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CaliforniaLeaf_Oct2026

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THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE

#78 | OCT. 2026

CAL I F O R N I A

F RE E / L E A F M AGA Z I N E S . COM

INDEPENDENT CANNABIS JOURNALISM SINCE 2010


2026 CALIFORNIA LEAF BOWL

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REHASHED

6

TERPNAMI

COURTESY

FEATURE | P. 28-35

HIGH-TECH RECS

"The ergonomic Puffco Proxy Core represents the company’s best unit for combining fat dabs and a low profile."

EVENT PREVIEW

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CALIFORNIA LEAF

#78

COURTESY TERPNAMI

the TECH issue

issue

[

OCT. 2026

CAL I F O R N I A

SOL DE MENDOCINO SHOP REVIEW

OCt. 2026

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BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH

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JAKEEZY DA RULA

PLANTA GARDEN TOUR

THE 22 UNKNOWN PAGE BURNER

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11 EDITOR’S NOTE 10 CALIFORNIA LEAF BOWL 16 GROUNDED GENETICS 18 TECH CENSORSHIP 20 BUDTENDER 22 SHOP REVIEW 24 STRAIN OF THE MONTH 26 CONCENTRATE OF THE MONTH 28-35 HIGH-TECH GEAR RECS 36 NEURODIVERGENCE TOOLS 38 PLANTA GARDEN TOUR 40 TERPNAMI PREVIEW 42 PEDIATRIC CANNABIS 43 PAGE BURNER REVIEWS 44 GLASS ART SPOTLIGHT 46 STUDIO SESSIONS

COURTESY

GLASS ART MIKE RICKER @RICKERDJ

FIRE FOLLOWER

SUBLIMINAL GLASS

COURTESY

GROUNDED GENETICS

JACOB HARRIS

MATT JACKSON @ACTIONMATTJACKSON

COURTESY NIK ZVOLENSKY @NIK_Z_PHOTO

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ARCADIA


E S TA B L I S H E D 2 0 1 0

T H E E N L I G H T E N E D VO I C E N O RT H W E ST LEA F / O R EG O N LEA F / M ARY LAN D LEA F / CAL I F O R N I A LEA F /

Cannabis is at the intersection of tech and popular culture more and more with each passing year. In this special edition, the Leaf crew reviewed some of the industry's top new gadgets — from a hash cooler to the latest and greatest in vaporizers! And we didn't just review the expensive stuff, either ... (Yes, we're looking at you, popular magazines). You'll find Leaf reviews on things you'll actually want to use, like the newest Pelican case to keep your trusted daily driver safe and an air purifier kit! Read the full guide on pages 28-35 inside. On the cover is hand-drawn art made just for the Leaf by Dale Heymoonly, represented worldwide by @weareillustrationx. ILLUSTRATION BY DALE HEYMOONLY @HEYMOONLY_

WES ABNEY C E O & F O U N D E R wes@leafmagazines.com MIKE RICKER O P E R AT I N G PA R T N E R ricker@leafmagazines.com | advertising opportunities

TOM BOWERS C H I E F O P E R AT I N G O F F I C E R tom@leafmagazines.com DANIEL BERMAN C H I E F C R E AT I V E O F F I C E R daniel@leafmagazines.com BOBBY BLACK LEAF BOWL DIRECTOR & HISTORIAN bobbyblack@leafmagazines.com MATT JACKSON CA CONTENT DIRECTOR + SOCIAL mattjackson@leafmagazines.com

MICHELLE NARANJO & CARA WIETSTOCK COPYDESK michelle@leafmagazines.com | cara@leafmagazines.com

CONTRIBUTORS WES ABNEY, FEATURES JOHN BIRCHARD, PHOTOS BOBBY BLACK, DESIGN TOM BOWERS, FEATURES JACKIE BRYANT, FEATURES JIMI DEVINE, REVIEWS DAVID DOWNS, FEATURES + PHOTOS JESSE FROME, PHOTOS DALE HEYMOONLY, ILLUSTRATION REX HILSINGER, FEATURES + PHOTOS ELLEN HOLLAND, FEATURES MATT JACKSON, FEATURES + PHOTOS ROGER KISBY, PHOTOS TERPODACTYL MEDIA, FEATURES JOSH MONTHEI, PHOTOS MIKE RICKER, FEATURES + PHOTOS CHRIS ROMAINE, PHOTOS MIKE ROSATI, PHOTOS BRUCE & LAURIE WOLF, RECIPES KATHERINE WOLF, FEATURES NIK ZVOLENSKY, PHOTOS

We are creators of targeted, independent Cannabis journalism. Please email us to discuss advertising in the next issue of California Leaf Magazine. We do not sell stories or coverage. Email ricker@leafmagazines.com to start advertising!

CONNECT WITH CALIFORNIA LEAF

Exclusive Cannabis Journalism @CALIFORNIALEAFMAG

Editor’s Note Thanks for picking up The Tech Issue of California Leaf! In my fourth-grade year of elementary school, I was selected for a pilot program that integrated technology into the classroom. Our group of 12 students selected from fourth, fifth and sixth grades shared a classroom where every desk had a computer, optional homework was self-reported and there was very little traditional teaching. This was the late ‘90s, when having a computer lab in the school was a big deal, and our classroom of kiddos learned how to write HTML, build websites and repair and maintain servers and the computer lab, all without structure or the regular rules of an elementary classroom. Our teams built websites for a competition; mine was on sharks, and I’ll never forget the excitement of joining a livestream (before that term existed) to watch the awards. The amount of hope for technology, for education, for the future of humanity was so high at the end of the millennium. That single pivotal year taught me to embrace tech, although I probably would be much wealthier if I’d chosen to pursue ways to write code instead of ways to make gravity bongs in my later educational days.

We don’t realize it, because Waymo is only on a few streets right now, but the tech-surveilled robotic revolution has already come. Imagine Flock cameras and goat drones enforcing the coronavirus lockdowns? This is the reality in China, where a social credit score integrated into phones determines whether someone can take a train or plane. Or in Britain, where 60,000 people have been arrested in five years for social media posts — tracked down and thrown in jail while recorded rape and sexual offense cases in the UK have reached historic highs.

Imagine a world where weed wasn’t legal yet, or the current day where psychedelics are still illegal, and how these tools might be used against the gifts God gave us to enhance consciousness, "THERE’S ONLY spirituality and community. ONE PLACE We must unite as a species WHERE TECH IS who share one planet, and REALLY MAKING resist the techno-takeover LIVES BETTER, before it’s too late.

AND THAT’S

IN THE WEED There’s only one place where WORLD." tech is really making lives better, and that’s in the weed world. We don’t have robots serving us dabs (yet), but the newest e-rigs are pretty sweet.

Today I read headlines about Ukraine winning the world's first naval drone battle or see the demonic goat drone by Satyress that will be armed with an array of weapons, and I can’t help but feel like we have failed technology. Or perhaps, it has failed us.

Maybe someone can serve Peter Thiel a face melter, then instead of trying to bring about the end of the world, he and the rest of our billionaire overlords can get to work making the world a better place.

The pursuit of better has built Western society, capitalism has lifted the entire world's living standards, and generally, life on Earth is safer and easier than it has ever been, from the First World to developing nations.

The same plant that I believed could change the world in 2010 still can, but we’re running out of time. After all, you can’t smoke or eat an AI-generated image, but an AI data center will consume the equivalent to a small town or a big city in water every single day. This water is contaminated with chemical additives, high mineral concentrations, thermal pollution and PFAS (forever chemicals), and is pumped right back into our ecosystem. In the end, future generations will surely lament that we could have watered a lot of plants instead.

But that’s not what the media zeitgeist says. The captured mainstream propaganda wants us living in fear, dividing ourselves and giving the government more control over our lives. We’re building our own AI cages, our own “Matrix,” and we’re voluntarily ushering in an era of complete control. CALIFORNIA LEAF MAGAZINE

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OCT. 2026

PHOTO BY ROGER KISBY @ROGERKISBY

A B O U T T H E C OV E R

N O RT HEAST LEA F


rehashed

CA Leaf crew in the house: Mike Ricker, Bobby Black, Matt Jackson, Tom Bowers, and our illustrious emcee Kidd Conez.

M AY 3 , 2 0 2 5 | C E D A R V I L L E L O D G E | G R E S H A M , O R

2nd ANNUAL AWARDS PARTY A U G U S T 3 0 , 2 0 2 6 | C A F É D Ö B É - S A N TA R O S A , C A

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Once a year, the California Leaf community gathers to celebrate the best Cannabis products in the state. But in this, its second year, the California Leaf Bowl didn’t only represent the finest flower, most perfect pre-rolls, headiest hash, most excellent edibles, and tremendous topicals available in the Golden State. Held at the psychedelically superb Café Döbé, this year’s event showcased the power of a community that bands together. As venue sponsor, Döbé’s staff worked with the Leaf team to throw a hell of a party, with help from Presenting Sponsor Advanced Nutrients, Pre-Roll Category Sponsor Roll Pros, E-rig sponsor, Dr. Dabber, and DJ Just One. Awards were given to the producers whose products tickled the tastebuds of the Leaf’s panel of expert judges, all coordinated by intake partners Mainstage in Sacramento and Green Cross of Torrence. This marked the 18th Leaf Bowl awards party in 5 states, and as always, the sweet aroma of victory filled the venue. Congratulations to the winners, and thank you to the sponsors and vendors. And perhaps most importantly, a tip of the hat to the California Leaf Community. Without you all, none of this would be possible.

OCT. 2026


Emerald Spirit Botanicals/Farm Cut and Wood Wide High Craft were among the biggest winners of the night, taking home a combined total of six Flower awards.

Held at Perhaps the psychedelically Café Döbé, the best part of superb the whole adventure this year’s showcased theand power of a is the event opportunity to see new old friends community that bands together. alike and make authentic human connections. The awards show was held against the backdrop of Café Döbé's psychedelic decor.

