Budist Newsletter: Building Depth & Momentum
Dear Friends,
In January, we shared a glimpse into Budist’s plans for 2026 and how our thought leadership content will continue to evolve, using the 2024 Harvest Report as an early example. That work reinforced something we’ve long believed: the most meaningful way to understand a cannabis product is to look beyond its finished form and understand its origin, intent, and optimal use.
As Budist moves into the year ahead, we’re building on that foundation in two complementary directions. One focuses on deepening how we examine cannabis by placing greater emphasis on origin, place, and heritage. This work looks more closely at the regions where cannabis is grown and the farms behind the flower, including their practices, people, growing conditions, and signature cultivars. By bringing these elements forward, we help the category speak more clearly in the language of quality and craftsmanship, supporting premiumization by explaining why certain products deserve to command a higher price.
The other direction expands our work around product use cases and efficacy. This extends Budist’s connoisseurship lens into the health and wellness side of cannabis, offering clearer guidance around how products are used and which formulations are best suited for specific needs. It’s the same commitment to evaluating product quality and excellence, applied to use cases that have historically received less connoisseur-level attention than products made for the recreational market.
As this body of work takes shape, our content and events will become more closely intertwined. Each report will be paired with a launch event that brings the research and the people behind it into the same room. Many of these gatherings will be designed for trade and industry professionals, creating more opportunities to engage with the Budist community beyond consumer tastings and to collectively advance cannabis knowledge, understanding, and appreciation.
With Gratitude,
Jocelyn Sheltraw
Co-Founder & CEO
2025 Harvest Report
The 2025 California Harvest Report is Budist’s second annual statewide look at the farms and regions shaping California cannabis. Building on the foundation set in the 2024 edition, this year’s report returns to our core sungrown regions while expanding coverage to seven counties across the state: Humboldt, Mendocino, Trinity, Lake, Nevada, Sonoma, and Santa Cruz. Together, these regions tell a broader story of how place, climate, and farming philosophy influence quality from season to season.
The report is designed as a lasting record of the 2025 harvest, pairing regional insight with in-depth farm profiles and thoughtful reviews of signature cultivars. Participating farms are invited to share their practices, environment, and point of view as part of this collective archive.
Farms interested in being included can visit our website to learn more and complete the Submission Form by February 28.
Event Recap: FNF Grammy Party
Last week, Budist returned to the Friends N Family Grammy Party, hosting an intimate Cannabis Lounge within one of the music industry’s most enduring cultural gatherings. Now in its 27th year, FNF brings together artists, executives, and creative leaders for one of the most anticipated events of Grammy Week.
Cannabis has long existed alongside music, but opportunities for thoughtful, open consumption in spaces like this are still uncommon. The Budist Cannabis Lounge was designed to feel natural within the flow of the evening, offering guided tasting experiences across six activations featuring award-winning flower, vapes, edibles, and beverages. Moments like these underscore the value of meeting people where culture already lives, allowing cannabis to show up without spectacle or stigma and to be enjoyed comfortably among peers in mainstream settings.
Read the full Event Recap.
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendar for a series of Budist community events across Los Angeles and the Bay Area.
Join the Club Premiere
Saturday February 7 from 6-8pm | SF IndieFest, San Francisco
Join Budist and friends for the San Francisco premiere of Join the Club, a documentary tracing the grassroots fight for medical cannabis access and the advocates who helped shape the movement. The screening is paired with informal community gatherings before and after the film. Tickets here.
MJBowl Tasting
Thursday February 19 from 6-9pm | The Artist Tree, West Hollywood
Budist and MJBiz invite you to experience the 1st Place winners from the 2025 MJBowl through guided tastings hosted at The Artist Tree consumption lounge. Guests will taste award-winning products alongside producers and MJBowl judges, with insight into what set each winner apart within its category. This is a free event. Register here.
Fleur Nouveau
Thursday February 26 from 6-9pm | The Woods, West Hollywood
Join Budist, POET, and The Woods for the 2nd annual Fleur Nouveau, an elevated tasting experience celebrating the 2025 sungrown harvest. The evening features guided tastings led by growers and Budist sommeliers, with curated pairings highlighting aroma, flavor, and seasonal expression. Early bird tickets are $35 and general admission is $50. Register here.
Cannabis Culture and Change Conference
February 28 from 11am to 5pm | West Hollywood
Budist will be participating in the Cannabis, Culture & Change Conference, presented by Emerald Village, exploring the intersection of cannabis, culture, and public policy. Budist CEO Jocelyn Sheltraw will be moderating a panel conversation on design and storytelling with three West Hollywood pioneers. This is a free event. Register here.
Connect with Us
For brands interested in working with Budist, we support operators through verified reviews, editorial, events, and competitions. Reach out to learn more about our 2026 programs and services.
Connect with us here!