BEYOND THE BONG: TOP 12 WAYS TO TAKE THIS 420 TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Original Artwork by Aaron Kai
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.
#1 Bosky Genetics
The Details:
Ryan Clark founded Bosky Genetics way back in 2015. The brand celebrated a milestone this year with the launch of Bosky flower in SF dispensaries. As head cultivator and owner, Clark’s passion for the plant is evident in every proprietary strain. The Bosky team is made up of legacy growers and operators with a commitment to "quality over quantity" - a philosophy that aims to celebrate life and ignite creativity through superior cannabis products.
The Goods:
Spark Something New with Bosky Genetics new Grip Tape strain. A Kookieland x Cherry Gushers cross, Grip Tape is a hard-hitting balanced hybrid that produces a powerful and long lasting high with a noticeable headband effect.
#2 Don Perico
The Details:
Don Perico is the brainchild of Cesar Guzman and William Quiros. They started the brand to produce Latin-inspired, high-quality, craft cannabis products that would resonate with their community. Staying true to their slogan, Nuestro Sabor, Don Perico gummies and agua frescas feature popular traditional Latin flavors like Chamoy and Tamarindo. Vape pens highlight equally tropical-sounding strains including Banana Punch and Watermelon Z. All of their infused products use solventless live rosin.
The Goods:
Don Perico’s new indoor flower collab with GPutt brings it all back to the grass roots. Celebrating Marijuana Tradicional de California with 2 flavors: Sabor Cherry (Exclusive Cherry Cream Soda pheno) and Peach-O’s.
#3 XVAPE
The Details:
XVAPE, a trailblazer in the vaping industry, is on a mission to democratize high-quality vaporizers. Their commitment to performance, purity, and affordability sets them apart. By constantly innovating and meeting evolving user needs, they’ve become synonymous with cutting-edge vaporizer technology. With a focus on US design and responsible sourcing, XVAPE delivers products that not only perform exceptionally but also align with sustainability and ethical manufacturing practices.
The Goods:
The Cheech and Chong Mambo powered by XVAPE is the perfect way to enjoy your next dry herb flower sesh. It’s super easy to use, it’s stylish with Cheech & Chong flair, and it provides a smooth & satisfying vaping experience.
#4 Sanctuary Farms
The Details:
Established in 2016, this California legacy farm has blossomed from humble beginnings. Co-founded by Joao and Elizabeth Pires, the farm embodies a multigenerational legacy, blending Joao’s Brazilian farming wisdom with the Garcia’s California heritage. Their team, guided by a passion for excellence, cultivates under natural sunlight, using innovative techniques like their exclusive nutrient blend, Secret Weapon™, and compost tea recipe. The result? A superior, cleaner smoking experience that reflects their dedication to sustainability, equity in cannabis, and nature’s bounty.
The Goods:
Sanctuary’s Blunicorn Cultivar won the Emerald Cup “Highest Terpene Content” and 5th Place for Sun Grown Flower in the first year of entering.
#5 Nasha Extracts
The Details:
Barron Lutz started Nasha Extracts in 2016. He spent years in the foothills of the Himalayas discovering the secrets and culture of traditional hash-making and upon returning to his native California, saw the demand for natural, solventless hash. Nasha maintains strong relationships with experienced and reputable growers; curating what goes into their hash and empowering each craft farmer they work with. Together with the farmers, they study each cultivar meticulously to nurture the resin glands that will ultimately translate into the purest, most potent hash.
The Goods:
Nasha’s all-in-one vape pen is a pocket-sized way to enjoy their live rosin's full flavor and aroma.
#6 Hemper
The Details:
Hemper started because the founders were frustrated with trying to find rolling papers online. Since their launch in 2015, Hemper has expanded into the go-to online head shop for all your smoking needs. Their themed glassware and monthly boxes keep your stash fun and fully stocked so you are always ready to host an epic sesh. Each box comes with over 10 expertly curated items and you can choose how often you get them delivered.
The Goods:
With Hemper’s Das Boot Sherlock Pipe, you can discuss the mysteries of that new strain while smoking like the detective himself.
