{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/brands/","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_3767-markdown","title":"The 6 Best Weed Brands in California","slug":"the-6-best-weed-brands-in-california","content":"Always slightly ahead of the curve, California was the first state to legalize medicinal cannabis in 1996. In the years since the Golden State has continued to take the lead by creating new and innovative cannabis products for both medical and recreational use.  \n\nWith its sunny beaches and laid-back lifestyle, California has a longstanding reputation as a pot-friendly place. You have only to rewatch Fast Times at Ridgemont High to be reminded of this. But behind those images of stoners and surfers is a [long and serious legal battle](https://time.com/4565438/california-marijuana-faq-rules-prop-64/) to liberalize US cannabis laws.\n\nMarijuana is still classified as a [Schedule 1 drug](https://www.drugs.com/article/csa-schedule-1.html), listed alongside heroin, cocaine, and other street illicit drugs. It's considered by Federal law to be dangerously addictive and illegal to possess, use or sell. At the same time, research is being published outlining the considerable benefits of marijuana for treating numerous health conditions, sometimes more effectively than prescription medications. \n\n### California's Path to Cannabis Legalization\n\nThe State of California's first attempt to legalize cannabis came in 1972, when it put Proposition 19, the country's first cannabis ballot initiative, in front of voters. That initiative failed, but marijuana advocates and progressive politicians continued to work toward legalization for medical purposes. Those initial failed efforts finally led to Proposition 215, the [Compassionate Use Act of 1996](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_California_Proposition_215#:~:text=Proposition%20215%2C%20or%20the%20Compassionate,testing%20for%20safety%20and%20efficacy.&text=Mikuriya%2C%20and%20approved%20by%20California%20voters.), which allowed for the use of cannabis for a specified list of medical conditions.  \n\nThe passage of Proposition 215 paved the way for a series of other cannabis initiatives in states across the US. Today, cannabis is legal for medical purposes in 36 states, the District of Columbia, and four US territories. In all these places, cannabis can be purchased from dispensaries under strict controls for medical use only.\n\nLegalization for recreational use has had a rockier path, but that changed in 2012 when Washington and Colorado became the first states to legalize recreational cannabis. California soon followed, with the passage of Proposition 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act. Now, cannabis is legal for recreational use in 19 states.\n\nCannabis is now accepted as mainstream medicine. This became evident during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when Governor Gavin Newsom declared cannabis an \"essential business.\" This declaration allowed dispensaries and delivery companies to continue operating and serving medical patients during the pandemic lockdowns.\n\nCalifornia's legal cannabis industry is now [the largest legal marijuana marketplace](https://californiaglobe.com/articles/californias-legal-pot-industry-is-biggest-in-the-world-with-sacramento-ground-zero/) not just in the US, but in the world.  \n\n### A New Generation of California Cannabis Consumers\n\nIn 2020, cannabis sales in California topped $4 billion, driven by new medical research and a growing acceptance of cannabis for recreational and lifestyle purposes. California's leading brands and innovators [are responding](https://lbbusinessjournal.com/drinkable-high-are-thc-infused-beverages-the-next-trend-in-legal-cannabis) to the needs and interests of this new generation of consumers with new strains, products, and updated versions of old standbys like gummies and cookies.