Budist Newsletter: Breaking New Ground
Dear Friends,
Last month, Budist brought together a group of curious minds and passionate palates for an event we called Higher Ground—a first-of-its-kind sensory experience exploring the aromatic dimensions of coffee and cannabis. Held in the lush Ganja Garden at The Woods in West Hollywood, this gathering marked a milestone in our mission to deepen appreciation for cannabis as a complex, nuanced plant—one worthy of ritual and reverence, and comparable to other connoisseur goods like fine wine, tea, and cheese.
With the debut of Cafe Woods as our backdrop, we invited guests to engage in a guided tasting that asked them to trust their senses—to explore aromas across single-origin coffees and curated cultivars, free from the influence of branding or packaging. What emerged was more than a tasting; it was a conversation and a sensory exploration that raised awareness around process, craftsmanship, and connoisseurship. For brands, it was an opportunity to connect with customers in a way that was both memorable and meaningfully different.
Higher Ground was just the beginning of a series that will take cannabis appreciation to a whole new level. As Budist continues to break new ground, we’re excited to keep exploring the intersections that elevate cannabis culture—and to bring you along on the journey. You can read our full event recap on the Budist blog!
With Gratitude,
Jocelyn Sheltraw
Co-Founder & CEO
Upcoming Events
Spring is blooming with opportunities to taste, explore, and celebrate with Budist. On Sunday, 4/20, join us at PuffDao Buds + Bites, where the Budist team will be celebrating some of the top-rated products from our community in a relaxed setting filled with good food, fabulous people, and great weed. RSVP here.
Then on May 1st we’re hosting Hash Nouveau, a one-of-a-kind tasting experience that traces the magical journey of flower as it transforms into one of the plant’s finest expressions. Set in the lush Ganja Garden at The Woods, this immersive evening invites you to meet the makers behind award-winning concentrates as they showcase their prized selections—side by side with the flower from which they were sourced. Guided by our team of Budists, guests will embark on a curated tasting that spotlights exceptional cultivars in a way that’s never been done before. Reserve your spot here.
And finally, don’t miss the Pink Jesus Ice Cream Social, a multi-sensory flavor experience presented in collaboration with Sonoma Hills Farm and Christina W. of Fruit + Flower Co. This delightfully elevated event features premium pairings with brands like Kiva, Fire King, Blue Sage, and PAX. Get tickets here.
What's New
We’ve made some exciting updates to the Budist website to better showcase the content our community loves most. Our new Reviews section features a curated selection of top-rated products and thoughtful reviews from the Budist app, making it easier than ever to discover standout flower, concentrates, edibles, and more—all through the eyes (and noses) of fellow connoisseurs. We’ve also refreshed our Blog section with a growing library of brand profiles, event recaps, and deep dives into the art and science of cannabis connoisseurship. Whether you’re looking to explore the best in craft cannabis or revisit one of our immersive events, there’s always something new to discover at Budist.com.
In the News
Budist co-founders Jocelyn Sheltraw and Claudio Miranda recently sat down with Scott Vasterling on the Growing Craft podcast, part of the Highly Capitalized media network, to share the story behind Budist and the vision driving our work. In this conversation, Jocelyn and Claudio talk about their backgrounds, how Budist came to life, and what it means to build a culture of cannabis connoisseurship. From the philosophy behind our review platform to the unique experiences we design to bring people and products together, the episode offers an inside look at how Budist is helping shape a more thoughtful, experience-driven cannabis culture. Tune in to hear the full episode and learn what’s next on our journey.
Brand Sponsorship Opportunities
If you’re a brand looking to connect with engaged cannabis consumers through unique and transformative experiences, we’d love to collaborate. We have a limited number of sponsorship opportunities available for our upcoming Budist Sessions so contact us to learn more!