Budist

It was all a dream… But seriously, our Budist Blue Dream Tasting Party felt like one, and more than that, it was a reminder of how cannabis can seduce and connect us in deeply personal ways. This strain-specific event, which was the brain child of Christina Wong & wendy zeng, was an opportunity to slow down and truly engage with the unique qualities that define our favorite cultivars. Too often, we consume on autopilot, missing the nuances that captivate, heal, and inspire us. This tasting brought the community together to explore 13 farms’ expressions of Blue Dream, each shaped by distinct cultivation practices and terroir: Agricola, Autumn Brands, Coastal Sun Farm, Garden Society, Halara Cannabis, Happy Days Farm, Humboldt Family Farms, Humboldt Nation, Jetty Extracts, Nasha ~ Hash Company, Pacific Stone, Solful, and Substance. Throughout the event, we encouraged guests to reflect on their personal experiences with Blue Dream. The answers were as varied as the cuts we sampled - some use it for anxiety or sleep, others for socializing, and some just remember it as the strain that was always around. By tasting, smelling, and discussing the differences in aroma, flavor, and effects, we deepened our collective understanding of this legendary cultivar. I first tried Blue Dream in my late 20s, during a time when I felt disconnected from myself. Cannabis became a tool for introspection, helping me quiet external noise and tune into who I truly am. Over time, I’ve found that intentional exploration of different cultivars leads to a deeper relationship with the plant, and that experience becomes even richer when shared. This event was proof of that. ?? Joanna JoJoSnaps Miriam

“Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” This timeless Dr. Seuss quote came to mind as I attended the closing panel at Hall of Flowers with Kevin Jodrey, Todd McCormick, and moderator David Bienenstock. These three cannabis luminaries don’t just embrace this ethos - they embody it, and their message on stage was a clarion call: we must preserve the uniqueness and diversity of our cannabis culture and gene pool. This incredible plant was born to stand out, yet it is increasingly bred and manufactured to fit into a narrow band of economic interest. From a business standpoint, this drive toward homogeneity is understandable, but as industry stewards, we have a responsibility to strike a balance between economics, culture, and agricultural diversity - a mission that sits at the core of what we do at Budist. That’s my biggest takeaway from Hall of Flowers. The rebel spirit of this industry is still alive, and I’m grateful for the brands that fight to differentiate and preserve in a sea of sameness. Kudos to Dani Diamond, Rama Mayo, Eric Bello, and team for producing an event that welcomes all while making space for those who dare to stand out. From legacy farmers to MSOs, Hall of Flowers remains a place where pioneers and newcomers alike help shape the future of cannabis.

Coffee and cannabis are two of the most beloved botanicals in our lives, yet most of us never stop to consider how their aromas and flavors can shape our experience. What if we took the time to discover what makes them stand out for us individually? This Sunday, March 30th, we’re thrilled to host Higher Ground, our next Budist Sessions at the WOODS WeHo, where we’re going to explore the sensory connection between coffee and cannabis, with the goal of helping you discover your own preferred profile through the power of smell. The event will start with a coffee cupping led by Budist and sourcing expert, Colleen King, who will guide us through identifying the subtle aromas and flavors in coffee that make each brew unique. Then we’ll transition into a blind tasting of 20 different cannabis flower and hash samples, where we’ll use the same sensory approach to uncover the diverse aromas that define different strains. The nose is a powerful tool in discovering what works for you, and this experience will help you understand how these aromas influence your preferences. This isn’t about being a coffee or cannabis expert, it’s about finding out what you enjoy and exploring how these two plants can enhance your sensory world. If you’ve ever been curious about discovering the perfect coffee or cannabis profile for you, this event is for you. More information and tickets here: https://bit.ly/4c42XZS

Join Budist and the WOODS WeHo this Sunday March 30th for a one-of-a-kind sensory experience celebrating two legendary botanicals: coffee and cannabis! As part of the grand opening of Café Woods, featuring a coffee program curated by Budist and sourcing expert Colleen King, guests will take part in an artisanal coffee cupping, followed by a blind tasting of 20 different hash and flower products (participating brands to be announced tomorrow). Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore the craft behind these two worlds. Learn more and grab your tickets here: https://bit.ly/4c42XZS

For much of my early adult life, I didn’t think about the things I consumed. It was more about consumption rather than understanding. Eventually, that left me feeling detached, as if the things I consumed lacked substance, but?over the last decade, I realized that was because I wasn’t paying attention. As I've developed a deeper appreciation for food, wine, cannabis, and coffee, I see how interconnected they are, and that paying attention to nuance, craft, and the small details shape an experience and become a way of life. Going through the Ganjier program in particular, sharpened this for me as it taught me to slow down, engage my senses, and once you start paying attention like that, you can’t go back. This mindset is what binds our Budist crew and why we’re building experiences like the Blue Dream Tasting Party. In a world of constant consumption, the details matter more than ever, and that’s the spirit of the event. We’re going to be tasting through 12 different farms from various regions around California to explore how cultivation and terroir shape its expression. We’ll be tasting: -Autumn Brands (Santa Barbara County) Coastal-grown using sustainable farming with zero pesticides. -Coastal Sun Farm (Santa Cruz) The first USDA Organic cannabis farm, leading the way in sustainable cultivation. -Garden Society x Joyridge Farms (Sonoma) Grown in the same terroir as world-class Pinot Noir. -Happy Day Farms (Northern Mendocino) Companion-planted with vegetables, benefiting from a cooler, wetter climate. -Humboldt Family Farms (Mad River Valley, Humboldt) Santa Cruz Cut Blue Dream, infused with solventless Blue Dream ice water hash. -HUMBOLDT NATION (Southern Humboldt) Mad River Valley carries cool coastal air inland to combat heat coming in from the Central Valley to the east. -Ladybug Farms x Substance (Monterey County) Fourth-generation farmers using regenerative living soil techniques. -Nasha ~ Hash Company x Mattole Valley Sungrown (Lost Coast, Humboldt) Regenerative sungrown in living soil, producing deep earthy and floral notes. -Pacific Stone (Santa Barbara County) Dutch greenhouse growers known for consistency and quality. -Solful x Alpenglow Farms (Southern Humboldt) Regeneratively grown, influenced by coastal fog and towering redwoods. This is the kind of experience I wish existed when I first started consuming cannabis, and if you’re curious about how growing conditions impact flavor and effect, or just want to slow down and truly enjoy the plant, we hope you’ll come join us! Only a few tickets left: https://bit.ly/4kPNkcF

