Good morning, seed junkies and bean basement dwellers. This week, we’re reporting live from Lonikai on the east side of Oahau, Hawaii; smoking on some Hella Jelly, and Dosi-Tree. Cannabis contest season is heating up, and the seed releases keep coming as planting gets underway in North America. Here’s Leafly’s first edition of Strain News Weekly—like Politico’s Playbook, but for genetics professionals and aspiring amateurs.
Top strain news
Hippie Hill 2022. Several thousand are expected this year. (David Downs/Leafly)
And LA’s hottest exotic cannabis contest—Greenwolf’sZalympix—recently announced its official contestant lineup. That’s the best of California right there. Judges’ kits will drop in May.
Chris Lynch, formerly of Compound Genetics, opens up to Forbes about having Parkinson’s Disease.
“Breeders who Lynch looks up to in cannabis include Bodhi, Cannarado, Karma Genetics, Cricket and Cicada, Obsoul33t, Jigga, Deo Farms, Coastal Seeds, and Top Dawg.”
“Look for seeds of Red Lebanese x The Puck Hashplant BC1 F2 incorporated into the fold of Lynch’s prized creations in the coming years.”
The world’s best cannabis seeds and clones to grow in 2023
Quote of the Day
“Originality consists in returning to the origin.”
Antoni Gaudi
What is Leafly Strain News Weekly?
Leafly Strain News Weekly scouts the headwaters of the US’ $60 billion cannabis industry: the breeders and new strains. It’s like Politico Pro, but for cultivars. So way cooler. Send strain news to david.downs@leafly.com.
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Did you know Leafly reviewers consistently report some strains are more arousing than others?
It’s true—certain cultivars of cannabis regularly rev the engines of consumers.
With Valentine’s Day chocolate already on shelves, Leafly wants you to experience this effect with “Love Buzz” an arousing flower release party Friday, February 7, at 7 Stars dispensary in Richmond, CA. from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
RSVP for free to the party using this form right now. It takes 10 seconds.
Folks who RSVP will receive an email to pre-order for pickup Pure Beauty’s new “XOXO” strain—a cross of Pink Guava x Blackberry x Champagne. Just 32 eighth-ounce jars will be available.
Pure Beauty’s new ‘XOXO’ strain is a cross of Pink Guava x Blackberry x Champagne. (Courtesy Pure Beauty)
Also, Pure Beauty’s certifiably arousing Spritzer will be available for pre-order (just 32 eighth-ounce jars will be available).
Spritzer lives up to its name, Leafly reviewers say. (Courtesy Pure Beauty)
Pre-orderers who come down, pay, and pick up will be invited to an event space next door to meet the brand, roll up, enjoy beats, treats, free merchandise, and an live interview led by Leafly’s Senior Editor David Downs to help you pregame for Valentine’s Day.
The Leafly team will be there with free swag for you, and a bunch of special surprises.
To be announced: more brands with arousing products, including chocolate, and even infused lube!
Dr. Greenthumb’s cultivates a new following in Santa Maria. O’ahu patients say aloha to the island’s tenth dispensary. And Louisiana’s new 10,000-square-foot superstore opens its doors in Lake Charles. Here are the new dispensaries openings across America this month.
Got a new shop? Put it on the map. Visit Leafly Success to advertise.
California
Dr. Greenthumb’s—Santa Maria, CA. Opened Dec. 7. Buying cannabis from a chain owned by a member of hip hop group Cypress Hill just feels right. Owned by rapper B Real, Dr. Greenthumb’s is a popular chain of cannabis dispensaries named for the group’s 1998 ode to cultivating chronic. Their newest location — the chain’s seventh to open in California — brings the familiar touch of expert budtenders and exceptional product to the good people of Orcutt. 1604 East Clark Ave, Ste 101, Santa Maria.
