Growing up in the Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Emmett Reiner and Jackson Wootton knew they wanted to innovate. They had a nearly-daily standing appointment at their favorite taco truck where they talked about the future, and how they’d grow their nascent cannabis business, Uava Labs, after graduating from Colorado University Boulder this spring.

On January 10, they’d just officially launched their vape pen device weeks earlier, and were soaking up some sun at the beach last week before their return to a snowy Colorado winter. Then they saw the smoke.    

“We were just like, ‘Oh, there’s another California wildfire,’” says Reiner. But it wasn’t. “I turn around and it was just smoke everywhere. We’re on the beach and I hear this plane come, diving down, like, right in front. I used to volunteer for the fire department. I was like, ‘Oh, that is not good Jackson.’”

Reiner had been an Eagle Scout and a volunteer firefighter with the LAFD. He called his dad, drove home, and packed a go bag; Jackson did the same. They didn’t pack much, assuming they’d get to return to their homes the next day; Californians are no strangers to wildfires. They never anticipated that they’d never get to go back. 

With their parents and grandparents evacuated, Wootton and Reiner stayed with a friend who lived in a safe zone. They slept fitfully that first night; Reiner was covered in soot. The next morning they woke in a panic—hundreds of units of their pens were still at Wootton’s house. 

“We don’t have the money to replace that. We’re college kids,” says Reiner. “Our last three years are wasted if we don’t get back in there.”

They got in the car and went back into the fray, claiming they were with the media to get past the police blockade. Palisades High, Reiner’s school, was gone; the village center was gone; car wheels had melted into the ground. The Uava batteries, blessedly, were unharmed. They threw them in the car and drove out of the danger zone. 

“Just driving around, it was like the end of the world. It was like a war zone.”

Jackson Wootton

As of writing, the two largest wildfires, Palisades and Eaton, have collectively burned nearly 38,000 acres—that’s over two Manhattans, or over 28,000 football fields. Thousands have lost their homes, cannot return to their jobs, or have evacuated away from their communities and ways of life. The fires are still far from full containment, and many of the over 150,000 displaced residents have no home to return to. It’s in times like these that communities come together, and no one knows that better than cannabis people. 

America’s cannabis capital activates to help

Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the country, but it’s also the unofficial cannabis capital of California, with over 1,400 licensed dispensaries, cultivators, processors, and ancillary businesses. Already, many have jumped to help their neighbors, customers, and employees with PPE, clothing, food, water, and cash. 

This desire often comes from cannabis operators who’ve been victims of previous wildfires. As soon as George Sadler heard about the fires in Los Angeles, he sprung into action from his home in San Diego. Sadler knew the stakes—in 2012, he lost everything in the Potrero wildfire. His house, his crop, his sense of security. 

“I lost every single thing that I owned. So I know what this whole thing is like,” he says. “You think it’s just a fire. We’re at the tail end of what’s going on, but that’s just the flames. That’s not what this is leaving.”

For the last week, Sadler, who founded his cannabis company Gelato Canna Co in 2022, has been driving up supplies and cases of his water brand Gelato water to impacted neighborhoods. He estimates he’s sent over 120,000 cans to donation spots, first responders, and animal shelters.

Water is essential to human survival, and so is cash. Embarc dispensary started a Gofundme with a starting pledge of $16,000; in five days they’re only a few thousand short of their $60,000 goal. 

The Artist Tree, which operates four dispensaries in the Los Angeles area, has launched a donation match website with a pledge of $25,000 for the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund, which works directly with the most vulnerable communities across Los Angeles. They are also accepting donations for their local YMCA location in Koreatown. At the end of the month, they plan to host a fundraiser concert. 

Lauren Fontein, one of The Artist Tree co-founders, knows how important aid can be to struggling communities from how hard it is to run a cannabis business in the best of times.

“Insurance [premiums are] going to be big. We already have to pay very high insurance rates as a cannabis business in general. The rates go up every year anyway, but I can only imagine what’s going to happen in the aftermath of these fires. People have already been struggling with a lot of other issues.”

Fires not only destabilize people’s health, homes, and jobs, but also their sense of culture. Rapper and Los Angeles native B-Real has been speaking about the fires and resources for those impacted on his podcast, BREALTV, daily. His dispensary chain, Dr Greenthumb’s, is accepting and distributing donations at their West LA location. Dr Greenthumb’s CMO Kim Barker says they’ve helped their own employees as they apply for FEMA, and have made multiple trips to COSTCO for supplies. 