\n\nNew products like  [\"tablinguals\"](https://levelexperience.com/)\n – cannabis-infused [sublingual tablets](https://hellomd.com/articles/innovation-spotlight-levels-new-cannabis-tablinguals) dissolve within minutes and are fast-acting. Weed-infused beverages are trending, delivering cannabis compounds like CBD and CBN in a variety of tasty flavors which combine artisan crafting with state-of-the-art cannabis processing. There's also quick [home delivery](https://hellomd.com/articles/the-best-weed-delivery-service-in-california) in most areas, offered by cannabis retailers such as [GrassDoor](https://grassdoor.com/).\n.\n### The Top 6 California Cannabis Brands \n\nHere's a look at 6 of California's hottest new brands and the innovative cannabis products they're offering.\n\n![Screen Shot 2021-10-25 at 10.59.40 PM.png](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2021_10_25_at_10_59_40_PM_a49037c3b3.png)\n\n### 1. Kiva Confections\n[Kiva Confections](https://www.kivaconfections.com/) offers a line of all-natural cannabis edibles that includes not only the familiar gummies, but also mints, chocolate bars and bites. Kiva's products feature precision dosing of THC, CBD, and other cannabis compounds. They're' the leading edible brand in the US and were one of the first brands to offer microdose products.\n\n![Screen Shot 2021-10-25 at 11.00.54 PM.png](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2021_10_25_at_11_00_54_PM_5ec50ef555.png)\n\n### 2. Raw Garden\n[Raw Garden]( https://rawgarden.farm/products/)\n produces California's best-selling cannabis extracts, including high THC \"sauce\", THC crystals for dabbing, and resin extracted from flash-frozen flower. Raw Garden products are made exclusively from sustainably farmed cannabis with no additives or preservatives.\n\n![Screen Shot 2021-10-25 at 11.01.50 PM.png](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2021_10_25_at_11_01_50_PM_3a32e60c68.png)\n\n### 3. Jetty Extracts\n[Jetty Extracts](https://jettyextracts.com/) specializes in solventless extracts for vaping, dabbing, and other uses. They specialize in a craft approach to creating natural cannabis concentrates, with small batches of concentrates, oils, pods, and vape cartridges along with accessories. They'll also deliver in select California communities.\n\n![Screen Shot 2021-10-25 at 11.02.58 PM.png](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2021_10_25_at_11_02_58_PM_680e855bc1.png)\n\n### 4. Garden Society\n\n[The Garden Society](https://thegardensociety.com/) is a vintage-inspired cannabis boutique that offers rosette cannabis pre-rolls and a select line of cannabis-infused chocolates combined with trendy ingredients such as sea salt and chai. Products are categorized by effect, such as \"blissful rest\" or \"brighter day.\" Founded by two women, Garden Society helped to mainstream women's cannabis consumption.  \n\n![Screen Shot 2021-10-25 at 11.03.57 PM.png](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2021_10_25_at_11_03_57_PM_b2b4c3c35f.png)\n\n### 5. Venice Cookie Company\nAs the name suggests, [Venice Cookie Company](https://vccbrands.com/venice-cookie-company/) sells an artisan line of cannabis-infused cookies, but they also sell a range of cannabis-infused beverage shots, lozenges, and teas.  Consumers can choose from products containing THC, THC plus CBD, or CBD alone in various strengths.\n\n![Screen Shot 2021-10-25 at 11.04.47 PM.png](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2021_10_25_at_11_04_47_PM_ee0fef9038.png)\n\n### 6. WANA Brands\n[WANA](https://www.wanabrands.com/california/) specializes in fast-acting recreational gummies [in a variety of flavors](https://hellomd.com/articles/the-perfect-weed-edible-is-the-cannabis-gummy-by-wana-brands) and cannabis strains and compounds, including THC only, THC, and CBD, or CBD alone. WANA also sells a \"quick\" fast-acting sublingual tincture with combinations of THC and CBD.\n\nWith favorable laws, good growing conditions, and a welcoming cannabis community, California's cannabis industry is booming, and its best brands have products made for you!\n\n\n\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/da79a3a95acc92210891abefeeb4525c/14b42/b54e71434a594804a0a1f589eff5bedc.jpg","srcSet":"/static/da79a3a95acc92210891abefeeb4525c/f836f/b54e71434a594804a0a1f589eff5bedc.jpg 200w,\n/static/da79a3a95acc92210891abefeeb4525c/2244e/b54e71434a594804a0a1f589eff5bedc.jpg 400w,\n/static/da79a3a95acc92210891abefeeb4525c/14b42/b54e71434a594804a0a1f589eff5bedc.jpg 800w,\n/static/da79a3a95acc92210891abefeeb4525c/47498/b54e71434a594804a0a1f589eff5bedc.jpg 1200w,\n/static/da79a3a95acc92210891abefeeb4525c/0e329/b54e71434a594804a0a1f589eff5bedc.jpg 1600w,\n/static/da79a3a95acc92210891abefeeb4525c/12e81/b54e71434a594804a0a1f589eff5bedc.jpg 3513w","srcWebp":"/static/da79a3a95acc92210891abefeeb4525c/58556/b54e71434a594804a0a1f589eff5bedc.