Red Falcon Yucca Valley Dispensary— Yucca Valley, CA. Opened Dec. 7. Residents of Yucca Valley had an additional reason to celebrate this holiday season with the debut of the area’s first legal cannabis dispensary. Run by the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, the shop is set to feature products made exclusively in-house within the Coachella Valley. With the opening of their Yucca Valley location, the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians is now overseeing three Red Falcon Dispensary stores in southern California. 54929 29 Palms Hwy, Yucca Valley.
Connecticut
(Courtesy Shangri-La)
Shangri-La—Norwalk, CT. Opened Nov. 26. You’ll have no trouble spotting the bold pink and purple paint marking Norwalk’s newest dispensary. Marking the third — and final — dispensary to be allowed to open in the city, Shangri-La features a “candy-colored drive-thru” and a retail space infused with a diverse inventory of cannabis products. The opening of Shangri-La will serve as the chain’s second Norwalk location, joining a previously opened store at 430 Main Ave. 75 Connecticut Avenue, Norwalk. shangriladispensaries.com/norwalk-shop/
Florida
Planet 13—Gulf Breeze, FL. Opened Dec. 18. Continuing their aggressive expansion into the Sunshine State, Planet 13 opened their 29th dispensary in Florida late last month. Located “within proximity of Pensacola’s iconic white sand beaches [and] historic downtown,” Planet 13’s Gulf Breeze location will serve the metro area’s growing medical cannabis community with conveniences that include express pick-up and drive-thru options. 2871 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze.
Hawaii
Cure Oahu—Kailua, HI. Opened Dec. 5. Qualified patients seeking medical cannabis in Kailua can now head to Cure O’ahu: the brand’s third store to open on the island so far. Marking O’ahu’s tenth dispensary to open to date, Cure O’ahu’s Kailua will carry forward with a mission to provide much-needed access to patients on the windward side of Oahu,” per Liam Gimon, Hawaii’s DOH Dispensary Licensing Supervisor. 70 Kihapai Street, Kailua.
Illinois
Beyond/Hello—Peoria, IL. Opened Dec. 13. Bid a welcome salutation to Beyond/Hello, Peoria’s fifth of sixth permitted dispensaries to open in the area. Making its debut just in time for the December holidays, Beyond/Hello is now overseeing five dispensaries across Illinois. Their Peoria location promises a LGBTQ+ friendly atmosphere, free parking, and a “wide range of cannabis products from nearly all IL grower processors and vendors.” 7620 IL-91 Suite A, Peoria.
Terrabis—Dixon, IL. Opened Dec. 21. Cannabis dispensary chain Terrabis continued its expansion into Illinois with the opening of its third store. Located in Dixon, the latest Terrabis location’s amenities include a customer loyalty program and a menu stocked with the best in local flower. Customers seeking additional cannabis products will find a hearty selection of pre-rolls, vape carts, edibles, and topicals available as well. 1679 S. Galena Ave., Dixon.
Louisiana
(Courtesy Good Day Farm)
Good Day Farm—Lake Charles, LA. Opened Dec. 4. A new era is dawning with the opening of Good Day Farm in Lake Charles, which is being billed as “[the] largest medical cannabis dispensary in the South.” Clocking in at a staggering 10,000 square feet, Good Day Farm is counting on a colossal footprint paired with a generous inventory that includes “award-winning gummies, premium flower, flavorful vapes and convenient, bestselling pre-rolls.” Qualified patients can make purchases in-store, by drive-thru, or via Good Day Farm’s discreet delivery service. 3005 L’Auberge Blvd, Lake Charles.
New Jersey
Herbs Premium—Somerset, NJ. Opened Dec. 9. Residents of Somerset welcomed a new “go-to destination for elevated cannabis experiences” with the opening of Herbs Premium. Conceived as “a shared dream among close-knit family friends,” Herbs Premium was conceived as “a space that feels more like a high-end retreat than a typical dispensary.” At Herb Premium, customers can take pleasure in speaking with experts who care, choosing between top-quality brands, and shopping at a store that supports the Somerset community through local initiatives. 757 Franklin Blvd, Somerset.