“When you leave with just the clothes on your back, you know, like, oh, wow, six new pairs of socks. One thing I don’t have to think about,” she says. “We want to have relationships with the businesses around us, and we want to have relationships with the people. Because we want to be that good neighbor.”

Verified aid resource to donate to

Unfortunately, not everyone wants to be a good neighbor. Not every fundraiser has good intentions. The list of resources below come directly from organizations and have been verified. We will update this document with additional information as it arises. 

Resources

Mutual Aid LA’s Fire & Wind Storm resources spreadsheet

Red Cross shelters

Housing and tenant information

Transitional Sheltering Assistance through FEMA

Find a FEMA Disaster Recovery Shelter

Care Camps for youth recreation:

Teladoc virtual medical care

California Department of Insurance wildfire resources

Free childcare, wifi, and showers at YMCA locations

Funds and loans

Apply for a SAVE card from the California Fire Foundation ($250)

Home, business and economic injury disaster loans

FEMA application and assistance with your application 

LA County recovery centers

Grants from the Department of Social Services

Where to donate

Direct Relief

Gofundme’s LA donation hub 

Embarc’s United Cannabis Community Gofundme

LA Regional Food Bank

The Artist Tree’s Wildfire Fund

California Community Foundation Wildfire Fund

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster

Los Angeles Food Pantries

Vouchers

Hotel vouchers through LA 211, Hilton, and American Express

Hotel offers in San Diego

Uber users can use code WILDFIRE25 to get a $40 credit to a shelter within Los Angeles county.

Airbnb temporary housing

Cannabis relief and resources

Disaster Relief from the Department of Cannabis Control

California State of Emergency Tax Relief

You can use the comments to add more relief links below.

Good news, Leafly Nation—most of America now believes Dry January can include cannabis.

A recent national survey paid for by the vape brand Stiiizy found that 83% of adults believe you can be “dry” in January (aka abstain from alcohol) and still get high. We love that!

You don’t even need to smoke weed, either. All across the US, Leafly finds dope edibles, topicals, oils, applicators and tablets that enhance quality of life and keep your 2025 goals on track. No excuses now! Here are the hottest pot products of Dry January 2025.

California

1906 Boost tablets

If you don’t believe us, would you believe the New York Times? A restauranteur claimed the 1906 Genius tablets were her favorite for a fun night out—a 2mg THC and 5 mg CBD formula with caffeine and plant medicines like galangal root. It’s best suited to helping users focus, execute, and then have a little fun. The newest offering is Boost, a 2 mg tablet of THC that is “for everything,” with no additional bells and whistles besides the power of cannabis. In fact, they recommend Genius, Boost, and Go (for energy) in a bundle to help consumers “get sh•t done.”

Kikoko Tea

I have been privileged enough to see Kikoko’s inception and rise as a cannabis tea brand that actually tastes good and delivers what it promises. There’s something for everyone: insomniacs (Tranquili-Tea), joyseekers (Positivi-Tea), the anxiety prone, (Sympa-Tea) the sensual (Sensuali-Tea), and aspiring artists (Creativi-Tea). Each has its own blend of high quality herbs and flowers, as well as a ratio of cannabinoids—5 mg CBN: 3 mg THC, 10 MG THC: 5 mg CBD, etc. They’ve also expanded their five formulas to tablet form if you don’t have a kettle handy, and infused honey sticks to up your dose.

Proof Icy Hot Roll-On

Proof is known for packing in the milligrams in both their tinctures and topicals. Their oil-based Icy Hot Roll-On recently won Best Topical at the 2024 Emerald Cup, and for good reason. This 1 fl oz bottle contains 2,000 mg of cannabinoids split between THC and CBD in an oil base that includes jojoba and rosehip. Arnica oil, peppermint oil, menthol, and other heating and cooling essential oils help you roll out all those muscles your building as part of your new year’s resolution (They also have a version if you prefer the cannabis without the extra essential oils).

Wyld Grapefruit 1:1:1 gummies 

Everything in moderation, right? Some sugar is fine as long as it comes paired with plant medicine. Wyld’s edible supremacy continues with their Grapefruit flavor and formula, which includes the canna-cocktail of THC, CBG, and CBC dosed at 10 mg of each. That’s a lot for one gummy, so tread lightly. The formula is meant to induce an uplifting euphoria that inspires us to chase our goals for 2025 with abandon. 