The lovely ladies of Stiiizy.

Skypack, Sticky Fields & Hogwash Pharms crews chillin' at the Most Wanted booth.

> > FULL AWARDS RE SULTS NE X T PAGE

STORY by CALIFORNIA LEAF @CALIFORNIALEAFMAG | PHOTOS by RUBEN LEDESMA @RUCALIFORNIA


rehashed

>> continued from previous page True Classic accepts their Runner Up award for Best Indoor Flower Open Category.

Stoner girls have more fun.

2ND ANNUAL CALIFORNIA LEAF BOWL Setting the stage for the awards show.

Casa Flor and Holy Water holding it down.

Attendees take in some of the stoner art that adorns the walls of Café Döbé.

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Pure Beauty's Lou Carrasco poses with our trophy presenter Ashley.

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Midzotics mascot Boysenberry Bobcat takes a catnap.

The ladies from Most Wanted and Skypack's El Rock show off their trophies for Best Traditional Pre-Roll.

CA Leaf director Matt Jackson & friends admire a heady-topped Peak Pro.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS & PARTNERS

OCT. 2026


CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS! INDOOR FLOWER CITRUS Orange Tree from Greenline WINNER (189) Push Pop #4 from Skypack / Compound Genetics RUNNER-UP (134)

TROPICAL/FLORAL #26 from Canna Country / Redwood Roots WINNER (175) OPEN CATEGORY Four Directions from Farm Cut / Emerald Spirit Botanicals WINNER (163)

CONCENTRATES

EDIBLES

CRUMBLE/SUGAR (HYDROCARBON) Cream Smoothie Cured Resin Terp Sugar from Buddies WINNER (144)

ALTERNATIVE CANNABINOID Papaya Bomb Live Resin+ Slumber 1:1:1 (THC:CBD:CBN) Softgels from Buddies WINNER (194) Slēp 1:1:1 25mg Tablets from Emerald Bay Extracts RUNNER-UP (193)

DESSERT Pleazure from Wood Wide WINNER (186)

MIXED-LIGHT/ GREENHOUSE FLOWER

SAUCE (HYDROCARBON) Ztrawberry Chocolope Live Resin Sauce from Errl Hill WINNER (172)

PB & Jane from Lumpy's Flowers RUNNER-UP (184)

DESSERT Lantz from Ridgeline Farms / Rising Source WINNER (184)

ROSIN Blueberry Bars Live Rosin Jam from Heritage Hash Co. WINNER (206)

EXOTIC Wrath from Holy Water WINNER (182) Lantz from Wood Wide RUNNER-UP (174) GAS/OG/CHEM Truffle Fries from Snowtill WINNER (208) Khalifa Kush from Khalifa Kush / Sonoma's Finest RUNNER-UP (183) JACK/HAZE Dutch Treat from Wood Wide WINNER (203) Bangkok Purple from Jackpot RUNNER-UP (146)

Infamous MF from Glass House Farms RUNNER-UP (155) GAS/OG/CHEM Blueberry Caviar from Ridgeline Farms/Rising Source WINNER (191) Super Boof from Glass House Farms RUNNER-UP (182) SWEETS & DREAMS Hella Jelly from Glass House Farms WINNER (153)

SPECIALTY FLOWER

Mattole Valley Rose from Mattole Valley Sungrown / Huckleberry Hill Farms / Bryantist RUNNER-UP (194) TRADITIONAL HASH Classic Lebanese Gold Hashish from Sitka Hash House WINNER (128)

VAPES - ALL-IN-ONE DISTILLATE Flavor Infused Pink Lemonade AIO Vape from Buddies WINNER (168)

SWEETS & DREAMS Screamberry from Snowtill WINNER (191)

CBD RICH Royal Blueberry from Farm Cut / Emerald Spirit Botanicals WINNER (177)

Bolinas from Pure Beauty / Purple City Genetics RUNNER-UP (188)

Gush Mints 1:1 (THC:CBD) from Pure Beauty / Purple City Genetics RUNNER-UP (157)

TROPICAL/FLORAL Carnival from Pure Beauty / Purple City Genetics WINNER (183)

INFUSED FLOWER/MOONROCKS Diamond Infused Tropical Junky from Coastal Sun/ Creme de Canna WINNER (83)

OPEN CATEGORY Spritzer from Pure Beauty WINNER (193)

PRE-ROLLS

SCG 840 from True Classic RUNNER-UP (187)

TRADITIONAL Push Pop #4 Pre-Roll from Skypack / Compound Genetics WINNER (180)

Pressure AIO Vape from Jetty Extracts RUNNER-UP (183)

Blueberry Syrup Pre-Roll from Most Wanted / Hogwash Pharms RUNNER-UP (175)

VAPES - CARTRIDGES

INFUSED/ENHANCED Purple Trainwreck Infused Pre-Roll from Rove WINNER (137)

GENERAL HYDROCARBON Cured Resin Vape Super Boof Cart from Buddies WINNER (167)

SUNGROWN FLOWER DESSERT Country Rose from Huckleberry Hill Farms WINNER (156) GAS/OG/CHEM Purple Headies from Sticky Fields / Redwood Roots WINNER (166)

All scores shown below are out of 250 maximum points.

RESIN/SAUCE Grace Water Live Resin AIO from Holy Water/Carrots by Anwar WINNER (216) Blueberry Muffin Live Resin AIO from Errl Hill RUNNER-UP (213) SOLVENTLESS Key Lime Pie AIO Vape from Jetty Extracts WINNER (190)

Velvet Fuel from Sunroots Farm / Redwood Roots RUNNER-UP (158)

Banana Oasis Rosin Injected Pineapple Kush 1G Infused Pre-Roll from Chico California Cannabis Company / Weed For Warriors RUNNER-UP (127)

LIVE RESIN/SAUCE Strawberry Melon Jelly Cart from ColdFire Extracts WINNER (187)

JACK/HAZE Jack Herer from Farm Cut / Whitethorn Valley Farm WINNER (189)

HASH HOLE Whitethorn Rose Hash Hole from Tyson 2.0 / 3L Distribution WINNER (172)

Blood Moon Cart from ColdFire Extracts RUNNER-UP (186)

BEVERAGE/TINCTURE/SYRUP Blue Dream Live Resin+ Sunrise 2:1 (THC:THCV) Tincture from Buddies WINNER (201) Super Lemon Haze (Sativa) 20mL Tincture from Emerald Bay Extracts RUNNER-UP (193) CAPSULE/TABLET Elektra Ice (Indica) 100mg Tablets from Emerald Bay Extracts WINNER (190) Ghost OG (Indica) 25mg RSO Softgels from Buddies RUNNER-UP (189) GUMMY Sweet Cherry Lemonade Vibrant Focus Gems from Space Gemst WINNER (214) Sweet Pink Lemonade Flying Saucer Gummies from Space Gems RUNNER-UP (210) FECO/RSO Ice Cream Cake (Indica) 1g Syringe from Emerald Bay Extracts WINNER (212)

TOPICALS Fire & Ice MAX THC/CBD/CBG/CBN 3oz Roll-On from Buddies WINNER (200) 1000mg Recovery Balm 1:1 (THC:CBD) from Dawson Bros RUNNER-UP (182)

For more photos, as well as the complete list of entries and judges' scores, scan here or head over to our website at

LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

STORY by CALIFORNIA LEAF @CALIFORNIALEAFMAG | PHOTOS by RUBEN LEDESMA @RUCALIFORNIA


perspective

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FIRE FOLLOWER

GROUNDED GENETICS BRINGS BACK SPIRIT OF AMSTERDAM A M S T E R D A M G E N E T I C S S C E N E H E AT S U P

THE GLOBE’S amateur and pro growers of exotic pot need to put Amsterdam breeding back on their radar this winter. A shift in the legal winds is favoring some longtime European breeders with California sensibilities. They’ve absorbed everything their American counterparts have worked on and are now improving it — much like how Americans once wrestled the seed crown from the Old World. Coming straight from the underground Amsterdam coffeeshop and Barcelona hash scenes, Grounded Genetics now clearly sits in the premium tier of modern Cannabis breeders, and there aren't any tired Hazes or Northern Lights or White Widow in their tool kit. Grounded’s work on Zunami, Z Road, Ozark, Peach Guava, Pink Yuzu and Pink Zoda fits right into the elite genetics conversation worldwide. Their Bluzzi took Highest THC at Spannabis 2025. With a focus on fruit candy, Z terps, tropical fruit, gassy richness Sherb and Gelato, Grounded is clearly one of the best breeders of 2026. The work is loud, pretty and dual-use for flower and washing.

BIG IN AMSTERDAM

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Award-winning journalist/author and former Leafly Senior Editor David Downs’ monthly genetics intelligence dispatch.

