Being the best isn’t all about numbers. With close to 1,000 brands now available on New York dispensary shelves, Budtenders and Buyers are smoking ’em all–in search of NY’s very best strains, growers, and brands. With the most smokers per capita in the world, and over 420 legal dispensaries now open, New York’s legal industry promises plenty of smoke ahead. Here’s your summer guide to New York’s best bud.
Rec Roots
Benny The Butcher’s new “Benny Batch” is a top-seller at select stores, including JFK Cannabis, located directly next to Kennedy Airport. At JFK, top shelf clients are pointed straight to Benny’s Batch. “It took me three months to build my menu,” said JFK Cannabis dispensary owner and buyer Nnamdi Ukasoanya, who takes pride in curating local heat like Rec Roots.
The Rec Roots menu also boasts strains like NY#5 (their first pheno-hunted strain), Jezus Juice, and a new East Coast Sour Diesel pre-roll. Not to mention, the company is run by true OGs of the New York legacy community. Tap in with Rec Roots this summer to experience top genetics that keep smokers stuck, and exclusive events with Benny, Leafly and New York’s top dispensaries.
Vitabudz
Our friends at RNR Dispensary are pushing Vitabudz as one of their favorite flower picks. Their team shared samples of the legacy brands upcoming drop and it blew our minds. Vitabudz boasts clean grow techniques and deep knowledge of the genetics that New York smokers want. They’re launching a micro-operation soon that will include a retail store. Until then, they’re selling fast in dozens of dispensaries from upstate to downtown.
1937
JFK Cannabis carries 14 strains of 1937. And they swear they’re all gas. We’ve tried 5 flavors with them so far, and they really don’t miss. Looking for quality indoor with a wide selection and fair price point? 1937 checks all boxes. The JFK Cannabis team holds 1937 as the bar setter for their whole menu. As more stores get hip, you should stock up before they sell out everywhere.
DOJA
Whether you go to Happy Munkey Dyckman uptown, or Torches by Polanco Brothers downtown, budtenders are raving about DOJA’s New York offering. DOJA is one of the world’s most respected flower brands. And now it’s finally available in New York dispensaries. Find DOJA strains Gelonade, Permanant Marker and Giraffe Puzzy now at Torches by Polanco Brothers in Midtown or Happy Munkey Uptown.
The Mechanic Farm
This craft quality grower made a huge name for himself on NYC’s legacy market. Now he’s partnering with top dispensaries like Good Grades and Torches for limited drops in the legal market. 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.
Hashtag Honey
Don’t let the sweet name fool you. This is one of New York’s most potent flower brands. If high-THC indoor is your speed, Hashtag Honey won’t disappoint. Triple Diesel and Strawberry Diesel are top sellers at Culture House and other stores that specialize in top tier flower. Another staple of JFK Cannabis‘ elite menu.
Noizey
This is a staff pick at Valley Greens thanks to low price, high potency, and that extra .5g blessing in every jar.
Tarot Tokes
Cannavita loves Tarot Tokes, who leans into the mysticism of cannabis. The brand works with the cultivator Java Sprout Farm to curate strains that complement various cards from the Tarot deck. Tarot is a centuries-old practice that uses cards and their meanings to tell people’s fortunes or clarify aspects of their lives, and cannabis can work much in the same way. Each strain embodies the card on the packaging; one of their most popular offerings, the sativa-dominant Lilac Diesel, is The Sun card, which reflects its vitality and energizing effects. Others on their roster: Priestess Haze (The Queen), Chemdog (The Emperor), RS11 (The Chariot), and Sour Hour (The Fool).
Rolling Green
Rolling Green may be the most respected brand among budtenders in New York, based on our research. 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.
Synergy
Hibernica in The Bronx loves Synergy. The Synergy team has 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 (The Bronx Joint, Bleu Leaf), Manhattan (Torches NYC by Polanco Brothers), Queens (Weedside), satisfying the real Zaza lovers city-wide. They just dropped pre-rolls, too, for a more convenient, lower-cost option.
RYTHM
The team at Nicklz shared some RYTHM 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 RYTHM at a nearby dispensary on Leafly.
STA Exotic (cultivated by 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 SUPER DOPE 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. Happy Munkey (Inwood) also carries this super rare brand.
Heady Tree
According to cannabis sales data platform Headset, Heady Tree is one of New York’s bestselling cannabis brand, namely the strain Blue Lobster. Blue Lobster was bred by Maine Trees, drawing on two strains from the acclaimed Chris Compound during his time with Compound Genetics. The strain has made waves on the cannabis cup circuit and pages of weed magazines alike. Blue Lobster is currently one the most searched strains by Leafly users in New York. It’s a testament to Heady Tree’s eye for unique terpene profiles and strains that don’t always get the hype that the Gelatos and Diesels do. Their offerings of flower eighths, quarters, half-ounces and prerolls include numerous strains we’ve highlighted throughout the year, like Blue Zushi, Glitterbomb, our 2024 Strain of the Year Super Boof, Peach Pie, and Tangie Colada.
Sensei Cultivation
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.
Leal Organics
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. This is the flagship brand for Sapphire Farms, a 100-acre grow upstate in Newfield.
Doobie Labs
No hesitation from budtenders. Doobie Labs was the answer for most best flower on New York dispensary shelves thanks to rare strains like Blue Lobster (one of NY’s most-searched strains on Leafly). According to budtenders, Doobie Labs is an instant buy for true tokers in New York.
Zizzle
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.
Toke Folks
The JFK Cannabis team is very picky about their flower. Toke Folks is one of the few brands they said they could count on. With rare flavors like Blue Lobster (Apples & Bananas x Eye Candy) and well-priced 8ths and pre-rolls, they’re coming in clutch for New York flower lovers.
Farmer Jim
Another top pick from the JFK Cannabis menu. The face of the brand is James Bullman, aka “Farmer Jim.” The brand was inspired by Jimmy’s dedication to the plant work and stocks some of the best sungrown cannabis in New York state. Find them at JFK Cannabis and Dank 716. JFK Cannabis’ owner and buyer told Leafly, “his novelty strains and hash infused wood tip hemp blunts” that are a favorite for airport travelers.
