk supply.
Her first swing at extraction was an experiment with the old-school hair-straightener method; she was captivated by the plant’s complexity. Discovering legends like Frenchy Cannoli and Dr. Raphael Mechoulam — revered as the Father of Cannabis Research — sparked a wave of passion.
As she gained more medicinal knowledge around the plant, a childhood Christian proverb echoed in her heart: “God’s provisions are the ultimate remedy for negative forces.” Jayme realized her path was her passion, and it was divinely aligned.
Jayme Arvidson -Bakker
Meet Jayme Arvidson-Bakker Kathman: Washington’s soulful washer, newlywed lesbian and proud hashanista rooted in the sacred science of solventless extraction.
“I call myself an organic chemist,” she said, smiling. “I work with the elements: earth, air, fire and water.”
If there is one thing she can say about women in this space, it is that, “Women share a deep connection with this feminine plant. We deserve a seat at the table and a voice that’s respected.”
Looking to the future, Athena will launch The Hash Coven by early 2026, and plans are already brewing. With her hopes to nurture educational events and community connection, this brand won’t just conjure up top-tier hash and rosin, but it will also provide a safe space for women in hash to grow together. @21ATHENA @THEHASHCOVEN
Jayme entered the legal market in 2017 as a budtender, and in 2019 began refining her extraction craft with Soulshine.
Today, she works at Royal Tree Gardens as their sole solventless extractor, mentored by the gifted Aaron Munday (@rosin_hashelhoff).
This season, look for her Trop Cherry and Biscotti Chunk Rosin by Royal Tree Gardens on shelves now — crafted with love, integrity and OG soul. @JBWOLF12 @ROYALTREEGARDENS_SOLVENTLESS
OREGON
The modern world of hash stands on the shoulders of tradition while forging ahead into the future. Few people working in the medium today understand that better than Cherry Blossom Belle.
As the educated mind and skilled hands behind the solventless ice water hash and aged, pressed hashish program at Heritage Hash Company in Mendocino, she spends her days keeping traditions alive.
Belle first knew she wanted to learn to make hash as a teenager, but it wasn’t until later in life, when she met legendary hashishin Frenchy Cannoli, that she found her true calling.
Frenchy taught her the ways of washing, pressing and aging hash, skills that she would utilize to create the amazing flavors coming out of the Heritage hash lab.
Frenchy also taught Belle the ways of the hookah. The more seasoned heads will remember when Frenchy would light up his hookah at gatherings, regaling people with stories and charming people with his disarming smile and magnetic charisma.
Today, Belle keeps that tradition alive alongside the hash-making techniques Frenchy taught her.
cherry blossom
belle
Recently, at the 2025 California Leaf Bowl, she brought her hookah along with some traditional hash to share with the LEAF team. She took the time to light the coals and showed off the treat she was about to share.
“I packed this mini Quasar bowl,” she said, holding it out in her hand. “It has Heady OG flower, and it has Peach Panther pressed bubble hash.”
With a beaming grin on her face, she handed the hookah mouthpieces to the people gathered around the table and watched with pride as this moment of communal experience was shared among the group.
Like so many shared moments in the Cannabis community, it’s a snapshot in time none of us will soon forget.
That’s all thanks to Cherry Blossom Belle. She who makes the hash. She who keeps the coals of tradition lit for the rest of us.
@CHERRYBLOSSOM_BELLE | @HERITAGEHASH.CO
california
PHOTO BY GRACE HWANG @CWITHGPRO
MINI QUASAR BOWL PACKED WITH PEACH PANTHER PRESSED BUBBLE HASH.
tiered and true
EXPLORING TIER LEVELS FOR HASH AMONG RECREATIONAL BRANDS
Our modern golden age for hash comes with more layers than ever before, especially “tier systems” that offer different hash at different price points. Sometimes a tier reflects hash quality, while other times it reflects rarity or input costs. Let’s dive into the current tier systems.
TIERS ARE ABOUT QUALITY
Old-school hash has long had a one-star to six-star system, with six-star being the most melty, tasty, pure form of hashish. At places like Cannabiotix or Punch Extracts, tiers map to the quality of the hash inputs and outputs.