PITAYA PINK HONEY

Amsterdam used to be the main focus of global Cannabis genetics from the ‘70s to the ‘90s, owing to the best legal climate for making and selling seeds. Seeds were legal under the Dutch coffeeshop model and European seed laws. They were treated legally as a novelty until you germinated SOUR PEACHEZ OGZ GUAVA them. It works that way in England to this day. Washington and Colorado leIn June, in Berlin, Ramone from galized recreational Cannabis in Grounded told Leaf Magazines that they 2012. California voters followed are able to do more than 2,500 lights, in 2016. Seeds became federally and he’s using 125 lights just for research legal under hemp law and development. Coming straight from PEACH in 2018. Our legal Karma Genetics has the underground LIMEADE climate became way another one of those Dutch Amsterdam coffeeshop commercial grow licenses, more competitive, and Barcelona hash and the U.S. yanked the title of supreme seedand the guys are tight. scenes, Grounded maker away from Amsterdam. “We go way back. He’s Now things might be tacking back a bit. Genetics now clearly like a mentor,” said RaSeeds that come from a THC plant are set to sits in the premium tier mone, whose full name is go back to being illegal in the U.S. on Dec. 11. not disclosed for security of modern Cannabis Meanwhile, European countries like Germany reasons. “He’s 10 years breeders and Czechia are legalizing, and the Dutch older than me.” have gone ahead and licensed 10 commercial facilities, as opposed to merely tolerating them. GETTING GROUNDED Suddenly European breeders are back in the game. Let’s look at Grounded’s new all-femiThey’ve come out of dank, squat basements and into nized, photoperiod seeds: proper greenhouses and indoor facilities — literally above Grounded came in hard at Mary Jane ground now. Berlin and followed it up in September Grounded Genetics originally came out of the U.K., with another vibrant drop. The first two to spent years operating in Amsterdam and has been based sell out were Pink Zoda (Z Face x Ultravioout of Spain since 2014. let Sherb) and Zuminati (Zunami x Ozark).

ocT. 2026

Pink Zoda has Z, Face Off OG, Sherbert and RS-11 in the parentage. Zuminati’s parentage includes OZK. Grounded is right over the hot zone, chasing Z terps, layers of flavor from Sherb, potency and rock-hard bud structure. There are still several left worth adding to your bean collection: OZ Guava, Sour Peachez and Blue Bacio. I’m partial to the OZ Guava, which unites Ozark’s OZK foundation with all this Peach Guava work from Peach Limeade and Key Lime Guava. Yum. Sour Peachez crosses Karma Genetics’ mythical Zowahh with Grounded’s Peach Guava. Double yum. Blue Bacio is this rerun of the 2021 Grounded classic Blue Sherb x Bacio Gelato. BLUE It sold out in an hour back BACIO then, and now it’s returned. The website states: “This one is pure 2018 Cali nostalgia, back when the batches of Sherbs and Gelatos were performing immaculately.” Coming up this fall and winter: PowrHouse in Sacramento, California, is running all of Karma and Grounded Genetics’ gear. Sergio Picazo at the R&D facility shared with the Leaf that the founders of both Karma and Grounded are coming out to look at phenos. Grounded also has a deal with Segra International to distribute its genetics as tissue-culture mother plants and plantlets. The best way to keep up with Grounded’s drops is to join the newsletter. GROUNDEDGENETICS.COM @GROUNDED_GENETICS_2.0

STORY by DAVID DOWNS @DAVIDDOWNS for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by GROUNDED GENETICS


Ellen Holland is a San Francisco Bay Area-based freelance writer, the former editor of High Times

perspective

and the author of multiple books, including "Weed: Smoke It, Eat It, Grow It, Love It" (2024).

“Engage in regular dialogue with the psychedelic, Cannabis, and harm reduction communities to better understand our work and co-create equitable guidelines for content moderation.” “In our modern society, individuals around the world rely upon Facebook, Instagram, and similar platforms for information,” Kat Murti, SSDP executive director, said. “Meta’s decision to limit the ability of nonprofits and legal businesses to use these tools to discuss Cannabis, psychedelics, and harm reduction is not made in a vacuum. By censoring our voices—and encouraging self-censorship among those who work in these spaces—Meta is making a political choice to support drug war policies that have torn apart communities, disenfranchised and imprisoned thousands, and resulted in millions of deaths.” ALGOSPEAK

SELF-CENSORSHIP IN THE MODERN AGE 18

There are many scientific, slang and legal terms for Cannabis. The wide range of terminology for our favorite flower comes from the plant’s illegality and its global reach. Hemp, Cannabis, ganja, hashish, grass, reefer,

the devil’s lettuce — social stigmas often shape how we talk about the words that refer to one plant. And these days, with social media deciding that companies get to control the conversation even in places where Cannabis is legalized, there are more

LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

and more new expressions to avoid prohibited words like “Cannabis” and “marijuana.” “OUID,” spelled like the French “oiu,” is a newer one I’ve seen pop up. Another that’s become popular recently is “gardening.” A 2024 article on Parents.com says: “If you’re like most parents, you’d probably be thrilled to hear that your teen has taken up the wholesome hobby of gardening. But if they’re spending more time discussing gardening on TikTok than digging in the dirt, you may find that their new green thumb relates to something else entirely: smoking weed.” When it comes to words used to work around algorithmic censorship, there are all kinds of coded substitutes, and there are also ways to break down words by using symbols, like typing “c@nnabis” to trick text scanners. Switching to bureaucratized forms of speaking about Cannabis is also happening within our own community in phrases like “plant touching” and “intoxicating hemp.”

ocT. 2026

SHADOWBANNING AND CENSORSHIP

In 2025, a letter led by the Students for Sensible Drug Policy and signed by organizations around the world called for Meta to stop the censorship of Cannabis, psychedelic and harm-related content. “This suppression is not merely an inconvenience; it is a form of digital marginalization,” the letter reads. “At a time when overdose deaths are a continued concern and mental health crises are accelerating, it is vital that evidence-based, life-saving information is not censored. Harm reduction and drug education save lives. Cannabis and psychedelic therapies are supported by rigorous scientific research and show promise for conditions ranging from PTSD to depression to addiction. These are not fringe topics, but crucial conversations impacting the health and wellbeing of our community.” The letter goes on to state that “Meta’s platforms are among the most powerful communication tools in human history” and outlines four goals: “End discriminatory bans and shadowbans on accounts related to Cannabis, psychedelics, and harm reduction when they operate within legal guidelines. “Establish clear, transparent, and consistent content policies that distinguish between promotion of the sale of illegal substances and legitimate drug education and advocacy. “Create a dedicated appeals and accountability process specific to drug-related content that includes community stakeholders and subject-matter experts.

The new language to get around the algorithm used to circumvent censorship online goes beyond the Cannabis community into other topics and is called “algospeak.” In his 2025 book “Algospeak: How Social Media Is Transforming the Future of Language,” Adam Alkesic explains how internet algorithms are transforming the way people communicate both online and otherwise. “We have all these algorithms shaping in-groups and echo chambers and where words come "It's a shame from, how that censorship words spread, how trends is controlling the get popuconversation, but it larized, how some words also drives creativity." are censored, and we have to find ways around that,” Alkesic told NPR in a 2025 interview. “So one example I start the book with is the word unalive. The word kill is suppressed on TikTok, so many creators have turned to say unalive instead. And now we have kids in middle schools writing essays about Hamlet unaliving himself, and that's an example of social media algorithmic speak bleeding into the mainstream.” A D A P TAT I O N D R I V E S C R E AT I V I T Y, BUT DILUTES THE MESSAGE

It's a shame that censorship is controlling the conversation, but it also drives creativity. Some newer words for weed that I think are pretty fun are “penjamin” and “zaza.” Still, self-censorship shouldn't become the norm. Shadowbanning and account deactivation dispel our reach online, but I think part of what will work in pushing for change is continuing to say — and post — what we really mean.

STORY by ELLEN HOLLAND @HOLLANDBUDS for LEAF NATION | ART by ADOBE STOCK


The All-In-One eRig. No atomizer. Completely customizable heat modes.

We created an eRig that has no atomizer to replace every few months. Our apologies to companies before us that rely on their customers continuing to spend money on their devices based off a failing part.

No Atomizer Ever Completely Customizable Heat Modes Quartz Insert Out of the Box Drop Heated Loading Tool Included Built to Last


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“THERE’S A WHOLE BUNCH OF DIFFERENT WAYS OF ENJOYING CANNABIS NOW, AND I THINK IT’S PRETTY INTERESTING.”

Even though he’s just shy of his first year budtending at Symbiotic Sacramento, Jacob Harris has already made a splash with his managers, co-workers and customers. This Elk Grove native has loved Cannabis since a young age, he said, but he didn’t see it as a job until he earned his degree in cybersecurity and moved back to Sacramento.

OCT. 2026

“AFTER COLLEGE, I was looking for a position in the field, and in the meantime, I applied here to see what would happen,” he said. “Honestly, it’s been the best thing for me, and I’ve felt super excited about continuing my education.” Like many people, Harris said he grew up in a household that didn’t approve of pot, so he didn’t have experience with all the types of products and forms the plant has taken nowadays. But he said he found a passion for the work pretty quickly. “There’s definitely been a learning curve. There’s a lot more that goes into it than I ever thought, especially with having it in so many forms: pills, edibles, tinctures, RSO,” he said. “I mean, there’s a whole bunch of different ways of enjoying Cannabis now, and I think it’s pretty interesting.” Harris continued, “It was overwhelming at first, learning about all the different products all at once, but once I got the hang of the education, I got to focus on customers and really up my game. Growing up, I’d always pick up whatever from the plug. Now, I see the different percentages of everything that goes into a strain, what makes them smoke differently and why people like certain ones.” The Leaf asked Harris if, after a year on the job, his parents still feel the same about Cannabis use. “Growing up with my parents, weed was a no-go in our house, and I had to hide it,” he said. “Now that it’s more socially accepted, I feel proud of it, and they feel proud of me.” One of the reasons Harris was nominated was for showing a natural understanding of why someone would want edibles over flower or a vape and helping them find the perfect choice. “I just try to put myself into people’s shoes,” he told California Leaf. “I want to make the experience as easy and friendly as possible so they feel comfortable asking questions, learning about a product or looking for suggestions. That’s the best part, just making it fun and making them want to come back.” The Leaf asked Harris if there was a particular genre of product that he didn’t imagine would be so popular before working behind the counter. “Drinks,” he answered. “That one surprised me most. I kind of knew that edibles had started to pop off, but people are really buying drinks like crazy.” Harris’ advice for someone jumping in: “Don’t be afraid to ask questions, but most importantly, just give it a shot. If you think you want to be a budtender, try it out, and you’ll quickly see if it’s not for you or if you find a love for the work and a passion for learning more about it.”

