It may have been cloudy outside, but the community and vibes at Revelry Buyers Club were all sunshine. Hosted by ONTHEREVEL, the Basilica Hudson was vibing high with brands, buyers, budtenders, creators from across the country, and the kind of community energy that only the New York cannabis culture can deliver. This was my third Revelry, but this time I wasn’t tied to a table. I was there for FNM with a mission, one simple but honest question:
“Why do you pick what you pick to smoke?”
I wasn’t looking for brand loyalty or THC percentages—I wanted to get into the nitty gritty of the decision-making process of the NY Industry. The responses? Everything I had hoped for. I was reminded of just how deeply personal cannabis consumption really is. I needed that reminder, that despite all the buzz and marketing, there is still heart and soul here.
Mood Not Milligrams
Many of the folks we spoke to make their choice based on one core principle: how they want to feel.
Joel from Dosha Dispensary said it best, “It depends on if I have other things to do, if I want a heady or just a flower high, or if I want a full-on body high, I’ll go edibles.” He added that Sundays are “Dab Days,” and I think we can all get behind that.
Sean of Mister Greens in Albany, NY, told me, “At this point in my life, it’s about relaxation, and meditation. Before I light my chalice, I look for that smooth meditative smoke.”
I received so many answers that I also put a poll on Instagram to see if the answers at Revelry also translated to my community online, and spoiler alert, it did!
The poll revealed that 42% of you base your decision on what you have to do that day. Another 42% of you prescribe to how you feel in the moment, and 12% let your nose lead the way. The last 4% sent me a DM to tell me they use the plant based on their needs that day.
I’m honestly elated to know so many of you are consuming with intention and seeking a specific experience. I’m proud NY, I’m proud!
Terps Tell the Truth
The number of consumers ditching THC-chasing for a deeper experience is growing swiftly. The majority of people I spoke with wanted to know the terpene and minor cannabinoid profiles whilst shopping. They aren’t just buying bud; they’re looking to curate an experience.
One budtender I spoke with told me that more and more consumers, each day, are coming in and asking for certain terpenes to be present in their bud. Or they’re asking which flower is going to take them in which direction, uplifted, relaxed, focused.
These are signs of a cannabis market maturing. Education is key to safe and positive consumption. The more you know going into a sesh, the beneficial it will be.
The Culture Behind the Choices
Of course, we can’t ignore the aesthetic side of the market. People admitted, sometimes sheepishly, that they sometimes choose based on shelf appeal, branding, packaging, and vibe. Honestly, I can respect that. Cannabis is a culture, a community, and a lifestyle, it’s not just a product, it never has been. Consume what speaks to your heart and soul.
I was quite pleased to hear so much love for local brands, women growers, queer-led collectives, and legacy names that still hold weight.
Final Puff
After a long and incredible day at Revelry Buyers Club, a few things were made clear: Our community is strong, growing every day, and there is no right or wrong way to choose your next smoke.
The next time you sit down to burn one, take a moment and ask yourself — why did you pick that one?
And maybe more importantly… does that say something about you?