#7 Session Goods
The Details:
On a mission to "make elegant weed stuff" designer/long-time collaborators Vinh Pho & Esther LeNior Ramirez launched Session Goods in 2018. Since then, the Session Bong has won three design awards. The Session Bong features a unique indent and was the first to have a silicone base for glass protection and style. Since the launch of the beloved designer bong, the line has expanded to include other staples like stash jars, ashtrays, cleaning products, and most recently home decor.
The Goods:
Inspired by a hot desert road bathed in the afternoon sun, Session Goods’ vibrant orange Horizon Bong is ready for your Summer trips.
#8 Teds Budz
The Details:
Family owned and operated Teds Budz specializes in distributing small-batch, top shelf exotic flower to 300+ shops from Eureka to San Diego. They supply the market with genetics from grassroots cultivators, in small batches for the best quality product. Teds Budz’s family atmosphere stretches beyond their own crew, to cultivators, dispensaries, and the end consumer. Meaning everything they do is for the love of the people and creating and contributing to a loving community in the cannabis industry & beyond.
The Goods:
Teds Budz Plum Mochi strain is your fruity, earthy, Indica-dominant hybrid for stress relief and relaxation. Smoke Good, Be Well.
#9 Blazy Susan
The Details:
In 2017 Blazy Susan was born out of founder Will Breakell’s messy stash. That original spinning rolling tray (complete with slots and cutouts for everything from your lighter to your cell phone), propelled Blazy Susan into an online shop that offers all the accessories to stock your stash. And those pink and purple rolling papers and cones aren’t just cute, they’re vegan, non-GMO, AND cute.
The Goods:
Blazy Susan X The Grateful Dead rolling papers are the first line of rolling papers from the iconic band. They are made in France, just like all Blazy Susan papers, and sport a cool ‘Dead Head Rolling Co.’ logo.
#10 Al Capone
The Details:
Backed by over 100 years of cigar making, Al Capone’s all-natural leaf wraps are made from premium tobacco. All that experience in cigars makes Al Capone the perfect brand to trust with your blunt rolling needs. After growing the perfect tobacco plant, that same care is put into the process of curing, cutting, and packaging in individual pouches. The double leaf has a silky texture that burns slow and even.
The Goods:
Al Capone Leaf Wraps are the best way to wrap up the 420 holiday. And the stretchy double leaf with self-sealing strip means you can still roll the perfect blunt after smoking a few blunts.
#11 Focus V
The Details:
You can find Focus V at the intersection of cannabis culture and technology. Lead by a passionate team of concentrate users, the company creates innovative electronic devices for consumers to #DabSmarter. The AERIS and CARTA 2 are the answer to dabbing on the go, and the SABER electronic dab tool is the hottest accessory to hit your collection.
The Goods:
The Focus V CARTA 2 smart dab rig features customizable settings, quick heat-up, haptic feedback, and wireless charging. And you can add a full color screensaver photo to the built-in OLED screen.
#12 Sunset Connect
The Details:
With a motto of ‘Since Before We Could Tell’, Sunset Connect doesn’t need to tell you that it’s a legacy brand in the Bay Area. Ali Jamalian founded SF’s first and only 100% Social Equity owned and operated manufacturing facility. He now Chairs both the SF Cannabis Oversight Committee and the DCC’s Cannabis Advisory Committee. Sunset Connect is passionate about not only small batch, quality production, but also about the perception of weed in the wider world.
The Goods:
Sunset Connect’s Fulton 5’er uses premium indoor shake and is hand topped and twisted. The best part? It’s $5 out-the-door.
It’s hard not to leave your heart in the Bay with an abundance of wonderful brands and consumption products to choose from. Once said by Herb Caen a native SF humorist and journalist, “One day if I go to heaven…I’ll look around and say ‘It ain’t bad. But it ain’t San Francisco.” Now that you’ve got the 411 on the best goods around the bay, you can try something new this 420 Holiday.
A version of this article can also be found on SF Weekly