STORY & PHOTOS by MATT JACKSON @ACTIONMATTJACKSON/CALIFORNIA LEAF @CALIFORNIALEAFMAG Who’s your favorite budtender? Tell us why! Email nominations to mattjackson@leafmagazines.com


shop review

SOL DE DE MEN

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Along California’s picturesque Highway 1, about 100 miles north of Bodega Bay, sits the town of Mendocino, where Main Street is an idyllic coastal setting perfect for a painting. Within that short stretch overlooking the ocean, you’ll find Sol de Mendocino. OCT. 2026


DOCINO NDOCINO JOHN BIRCHARD @JOHNBIRCHARDPHOTOG

SOL IS AN ACRONYM FOR SUN-GROWN, ORGANIC, LOCAL — creating a clever reference to their focus on showcasing the outdoor communities of Mendocino and Humboldt. We were impressed with the overall selection, but especially with how their curated flower menu reads like a hotel brochure for discovering craft farms of the Emerald Triangle. Mary Aigner is a co-owner and the driving force behind the store’s aesthetic and day-today operations. She told California Leaf the store’s motto: carefully curated Cannabis for the conscious consumer. Local sun-grown brands like Sweet Sisters Family Farm, Sunbright Gardens, Perrin Family Farm and Hungry Hollow Farm (which Aigner has run with her partner Hue Freeman since 2002) line the shelves. “These are people we know, so to us it’s not just Sun Roots Farm; it’s Patricia and Forrest, or it’s ‘Mo’ and Gus at Sunbright,” Aigner said. “Occasionally, we’ll pick up a little something, but we try to keep it to small independent farmers.” The store first opened in 2011 at a different location, but by 2015, its original owners had parted ways. That’s when Aigner, along with Freeman and a couple of old friends, got the opportunity to buy the business. Right afterward, in 2016, the team received the generous offer to relocate downtown to the dispensary’s current location. Aigner revealed that Sol de Mendocino’s picturesque space is the former home of Zacha’s Bay Window Gallery. Bill Zacha famously started the Mendocino Arts Center, which sparked an artistic wave that transformed the town. As such, the building has the beautiful light and feel of an art gallery, and the exterior makes the store feel like a natural part of the town’s seaside downtown.

Pebbles Trippet

“When we moved in, we decided we needed a new name, so we became Sol de Mendocino,” Aigner said. As the town’s only dispensary, Sol de Mendocino is often frequented by tourists during the summer months, Aigner said, which gives them a unique chance to introduce people to the local brands, but also means it has to survive the off-season on a local clientele. “Our local customers are the backbone of the shop,” Aigner said. “Being a dispensary in Mendocino County can feel a lot like being a hooker in a college town, but a lot of locals that don’t grow look to us for their vapes, edibles, prerolls and topicals.”

SOL DE MENDOCINO

45110 MAIN ST., MENDOCINO, CA SOLDEMENDOCINO.COM @SOLDEMENDOCINO SUN.-THURS. 10:30 A.M.-6:30 P.M. FRI. AND SAT. 10:30 A.M.-7 P.M. (707) 937-3123

… THEIR CURATED FLOWER MENU READS LIKE A HOTEL BROCHURE FOR DISCOVERING CRAFT FARMS OF THE EMERALD TRIANGLE. Additionally, tourists come to the store as part of The Cannabis Trail. Sol de Mendocino serves as a dedicated landmark honoring the monumental work of Cannabis activist Pebbles Trippet (read more about that story via the Cannthropology column in the January 2026 issue of California Leaf). There are many reasons to drive up Highway 1 to Mendocino: kayaking the sea caves, eating fresh Dungeness crab, hunting the beaches for sea glass or attending the yearly Murder, She Wrote Festival, which honors the town’s depiction as Cabot Cove in the beloved television series. But the reason the Leaf likes most of all: checking out the Triangle’s sweetest sungrown selection at Sol de Mendocino.

STORY by MATT JACKSON @ACTIONMATTJACKSON/@CALIFORNIALEAFMAG Photos by Nik Zvolensky @nik_z_photo | See more photos at LeafMagazines.com


HASHBURGER

STRAIN OF THE MONTH

CAL I F O R N I A

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OCt. 2026

California Artisanal Medicine has been producing one of the biggest lineups of high-end recreational Cannabis in California for years, and their rendition of Hashburger is among the finest of the dozens of strains they have brought to the marketplace.


CULTIVATED BY

CAM

CONSUMERS’ QUEST for higher THC percentages that won’t put you to sleep has left the market fairly barren of the heavier strains people have relied on for decades for pain relief or just simple relaxation. Today’s current hodgepodge of hybrids can’t compare to the era when OG Kush and Purple dominated. They simply don’t have the hitting power of those strains we now call classics. Hashburger is an absolute ode to the days when what we considered the best Cannabis was usually associated with a heavy body high. Hashburger was bred by Respect and Mrs. Respect of California Seed Bank, in partnership with Skunk House Genetics’ Skunk Master Flex. The strain’s effects feel about as high as you can get before hitting super heavy myrcene strains, like Granddaddy Purple and Purple Urkle. This strain basically feels like the last train station before you get to couch lock town. CAM’s rendition of Hashburger lives up to all of this. Hashburger’s parents are Han Solo Hash Plant and Double Burger. The Han Solo Hash Plant “This strain brings together Han Solo Burger and Black Triangle basically feels Kush, with Han Solo Burger like the last train tracing back to a pairing of Larry OG and GMO. Black station before Triangle Kush adds a cross of you get to couch Triangle Kush and ’88 G13 lock town.” Hashplant to the mix. A cross of Donny Burger back to GMO, Double Burger also traces its origins to Han Solo Burger through its Donny Burger lineage, making for a stacked deck of savory, kush and OG notes. The aroma of CAM’s Hashburger leans heavily on GMO, but the OG Kush in its ancestry cuts through, which is no surprise given founder Anna Willey’s affinity for OG strains. CAM’s Hashburger produces the kind of funk with kush on top that feels closer to original Chem D compared to GMO’s pure funk — but the impact is in a class of its own. A lot of Hashburger’s hitting power comes from its GMO-heavy lineage. GMO traces back to the Chem D originally scored by Greg “Chemdog” Krzanowski at a Grateful Dead show in the early 1990s. Over 20 years later, Mamiko Seeds dropped their Chem D crossed with Girl Scout Cookies seed line, and in 2013, Skunkmasterflex made a selection, which we now call GMO. But a lot of work has been done on GMO since then, and much of it is reflected in Hashburger’s lineage. Most of the time you see Hashburger on shelves, it’s usually in some concentrate format, like rosin or an all-in-one pen gizmo. It’s truly a blessing to see this strain in flower form from the CAM team that crushes just about everything that comes out of their Sacramento facilities. For those looking for a little more impact in their Cannabis than much of the flavor-driven market offers, Hashburger is a must-try. CAMDISPENSARY.COM @CAMSTR007

STORY by JIMI DEVINE @JIMIDEVINE2.0 for CALIFORNIA LEAF @CALIFORNIALEAFMAG | PHOTO by JOSH MONTHEI @CAPTURECANNABIS HAVE A LEAD ON SOME SERIOUS FIRE? EMAIL MATTJACKSON@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM


concentrate of the month

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MASTER MAKERS

GRAPEFRUIT STARBURST

LIVE ROSIN

You need to put down this magazine, jump on your preferred dispensary menu aggregator — your Weedmaps, your Leafly — and search for “Master Makers” right now. Not later. Now. There are fewer than 500 grams of this multi-award-winning Grapefruit Starburst Live Rosin in circulation in California — a state with, like, 4 million weed smokers. And we don’t want you to miss out. This is the one, y’all. HIGHER GROUND SEED BANK’S operator, John — no last name to protect his game — has been breeding hash strains to do his own growing, washing and hash sales since the Proposition 215 days. His Starburst #36 (Starburst OG x KC #36) is legendary in hash circles. He did a huge pheno hunt within Starburst #36 to isolate the Grapefruit Starburst. Next comes the outdoor soil growers, Canyon Creek Family Farms, way up north in the remote Trinity Alps. They fed the plant local well water off the mythic, 9,002foot Thompson Peak, plus their nutrient-rich soil and clear hot sun.

“It hits clear, light and pure, with candy, sour and tropical flavors that riotously perfume a room.”

Now here comes 4-year-old Los Angeles brand Master Makers just dominating the hash game. Breeder, grower and hash maker have aligned to open a cosmic portal to a higher flavor dimension. This batch won a gold medal in 2026’s California State Fair Cannabis Awards live rosin category and second place in the 2026 Hashathon Cup. Next up: the California Zalympix hash battle.

oct. 2026

MAKERSMJ.COM @MASTERMAKERSCA

This hash is bone white like the teeth of a tiger, with the slightest waviness to the surface of the 1-gram patty. The aroma is loud, testing at a massive 7.1% terpenes. We get loud, bitter, sour grapefruit rind terps with that refined, clean, high-end waft of nail polish or house paint when we smell it. It hits clear, light and pure, with candy, sour and tropical flavors that riotously perfume a room.

The rosin tests at 67% THC, and our hearing throbbed as our pulse rose and blood pressure dropped. Grapefruit Starburst has this hybrid sativa effect that had us super into the “Animaniacs” reboot and Helldivers 2 on PlayStation 5, with a hint of The Fear that had us taking a quick mental inventory of Things That Could Go Wrong™. But we rode the lightning to a finish in the kitchen with a handful of chocolate chips and, we admit, a bit of late-night doomscrolling. This stuff is so special, it feels like a crime to carve away creamy dabs of it with a Puffco Hot Knife. You won’t need much; you’ll want to savor it, and you’ll feel bad if you leave any liquid for your cotton swab to sop up. I don’t know, maybe just put it in the freezer and save it for some life milestone when you need to pair your victory with a visit to the guaranteed peak of Mount Terps.