For Punch, it’s the difference between big, outdoor farms harvested with machines (Tier 4) and small, indoor flower harvested by hand (Tier 1).
Los Angeles flower leader Cannabiotix began releasing cold cure live rosin in two tiers six months ago. Chief Marketing and Brand Officer Jay Vasquez said Tier 1 Cannabiotix live rosin sells to hash aficionados who want the purity of the best hash, which is filtered at 90 to 120 microns.
By contrast, first-timers buy Cannabiotix’s more affordable Tier 2 live rosin, which comes from suboptimal 70- to 90-micron hash and may contain minor traces of plant matter. “All that affects, taste, flavor and smokeability,” Vasquez said.
TIERS ARE ALSO ABOUT RARITY
Cannabis and hash quality is batch-specific.
Brands need to make a profit on super-rare, lowyielding stuff that’s fire, 710 Labs co-founder Ian Skelly told California Leaf.
“Some of the phenos we find will be this tiny, spindly plant covered in trichomes that only grows to a foot tall. It has smells and flavors that we are so excited about, but the only way to make it make sense is this tiered system,” Skelly said.
710 Labs has their grows dialed into Tiers 1 and 2, with some modifiers like Close Friends, Persy and Live Rosin. Tier 1 Close Friends is their craziest, lowestyielding, most exotic and flavorful stuff in custom, numbered packages. On the other end, Tier 2 Live Rosin might be stuff that ranks 8 points out of 10 in the drying room and dumps a lot of hash.
Tiering reflects the interplay between strain rarity, yield and quality at award-winning California brand Have Hash. Owner Jacob Stockwell said Have Hash’s Tier 3 can be super-bomb — they just have a lot of it (like a GMO, for example). Tier 1 might be extra-exotic strains that are a pain in the ass to wash, so they cost more. “The hash itself is so variable. That’s what really pushes the tier system. It comes down to quality, yield and accessibility of the strain,” Stockwell said.
HASH BRAND TIER SYSTEMS IN THEIR OWN WORDS
710 LABS
Close Friends: The very rare batches of hash that exceed our Tier 1 Persy classification. A super small-batch offering featuring limited artwork and numbered 2-gram jars. This offering drops every few months.
Tier 1 Persy: Product we keep for our own personal stash. The best of the best.
Tier 2 Live Rosin: Staples from our genetic library with consistent flavor and quality.
HAVE HASH
Headstash: Unmatched quality control, low producing exotic cultivars and unique flavors.
Private Reserve: Ideal quality control with better producing, unique, and above-average cultivars.
Value: High-yielding, more accessible cultivars. Sometimes a third wash of Private Reserve and Headstash Live Rosin.
PUNCH EXTRACTS
Tier 1: Indoor or greenhouse, hand-harvested, optimal flavor and aroma.
Tier 2: Greenhouse or light-deprivation, hand-harvested, great flavor.
Tier 3: Sun-grown or light-deprivation, mechanical harvest, great flavor.
Tier 4: Commercial sun-grown, mechanically harvested, good flavor.
ROSIN TECH LABS
RTL Black: An award-winning, collaborative, small-batch line of premier solventless extracts.
RTL Green: Price-friendly solventless extracts sourced from materials from our more prevalent cultivars in bulk quantities.
CANNABIOTIX
Top tier: First wash, limited, small batch (90-120 microns) cold cure live rosin.
Second tier: A fair-priced, full-spectrum, heady rosin experience.
PAPAYA
HAVE HASH SANGRIA TIER 1
LA POP ROCKS TIER 2
Jred
In the quiet Pacific Northwest summers, long before the name "Jred" meant anything in the glass world, it started like so many good stories: with a spark of curiosity and a friend who didn’t like being watched.
JARED "JRED" BETTY’S entry into glassblowing wasn’t through formal training or some prestigious art school. It began with admiration. His friend was making some of the coolest bubblers and pipes he’d ever seen. Jred started buying pieces to resell them, but something deeper was brewing. Watching glass take shape, even in glimpses, made something click. “I could do that,” he thought. And when his friend, who trained under Bob Badtram, finally let him watch a small part of the process, it was enough. The seed was planted, and from there, it was hustle and heat. Alongside a close friend, now known as Fresh Pyrex Glass, Jred took the plunge. The two split the cost of their first oxygen and propane tanks and got their hands on a pair of first-run GTT torches. They set up a hot shop behind Fresh’s grandfather’s house. The summer of ’97 was full of melted glass and magic.