It’s all happening! This past weekend history was made in California’s cannabis industry as Farmers Cup Official became the first licensed cannabis event in San Diego County to allow onsite sales and consumption. The event took place at the Moonlight Amphitheater, and attracted over 3,000 attendees and featured music, food, and, of course, cannabis. The spirit of the event was to celebrate the hard work of farmers, producers, and brands, with an awards ceremony honoring the best in the competition. What set this competition apart was the judging was entirely consumer-driven, and attendees who purchased Judges Kits for Flower or PreRoll weren’t just spectators, they chose the winners! Budist was honored to be the official judging partner, and we brought our standardized evaluation methodology to ensure a fair and consistent judging process. For the first time at Farmers Cup, we introduced the Best Judge Award, which recognized the judges who submitted the most thoughtful and insightful reviews on the Budist app. This year’s winners set the bar, and we’re thrilled to welcome one of our newest Budists through the process! A heartfelt thank you to the judges who devoted their time and expertise to reviewing each entry. These events are about more than competition - they represent the growing recognition of cannabis as a legitimate product and industry. And of course, much love to Joshua Caruso and Barry Herzberg who launched the Farmers Cup back in 2014, and their efforts have been instrumental in pushing policy changes, making events like this one possible. Moments like these prove that the cannabis industry is making strides, and this is just the beginning!

Music and cannabis are some of life’s greatest pleasures, and it’s hard to grasp or put into words the impact they’ve had on our American culture and society. For those of us working in the industry, we see that influence daily, and music in particular has played a powerful role in normalizing the plant, not just as a product, but as a cultural movement. This past weekend was an example of that synergy during?Wiz Khalifa's?launch of his new strain, Point Breeze, a tribute to his Pittsburgh roots and available exclusively at?STIIIZY. The Budist crew was there to celebrate, including?Jake Kuczeruk who interviewed Wiz for Hiii Magazine. I wasn’t too familiar with Wiz’s catalog beyond his radio played hits, but Jake reminded me how vast his range is, and I’m glad he did because I’ve discovered a few new tracks to jam to. Jake does album pairings with his reviews for?Budist, blending his love of music and cannabis in a way that’s fresh and engaging. He also writes for?Hiii, a magazine that’s only a year old and on its fourth print issue, which captures the intersection of music, travel, art, food, and cannabis in a way that’s both stunning and meaningful. Our daily lives are so busy and it’s really nice to be inspired, connect over shared passion, and to slow down and appreciate the things we love to enjoy, whatever form they may take. ??

Event season is here, and we’ve got some incredible experiences lined up across California. Come connect, celebrate, and enjoy! Mark your calendars: ?? March 15 – Farmers Cup Awards Sesh ?? March 19 – Hall of Flowers ?? March 23 – Blue Dream Tasting Party ?? March 30 – Higher Ground at The Woods ?? April 20 – Puff Dao & Budist Buds & Bites ?? July – CA State Fair Cannabis Awards Stay in the loop by subscribing to the Budist newsletter for updates, exclusive invites, and insider highlights. Read the latest here: https://bit.ly/4bM07bU

Budist is thrilled to partner once again with the?California Cannabis Awards and?Embarc?at the California State Fair! As the trusted team powering the judging process, alongside SC Labs, we’re inviting all California licensed brands to enter this historic competition. With over 150 Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals up for grabs, the California Cannabis Awards uses scientific testing and professional judging methods to celebrate the best of California cannabis. All entries are eligible for the coveted Golden Bear trophies—honoring agricultural excellence across the Golden State for over 170 years. Winners will also be featured in the State Fair’s educational cannabis exhibit and considered for on-site sales opportunities. Registration now open: https://bit.ly/4ihTOzc

Blue Dream is one of the most iconic strains in the cannabis world, celebrated for its bright, berry-forward flavor and uplifting effects. But how often do we get the chance to explore its many expressions? On March 23, join Budist and cohosts Christina Wong and wendy zeng for a one-of-a-kind guided tasting experience. This event will feature multiple expressions of Blue Dream from 10 different farms around California, each offering a unique interpretation of the strain. This is an opportunity to explore how cultivation techniques and terroir influence the flavor, aroma, and effects of Blue Dream, and Budist sommeliers Jake Kuczeruk and Jeremy Alcock will be leading guided assessments. This event also includes culinary delights from Chef Wendy Zeng, live bluegrass music, a Smoke Show Co popup trunk show, and gift bag valued at $300 with Blue Dream products to continue the experience. Stay tuned for more on the brands we'll be enjoying! Link with more info in the comments. Can't wait to see everyone! ??