Are you all about that omakase life? It’s a Japanese word meaning, “I’ll leave it up to you.” When you order sushi omakase—you’re leaving it up to the chef to pick what’s best for your plate.
We here at Leafly want to go omakase on America’s best cannabis and brands.
So starting today for the next few weeks, Leafly surveys America’s almighty budtenders for the best strain in their state, and the best flower brand.
On International Budtender Day, Oct. 20, we’ll give away three (3) $1,000 checks to budtenders who responded to the survey.
And on Dec. 8, we’ll announce the strains and brands that won Leafly Budtenders’ Choice 2023 awards, as part of our Leafly Strain of the Year 2023 package.
Why a Budtenders’ Choice?
Why not? Budtenders are clutch: they transfer the THC from the production engine of the cannabis industry to millions of retail smokers.
With more than 23 legal states, upwards of 5,000 stores across the country, and more than 10,000 brands—cannabis shopping feels confusing.
Budtenders cut through the noise to help you find the next hype flower flavor, or the right edible to help you cope with pain or get a good night’s sleep.
How does Leafly Budtenders’ Choice 2023 work?
Here are the steps.
We’re asking budtenders to shout out the favorite strain of their state, as well as their favorite flower producer. The survey should take less than a minute. Budtenders—let us know what strains and growers deserve the kudos in your state in the survey below.
We’ll hand out $1,000 checks—to three budtenders chosen at random from survey respondents—live on International Budtender Day Oct. 20 on our socials.
We’ll announce the strains and brands that win a Leafly Budtenders’ Choice 2023 award on Dec. 8.
Please pass the survey to the left
America’s smokers depend on you, budtender!
Get other budtenders to add their Budtenders’ Choice 2023 by following or sharing this QR code.
This is a QR code linking to the Leafly Budtenders’ Choice 2023 survey.
Got questions? Don’t we all. Email us and we’ll get them answered.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to US residents. Must be at least 21 to enter. Ends 4:20 p.m. PT on 10/12/2023. Three (3) prizes available to be won. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW. See Official Rules at Leafly Budtenders’ Choice 2023 Official Rules.
In New York, strong weed is sometimes called “pain.” But when rec dispensaries started opening in 2023, the legal flower was painfully average. Early releases weren’t packing much punch because the state limited growers to harsh outdoor conditions and limited greenhouse space. That meant no Zaza, no chronic, no loud for the heavy duty stoners.
But a new day has finally come.
Indoor is everywhere. Existing brands have upgraded their menus fast now that better bud is available. And hundreds of newly licensed brands from the legacy and out-of-state markets are debuting quality work on shelves everyday. via newly released micro-businesses and cultivation licenses. For 2025 and beyond, here are the craft and commercial brands delivering top-flight flower to New York shelves and where to find them right now.
Runtz
(Leafly)
By unanimous decision — budtenders and smokers say that Runtz is the new reigning champ of New York flower. The 2019 Leafly Strain of the year grew into a national brand powered by Lemon Cherry Gelato-adjacent genetics. Plus master marketing from Runtz brand co-founders Ray Bama and Yung LB. Earlier this year, the official Runtz pack debuted to rave reviews in New York dispensaries. Obama Runtz and Trump Runtz have been hard to keep in stock. Happy hunting!
This craft quality grower made a huge name for himself on the legacy market. Now he’s partnering with top dispensaries like Good Grades and Torches for limited drops. His first run sold out in a few hours earlier this month. Stay tuned to Good Grades and Torches on Leafly for menu updates and restocks from The Mechanic’s Farm.
Rolling Green
This may be the most respected brand among budtenders in New York. No matter who we talked to, Rolling Green got a nod in the discussion for best flower in New York state dispensaries. They aren’t hard to find. Hit the button to roll with the best.
Rec Roots
Loud since day one: Rec Roots is run by true OGs of the New York legacy community. They are now leaders of the legal space with top genetics that keep smokers stuck. Try Red Sangria or Sour Zkittlez at a dispensary near you.
ADK
Upstate in Albany, our friends at Stage One swear by ADK. Strains like White Truffle x Devil Driver and Alien Apple Kush fly as soon as they come in, according to budtenders in New York dispensaries.
Synergy
Synergy’s dialed in on the strains high-end smokers are looking for. Sweet and pungent genetics like Blue Gushers, Sour Space Rocks, and Pink Guava Synergy are available now in The Bronx (Bleu Leaf), Manhattan (Torches), Queens (Weedside), satisfying the real Zaza lovers.