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/da79a3a95acc92210891abefeeb4525c/61e93/b54e71434a594804a0a1f589eff5bedc.webp 200w,\n/static/da79a3a95acc92210891abefeeb4525c/1f5c5/b54e71434a594804a0a1f589eff5bedc.webp 400w,\n/static/da79a3a95acc92210891abefeeb4525c/58556/b54e71434a594804a0a1f589eff5bedc.webp 800w,\n/static/da79a3a95acc92210891abefeeb4525c/99238/b54e71434a594804a0a1f589eff5bedc.webp 1200w,\n/static/da79a3a95acc92210891abefeeb4525c/7c22d/b54e71434a594804a0a1f589eff5bedc.webp 1600w,\n/static/da79a3a95acc92210891abefeeb4525c/419cd/b54e71434a594804a0a1f589eff5bedc.webp 3513w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2246-markdown","title":"Moving Beyond the Budtender","slug":"moving-beyond-the-budtender","content":"### Depending on the Budtender\r\n\r\nBudtending is an art form. Every day, fearless cannabis aficionados do what they can to mitigate the void of substantiated cannabis research, to keep track of countless strains and products, and to understand the wide array of patients’ requirements – all to provide what still amount to very subjective recommendations. They have to; the industry depends on them. Maybe even more than you know.\r\n\r\nCalifornia’s medical marijuana movement surely owes plenty to its budtender community. But now, as we witness increasing numbers of new patients and 7new products, budtenders may find themselves in a position of disproportionate influence. This is not ideal. If the cannabis market is to expand profitably and safely, the budtender – an often excellent but sometimes equally transient dispensary employee - simply cannot be expected to be the be-all, end-all to everybody. Let me explain. \r\n\r\n### The Budtender Bottleneck\r\n\r\nThe more time I spend talking with four key stakeholders of the cannabis ecosystem – patients, doctors, retailers and product manufacturers – the more I realize that all roads lead to the budtender. Amazingly, they’re all very dependent – each for their own purposes – on a group for which there is yet no real standardization nor recognized accreditations. \r\n\r\n* Patients: Cannabis reacts differently for all patients, and patients each come looking to solve very different problems. Yet they all depend on the budtender to have answers\r\n\r\n* Doctors: As doctors are limited in how specific they can be with their cannabis patients, the onus lies with the budtender to decode what the doctor told the patient and in turn suggest the right solution\r\n\r\n* Product Manufacturers: Short of places to advertise or educate prospective patients about their products, they lean almost exclusively on budtenders to tell their story and ideally recommend their products\r\n\r\n* Retailers: They’re in business to help patients and to sell products – to pay their bills. This too puts pressure on the budtender and can impact judgment, even if not intentionally\r\n\r\n### Brands & Budtenders\r\n\r\nWhile patients may find themselves too dependent on one source for advice, it’s the brands (product manufacturers) who are, in my opinion, most at risk in the current model. We’re fortunate to have so many well-intended, large and small product manufacturers busy creating new formulas, revising dosing approaches, expanding delivery methods and doing what they can to match products to individual needs. And yet so many of them find themselves deploying more and more resources to gain the mindshare of the budtender in the hope that their finished product gets into the right hands.\r\n\r\n### The Alternative: Community-Powered Advice\r\n\r\nFor the cannabis industry to grow we need new patients.  