Also available in Oregon, New York, Arizona, Maryland, Colorado, Nevada, and Massachusetts

Emerald Bay Extracts tablets

Rick Simpson Oil has lost some of its medicinal supremacy as cannabis science and innovation develop new formulas and delivery methods, but it still offers unparalleled medicinal benefits in an allergen-free delivery method. We know it’s not exactly tasty, so Emerald Bay Extracts have developed their applicator formula (which is still great) into tablet form. These are strain-specific formulations with a stable that includes Cereal Milk, Chilled Cherries, Grape Ape, and Runtz, dosed in 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg increments. 

Liquid Flower Bath Soak

If you can’t smoke it, soak it. Liquid Flower specializes in aromatic topicals, and their craft won them an Emerald Cup award in 2023. If you’re tired of lotions and balms, try their infused bath soaks. With a blend of nourishing oils, essential minerals, Dead Sea salt, and both THC and CBD, these zap away the aches of that new workout routine you’re sticking to and let your body zen out after a long day. Their Lavender soak is a 4:1 THC to CBD, but we recommend the Deep Muscle & Detox soak for those particularly stiff muscles given it has over 300 mg of THC. A reminder: these aren’t psychoactive so no need to worry about an accidental high.  

LEVEL Hashtabs

Like the tablets above, LEVEL have always made it easy to get a lot of cannabinoids in a single bite. They make isolates and blends of just about every cannabinoid under the sun, so they fit discreetly into any routine. Their Hashtabs, however, are for the heavy hitters who can’t bear to eat 10 gummies or an enormous brownie. These won’t mess with your diet, your stomach, or your mind—only euphoria and wellness to be seen here.

Oregon

TAO Gardens x Hyphae Mushroom gummies

TAO Gardens makes great craft flower and solventless concentrates, that they take the same approach with edibles. They partnered with adaptogenic mushroom brand Hyphae to release a gummy made with Lion’s Mane mushrooms and rosin. Rosin is the gold standard for cannabis concentrates, and Lion’s Mane has been used for centuries in Eastern medicine for its vitamins and promotion of internal balance and anti-inflammatory benefits. 

Synergy Skin Worx transdermal patch

This medical-focused topical brand has flown under the radar, but January is the perfect time to bask in its shine. Synergy also makes lotions and tablets, but it’s their transdermal patches that stand out. Transdermal patches apply on the skin, but their formula allows them to penetrate the bloodstream like an edible, minus the time needed for digestion. These patches slowly release cannabinoids over the course of hours, with four formulations to choose from. We recommend the Entourage patch, which offers a 2:1 THC:CBD ratio for relaxation and productivity. 

Also available in: Montana, Louisiana, and Arkansas

Colorado

Escape Artists Lavender and Eucalyptus bath bomb

The heyday of the cannabis bath bomb seemed over, but Escape Artists want to bring it back. Their bombs contain 150 mg CBD and 50 mg THC, delivered in a epsom salt and shea butter fizz that soothes the skin and muscles. Lavender and Eucalyptus oils bring the aromatic terpenes to See also: Escape Artists Flights, dissolvable tablets meant to sit between the gums and lips that deliver a cannabinoid cocktail of CBN, CBD, CBG, and THC to give you a first-class ticket to dreamland.

Also available in: Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, and Missouri 

Missouri

Dutch Touch RSO

Green Labs Provisions’ in-house brand, Dutch Touch Genetics, pays homage to Amsterdam and its legacy in the global cannabis space. They won a High Times Cup in 2023 for their flower, and now their flower comes in one of the most medicinally-salient cannabis offerings, Rick Simpson Oil. It sounds and looks a lot scarier than it is, but Rick Simpson Oil has all the benefits of the entourage effect without the need to smoke or consume excessive ingredients. A little bit goes a very long way, and we have this nifty guide to answer any questions that may arise if you decide to take the plunge. 

Mary’s Medicinals 1:1:1 Transdermal Compound

Mary’s Medicinals popularized the transdermal cannabis patch years ago in California, but they have national appeal. In the Midwest, their transdermal compound shakes up an inhalable consumption routine. Their FORMULA compound in particular makes the perfect new year’s companion with 300 mg apiece of CBD, CBG, and THC, for both localized relief and intense, focusing euphoria. A transdermal topical goes far deeper than a standard cream (but they have those too) and enters the bloodstream, so be mindful if your job requires drug testing. 