New York
Grass & Goodness— Schenectady, NY. Opened Nov. 30. Inspired by their own experiences overcoming personal struggles with the help of cannabis, Grass & Goodness is owned by a father-and-son team and staffed with trained cannabis experts. Grass & Goodness promises “a healthy dose of good vibes” and “the highest quality products from our local partners.” The shop’s offerings also include a dedicated community space that regularly plays host to educational events and yoga classes. 1650 Crane Street, Schenectady.
Domes Dispensary—Kingston, NY. Opened Nov. 30. You won’t find many dispensaries that can claim to look as cool as New York’s Domes Dispensary. Located off Route 28 near Woodstock, the Hudson Valley store consists of two connected geodesic domes. Beyond its gorgeous geometric design, Domes Dispensary sports a tantalizing menu of legal cannabis products that includes a variety of flower, tinctures, concentrates, and more. 268 Forest Hill Drive, Kingston.
Fireleaf—Brooklyn, NY. Opened Nov. 30. Trinidadian-American lawyer Vaughn Mayers saw a long saga draw to a joyful close with the opening of Fireleaf Dispensary in late November. Mayers has formerly faced legal troubles related to cannabis, making the long-awaited launch of his legal dispensary in Brooklyn, New York a true cause for jubilation. “It was a really hurtful thing, growing up in the streets of Brooklyn,” Mayers told a reporter from Caribbean Life at his store’s grand opening. “This is a reparative moment for me.” 2102 Ralph Avenue, Brooklyn.
Texas
Texas Original—The Woodlands, TX. Opened Dec. 9. Getting medical cannabis in Texas has gone from a surefire felony to a legal right, leaving the door wide open for qualified patients to finally enjoy consistent access to quality products. For those who reside in The Woodlands, the arrival of Texas Original is big news. Now open three days a week, the chain — currently the leading licensed medical cannabis dispensary service in Texas — hopes its newest location will make life easier for patients in the Houston area. 1500 Research Forest Dr, Ste 120, The Woodlands.
Did we miss any? Leave a comment with a new one.
Got a new shop? Get it on the map. Visit Leafly Success to advertise.
From the arrival of a New Jersey shop co-owned by a member of the Wu-Tang Clan to a dispensary located just minutes from San Francisco International Airport, here are the notable new dispensaries that opened in the past month.
Got a new shop? Put it on the map. Visit Leafly Success to advertise.
California
Embarc—San Bruno, CA. Opened Nov. 15. Travelers of San Francisco’s SFO Airport had early reason to give thanks with the opening of San Bruno’s first dispensary — located just minutes from the bustling international travel hub. In addition to its sublime convenience, the location means Embarc now has an impressive total of 16 dispensaries across California. 120 El Camino Real, San Bruno.
(Courtesy The Showcase)
The Showcase—Fairfield, CA. Opened Nov. 27. Located east of Vallejo, the Showcase provides Fairfield customers with a wide array of top-shelf cannabis products. Proving its name is no fluke, Showcase stocks premium flower, edibles, and more. They also offer a Compassionate Use Program in addition to a menu stocked with daily deals. 101 Grobic Ct, Fairfield.
Colorado
Winter-proof: The Buzz dispensary has a drive-through in Colorado. (Courtesy The Buzz)
The Buzz—Grand Junction, CO. Opened Nov. 9. The arrival of the Buzz makes a total of seven retail dispensaries now operating in Grand Junction, Colorado. Family-owned and operated, The Buzz — the chain’s fourth store to open thus far — boasts a menu of unique strains at “competitive prices” made even more convenient thanks to the store’s drive-through option. 1022 N 3rd St, Grand Junction.
Connecticut
Sweetspot Farms—Stamford, CT. Opened Nov. 11. Founded by two Stamford natives, Sweetspot Farms prides itself on its “community-focused values, local discounts, and a commitment to consumer education.” Sweetspot’s second location also features an “innovative digital bud bar” and “licensed pharmacists on staff and available to answer questions.” 111 High Ridge Rd, Stamford.
