Budist Newsletter: Year in Review and Road Ahead
Dear Friends,
Happy New Year from all of us at Budist!
As we close the chapter on 2024, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for being a part of our journey. This past year was transformative, filled with milestones that advanced our mission of building a culture of cannabis connoisseurship. Here’s a look back at what we accomplished and a glimpse at the exciting path ahead in 2025.
With Gratitude,
Jocelyn Sheltraw
Co-Founder & CEO
2024: A Year of Trailblazing and Setting Foundations
Launched the First Dedicated Rating & Review Platform
Bridging the gap between consumers and producers, Budist became a hub for shared knowledge, passion, and appreciation for cannabis products. Curious to learn more about our founding story and mission? Discover 20+ in-depth articles and interviews on our Media page.
Built a Team of 30 Professional Critics
Covering all the major cannabis categories, our diverse team of critics (ie Budists) brought a new level of expertise and insight to product appreciation and assessment, raising the bar for the entire industry.
Set New Standards for Cannabis Competitions
Our Budists served as judges for the California State Fair Cannabis Awards – the world’s first state-sanctioned cannabis competition. Budist also powered the official judging process for Cannifest and The Farmers Cup, furthering our goal of establishing a trusted benchmark for quality assessment.
Elevated the Conversation Through Immersive Events
From educational tastings to cannabis-paired culinary experiences, we brought people together to explore the artistry behind exceptional products and brands. Read the December issue of Fat Nugs Magazine to get a sense of our approach, which offers a 46-page showcase of our Friendsgiving celebration!
Showcased the Intersection of Cannabis & Culinary
To celebrate the launch of the Budist app, we united the worlds of fine wine, gourmet food, and premium cannabis at Sunstone Winery, highlighting their shared craftsmanship and synergies. This set the stage for a series of high-impact tasting events, including Friendsgiving, Fleur Nouveau, A Taste of Sonoma at Hall of Flowers, and two multi-course dinners in partnership with Cannabis Culture Club, among 20 other events we co-hosted in various cities across California.
2025: The Road Ahead
Extending Our Reach
This year, we’re bringing Budist to new markets nationwide. With more events, collaborations, and opportunities for connection, we’re ensuring that cannabis producers and farmers receive the recognition they deserve, while helping consumers develop a new level of cannabis appreciation.
Expanding Our Community
Our community is growing rapidly, and we’re calling on more cannabis enthusiasts to help drive our mission forward. To meet this momentum, we’re expanding the role of the Budist to encompass even more ways to elevate cannabis connoisseurship—through events, education, competitions, sommelier services, and more. Stay tuned for exciting updates on new opportunities and ways to get involved.
Transformative Experiences
In 2024 we created a blueprint for how to elevate the cannabis conversation through education-forward events and multifaceted tasting experiences. This year we plan to take this one step further by creating transformative cannabis events that fulfill the plant’s full potential. We’re kicking off the year with a Grammy week party that celebrates the intersection of cannabis and music culture in collaboration with the music industry’s top record labels!
Educational Content
Knowledge is power, and Budist will play a key role in creating educational content about the people, producers, and places that define our cultural heritage. To truly appreciate the nuances of different product types, we will be launching a series of content through our Blog. Go from canna-curious to connoisseur with Budist as your guide!
Retail Engagement
Expect to see Budist playing a larger role in your favorite cannabis dispensaries and consumption lounges, offering educational experiences, guided tasting sessions, and more effective ways for consumers to discover the best products for their needs.
Together, We Shape the Future
As we step into 2025, our mission remains the same: to elevate cannabis through connoisseurship, connection, and community. Your support fuels our journey, and we’re thrilled to continue building this movement with you. Here’s some ways you can get involved:
Pay It Forward
The Budist app is your tool to make a difference. Every review you share uplifts the hardworking producers behind your favorite products. Let’s build a movement where we pay it forward with thoughtful reviews and recommendations.
Calling All Critics
Think you have what it takes to join the ranks of our professional critics? Download the Budist app and start writing thoughtful reviews. Your insights help define excellence and support the craft farmers and producers who make it all possible.
Join Our Community!
Our movement is rapidly growing and we need more cannabis enthusiasts to help champion the cause. Whether you’re a cannabis sommelier, educator, competition judge, or event concierge, we need your passion and dedication to fulfill our mission. Contact us if you think you have what it takes!
A special thank you to our partners who played a key role in our 2024 journey and success, including but not limited to: CA State Fair Cannabis Awards, Cannifest, Embarc, Farmers Cup, Fat Nugs Magazine, Ganjier, GreenState, Grasslands, Hall of Flowers, Leaf Magazine, Meadowlands, Pleasuremed, The Bohemian Chemist, The Woods, and of course, our incredible team of Budists and all of the brands doing exceptional work.
Thank you for being a part of Budist. Here’s to another year of growth, celebration, and exploring the possibilities that this magical plant has to offer!