How often have you completed an after-purchase survey and returned to find your suggestion was taken seriously? Yeah, us too. Or how about that time you expressed a need for something in your local store, only to receive an annoyed smile from the salesperson, who promised to “inform the manager”? Similar to a lone sock lost in the dryer, most customer suggestions vanish without a trace. So imagine our surprise when Co-Founders Jay Okeefe and Aaron Argueta informed us that Bailey’s CBD For Pets’ new No More Itchies Probiotic Dog Chews and Calming CBD Cat Chews are the direct result of customer surveys and feedback from their retail partners, including Reginald Wise from The Sun Spot CBD in San Francisco. “Reginald has been a pivotal ally in catering to the specific needs of pet owners, highlighting the growing demand for specialized cat products. This feedback directly influenced our decision to launch the Calming CBD Cat Chews, which are designed to meet the nuanced needs of feline companions… The feedback from our retail partners has been instrumental in shaping our approach to product development. There's been a persistent demand for cat-specific chews and non-CBD options, which we've now successfully addressed," says Argueta.

In 2016, Jane Garcia and her daughter and son-in-law, Eliza and Joao Pires, were convinced by a family friend to add Cannabis to their small, organic farm and landscaping company in Nevada County. Today Sanctuary Farms’ cannabis production encompasses a nursery with two outdoor cultivation sites at the original location and a mixed-light cultivation site in Mendocino County. It’s still a family affair, with Eliza’s brother and niece, Ramon and Makayla, rounding out the core team.

Eliza, Joao, and Makayla took some time out to talk to Best of SF about Sanctuary Farms and their place in the cannabis community.

In 2015, Ryan Clark planted the seed of Bosky Genetics. Seven years later he started cultivation, and in February of 2024, jars of flower hit San Francisco dispensary shelves. Clark and the team behind Bosky Genetics are dedicated to breeding and growing unique, proprietary genetics, ensuring each strain stands out for its quality and distinctiveness. Their commitment to "quality over quantity" underpins a philosophy that aims to celebrate life and ignite creativity through superior cannabis products.

Ready to take your 420 celebrations to the next level? Our curated list of CBD and hemp-derived goodies is here to help you find your bliss. From calming tinctures that’ll make your worries melt away to hemp-derived gummies that’ll have you grinning like a Cheshire cat, we’ve got the goodies to elevate your well-being.

Yes, yes, flower is still the number one cannabis product category in the US. But alternative consumption methods are coming on strong in 2024. Convenience is a factor in the rising interest, along with innovations in delivery. Vapes are now available with live resin or rosin. Some pre-rolls come infused with traditional hash or other solventless extracts for increased potency. Today’s edibles offer more consistent results compared to their earlier counterparts. Plus, now they come in so many different, tasty options. Not to mention the beverages. While still new, cannabis-infused drinks are quickly becoming popular beyond Dry January. But we didn’t forget the King of 420: the flower. Genetics are always evolving and farms are making great strides in cultivation. You can’t go wrong with the OG.

California is the top cannabis market by sales, and that means a lot of choice across all categories. We did the hard work for you and extracted the best for 420

This year will see 3 states joining the legal recreational cannabis use roster. As more states embrace this multi-billion dollar industry, the stigma of lazy stoner culture is being turned on its head. In fact, many people regularly include a little pot in their active lifestyle. “Stoners” are busy CEOs and business owners. Open cannabis users are now found in all walks of life and social strata. Weed is quickly becoming the new cocktail or glass of wine; something to be enjoyed with friends or to relax with after a long day at work. No longer confined to a sketchy deal in a deserted parking lot or wondering if their plug got too high to deliver, today’s cannabis consumer has a plethora of options. We weeded through the best ones to find the top 10 products and accessories for both the canna-curious and the modern “stoner.”

With the advent of legalization in many US states, convenience may eventually win out over the traditional, but for now flower is still the best-selling cannabis product. For some of us, rolling a joint or smoking a bowl with our buddies is a nostalgic ritual we are loath to give up. We will always want to feel and smell the raw power of the flower.