Also available in: Colorado, Vermont, California, Ohio, Maryland, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Canada

Maryland

Vibations THCV Electrolyte Drink

Whether you want to start 2025 as a gym rat or pilates girl—you need to drink water. Water, and electrolytes. Vibations specializes in cannabis-infused hydration drinks (think Gatorade or Liquid IV) that take the edge off your workout and keep your body ready for more. Their newest formula includes THCV in the mix (5 mg per packet) with 10 mg THC for optimal brainpower to hit your new PRs and not snack too much afterwards. Their Lemon Lime flavor is both sugar- and caffeine-free, so you don’t risk being too hyped up.  

Also available in: Massachusetts, Delaware, and Illinois

Curio GI capsules

It seemed like 2024 was the year everyone seemed to want to heal their gut. Social media was awash in fad diets and miracle cures, but you know that we’d never recommend something we didn’t believe in. Curio Wellness is a pillar of Maryland’s cannabis industry for their wide array of both fun and functional products. Capsules are rarely someone’s first choice, but your gut may thank you for picking up some Comfort tablets. These were created with guidance from medical professionals in a ration of 15:40:1 CBD:CBG:THC to minimize gastrointestinal issues and promote healthy and painless digestion.

Nevada

Doctor Solomon’s Restore lotion

Nevada is hot and dry, and it shows first on our skin. Doctor Solomon is the cool glass of water you need after a night on the Strip. Their Restore cream wipes the night away with 400 mg total, split between THC and CBD. You can pair the cream with the brand’s own RSO applicator, which they provide in various ratios of THC and CBD.

Washington

Double Delicious Infusionz

Cannabis should be versatile, just like the people who use it. Double Delicious have served Washintonians for a decade, and their Infusionz reflect that. These are oil-based vials that can be applied directly, poured into baths, or combined with hair and body products. You can also pop a Double Delicious gummy or capsule while you moisturize.

New York/ New Jersey

Harney Brothers Happy Hour shots

No, this shot won’t mess with your Dry January plans. Harney Brothers started their cannabis venture with flower and prerolls, but saw that there was a gap in New York for sippable cannabis, particularly for chronically on-the-go New Yorkers. Their seltzer beverages are a great Spindrift alternative, but something you only have time in the Big Apple for a single gulp. Their Yuzu wellness shot infuses Japanese yuzu (like lemon, but better) and rosemary with 5 mg of THC. It sets in quickly—just enough time to leave the office and head to drinks with coworkers, or swap it for your pre-workout as you head to the gym. 

Nama Energy gummies

Founder Chris Whealan discovered the power of cannabis the hard way—after his cancer diagnosis while in college. His appreciation for the plant led him to create Nama, a CBD brand that has expanded into the world of THC. Nama’s Energy gummies are microdosed with THC and CBD, with B12 and L-Theanine (an amino acid found in green and black tea) to give consumers the surge they need to start the year off right and keep the momentum going all year long.

Illinois

Zero Proof Squeeze 

If you’ve ever found yourself on the water side of Tiktok, where users cocktail tasty creations for their waters with powders and syrups, you may like Zero Proof’s Squeeze drops. These discrete little bottles contain 100 mg of THC, dolled out in 2.5 mg doses, so how stiff you want your drink is entirely up to you. They’re meant as a “dash” of both flavor and effect, with options for lime, cherry, orange, and sweetness that won’t overwhelm you with sugar. 

Oklahoma

Mystery Baking infused honey

Mystery Baking won silver for their honey as part of Best in Grass’ Oklahoma competition in 2024, showing that not all edible lovers want gummies, cookies, or chocolate. Their honey comes jarred or in stick form, at X mg. Honey on its own has a wide range of health benefits as an antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory remedy for wounds, sore throats, and upset stomachs. It’s also versatile—in tea, baking, with snacks, or just by the spoonful. Add in the psychoactive element and you have a new kitchen staple. 

Arizona

Houseplant THC-infused drinks

Seth Rogen’s Houseplant brand expands their US offerings just in time for Dry/Damp/Dank January. Houseplant drinks made their debut in Canada, but now you can get them stateside (but not in all 50). These sparkling drinks, in flavors like pineapple and black cherry, are like an elevated La Croix, elevated by 3 mg of hemp-derived THC per can. Like La Croix, they are sugar-free and 0 calories—if you’re tracking macros. Don’t expect the walls to start melting with these; rather, these low-dose drinks pair perfectly with activities where you need a little pep in your step. You can find them in Total Wine & More stores and online. 