The team at Nicklz shared some Rhythm flower on a night out. We were impressed by the nug structure and terps on the Zoap and Animal Mintz strains. Available statewide, click below to find Rhythm at a nearby dispensary on Leafly.
STA Exotic (cultivated by Torrwood Farm)
“We’re never going to be the Walmart of cannabis,” says Torrwood Farm owner Lucas Kerr. “But we don’t want to be a mom and pop. We want to be somewhere in the middle.” (Torrwood Farm)
Cultivated by Torrwood Farm, New Yorkers are grabbing STA Exotic’s premium flower and infused pre-rolls by the handful. Grown in 200-year old living soil, STA livest up to its exotic name.
Super Dope
I recently tried this brand from Good Grades and gave it a great review overall. They got pulled from shelves momentarily, due to censorship on their Hentai-themed packaging. But more drops are coming from this high-demand craft quality brand.
Pinks
Pinks Spring ’25 collection includes this gorgeous stash box, loaded with accessories and flower. (courtesy of Pinks)
This brand is working multiple farms across the state to deliver high-end flower and pre-rolls. Their rose petal joints enhance classic strains like Pink Runtz on their menu.
This micro-license brand has been around for years in New York’s legacy space. Their first legal release is a hit, and shows steady development over the years. The Sensei Cult always puts cannabis above clout. And that dedication translates to their legal flower.
Cookies
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Strains & products
First Toke: Erykah Badu reveals ‘That Badu’ strain collab with Cookies
Dan Reagans and Calvin Stovall
March 1, 2023
That Badu has been a favorite at Leafly since 2023. Another gift to New York smokers is Apples & Bananas – a Cali classic that blends Compound Genetics and Cookies flavors into an all-time strain.
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Lifestyle
What are you smoking? Erykah Badu
Calvin Stovall
March 8, 2023
Heady Tree
This brand is hard to locate on dispensary shelves. So don’t sleep if you see it. Budtenders are known to save some of their check when they see this on the menu.
Leal does it better than most. Which is impressive for the volume of flower they produce. The attention to detail is pristine according to the budtenders and buyers we spoke to at New York dispensaries.
Classic staples like Lemon Cherry Gelato and Sherbert are dialed in by these experts of the New York indoor game. GOTHAM shoppers and budtenders swear by the brand’s menu.
Rolling Stoned
New York essential strains like Uptown Haze are available in limited supply at dispesaries like The Bronx Joint.
House of Strains Staff Picks
16105 29th Ave, Flushing, NY — recreational
5(3)
We saw our friends at House of Strains and got their staff’s top picks for New York flower. Their high standards for flower means their menu always lives up to the store’s name. Here’s what they had to say about New York’s top flower brands.
With strains like Wet Dream and WAP, Zizzle is flying off of shelves. Their whole flower eighths are a cut above most brands. And they’re not hard to find statewide. Next time you’re in Queens, stop by House of Strains for one of the state’s best selections of Zizzle flower.
Doobie Labs
No hesitation. this is one of the most popular brands on New York dispensary shelves. Doobie Labs is an instant buy for true tokers in New York.
Ghost.
Strains like Hot Glue and BBK are some of Ghost’s best sellers. Their 7-gram jars are supernatural.
Bold flavor and bag appeal are helping Spritz make waves nationwide. Here’s what founder Queen Pee has in store for New York’s legal weed market in 2025.
Spritz has something special for all five of your senses. Your nose will be drawn to their booming terps, which include “loudest in the room” flavors like Green Apple, Pineapple Cake, and Cherry Spritz. From touch, to taste, Spritz more than lives up to the bold aroma. And it’s all pulled together by eye-grabbing bag appeal–Curated by founder Pilar “Queen Pee” Vargas, whose already boosted sales for successful brands like Sluggers, Joke’s Up, and her own Cali-bestseller, Pwincess Cutt.
How Queen Pee became the Queen pin of legal cannabis
(Spritz)
Queen Pee made Pwincess Cutt a hit out west with pure determination. She knocked on dispensary doors until her product was on shelves. Then she used her massive digital reach (including 1.3 million Instagram followers) to make sure her bags sold out at retailers like Cookies and the Ice Kream Dispensary in California.
“My job out in New York is to take all the legacy of people who are brands like Certz who are about to go legal, and to help them cross over. Help them with marketing.”
Queen Pee, Spritz Flower
Now, Pee’s launching Spritz in New York, Michigan and more legal states using what she’s learned in the Cali market. During a sit down with Leafly at Certz Midtown Lounge this fall, Pee said she was surprised by the warm welcome she’s gotten from New York’s cannabis community so far.