Here are the flower brands you need to know for Spring 2023.

There are over 7000 cannabis dispensaries in the US. Add those to the 2500 or so in Canada, and North America accounts for 96.8% of the world cannabis market. Consumers here are becoming more informed and educated about cannabis and the myriad of products available as they gain better access to retail establishments. Whatever kind of experience you are looking for, sophisticated or fun, boutique or bodega, the right dispensary (or delivery service) is out there. We weeded through the best in the country to find our top 10.

The move toward cannabis normalization has provided the consumer with many choices for consumption. CBD can now be found in just about any form you might want - topical, edible, smokable. Delta-8 can also be consumed in multiple ways - even applied to hemp flower for traditional smoking. We weeded through the offerings to find the best. Here are our Spring 2023 picks for CBD and Delta-8 brands.

We’ve gathered all the best in the world of cannabis for the Weed Holiday this year. Whether you are trying something new this year or just chilling with your favorite way to consume, this list has you covered.

Whether you made a pilgrimage to the birthplace of 420 for the first time, or just chilled at your regular Weed Day haunts, this 420 we found the best in cannabis the Bay Area has to offer!

According to a Pew Research study, 59% of Americans believe recreational cannabis consumption should be legal for adults. The “Stoner Stigma” is falling away and cannabis consumption can be compared to drinking wine; a social ritual that relaxes you and elevates the experience. Just like fine wine grape vines, premium cannabis is carefully cultivated. Tended with care and science - the ultimate focus is on the final product for the consumer. The CDFA’s Cannabis Appellations Program (CAP) is working toward making cannabis cultivation regional designations on par with those of Napa and Sonoma Valley. There is even a sommelier of cannabis certification - a ganjier - program available in Humboldt County. Flower and genetic brands are like the vintners (herbners?) of cannabis. Some grow and package the best, others find and combine the best. Here are the best “herbners” to watch in 2023.

According to a 2022 Forbes Health survey, 64% of US adults think CBD consumption is less dangerous than alcohol. Cannabis culture is steadily taking its place in mainstream society and the conversation around the benefits of Mary Jane’s (mostly) legal little sister is lending a helping hand. CBD and Delta-8 products can be used for everything from anxiety to sore muscles. And while the medicinal properties of these hemp-derived extracts can be debated as research continues, the effects can be enjoyed in many forms while we wait. Here are the best forms from the best brands out there.

While Cannabis Culture makes its way into the accepted mainstream, the producers of related products and accessories are trailblazing their way into our everyday lives. Today’s paraphernalia is made to be seen and appreciated. No more crushed aluminum can pipes! Premium materials and cutting-edge technology and equipment are now used in everything from rolling papers to home-grow systems. And it’s not about just functionality, consumers want products that reflect their lifestyle and personality. Here are the 10 cannabis products and accessories that you need to know about for 2023.

The first US head shop might have opened in 1964 - or maybe it was 1966. The interwebs disagree on the date, but the place was definitely Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco. The city has a long and storied history with the reefer madness. And while cannabis dispensaries have existed legally in San Francisco since 1996, the recreational consumption aspect has definitely changed the game. Today’s cannabis consumer - no longer confined to a shady deal in an alley or wondering if their plug got too high to deliver - is looking for not only the tried-and-true items but the next, new thing. Enter the modern cannabis dispensary. Dispensaries have to be able to welcome the curious and connoisseur with equal aplomb. Concepts run the gamut from austere to indulgent; bodega to boutique. And while a quick internet search will turn up thousands of cannabis guides, there is no substitute for a real person passing on real information. Budtenders are an integral part of the dispensary experience. A budtender needs to be equal parts librarian, sommelier, and science teacher. Here are the best dispensaries - with the best service - the Bay Area has to offer.

Spring/Summer 2022 Best US Dispensaries and Delivery