Lots of them. More importantly though, we need new patients to succeed with cannabis and for them to tell others. Other more mature, successful market segments tell us that to get there, we need well-informed, confident consumers. \r\n\r\nRELATED: [MY FIRST TIME VISITING A DISPENSARY](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/my-first-time-visiting-a-marijuana-dispensary)\r\n\r\nIt is no coincidence that these dynamics in part led HelloMD to create a community platform that allows patients to connect directly with cannabis experts. It is our effort to empower patients with more influence over their cannabis decisions, and – as part the solution -  to give a much stronger voice to the people behind the products you find on dispensary shelves. Think of it as community-powered advice.\r\n\r\nWhat we have found, beyond a doubt, that while there may be a void of substantiated research, by medical standards, there is no void of expertise in the community. And no lack of desire to share it with others. \r\n\r\n### How You Can Contribute & Benefit\r\n\r\n* Patients: [On our home page](https://www.hellomd.com/), on any of our product manufacturer business listings, on a particular product listing pages, or on a condition-specific page -- feel free to ask (anonymously) any questions you might have. We will let the experts know immediately, and you can soon after expect doctors, product experts and – this is important – other patients to offer you their opinions\r\n\r\n* Doctors: Come show off your knowledge. These are opinions, and opinions are always more valuable when there are more than one. And, with the absence of the patient/doctor relationship, you are welcome to add in the details you might not otherwise share\r\n\r\n* Product Manufacturers: If your brand is not already listed on HelloMD, let us know. Setting up takes only minutes. When a HelloMD member inquires about your products, we will notify you instantly.  You can quickly share your insights with them, and grow a centralized but dynamic knowledge base around your products. Help patients gain the confidence they need to ask for your product by name\r\n\r\n* Retailers: If you have a budtender (or many) whose expertise is just not getting out to as many patients as you would like, enroll them as an expert on HelloMD. Every time they contribute answers, patients will see that they come from your amazing budtenders – empowering them to choose your dispensary because of it.\r\n\r\n### Budtending is Here to Stay\r\n\r\nBudtending as a profession is not only here to stay, I suspect it will become a more valued role as standardized training and accreditations make their way into the market. But if we continue in a model where all stakeholders are so dependent on the budtender, something will give.\r\n\r\nLet’s work together to empower patients to take a more active role in their cannabis decisions – and in doing so, support rather than gang up, on the budtender nation.\r\n\r\n_____________________________________________________________________\r\n\r\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.\r\n\r\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/a943b131f13c1cca45e99d9d811e551f/14b42/963a6ac3f890b18daef30ceabbc8825c.jpg","srcSet":"/static/a943b131f13c1cca45e99d9d811e551f/f836f/963a6ac3f890b18daef30ceabbc8825c.jpg 200w,\n/static/a943b131f13c1cca45e99d9d811e551f/2244e/963a6ac3f890b18daef30ceabbc8825c.jpg 400w,\n/static/a943b131f13c1cca45e99d9d811e551f/14b42/963a6ac3f890b18daef30ceabbc8825c.jpg 800w,\n/static/a943b131f13c1cca45e99d9d811e551f/47498/963a6ac3f890b18daef30ceabbc8825c.jpg 1200w,\n/static/a943b131f13c1cca45e99d9d811e551f/54ac5/963a6ac3f890b18daef30ceabbc8825c.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/a943b131f13c1cca45e99d9d811e551f/58556/963a6ac3f890b18daef30ceabbc8825c.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/a943b131f13c1cca45e99d9d811e551f/61e93/963a6ac3f890b18daef30ceabbc8825c.webp 200w,\n/static/a943b131f13c1cca45e99d9d811e551f/1f5c5/963a6ac3f890b18daef30ceabbc8825c.webp 400w,\n/static/a943b131f13c1cca45e99d9d811e551f/58556/963a6ac3f890b18daef30ceabbc8825c.webp 800w,\n/static/a943b131f13c1cca45e99d9d811e551f/99238/963a6ac3f890b18daef30ceabbc8825c.webp 1200w,\n/static/a943b131f13c1cca45e99d9d811e551f/5e0b8/963a6ac3f890b18daef30ceabbc8825c.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":0,"numPages":1,"currentPage":1,"id":5014,"name":"Brands","slug":"brands","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}