While visiting growers and processors upstate, Pee studied the challenges facing the state’s licensed farms and stores. Soon, she’ll announce which processor will be trusted to bring Spritz’ powerful terp profiles to New York dispensary shelves in 2025.
These Spritz flavors live up to their bold names
Growing up, Queen Pee could never bring a B home to her strict military father. And she’s still striving for straight A’s when it comes to her strains. Flavors like Pancakes will satisfy the smokers with a sweet tooth. While Blue Widow (Blueberry x White Widow) adds earthy, piney, undertones to the berry-citrus medley–perfect for New Yorkers who prefer more funk than fruitiness from their terps.
Long term, Pee said her true goal is to use Spritz and Sluggers Hit to empower legacy New York growers and sellers who want equity, exposure, and access to the legal market. From Daddy’s Princess to the Queen pin of legal cannabis–Pee and the Spritz team are only getting started. Favorite their Leafly page for regular updates on their journey to New York dispensary shelves.
About Spritz: The Loudest in the Room
Spritz buds boast a flavor profile that’s truly out of this world, thanks to an innovative molecular infusion process. So prepare your taste buds for a journey through space and time.
At Spritz, quality is a top priority. First, the Spritz team selects the finest hand-trimmed buds before using state-of-the-art infusion techniques. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or new to the cannabis scene, Spritz offers an unmatched terpene profile that you will never forget, because each bud is crafted with passion and dedication. Spritz’ experts team has works tirelessly to bring you the loudest terps in the room. Stay tuned for more on Spritz journey from seed to New York dispensary shelves!
Bold flavor and bag appeal are helping Spritz make waves nationwide. Here’s what founder Queen Pee has in store for New York’s legal weed market in 2025.
Spritz has something special for all five of your senses.
Your nose will be drawn to their booming terps, which include “loudest in the room” flavors like Green Apple, Pineapple Cake, and Cherry Spritz. From touch, to taste, Spritz more than lives up to the bold aroma. And it’s all pulled together by the bag appeal: Curated by founder Pilar “Queen Pee” Vargas, whose already boosted sales for successful brands like Sluggers, Joke’s Up, and her own Cali-bestseller, Pwincess Cutt.
How Queen Pee became the Queen pin of legal cannabis
Queen Pee shows off her Pwincess Cutt weed at the Joke’s Up Ice Kream Dispensary grand opening in Santa Monica, CA. (Amennu McGruder / Leafly)
Queen Pee made Pwincess Cutt a hit out west with pure determination. She knocked on dispensary doors until her product was on shelves. Then she used her massive digital reach (including 1.3 million Instagram followers) to make sure her bags sold out at retailers like Cookies and the Ice Kream Dispensary in California.
“My job out here is to take all the legacy of people who are brands like Certz who are about to go legal, and to help them cross over. Help them with marketing.”
Queen Pee, Spritz Flower
Now, Pee’s launching Spritz in New York, Michigan and more legal states using what she’s learned in the Cali market. During a sit down with Leafly at Certz Midtown Lounge this fall, Pee said she was surprised by the warm welcome she’s gotten from New York’s cannabis community so far.
While visiting growers and processors upstate, Pee studied the challenges facing the state’s licensed farms and stores. Soon, she’ll announce which processor will be trusted to bring Spritz’ powerful terp profiles to New York dispensary shelves in 2025.
These Spritz flavors live up to their bold names
Growing up, Queen Pee could never bring a B home to her strict military father. And she’s still striving for straight A’s when it comes to her strains. Flavors like Pancakes will satisfy the smokers with a sweet tooth. While Blue Widow (Blueberry x White Widow) adds earthy, piney, undertones to the berry-citrus medley–perfect for New Yorkers who prefer more funk than fruitiness from their terps.
Long term, Pee said her true goal is to use Spritz and Sluggers Hit to empower legacy New York growers and sellers who want equity, exposure, and access to the legal market. From Daddy’s Princess to the Queen pin of legal cannabis–Pee and the Spritz team are only getting started. Favorite their Leafly page for regular updates on their journey to New York dispensary shelves.
About Spritz: The Loudest in the Room
Spritz buds boast a flavor profile that’s truly out of this world, thanks to an innovative molecular infusion process. So prepare your taste buds for a journey through space and time.
At Spritz, quality is a top priority. First, the Spritz team selects the finest hand-trimmed buds before using state-of-the-art infusion techniques. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or new to the cannabis scene, Spritz offers an unmatched terpene profile that you will never forget, because each bud is crafted with passion and dedication. Spritz’ experts team has works tirelessly to bring you the loudest terps in the room. Stay tuned for more on how to find Spritz in New York dispensaries!