Also available in:, Texas, Indiana, and Florida, with direct shipping options in select states

Aloha RSO Cold Brew

Let’s be real—it’s hard to stick to any resolution that requires cutting caffeine out of your daily routine. Aloha wants to bring the tropical peacefulness of Hawaii to Arizona, but many of their tasty drinks are admittedly pretty sugary. As a counter, Aloha’s newest product is their cold brew coffee; rather than add dairy or sugar, this coffee is powered by Rick Simpson Oil. So if you find yourself craving a cup of joe, you can have some alongside a dose of Mary Jane. 

Massachusetts

Avexia’s entire line

Avexia is the Greek term for wellness, and Zen leaf’s brand of topicals, capsules, and tinctures that that title to heart. Their offerings include easily-dosed tablets with formulas for both daytime and nighttime, high-potency tinctures (1000 mg!), bath soaks, lotions, and Rick Simpson Oil. all these products are meant to fit into and complement the lifestyle you’re already living, and hopefully make it better. 

Also available in: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada

Maine

Maine Craft Cannabis RSO tincture

Perhaps the greatest obstacle for consumers to overcome when trying Rick Simpson Oil is that it looks weird, and doesn’t taste very good. After all, it’s a whole-plant extract, plant matter and all. Maine Craft Cannabis have made it easier to stomach it and dose it by bottling it and measuring it by drop.     If you still need a palate cleanser, they also offer strain-specific dark chocolate bars to further mask RSO’s unique flavor. 

Montana

High Road Edibles fruit tarts

It’s not a mint, not a Tic-Tac, but something like it. High Road Edibles excels at making edibles that aren’t too decadent—small pieces and conservative sugar content, but still effective. Their fruit tarts have the consistency of an Altoid, but with a fruit flavor rather than menthol. They formulate them with two cannabinoids dosed at 2.5 mg each per piece with a fruit that fits their intended effect. Their Realign tarts, for example, taste like pineapple and contain THC and CBD.

Florida

MUV RSO chocolates

Don’t write Florida off—they’re cooking down there. MUV is a renown These RSO chocolates prove that edibles can toe the line between medicinal value and tasty treat. RSO, as we’ve noted earlier in this article, offers consumers a potency and medicinal benefits that distillate-based edibles and other recipes cannot. Look specifically for the RSO chocolates, as MUV also makes chocolates without it.

National

Brez Cannabis + Mushroom drinks

Weed and mushrooms—two magical plants put on this Earth for us to play with. Brez goes low on the hemp-derived THC with these (only 2.5 mg in their standard can), but they lay the Lion’s Mane mushrooms on thick with a base dose of 1600 mg. The full-spectrum hemp extract may also bless you with a little, CBD, CBG, and the like. These combine to create a subtle, freeing euphoria that soothes from the inside out and will never leave you feeling the way a long night at the bar would. Check your availability for shipping on their website.

STIIIZY Seltzer

Stiiizy’s prolific line of vapes, concentrates, flower and edibles will now quench your thirst, even if you live where their adult-use products aren’t legal. Stiiizy’s infused seltzers use hemp-derived delta-9 THC in a very accessible 5 mg dose. Flavors include Mango Tango, Strawberry Kiwi, and Watermelon Wave.

Incognito G+Ts

A gin and tonic is kind of like the Blue Dream of the cocktail world—it’s been around forever, maybe lost its prestige and sounds lame most nights. But sometimes you feel nostalgic and order one, and it’s great. Incognito’s G&T is a hemp-derived 1:1 THC:CBD drink with just the right amount of lime, juniper, and tonic to keep you flowing throughout the night. Shipping is available to most states; check your availability here.

Canada

Emerald Hour cannabis cocktails

Oh, Canada, we know you make resolutions up there too. Cocktails can be hard to resist, so Emerald Hour (helmed by the Boston Beer Company) made their own, but swapping out proof for pot potency. Now you can crack open a Moscow Mule or Cosmo-inspired cocktail infused with 10mg of rosin to synergy with the drink’s natural flavors. Right now they’re exclusive to Ontario, but will soon appear on shelves nationwide.

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.

Also, Pure Beauty’s certifiably arousing Spritzer will be available for pre-order (just 32 eighth-ounce jars will be available).

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!

Wishing you the best of luck in love—from Leafly.