If you’ve spent any time browsing a dispensary menu, you’ve probably seen the word “exotic” thrown around. But what does it actually mean? Is it just marketing, or does it signal something real about the product? What Makes a Strain Exotic? There’s no official industry definition, but in cannabis culture, exotic strains are generally understood to be those that stand out from the standard selection in one or more meaningful ways: Unique genetic lineages: Bred from rare lineages that are not commonly available on the market. Distinctive appearance: Deep purples, vivid oranges, heavy trichome coverage, or unusual bud structure. Unique terpene profiles: Complex and unexpected aroma combinations that go beyond the standard earthy or skunky baseline. High THC potency: Rare strains often test at the higher end of the THC spectrum, though that alone does not make for an exotic strain. Small-batch or craft cultivation: Grown in limited quantities with extra attention to growing conditions, curing, and quality control. Exotic vs. Top Shelf Top shelf and exotic are two terms that get thrown around a lot, and both represent premium cannabis products, making it easy to get confused. They differ in focus. Top shelf: A quality tier, referring to the...
Top shelf is a label that’s been around long before legalization. But what actually makes a flower top shelf, and how do you know you’re getting the real deal and not just paying for marketing? What Is Top Shelf Weed? Top shelf is a catch-all term for cannabis flower of the highest quality in terms of genetics, cultivation, cure, aroma, and potency. The phrase comes from the old selling practice of putting premium products on the top shelf, where they’d get the most attention. Since no regulatory body defines or enforces what “top shelf” actually means, it’s used loosely in today’s cannabis industry. That means that some brands use it as a marketing tool. But that doesn’t mean that the qualities that define top shelf aren’t real. They are—you just need to know what to look for instead of just relying on the label. How Top Shelf Cannabis Is Made The top shelf designation isn’t just about high THC numbers. It’s the result of how carefully the product was handled from harvest to jar. Genetics: Top shelf flower comes from strains that have been selected and refined over multiple generations, not mass-produced from generic seed stock. Growing conditions: Many sought-after...
Cannabis is a plant. It grows from soil, water, and light, and, for most of human history, that’s how it was cultivated. But as the legal cannabis industry has scaled rapidly, the word “organic” has started appearing more and more on dispensary menus and marketing materials. What does it mean, and, more importantly, does it change your experience enough to matter? What Does “Organic” Mean in the Cannabis Industry? In the food industry, the word “organic” has a legal definition backed by the USDA’s National Organic Program. For cannabis, it’s more complicated. Because cannabis remains a Schedule I controlled substance at the federal level, the USDA cannot officially certify cannabis as organic even in states where it’s fully legal. That means when you see “organic” on a cannabis product, it’s not the same certified label you’d see on a carton of eggs or a salad bag. Instead, growers use a range of terms and third-party to signal their growing practices: Clean Green Certified Program: Modeled closely on USDA organic standards, this is one of the most recognized third-party certifications in the industry. Certified Kind: Another third-party program that audits cannabis cultivators for sustainable and organic practices. Sun+Earth Certified: Focused on...
A Day of Art, Film, and Community in West Hollywood The Artist Tree, the leading dispensary and cannabis consumption lounge known for blending art and culture, will host “Studio 420: Celebrating Art & Pride” on Thursday, June 4 from 3:00 to 10:00 PM. The star-studded, Pride event honors LGBTQ+ history and creativity through a vibrant evening of film, art, and community-driven experiences. At the heart of the event is a unique art show. Blending nightlife nostalgia with modern cannabis culture, “Studio 420” invites attendees to explore boundary-pushing art installations, connect with artists, and enjoy elevated NA cocktails, beverages, and cannabis-infused offerings throughout the evening. The event follows a gallery-opening format, bringing together local creatives, collectors, and LGBTQ+ community leaders in celebration of Pride. Brand partners include: All The Bitter, Birdies, Empress 1908 0.0. Indigo, Fever-Tree, Fusion Verjus, Glitter Faced, Henry’s Original, Jetty, Kiva, Liquid Alchemist, PAX, Uncle Arnie’s, and Wyld. Curated by Katie Brightside—an international illustrator, fine artist, and designer whose multidisciplinary work bridges storytelling, fashion, and large-scale installation—the exhibition brings together a group of LGBTQ artists exploring nightlife, queer history, identity, and expression through distinct visual languages. Artists featured include Britt Westveer, Cassidy Barnes, star-dazzling Disco Daddy—whose bespoke crystal...
Cannabis is, at its core, a plant. It comes from the earth, it has traditionally been grown organically, and it carries an inherent connection to nature. But as our industry has scaled and commercialized, I’ve watched that connection erode, replaced by mountains of single-use packaging, non-recyclable vape products, and manufacturing processes that prioritize speed over sustainability. That disconnect has always bothered me. Getting Green Certified by the state of California was our way of doing something positive and impactful. The Artist Tree is now one of the few cannabis companies in California to have achieved Green Business Certification from the California Green Business Network (CGBN). Our Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Koreatown locations are all certified, with more on the way. The West Hollywood location holds the distinction of being the first dispensary in that community to achieve Tier 2 Certification — a milestone the city noted in its formal announcement to us. Lauren Fontein, Co-Founder & Chief Compliance Officer But what does this certification actually mean, and why did it matter enough for us to pursue it? Becoming officially certified was important on two levels. First, it confirmed that the sustainable practices we had already put in place were...