STORY by DAVID DOWNS @DAVIDDOWNS for @CALIFORNIALEAFMAG | PHOTO by JOSH MONTHEI @CAPTURECANNABIS


THE tech ISSUE

HIGH-TECH RECS Higher Innovation Air Purifier Kit Tired of those skunk smell complaints? The Air Purifier Kit by Higher Innovation is a medical-grade, three-stage filtration system made portable. A carbon foam prefilter catches large particles and is paired with a HEPA filter to capture fine dust and allergens, while activated carbon pellets help neutralize smoke and heavy odors. The kit includes the purifying unit, a filter, a charging cable and Smell Away Spray, conveniently packed in a smell-proof, lockable bag. Whether you don’t want the smell of smoke lingering in your living space or need some discretion while traveling, this compact setup makes it easy to keep things fresh wherever you sesh. $219 | higherinnovation.com | @higherinnovation

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LIVTAB LT90 FreezerX Smart Coffee Table with Fridge & Freezer If your ideal sesh includes cold drinks, good music and zero trips to the kitchen, the LIVTAB LT90 FreezerX Smart Coffee Table is right up your alley. Dual cooling and freezing zones give you 65 liters of refrigeration space and 28 liters of deep freeze storage. That’s plenty of room for infused drinks, munchies or a serious collection of persy hash jars. Additional features like wireless charging and smart touch controls have transformed an everyday piece of furniture into a sleek and elevated device. There are even built-in 20-watt speakers that connect with Bluetooth to deliver epic audio for music, movies or gaming and dynamic RGB lighting that syncs with your music sets the mood for any session. $999 | livtab.com | @livtab.us

PAX Mini

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Clean Torch Starter Kit There are few things worse than reaching for your lighter only to find it empty — or realizing you’re out of butane at 11 p.m. when the smoke shop is already closed. Enter the Clean Torch. Butane-free, flame-free and rechargeable, it’s the kind of lighter that takes the mess, guesswork and last-minute supply runs out of lighting up. Turn it on, let it heat, then hover it over your bowl and let the coil do the work. Unlike previous iterations of this type of device, the Clean Torch doesn’t require direct contact. Different dual modules included in the starter kit attach to the battery (also included) to accommodate various bowl sizes, and there are even add-on banger options designed for a cold-start dab. If you’re having a hard time getting a visual of how this device works, head to the Clean Torch Instagram page for plenty of tutorial videos — and clouds. $125 cleantorch.com | @cleantorchofficial

ocT. 2026

PAX is an OG in the portable vaporizer game, and the brandnew Mini is the most compact device in its lineup at just 89 grams. It comes loaded with everything you need: Standard and Half Pack Oven Lids to swap out depending on the size of your sesh, a magnetic charging table, three oven screens, flat and THE NEW PAX raised mouthOXBLOOD pieces, a cleaning COLORWAY COLLECTION brush and a multitool keychain for packing. Cycle through four intelligent heat modes to dial in your temperature, then simply give the device a shake to confirm your selection. The Mini is available in three colorways: Onyx, Greenstone and the newest, Oxblood — just in time for Halloween. If you really want to customize your setup, you can even add a custom engraving. $150 | pax.com | @pax_official

REVIEWS by KATHERINE WOLF @KATADELLIC for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS courtesy


Award Winning

ORANGE TREE Every Way You Like It!

it to us LEAFMAGAZINES .COM

Bright flavor. Indoor flower. Full-family lineup. LEARN MORE AT GOGREENLINE.COM @GOGREENLINE

*A spent cannabis cartridge shall be properly disposed of as hazardous waste at a household hazardous waste facility or other approved facility.

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THE tech ISSUE

HIGH-TECH RECS Craighill Swingtop Lighter We stoners have been fidgeting with lighters basically since the flame was discovered. Craighill has turned that familiar habit into a deliberate design with its new Swingtop Lighter. Made to strike a balance between “comfort and delight,” we can confirm it is as satisfying to use as it is to look at. Simply press down on the swingarm to open it. Release your thumb, and the arm sends that stored force back into the mechanism, striking the flint and sparking the flame. When you’re ready to snuff it out, the top swings neatly shut. Mindlessly fun and endlessly tactile, this is the kind of lighter you’ll find yourself reaching for even when you don’t actually need a light. $78 | craighill.co | @craighillcompany

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Disqolodean Hash Cooler Your jars deserve better than rolling around the bottom of a warm bag. DisQolodeon’s 3D-printed hash coolers keep your stash cool and your setup looking fresh. Shaped to hold jars upright and secure, each comes with a removable center and freezer pack — plus a digital temperature reader to easily keep tabs on the chill. The vibes are pure nostalgia, inspired by the colorful and playful world of Nickelodeon, featuring fan-favorite characters and trippy designs. Equal parts practical and personality, these coolers give your concentrates a proper place to sit before they're smoked. Starting at $15 disqolodeon.com | @disqosmodernlife

Puffco Proxy Core Puffco’s Proxy Core was one of the sesh essentials we saw everywhere this summer — and for good reason. The ergonomic Proxy Core represents the company’s best unit for combining fat dabs and a low profile. There’s no glass, no water and no bulky setup. Just Puffco’s classic 3D Chamber in a compact, durable package. Choose the classic Onyx color or the brand-new Pine, then customize your setup with add-ons like the Wizard dry pipe or Bub water attachment. Small but mighty, the Proxy Core is built for clouds without the extra baggage. $250 | puffco.com | @puffco

Pelican RE-SET Anyone with a collection of heady glass knows the struggle: You get a Pelican case for your new piece, only to be pulling chunks of foam. The RE-SET line says no more jerry-rigging a custom fit. Super adaptable and flexible, it redefines storage and transport with a matrix of high-density foam pegs. You simply push and pull the pegs to change the configuration. Using a different banger shape? Swapping out your rig? The system is totally resettable anytime your setup changes, with no cutting or waste required. There are various sizes available, and the optional storage cutout panel is so clutch for storing additional sesh accessories — like your Q-tips, dab tools or your new Proxy Core. Priced by size | pelican.com | @pelican

710 Print Shop Bluetooth Speaker Proxy Based out of Long Beach, California, 710 Print Shop is another maker that 3D-prints different attachments and bases for the Puffco Proxy, including a version that donates half the profit to the American Cancer Society. We really feel like this shop took things to the next level when it dropped this base, which disguises your Proxy unit as a portable, rechargeable Bluetooth speaker. It’s made in small batches, available in four colors and perfect for keeping anyone from noticing. Sure, someone at the family vacation might ask why your speaker is smoking, but we’ll leave the explaining to you. $50 | 710printshop.com/s/shop | @710printshop

ocT. 2026

REVIEWS by KATHERINE WOLF @KATADELLIC for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS courtesy


THE tech ISSUE

HIGH-TECH RECS Ario Vape Dopeamine Dual

Carta Focus V CARTA 3

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Finally, a vape battery that comes loaded with games and is built for major clouds. The Leaf team has seen Ario’s newest release around, and we were impressed with the specs. The Dopeamine Dual can hold two 2-gram cartridges, which you can switch between or combine. The voltage regulator automatically tests the resistance of the cartridge you plug in and adjusts the power to your setting. Ario includes a 14-millimeter adapter with this unit so that you can plug it into your favorite water pipe. Available in four colors, this vape features a preheat mode, a child lock and, most importantly, five games: Paper Planes, Brick Stacks, Dab Man, Tank and Race Car. $50 | ariovape.com | @ariovape

Review coming 10/15

leafmagazines.com

Stay tuned Focus V CARTA 3

Myster Puff Muffs

Focus V is back with the highly anticipated CARTA 3, bringing a fresh round of upgrades to its popular e-rig. The most noticeable change is a redesigned glass top, while the base remains compatible with all previous CARTA glass iterations. One of this device’s standout features has always been its screen, and the new OLED display takes it up a notch to clearly show your battery life, temperature setting and heat time at a glance. There’s even a built-in speaker that provides audible alerts when you power on or reach your desired temp. An improved Intelli-Core 3 atomizer comes with a 30% larger chamber and a rounded bottom, and a higher-voltage battery delivers more dabs per charge. The addition of the removable and swappable C3 Connect airpath, first seen on the SPORT model, makes cleaning a breeze and keeps the session going. Five built-in temperature and LED presets offer plenty of customization, with a 365-635 degrees Fahrenheit temperature range and 20-120-second heat times. With smarter controls and easier maintenance, the CARTA 3 feels like a familiar favorite with plenty of fun new features. Price TBD | focusv.com | @focus.v

ocT. 2026

This is the ultimate gaming accessory for the 710 crowd. These wireless Bluetooth headphones feature a foldaway microphone that also has a 510 threaded input. Now, you can hook up your vape right to the mic arm and puff, even when the headphones are off. The headset can pair via the included adapter or Bluetooth, giving you the option to switch back and forth between your gaming device and your phone. Go old school with the tethered connection via the audio jack, which doesn’t require power. The battery boasts an impressive 83 hours of Bluetooth connection, but it also has pass-through charging. For dabbers, Myster has an oil chamber accessory that you can use to load your rosin as well. $128 | getmyster.com | @mysterhighend

REVIEWS by KATHERINE WOLF @KATADELLIC for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS courtesy


C10-0000511-LIC

SPOOKY STAFF PICKS Meet the crew and discover what they’re reaching for this Halloween. Plus a spooky canna themed word search

ANTHONY V. MY SPOOKY

CHOICE: Je

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GABI W.

WHY I LOVE IT: A euphoric, delicious feel-good sativa.

Keeps you happy, awake, and inspired. On my drives, I feel like I’m in The Fast & The Furious.

OriginalGreenCross.com 1658 W Carson St. Torrance, CA 90501

laxing.

