Kelli Johansen
Best Daze
Best Beverage
1. Best Daze
Best Daze swept every category in the Cannabis section this year, including this new category. The family-owned company offers a decent selection of primarily lemonades because, according to co-owner Eli Goodman, the citric acid serves as a good preservative. But Best Daze also stocks horchata, teas and coffee quaffs. All beverages use nanoemulsion to ensure all of that THC goodness is consumed instead of sticking to the inside of the bottle in an oily mess.
820 Mercer St., 4641 Airport Road, 7 Avenida Vista Grande, Ste. D1, 128 W. Palace Ave., (505) 585-4937
2. Endo
Endo came out of the gates strong with its opening in 2022. It offers Karma brand lemonades, which include flavors such as lavender and prickly pear. Potency levels also range from 100mg per bottle to 300mg per bottle for medical cannabis patients.
2903 Agua Fría St., (505) 477-3636
3. Kure
Kure has three locations to choose from, one of which is a drive-thru. WYNK brand seltzers and potent bottles of Tiki Juice from Mountain Top Extracts are among beverages that helped land Kure on top.
220 N. Guadalupe St., (505) 930-5339, 3354 Cerrillos Road, (505) 471-4507, 628 Old Las Vegas Hwy., (505) 466-6169
Best Budtender
Budtenders are the frontline experts for weed newbs and old-timers alike. Nava must be doing something right, because not only did he win first place, but he’s also moving up in the ranks over at Best Daze. Within two years, he’s gone from budtender to store manager at the Airport Road spot to retail coordinator for all of the company’s stores, which makes things a little bittersweet for Nava fans.
820 Mercer St., 4641 Airport Road, 7 Avenida Vista Grande, Ste. D1, 128 W. Palace Ave., (505) 585-4937
2. Rush Clinger, Fruit of the Earth Organics
Clinger has been at the job for upwards of eight years and has a reputation for being uber-knowledgeable about all things plants, says owner Lyra Barron. “People come to him from all over because of all of his knowledge,” Barron says.
901 Early St., (505) 310-7917
3. Marcos Barela, High Desert Relief
Managers at High Desert Relief describe Barela as charming and patient with customers who have questions. The Santa Fe local has been with the company for two years and was instrumental in setting up its Santa Fe location.
5041 Main St., #102, (505) 750-0608
Best Cannabis Product
1. Best Daze
Not one to downplay the operation, Best Daze co-owner Eli Goodman is quick to deem the company’s flower “the best weed in Santa Fe.” He says growers put a lot of effort and care into making sure each strain has a unique flavor profile and “big, frosty buds.” The company also offers stubby “Dog Walkerz” prerolls to boot—perfect for COVID-safe sessions with one joint per mouth.
820 Mercer St., 4641 Airport Road, 7 Avenida Vista Grande, Ste. D1, 128 W. Palace Ave., (505) 585-4937
2. Endo
The folks over at Endo have been working diligently toward getting their own crops out on their shelves. In the meantime, co-owner Ian Aarons has been focused on curating buds from local growers, such as Lava Leaf Organics out of Aztec.
2903 Agua Fría St., (505) 477-3636
3. Kure
This tri-location dispensary has a long list of strains from various growers to choose from. Find the familiar: Panama Red, Sundae Driver and OG Kush; or shop for unique varieties including Madrid Heirloom and Lemon Cheese Quake.
220 N. Guadalupe St., (505) 930-5339, 3354 Cerrillos Road, (505) 471-4507, 628 Old Las Vegas Hwy., (505) 466-6169
Best CBD Product
1. Best Daze
As CBD products fill the shelves of corporate pharmacies, companies such as Best Daze offer reassurances this stuff isn’t snake oil. The stores stock 1:1 CBD gummies, lotions, salves and creams for fans of the entourage effect—or the tag team action CBD and THC do on the body. But shoppers can also find those same products with straight-up CBD for those who don’t want anything to do with THC.