Hybrid varieties, formerly known as hybrid strains, are one of the most abundant cannabis types, thanks to the popularization of crossbreeding cannabis plants and creating new, unique strains. Here’s everything to know about hybrid cannabis and how it can affect your cannabis experience. Understanding Hybrid Cannabis Hybrid cannabis is created by crossbreeding two cannabis plants. This is an innovative way to create new, unique genetics with specific physical and chemical attributes, like high levels of THC, CBD, or specific terpenes that deliver specific aromas. There are several types that are determined by the dominating genetics during crossbreeding, including indica-dominant hybrids, sativa-dominant hybrids, and balanced hybrid cannabis strains. Popular hybrid strains include: Ice Cream Cake OG Kush Purple Gelato Wedding Cake Blue Dream Sour Diesel White Widow Pineapple Express Types of Hybrid Cannabis Products There is a wide selection of products made from hybrid cannabis, including flower, pre-rolls, infused pre-rolls, concentrates, edibles, and vapes. What makes hybrid cannabis so appealing is its versatility, as there is a wide variety of products to choose from depending on personal tolerance, preference, and method of consumption. Comparing Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid Strains The most notable difference between the three main cannabis varieties includes their...
Cannabinoids are essential parts of the cannabis world, as a lot of products are made with specific cannabinoids to achieve a desired effect. But there is a distinct difference between synthetic and natural cannabinoids, and here’s how those differences can affect you. Synthetic Cannabinoids Synthetic cannabinoids are lab-made cannabinoids, synthesized to mimic the natural cannabinoids. While these substances are designed to be chemically similar to naturally derived cannabinoids, they are not the same thing. Natural Cannabinoids Phytocannabinoids, also known as natural cannabinoids, are part of the Cannabis sativa plant. There are over 100 different types of naturally derived cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, with many of them still being researched and discovered. THC and CBD, also known as Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol, are the two most common cannabinoids. THC is the most abundant psychoactive cannabinoid responsible for delivering intoxicating effects, while CBD is the most prominent nonpsychoactive cannabinoid. Minor cannabinoids include Cannabinol (CBN), Cannabigerol (CBG), and Cannabichromene (CBC), among others. How do Cannabinoids Work? When they enter the body, cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is located throughout the body. The endocannabinoid system consists of a network of receptors responsible for several bodily functions. The onset and duration...
Most people can spot the two main parts of the cannabis plant, the stem and the easily recognizable leaves, but there is much more to the cannabis plant than meets the eye. Here’s everything to know about the anatomy of the cannabis plant and why each part is important. Roots The cannabis plant grows from the soil, starting from the seed that transforms into the taproot, also known as the main root, and later branches out into a complex root system. The main purpose of roots is to draw water from the soil, transporting it to the rest of the plant. Plant Stem Stems or main stalks come straight from the roots, growing upright. They are important for giving the cannabis plant structure and stability, connecting the roots, branches, and other parts of the cannabis plant. Branches and Nodes Cannabis branches form from the main stem and hold the leaves and flowers. Nodes are the connecting points between branches and the main stem. Leaves Leaves are the most recognizable part of the cannabis plant, becoming a globally recognizable symbol for cannabis culture. Cannabis leaves are divided into ”fingers”, taking a specific form depending on the plant’s genetics. There are several...
THCA is a well-known term, widely used within the cannabis community, but not a lot of people know what THCA actually is. Here’s everything to know about this cannabinoid and how it differs from other cannabinoids. What are Cannabinoids? Cannababinoids are natural chemical compounds produced by trichomes within the cannabis plants. There are over 100 different cannabinoids, with Tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9 THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) being the most abundant cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. The cannabinoid profile is responsible for delivering specific effects. Delta-9 THC, delta-8 THC, and delta-10 THC are known for producing a ”high” due to their psychoactive properties, while Cannabidiol (CBD), Cannabinol (CBN), Cannabigerol (CBG), and Cannabichromene (CBC) are nonintoxicating cannabinoids, known for their potential therapeutic benefits. There are three main categories of cannabinoids, including: Endocannabinoids Endocannabinoids are neurotransmitters found in the human body. Their purpose is to interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which consists of receptors CB1 and CB2. Acidic Cannabinoids Acidic cannabinoids, such as THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) and CBDA (cannabidiolic acid), are natural forms of cannabinoids found in raw cannabis plants. Synthetic Cannabinoids Synthetic cannabinoids are man-made cannabinoids, usually illicitly synthesized in a lab. Their main purpose is to mimic naturally occurring chemicals...