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MY SPOOKY CHOICE: BLEM - Mandarin 3.5g

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THE TECH ISSUE

HIGH-TECH RECS Dr. Dabber Switch GO

Which bucket is best? Review by Matt Jackson @actionmattjackson

Anyone looking to quickly transform their new Switch GO can swap out the quartz bucket with one made from medical-grade titanium or one created from a lab-grown crystal of pure sapphire. But what is the difference? The biggest thing that sets them apart is heat retention. Sapphire and titanium both build heat faster and retain heat longer than traditional quartz.

Review by Katherine Wolf @katadellic

QUARTZ ($29.95)

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SA

The Switch GO is the latest evolution of Dr. Dabber’s cult-favorite Switch, packing the flagship experience into a smaller, travel-ready design. Perfectly palm-sized, it offers a 250-650 degrees Fahrenheit temperature range, five dynamic heat modes and up to 20 heating cycles on a single charge.

PP ($ HIR 10 E 9. PL 95 U ) S

TITANIUM ($19.95)

Operation is refreshingly simple: Hold the power button for two seconds to turn on, use the arrows to alternate between temperature modes and then click once to heat. We’re suckers for a single-click dab. Wondering about the atomizer power? Well, there actually isn’t one. Instead, the GO comes loaded with Dr. Dabber’s signature real quartz and uses an interchangeable insert system. The Sapphire Plus Insert upgrades flavor and heat retention while making cleanup easier. The titanium insert heats exceptionally fast and is compatible with dry materials, too.

OCT. 2026

An illuminated water chamber adds some visual flair while showing when the device is heating and ready to go, with a companion app that lets you customize ambient lighting themes as well as temperature and heat-up time. We’re also big fans of the magnetic silicone-sealed carb cap, which is made to stay securely in place during on-the-go dabs. Compact, customizable and capable, the Switch GO is truly ready to roam. $329.95 | drdabber.com | @drdabber

For those who want something that is harder to break or crack and can withstand heavy temperatures for smoking and cleaning, the titanium option is a natural choice. The Sapphire Plus is something geared more for flavor chasers who prefer taking dabs at low temperatures or burning full melt. It also has a pattern that creates micro zones where oil can be heated more uniformly and with less waste left behind.

The biggest thing that sets them apart is heat retention. Sapphire and titanium both build heat faster and retain heat longer than traditional quartz.

DR. DABBER TOUR BAG ($24.95)

REVIEWS by KATHERINE WOLF @KATADELLIC & MATT JACKSON @ACTIONMATTJACKSON for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS courtesy


Dab Rite BTI platform lets manufacturers recommend the perfect dab temperature Story by Tom Bowers @megabombtom2.0

Rosin, resin, budder, badder, diamonds, sauce, full-melt, bubble. The world of hash has never been more flavorfully diverse. But it’s also never been more confusing. From the start, Dab Rite has sought to set a standard for how hash is consumed. And it all started with building a device to dial in the perfect temperature for your dab. But there’s always been a missing component — input from the source. Dab Rite’s new BTI platform seeks to revolutionize that, by serving as a resource where hash makers can offer their own insights for each consistency and flavor they produce. Each retail product will have a scannable QR code that will lead consumers to Dab Rite’s online world, where the makers will have profiles for their products, including consumption recommendations, brand information, cultivation and production methodology, and more. “We wanted the hash makers to have extreme involvement with their consumers,” said Samuel Morris, who co-owns Dab Rite parent company IV Thought with his wife, Alexandra. Aside from the hash makerSAMUEL & to-consumer communication ALEXANDRA pipeline, there’s also a RedditMORRIS style social component, where heads can gather to share their own experiences, their own recommended temperatures, and their thoughts about products and hash in general. It’s still in the early phase, but it's quickly being adopted by hash brands listed in the BTI online database. As this community-focused project grows, Morris and the Dab Rite team hope to set a new global standard for how hash is consumed. dabritebti.com

Dab Rite GO Review by Katherine Wolf @katadellic

Tired of guessing when to drop in when you're dabbing on the go? While The Dab Rite has been a staple on sesh tables for years, the GO is a travel-ready upgrade to the OG temp-reader, packed with some long-awaited features we’re stoked to see.

HIGH-TECH TEMPERATURE READINGS

One of the biggest updates is its next-gen multipoint array sensor, which pulls temperature readings from multiple points on the banger instead of relying on a single spot. A more accurate read means smoother, more consistent dabs and a much lower chance of accidentally taking a scorcher. The arm-free design is another major upgrade, built specifically for smaller rigs and travel setups, with no awkward readjusting needed when you switch pieces.

The ultimate flexibility to dab your way continues with three built-in presets right out of the box, or you can open the app and pick your sweet spot with a 200800 degrees Fahrenheit range. We’re also way into the little details: a magnetic charging base (USB-C direct charging is also available), compact carrying case and attachable carabiner. It’s a smart upgrade to a familiar essential that’s genuinely built to GO. $299 | dabrite.com | @thedabrite

FREE GUIDES ON HELPFUL TOPICS IN THE DAB RITE BTI COMMUNITY

Visit LeafMagazines.com for an expanded interview!

REVIEWS by KATHERINE WOLF @KATADELLIC & TOM BOWERS @MEGABOMBTOM2.0/ LEAF NATION | PHOTOS courtesy

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THE tech ISSUE

Cannabis Tools for Every Body and Brain Tech moves like a tidal wave in any industry. In the still-developing sector of Cannabis, it can feel like a part-time job keeping up with the latest doohickeys and devices. But you know what else changes as often as trends? Our bodies. For the neurodivergent or disabled consumer, this is a daily battle that’s best fought with the right tools — not (necessarily) what’s hot in the headiest circles.

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​BEYOND THE BUZZ

To be clear: This isn’t a buyer's guide. It’s a permission slip to stop chasing what your favorite influencer is flashing and start asking what actually works — especially when your body and mind aren’t cooperating. Truthfully, adaptive tools aren’t talked about much, and many live in harder-to-find corners of the market. Those are big barriers with no quick fix. But the more the Cannabis industry is pushed to design with disabled and neurodivergent consumers in mind, the faster we can break down the wall for all.

Different by Design NECESSITY NAVIGATES

​DABS DIALED-IN

From post-stroke shaky hands to ADHD sensory overload and endometriosis pain that pauses normal function, this writer has learned to toss what’s trendy and tackle tech from a necessity angle. Because sometimes, making it to the sesh means simplifying the setup. These days, when I’m tallying my terp tools, I ask a few questions of my selections: Does it cut down consumption steps? Is it usable with limited mobility? Does it simplify dosing?

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​CONCENTRATE CONSIDERATIONS

Concentrates are an excellent way to simplify intake if you're into combustibles. Higher potencies let you pack more medication into fewer puffs, and a wide range of e-rigs and pens offers different styles for different needs. I often find myself reaching for cartridges and disposables when battling a disability, due to the simplified format. Minimal handling, no measuring, no assembly. I've even adapted a special technique for weathering the worst pain days: I call it “snorkeling.” Snag an inhale-activated cart or all-in-one, pop it in your mouth hands-free, float on a fluffy bed and let the high tide take you away. For bigger, more flexible doses, e-rigs deserve their own moment here. No torch means no singed fingertips or burnt carpet when your grip clocks out early. For anyone managing tremors, limited strength or fine motor challenges, that safety factor is more than a bonus feature — it’s the whole point. Customizable temperature settings, plus added safety, mean consistent, repeatable, stress-free sessions when you're running out of “spoons.”

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Lately, a lot of us at the Leaf have been reaching for Dr. Dabber’s new Switch GO. But brands from Puffco to Focus V offer equally accessible electronic devices. Find what fits your body and budget. If glass is still your game, don’t count it out yet. The community is starting to catch on to accessibility as a real design consideration (check out our April 2026 story on Mothership Glass’ custom piece for Dustin Brandon). And in the meantime, there are trade-ins for traditional setups, like the Disorderly Conduction Cobra Coil. It cuts out several steps in the dabbing process without compromising the experience. Need to dial in a consistent dose? The Stache DigiTUL Scale dab tool measures repeatable dabs so your medicine behaves the same way every single session.

​RITUAL AND REALITY

Flower has a familiarity and a sensory quality that nothing else fully replicates, and for a lot of folks, that consistency is part of the medicine. The ritual matters, and I mean that literally: The predictability of a familiar routine has measurable calming value when your body's already fighting itself. But you have to run a gauntlet to get there: packaging engineered to humble anyone without a fully functioning grip, grinders that grab your whole arm, lighters hinged for The Hulk. A standard letter opener deals with packaging that child-proofing laws have turned into a puzzle for patients. The Cloudious9 Tectonic9 grinder brings better ergonomics and smoother action for hurting hands. The Vector "Mystique" lighter swaps the standard struggle for a flare-friendly grip.

​PREPACKED PRACTICALITY

An entirely different category of consumption, edibles are, off the shelf, one of the most accessible formats in the game. They are prescored, have standardized dosing and come in all kinds of formulations and flavors. Granted: A heat-sealed Mylar bag on a sketchy motor skill day is still a legitimate accessibility barrier. But that handy letter opener should handle that!

STORY by TERPODACTYL MEDIA @TERPODACTYL_MEDIA/LEAF NATION | ART by ADOBE STOCK


garden tour

PLANTA

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For Los Angeles flower brand Planta, the standard is simple: The flavor has to make it all the way from the jar to the last hit. The California market has spent years teaching people to judge flower before they smoke it. Bright Mylar bags compete for attention, while THC percentages make an easy, if incomplete, shorthand for quality. Planta entered that market in 2021 with a different priority. Founded in Los Angeles by Derek Formoso and Freddie “Bigg” Aquitania, the brand was built around the flower inside the package.