820 Mercer St., 4641 Airport Road, 7 Avenida Vista Grande, Ste. D1, 128 W. Palace Ave., (505) 585-4937
2. Fruit of the Earth Natural Health
Sure, you can find some high quality CBD products at Fruit of Earth’s dispensary. But this shop also has a whole dang separate store for the true hemp heads. Looking for some CBD for your pets? They’ve got you covered.
909 Early St.(505) 820-0058
3. Kure
There’s clearly a trend here, since Kure has placed in numerous categories. The dispensary offers several different methods of CBD delivery, whether it be a drop of honey in your tea or a soothing cucumber mint topical.
220 N. Guadalupe St., (505) 930-5339, 3354 Cerrillos Road, (505) 471-4507, 628 Old Las Vegas Hwy., (505) 466-6169
Best CBD Shop
1. Best Daze
Technically, Best Daze sells way more than just CBD. But it should be evident by now that this business holds a place in many Santa Feans’ hearts since they swept every single category this year. Head honcho Eli Goodman says it’s thanks to the devoted customers and patients that Best Daze beat out the slew of non-weed shops in the City Different that sell only CBD products.
820 Mercer St., 4641 Airport Road, 7 Avenida Vista Grande, Ste. D1, 128 W. Palace Ave., (505) 585-4937
2. Fruit of the Earth Natural Health
Fruit of the Earth made sure to separate its CBD shop from its medical and recreational-use cannabis operation. Knowledgeable staff will help you find what you need, plus there’s a ton of other goods and gifts to shop for.
909 Early St., (505) 310-7917
3. Kure
Kure, obviously popular among readers, also stocks a wide range of CBD products. The downtown and Eldorado locations have inviting waiting rooms, but if you need relief on the go, there’s also a Southside drive-thru spot.
220 N. Guadalupe St., (505) 930-5339, 3354 Cerrillos Road, (505) 471-4507, 628 Old Las Vegas Hwy., (505) 466-6169
Best Dispensary
1. Best Daze
The New Mexico cannabis veteran has four locations around town. It was one of the first shops on the Southside and now has a brand-new spot about a block from the Plaza. All locations are fully stocked and have knowledgeable staff behind the counter. Their lobbies are spacious, well-lit and inviting. We know dispensaries are popping up rapidly around town; we kind of like the idea that Best Daze is everywhere.
820 Mercer St., 4641 Airport Road, 7 Avenida Vista Grande, Ste. D1, 128 W. Palace Ave., (505) 585-4937
2. Fruit of the Earth Organics
Look for the bright green paint to find your way to Fruit of the Earth, with operations partitioned into different buildings. Medical patients have their own entrance to make things more welcoming. Check out the event space with a stage in the back.
901 Early St., (505) 310-7917
3. Endo
This family-run joint has a relaxed entryway, making things stress-free for newcomers. The owners put a lot of work into their computer system to make transactions easy and straightforward, whether you’re paying with a card or cash.
2903 Agua Fría St., (505) 477-3636
Andy Lyman
Best Edible
1. Best Daze
Best Daze has so many varieties and flavors, Willy Wonka himself would be impressed. Gummy flavors include huckleberry, pear and blood orange. Try the green chile taffy to keep that unique flavor train going. Shops also carry other confections such as krispy treats, brownies and cookies. Edibles usually have a well-earned reputation for taking forever to kick in, so the fast-acting gummies are a welcome option.
820 Mercer St., 4641 Airport Road, 7 Avenida Vista Grande, Ste. D1, 128 W. Palace Ave., (505) 585-4937
2. Fruit of the Earth Organics
It wouldn’t be a New Mexico dispensary without the options over at Fruit of the Earth, such as red chile piñon chocolates and cactus jellies. This operation has a reputation for being picky about what goes into their products as well.
901 Early St., (505) 310-7917
3. Endo
Besides various types and flavors of gummies and chocolate, Endo also has Cheeba Chews, which are delicious little nuggets of, well, chewy goodness. If the smell and taste of fresh baked goodies is more of your jam, try the cookie dough.
2903 Agua Fría St., (505) 477-3636