Bears Dancing
Fuego y Hielo Jred x Brian Jacobson
Flower Tube
WHAT SETS JRED APART is an obsessive commitment to perfect form and technical challenge.
From classic bongs and pipes to intricate recyclers and filla work, he constantly pushes to refine difficult techniques rather than chase trends.
“I’m really just trying to challenge myself,” he said. “If it’s hard, I want to try it. I want my patterns clean, my shapes proper. That’s what inspires me.” His pieces aren’t just beautiful; they work beautifully. That balance has earned him a loyal following of collectors and smokers who respect both craftsmanship and performance.
One of Jred’s most recognized contributions to the glass world came from experimentation.
At the time, he was working on a tech recycler and had an idea for a new percolator design. Midbuild, it struck him: That same concept might work for a quartz nail. He built it, fired it up and tested it, finding it worked better than expected. The Diamond Knot was born.
Its efficient heat retention and vaporization mechanics made it a game-changer for hash oil users. It quickly took off, and not just because it looked cool. It performed like nothing else at the time. A happy accident turned into a lasting legacy.
Soon after came the Diamond Loop, a recycler design incorporated into a quartz bucket with Diamond Knot diffusion.
Today, Jred lives in Stanwood, Washington, with his family. The complex is a slice of heaven where the kids can be kids, play in the pond, skate the ramp, ride the trails or just enjoy the sunset that sits in the shadows of the legendary Pilchuck Glass School. This is truly a dream location, nestled in an area known for its rich glass culture and creative energy. Whether he’s traveling or enjoying the beautiful PNW, Jred stays at the torch, building the kind of work that doesn’t need a loud introduction — it speaks for itself.
JREDGLASS.COM | @JREDGLASS | INFO@JREDGLASS.COM
Diamond Loop Diamond Knot
Flower Tube Close-Up
REX HILSINGER @BOROPHOTO
Rainbows to Enlightenment
DrBaph DrBaph
Exploring the carefully curated creations of this month's cover artist
Hailing from the seaside town of Brighton, United Kingdom, is creative coder, 3D artist and developer DrBaph. They studied computer science at Middlesex University before moving on to Northbrook College and University of Brighton, where they achieved a level 5 certification (foundation degree) in illustration followed by a level 6 certification (bachelor’s degree with honors) in illustration. During that time and in the nearly ten years following their graduation, DrBaph has created everything from intricate hash rosin renderings to 3D models of abstract art and architecture.
SUCCESSFULLY MERGING the natural beauty of Cannabis extracts with the combined intelligence of humans and machines takes time and practice. Using rough sketches that evolve to a liquid simulation engine, they are able to “mimic the natural flow of rosin.”
Upon first looking at a piece of their art, you wouldn’t be able to tell if it was hand-sculpted using hash rosin or digitally produced. Dancing on that line is something DrBaph has perfected, creating limitless potential for their art.
You may have seen some of their creations for companies in the Cannabis space, including Puffco’s Puffcon
Block Party, Glob Mops, Terp Burps and many more. Attention to detail is one of DrBaph’s main mantras, working layer by layer on their art to create depth, lighting and movement intricacies that exist in hash rosin. Whether they are whipping up a psychedelic piece of hash art (like the cover of this magazine) or creating something fun (like a buttery rosin jam loaded waffle), it’s easy to see why people on social media around the world have flocked to this artist.
Art is meant to stimulate thought and reflection and push the boundaries of what we can create. Inspiration can be drawn from a number of sources, but
"Taking something we are so familiar with, rosin, and showing it to us in an unfamiliar way is just the kind of stimulation DrBaph is generating with these pieces."
discovering a new form of art is a sure way to light that creative fire. Taking something we are so familiar with, rosin, and showing it to us in an unfamiliar way is just the kind of stimulation DrBaph is generating with these pieces. Whether you create art for yourself or to share with the world, just the act of creating something can take away the stresses of daily life. Thank you to DrBaph for lighting a fire in our minds and inspiring artists around the world! DRBAPH.COM