Illinois
Mystic Greenz—Belleville, IL. Opened Nov. 6. You can cross Belleville off the list of cities in Illinois without a cannabis dispensary. Since early last month, Mystic Greenz has saved locals the drive to Collinsville or Sauget by offering quality cannabis products in Belleville proper. The location is the fourth for Mystic Greenz and is run by store manager Tabitha Brinkman: a lifelong Belleville resident. 360 S. Green Mount Rd, Belleville.
Massachusetts
(Courtesy EMBR)
EMBR Cannabis—Springfield, MA. Opened Nov. 27. More than $2 million was invested to build Springfield, Massachusetts’ first dispensary fully constructed “from the ground up.” Now open for business, EMBR represents the final product of a reclamation project that saw a long-time vacant lot transformed into a new dispensary that is also set to feature new green space in the form of a forthcoming “pocket park.” 461 Boston Rd, Springfield.
Michigan
Mango Cannabis—Lansing, MI. Opened Oct. 21. Known for their chain of medical dispensaries in Oklahoma, family-run Mango Cannabis has expanded to Lansing, Michigan to open its first retail location. With a second store set to arrive in Waterford early next year, Mango Cannabis is landing with a splash in the form of a new, 4,000-square-foot “flagship superstore” that features “sleek design elements” and an “intentionally minimalist layout” intended to “showcase products as the focal point.” 5620 South Cedar St, Lansing.
Simply Loud—Detroit, MI. Opened Nov. 1. Detroit’s newest dispensary is proudly Black-owned and absolutely stocked. Visit Simply Loud and choose from hundreds of products, including “260 types of vape cartridges and disposables” and “150 kinds of infused prerolls” while enjoying an interior “unlike any other dispensary in metro Detroit” complete with “stylish Herman Miller furniture” and sculpture work from local artists. 216 E. Milwaukee Ave, Detroit.
New Jersey
Hashtoria—Newark, New Jersey. Opened Nov. 13. It was a true party at the grand opening for Newark’s newest dispensary, Hashtoria. That tends to happen when your shop is co-owned by Wu-Tang Clan’s Raekwon and Charlamagne Tha God, who both turned out to celebrate the debut of an adult-use cannabis retail space which is set to “evolve into a premier consumption lounge” early in the new year. For now, customers can enjoy loyalty rewards via the Hashtoria app and marvel at the physical space: the result of a collaboration with award-winning architect Rachael H. Grochowski. 799-805 Broad St, Newark.
Main Street—Highland Park, New Jersey. Opened Nov. 22. Main Street was created “with the intention of bringing a truly local feel to the cannabis business.” That makes sense considering the store’s owners include both second-generation and third-generation Highland Park residents. Providing an “upscale establishment” located in the suburbs of New Jersey, Main Street’s menu features a curated list of premium cannabis products available for purchase seven days a week. 311 Raritan Ave, Highland Park.
New York
Northern Lights—Canton, NY. Opened Nov. 14. Northern Lights is a family-owned and operated dispensary named for its location in northern New York. Serving residents of St. Lawrence County and the greater Canton area, Northern Lights offers a menu ripe with all the latest brands to hit the market. The dispensary’s current offerings include premium products from the likes of Camino, Jetty Extracts, and Rolling Green. 51 Main St, Canton.
Strain Stars—Riverhead, NY. Opened Nov. 29. Clocking in at an impressive 14,400-square-feet, Strain Stars’ new location in Riverhead marks the second store for the chain previously credited with opening Long Island’s first dispensary — in Farmingdale — last summer. Strain Stars also puts a big emphasis on local community, having recently donated $100,000 to Farmingdale State College to help establish a new endowment. And get ready to browse because the Riverhead location boasts “nearly 2,000 products, including flower, concentrates, edibles, topicals, vaporizers and accessories.” 1871 Old Country Rd, Riverhead.
Did we miss any? Leave a comment with a new one.
Got a new shop? Get it on the map. Visit Leafly Success to advertise.