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“WE SET OUT TO CREATE SOMETHING more than just crazy packaging,” Formoso said. “We set out to bring some of the best flower we possibly could to market.” The name, Planta, reflects that focus. “We have always believed it’s what’s inside the bag that really matters,” he said. What is inside the bag has to pass Formoso’s smoke test. He estimates that exotic flower represents 5% or less of the market, though his definition has little to do with whether a bud photographs well. Formoso summarizes it this way: “Does it taste exactly how it smells, and does that flavor translate throughout the whole experience?” A distinctive terpene profile matters next, especially one that makes a person want to return to the same jar. Bag appeal comes last. “Some of the best strains are not lookers, but they check all the boxes that really matter,” he said. Flower can be dense, colorful and frosted and still lose its personality as soon as it burns.


Formoso is most interested in the cultivars that survive the flame. Planta uses that standard when hunting new genetics. The team considers whether a terpene profile offers something its customers want, then smokes the flower to see whether the flavor carries through the session. Structure and yield still matter because any plant headed for California’s recreational market has to be commercially viable, but Formoso said those considerations rank below the experience of smoking it. The company recently finished a breeding project and is now hunting through 20 varieties it expects to begin releasing in 2027. Some will meet the market where it is; others may help move it somewhere new. That balance is difficult in a market heavily shaped by candy and dessert strains. Formoso said he does not blame breeders for following demand. “The market wants what it wants,” he said. To those points, Planta’s own catalog includes candy, gas and Gelato-family cultivars, alongside older profiles the team believes are still worth preserving, especially for connoisseurs and those who crave variety and history.

Formoso said its recently launched Chem OG has gained traction and that Gorilla Glue received strong reviews. Sour Diesel is harder to find in the form longtime smokers remember. “Sour Diesel seems to have been lost forever,” Formoso said. Whether it is truly gone or simply buried beneath years of crosses, his point is that market pressure doesn’t just create trends but decides which genetics remain available for generations to come. Cultivation can narrow a plant’s potential further. Formoso has used crop steering since 2017 or 2018, and Planta has developed a standard operating procedure that guides irrigation and environmental adjustments without treating maximum yield as the only goal. “Crop steering has not changed the expression of any of our cultivars; it has only enhanced them,” Formoso said. The method has limits, though.

“There is a tipping point with crop steering where pushing too hard for yield will inevitably cause a loss in quality,” he said. Planta’s process continues with a 14-day wholeplant hang and close attention to the dry room. “The post-harvest process is one of the biggest factors that can determine the end result of your flower,” Formoso said. The company watches moisture carefully because flower dried too little can smoke harshly, while overdrying can diminish the aroma and flavor it spent months developing. The final decision still happens through use. Formoso said Planta’s quality-control team smokes each new genetic several times before approving it and checks every finished batch before it reaches a jar. That process matters more to him than a potency result alone. “THC percentages are a major challenge in our industry because end users are often not educated properly,” Formoso said. “They shop based on THC percentage most of the time, and that isn’t the only compound controlling the experience.” He contrasts the monotone high he associates with a 98% “FIVE YEARS FROM TODAY, THC vape cart with the long, I THINK SMOKEABILITY sedative experience he can WILL BE THE MAIN THING get from an 18% THC joint of CONNOISSEURS ARE LOOKING FOR AND OG. It is a subjective comparWILL DETERMINE TRUE ison, but it illustrates the limTOP-SHELF FLOWER.” itation of asking one number DEREK FORMOSO, to describe an entire plant. PLANTA CO-FOUNDER Formoso said he expects consumers to become more demanding as their palates develop, with smokeability and genetic variety eventually carrying more weight than potency or appearance. “Five years from today, I think smokeability will be the main thing connoisseurs are looking for and will determine true top-shelf flower,” he said. If shoppers do not move beyond THC percentage, he worries the legal market will keep breeding out great cultivars simply because they are harder to sell. Planta’s wager is that people will learn to notice what lasts: the flavor after the first hit, the shape of the high and whether or not the jar is still the one they’ll reach for tomorrow.

PLANTACANNABISCO.COM @PLANTA_CA

STORY by JACKIE BRYANT @JACQBRY for CALIFORNIA LEAF @CALIFORNIALEAFMAG | PHOTOS by MIKE RICKER @RICKERDJ See more photos at LeafMagazines.com


feature

Terpnami 2026

Hype Cannabis Genetics Currents Converge in Berkeley

COURTESY TERPNAMI COURTESY BIOVORTEX

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OCT. 2026

BioVortex GMOB Dogz

Terp alert! Terp alert! Cannabis gardeners, big and small, prep for monster sets at Terpnami 2026 on Dec. 5 and 6, Saturday and Sunday, in Berkeley. The third-annual seed rave, which I’m organizing, features 30 of the world’s top breeders and an expected 1,000 growers over two days in the Bay Area. It’s the world’s first boutique breederfocused Cannabis genetics conference, timed to the start of winter when full-sun seeds are packaged and folks plan their 2027 gardens.


Terpnami 2025

STORY by DAVID DOWNS @DAVIDDOWNS for CALIFORNIA LEAF @CALIFORNIALEAFMAG Photos by Mike Rosati @rosatiphotos and courtesy Terpnami/featured brands | See more photos at Leafmagazines.com

COURTESY TERPNAMI

COURTESY TERPNAMI

Higher Ground Seeds

COURTESY TERPNAMI

Xeno & Bosky

MIKE ROSATI @ROSATIPHOTOS

MIKE ROSATI @ROSATIPHOTOS

IF “NICHE” now means “cool,” Terpnami approaches absolute zero. The genetics side of the $60-billion global Cannabis trade is a very small world, and a good chunk of it confers in a private venue for the weekend. Single-day tickets are $10, with $100 VIP packages offering admission both days plus a gift box. Umami Seed Co. Terpnami Midway Rebel Grown Seeds owner Dan Pomerantz has been The lineup is stacked. We’ll also see new working on fresh batches of his “You’ve brought all the cool people work from Biovortex, classic Double OG Chem and together,” said Pomerantz. “It’s really Umami Seed Company awesome.” Sour lines — among the most winning in Emerald Cup history. Why a seed rave? A friend said the and Tangled Roots His Peak OG medaled three name sounded like a rave, so we leaned representing times in the 2026 California into the trope. A light show, EDM DJs, Huckleberry Hill Farms the air of mystery and a retro, sci-fi, State Fair Cannabis Awards, and he has fingerprints on other and Ridgeline Farms, anime aesthetic make for a singularly fun trophies. celebration. as well as Ziplock “These plants are just beasts. The Bay Area is also mild in December, Seeds from Oregon They’re monsters,” he said. with world-class hotels, Michelin-starred and many more. Maine Trees is out from the restaurants, elite shopping, gorgeous East Coast with fresh work from hikes and charming neighborhoods. the Blue Lobster line, plus their 2026 hit BBL2. BBL2 has won Maine Trees CEO and co-founder Owen hardware from The Billy Awards, the Arizona Culture Cup Ruh said he’s looking forward to the food, and Seattle Terp Warz this year. Snowy Maine has hot tree especially. and is fully in dialogue with the West Coast scene. “Chez Panisse is one of my favorite Higher Ground Canna will also attend with extremely hype restaurants in the Bay — that’s high on my list new 2.0 versions of the smash candy hasher, Starburst 36, as when me and the team get out there,” Ruh said. well as a revamped KC 36 crossed to Z, dubbed KCZ. So ditch the doomscroll and touch grass. “I think it’s going to make some major noise,” said Higher Plant a seed and envision a better tomorrow. Ground Canna owner John Oliver. Exercise our rare freedom to associate and to We’ll also see new work from Biovortex, Umami Seed cultivate. See you in the lineup at Terpnami. Company and Tangled Roots representing Huckleberry Hill Farms and Ridgeline Farms, as well as Ziplock Seeds from SFSPACEWALK.COM Oregon and many more.

MIKE ROSATI @ROSATIPHOTOS

COURTESY TERPNAMI

Higher Ground Seeds


perspective

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Former San Diego Magazine Managing Editor Jackie Bryant joins Leaf Nation to imagine the future of the Cannabis industry.

THE KIDS WHO KICKED IN THE DOOR ROBBY BENAVIDES IS A REMINDER THAT PEDIATRIC CANNABIS PATIENTS ARE STILL GROWING UP — AND STILL FIGHTING FOR SAFE ACCESS

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“The portrait of the sick child is becoming the story of a young man approaching adulthood.”

LATE SEPTEMBER 2026, Robby Benavides is 17 years old. That sentence may sound ordinary, but for him and his family, ordinary life was never guaranteed. Before Benavides turned 10, he sometimes experienced dozens of tonic-clonic seizures in a single day. His epilepsy was dangerous, debilitating and resistant to conventional treatment. Cannabis, particularly CBD oil used alongside certain pharmaceuticals, which they accessed through an underground caregiving network at the time, helped bring those seizures under control. It gave Benavides access to something most children receive without a political fight: the chance to grow up. I first learned about Benavides through his father, Rob, a legendary San Diego tattoo artist turned medical Cannabis activist. He introduced me to his then-wife, Alison, who was their son’s main caregiver. The Benavides family was later photographed by Colorado photojournalist Nichole Montanez for “Face of Cannabis,” her portrait series documenting children who relied on cannabinoid medicine and the families forced into activism on their behalf.

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When the exhibit came to San Diego’s Barrio Logan in 2019, it included 284 portraits. The children looked directly into the camera, refusing the abstraction that so often defines debates about pediatric Cannabis. They were not talking points. They were patients, siblings, students and kids whose parents had watched medications fail while seizures continued. Montanez began the project as a skeptic. Her perspective changed after meeting Charlotte Figi, the young Colorado patient whose dramatic response to CBD helped make pediatric Cannabis a national issue. Charlotte became the most recognizable child in the movement, but she was never the only one. Families across the country moved, lobbied lawmakers, risked arrest and submitted themselves to public scrutiny because waiting quietly was not keeping their children alive. The activism surrounding Charlotte unfolded alongside years of scientific research into cannabidiol. In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approved Epidiolex, a purified form of CBD, for certain severe seizure disorders. That milestone mattered, but it did not erase the divide between a federally approved pharmaceutical and the Cannabis preparations many families were already using — or the stigma and access problems that followed them.

Now, Benavides is 17, and for the last 14 years, his mom confirmed to me, he has been seizure-free, thanks to medical Cannabis. The portrait of the sick child is becoming the story of a young man approaching adulthood. That transition raises another set of questions: What happens when pediatric Cannabis patients age out of children’s hospitals, school accommodations and systems their parents spent years learning to navigate? Who manages their medicine, insurance, legal protections and care when childhood ends but the condition does not? Cannabis culture loves novelty. The industry races toward new cannabinoids, products, markets and branding opportunities. Pediatric patients do not fit comfortably into that glossy picture. Their stories are complicated, medically specific and frequently heartbreaking. They also require us to talk about Cannabis as medicine without pretending it is a miracle cure or that every patient responds the same way. But these families are foundational to legal Cannabis. As Montanez once told me, “These kids kicked in the door and made sweeping changes.” Adult-use markets walked through that door afterward. To me, Benavides’ 17th year is worth marking because growing older is the outcome his family fought for. His story is also a reminder that legalization did not finish the work. The children who changed Cannabis policy are becoming adults now. They deserve more than our gratitude. They deserve safe products, serious research, knowledgeable physicians and laws that recognize their right to continue the care that helped them get here.

STORY by JACKIE BRYANT @JACQBRY | PHOTOS courtesy Benavides Family


the unknown by Riley Sager

book reviews

Page Burner Bestselling author Riley Sager’s milestone 10th novel published in 10 years couldn’t have arrived at a better time. This paranormal thriller is tailor-made for spooky season, complete with cold cases, conjured spirits and missing

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CAL I F O R N I A

IN 1926, five women mysteriously vanished from New Avalon, an isolated Vermont island home to a commune of spiritual mediums. According to local legend, a séance gone wrong summoned something supernatural, causing the women to disappear one by one. The only trace left behind was five dresses hanging from an old oak tree — one for each missing woman. Nearly a century later, struggling actress Marin Keane is surprised to land a role in a movie about the unsolved case, starring alongside legendary actress Violet Wright. She’s even more surprised when the eccentric director announces he’s taking the cast back to the remote island for an ambitious week of method-acting training. Quickly after arriving, Keane and her castmates start to sense that something is still not quite right on New Avalon. Keane plays off the strange noises coming from her cabin and mysterious symbols carved in the woods as an elaborate production prank. But when a sudden change of plans leaves the actors stranded, things take a more sinister turn. One by one, the five women begin to disappear, eerily mirroring the events that made the island infamous nearly a century ago. Sager is known for the kind of plot twists you won't see coming, and “The Unknown” is no exception. When Keane uncovers a diary belonging to one of the original women, the past and present begin to braid together. One question hangs over New Avalon: Is history repeating itself? Light up, light a few candles and get reading.

Sager is known for the kind of plot twists you won't see coming, and “The Unknown” is no exception. RILEYSAGERBOOKS.COM @RILEY.SAGER

If you enjoyed this read and want to continue the spooky theme, we suggest picking another one of Sager’s 10 thrillers off of the shelf. "Final Girls," "The House Across the Lake" and "Lock Every Door" are a few of our favorite selections!

STORY by KATHERINE WOLF @KATADELLIC

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glass art spotlight

PATRICK MCDOUGALL

SUBLIMINAL THIS MIX OF INERT GAS, when energized, fills the tubes with ambient light. Plasma follows a seemingly random path in the enclosed spaces but also reacts to touch, like a plasma globe. The aesthetic opens up many doors, and being in the presence of one of these pieces provides a truly unique experience. You can literally feel the energy. Patrick McDougall cut his teeth in the industry in Portland, Oregon. Getting started, his gig was making hundreds of production chillums every day, a common practice in the glassblowing industry.

Each one has intricate details that contain both active plasma elements and UV-reactive glass. Functional elements are also hidden in these works. The display case has dichroic glass on the sides, creating a stunning visual by muting certain colors and changing others. The jellyfish, spider and mosquito sculptures McDougall created with Scoz Glass of Seattle show how many visual effects can be produced by incorporating plasma.

Before attempting complicated high-end pieces, an artist evolves their skill set by making simple functional pieces like spoons and chillums, which then leads to bubblers and so on. Eventually, he built his own shed shop and started exploring glass on his own terms. This led to years of working on hollow vessels and color application, as well as building relationships throughout the industry. You can see a couple of recent pieces created by McDougall and friends here. The aquarium scene, created with Joe P Glass of Colorado, is absolutely stunning. A vivid mixture of lifelike colors and sculptures really brings the pieces to life. COURTESY

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Subliminal Glass has taken his decadeplus experience with borosilicate glass and introduced plasma-filled vessels into his work.

S U BLIM INA L X SC O Z G LA S S

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COURTESY

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PHOTO BY REX HILSINGER @BOROPHOTO


S U B L I MI N A L X J O E P E T E RS PHOTO BY REX HILSINGER @BOROPHOTO

SUBLI M I N A L X SC O Z GL A S S COURTESY

“The plasma COURTESY

You wouldn’t know when they are powered up, but these pieces are made from completely clear borosilicate glass. While hard to show on the page, you can envision the sensation when you see the electrified gases create a current in response to your touch. Imagine interacting with that while you're taking your next dab. While plasma has been utilized in glass for visual effect before, one of the unique things we noticed was McDougall's original design for powering up his pieces so that they can be removed from their displays for transportation, as you would want with any of your collection. When he’s not on the torch or hiking with his dogs, he is high — I mean, really high, like jumping out of planes high. A hobby he’s had for years, McDougall has even been able to barter some of his pieces for trips up to jump. Today, you will find him creating art in his home studio in a serene spot along the East Fork Lewis River outside Vancouver, Washington. Coming up next for McDougall: A huge installation of plasma art will be going up in Seattle for a month-long opening. The event details are currently under wraps, but when word gets out, you will definitely hear about it.

project started as a dream. Seeing the

possibilities of largescale assembly and sculpture work mixed with the wonder of plasma effects just seemed too amazing not to pursue.” -Patrick McDougall

@SUBLIMINALGLASS

STORY by REX HILSINGER @BOROPHOTO for LEAF NATION


CRISTA ROCK @CRISTAROCKPHOTO

studio sessions

DAGO ARTS

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AS

“Some days, I'll rip two dabs before I walk into my studio. Other times, I’m working towards a dab as a reward for finishing a piece,” he said. “Or I gotta wait for the paint to dry, and it’s a perfect break time for some weed. It all depends on what the situation and the day calls for.” With such a vibrant style, it’s no surprise that the Cannabis world has discovered his work. While he’s done traditional market projects, a 2025 trip to Art Basel led to conversations with Michigan’s Deep Stroke Solventless that evolved into a whole capsule project.

T H E YO UNGEST O F SIX C O US IN S GRO WING U P IN T H E WILD C IT Y O F N EW O RLEAN S , D AG O S AID H E WAS INT RO DUC ED T O C AN N ABIS E ARLY O N .

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“Cannabis and I have had a relationship since 2008,” Dago Arts told Leaf Magazines.

“When I was a kid, my older cousin came into the room, tossed a bag of weed on the table and told everyone to roll a joint because we were heading into the woods for a cousins’ walk.” He laughed and continued, “We had an incredible time together out in those woods, and ever since, it’s been a beautiful relationship.” Born and raised in Louisiana, he can trace his family’s origins, he said, to when his great-grandparents immigrated to New Orleans from Sicily and opened a fish market. Being a third-generation Sicilian, he said he chose his artist name as a tribute to his grandmother. “My nonna used to call all the kids in the family that growing up, so much so that some of my uncles have it tattooed on them,” he said. “I know people used to use it as a way to shame Sicilians, so people are sometimes shocked when I tell them my name, but I tell them it’s a positive way of carrying on my family's heritage, and I’ve been using it for about 10 years now.”

oct. 2026

Self-taught, Dago said he grew up practicing graffiti and was accepted to art school when he was younger, but his parents wanted him to lock into a more traditional career. Instead, he moved to Los Angeles to find himself as an artist. Since then, he’s returned to his home state and worked as a full-time artist for the last seven years. Acrylic, spray paint and custom stencils are his tools. Like these tools, he sees Cannabis as something with no one set use in the studio.


D

A G O SA ID they talked about how

looking at a person’s jar of work often opens a lot of conversations or opportunities. “The phrase ‘Jars open doors’ came up through the group, and together, we built this whole thing around it,” he said. For Dago, the studio stays alive with music, movies and YouTube. During our conversation, he said he’s been stuck on Turnstile’s 2025 album “Never Enough.” "It's an album you can bump front to back,” he said. Just as important, though, he said, are the times he’s working while socializing with friends and fellow artists. He finds “the energy of being around other creatives and homies causes ideas to happen naturally,” he said. “A lot of my friends like that are out of state, so we like to keep that vibe up until we can be back in the studio again.” Currently, you can find his original works through Orleans Gallery in New Orleans and Studio 4 in Pittsburgh, where he’ll be hanging work during the Parlay glass art show. You can also find original series and limited prints on dagoarts.com.

DAGOARTS.COM @DAGOARTS

“I know people used to use it as a way to shame Sicilians, so people are sometimes shocked when I tell them my name, but I tell them it’s a positive way of carrying on my family's heritage, and I’ve been using it for about 10 years now.” STORY by MATT JACKSON @ACTIONMATTJACKSON for LEAF NATION | ARTWORK by DAGO ARTS See more of their work at LeafMagazines.com


Heritage Mendocino C12-0000258-LIC 1076 Cunningham St. Ukiah, CA 95482

www.heritagehashco.com

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Blueberry Bars Live Rosin Jam Best Rosin 2026 California Leaf Bowl


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