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Best Budtender
1. Peter Garbett - Fruit of the Earth Organics
Budtenders answer questions, offer recommendations and ultimately bag up the product. Garbett, at Fruit of the Earth, just happens to be the best at it, our readers say. He tells SFR the job requires a wealth of knowledge about the product and various ailments it can treat. Whether it’s medical or recreational customers, the main goal is to ensure they leave feeling like they’ve been helped, he says.
901 Early St., (505) 310-7917
The born-and-raised Southsider transitioned from her job as a budtender at Fruit of the Earth in 2020, taking over the position of manager and budtender for Best Daze on Airport Road. The relationships she’s built with customers must have made an impact, since she received so many votes this new and competitive category.
4641 Airport Road, (505) 585-4937; 820 Mercer St.; Agora Shopping Center, 7 Avenida Vista Grande D1
3. Irie Duran - High Desert Relief
With so many new dispensaries in town, Santa Fe has a lot of budtenders eager to help. Earlier this year, she walked SFR through what people can expect when arriving at High Desert Relief, saying customers shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions. After all, that’s why she’s there.
5041 Main St., (505) 750-0608
Best Cannabis Product
1. Fruit of the Earth Organics
Be prepared to see this name a few more times. Fruit of the Earth Organics is big on the “organic” part. An environmentally-conscious producer, its cannabis is grown all outdoors, utilizing the power of nature by sticking to chemical-free practices in the garden.
901 Early St., (505) 310-7917
2. Best Daze
A mover and shaker in the state’s cannabis industry, this family-owned business has been providing the finest flower for medical patients since 2018. It jumped on the recreational bandwagon in April and now has seven shops across the state, including three in Santa Fe. No matter which location you visit, though, you’re sure to leave with quality buds.
4641 Airport Road, (505) 585-4937; 820 Mercer St.; Agora Shopping Center, 7 Avenida Vista Grande D1
Since its founding in 2010, Sacred Garden has become a staple for medical patients in New Mexico. The well-known producer has since expanded into the adult-use market, now offering natural, unadulterated products for everyone.
1300 Luisa St., (505) 216-9686
Best Cannabis Topical
1. Fruit of the Earth Organics
In search of something to help aching muscles and inflammation? Fruit of Earth’s got you covered with its topicals. The shop in Santa Fe offers high-potency lavender, rose and unscented salves with 600 mg of THC per 2 ounces.
901 Early St., (505) 310-7917
2. Best Daze
Again with the silver medal, Best Daze’s consistency is impressive. The dispensary has a wide range of products for your skin. Try lighting some candles and dropping a bath bomb in the tub for a relaxing evening at home, or check out some of the company’s salves, lotions, lip balms and rollers.
4641 Airport Road, (505) 585-4937; 820 Mercer St.; Agora Shopping Center, 7 Avenida Vista Grande D1
Organic oils, sustainably sourced butter and botanical medicinal herbs go into SG’s topical applications. They’ve got 100- and 42-mg salves to help with pain relief or nerve pain, in addition to a water-based cream recommended for patients who are looking to avoid skincare products with harmful chemicals.
1300 Luisa St., (505) 216-9686
Best CBD Product
1. Fruit of the Earth Natural Health
Surprise, surprise. Another W for Fruit of the Earth. This makes it the fourth year in a row for the producer to claim the top spot for CBD. They’ve got CBD oils and gummies for the humans out there, but even your furry friends can get the hookup with Fruit of the Earth’s CBD oils and biscuits for pets.
909 Early St., (505) 820-0058
2. Best Daze
Remember those topicals we mentioned above? Well, all of the topicals Best Daze has to offer are made up of at least some, or entirely of, CBD. You got sore, inflamed or dry smackers? Then pucker up for some of their CBD lip balm.
4641 Airport Road, (505) 585-4937; 820 Mercer St.; Agora Shopping Center, 7 Avenida Vista Grande D1
Make muscle aches a thing of the past by visiting High Desert’s location near the not-so-new, big Walmart. There you’ll find a CBD cream to ease the soreness. It won’t get you “High,” but it will offer that “Relief.”
5041 Main St., (505) 750-0608
Best CBD Shop
1. Fruit of the Earth Natural Health
Was there ever a doubt? If it has the best CBD product, it makes sense that FOTEO has the best CBD shop. Check out some of the Microbotanica topicals made with CO-2-extracted herbs to rid yourself of nagging muscle pain.
909 Early St., (505) 820-0058
2. Best Daze
Did we mention that Best Daze has a huge variety of CBD products? Well, they do. Their CBD roller for body relief will help sooth aching joints and muscles.
4641 Airport Road, (505) 585-4937; 820 Mercer St.; Agora Shopping Center, 7 Avenida Vista Grande D1
You’d be doing yourself a disservice if you don’t visit Sacred Wellness for its CBD products. The shop goes the extra mile—beyond the topicals and creams—although that’s on the shelves too. It also carries gumdrops, chocolates, honey, tinctures, soaps, soaking salts and more.
1300 Rufina Circle, Ste. A1, (505) 551-0503
Best Edibles
1. Fruit of the Earth Organics
Is there anything this business isn’t good at? Apparently not. We’re particularly interested in the cinnamon toast snack bar, made with whole grain wheat and real cinnamon. Don’t sleep on the assortment of chocolates and candy drops, either.
901 Early St., (505) 310-7917
2. Best Daze
The dispensary has got it all when it comes to edibles: gummies, lollipops, chocolate, cookies, lemonade, Rice Krispies Treats, brownies, tea, coffee, honey and syrup.
4641 Airport Road, (505) 585-4937; 820 Mercer St.; Agora Shopping Center, 7 Avenida Vista Grande D1
If you haven’t heard about Minerva’s lead baker whipping up gourmet edibles, listen up. Miguel De Luca has been impressing with his dessert platter, making cakes, cupcakes, pies, cookies and more. Customers can enjoy some pastries and coffee on site at the Cerrillos Road location.
1710 Cerrillos Road, (505) 982-1090; 125 E. Water St., (505) 983-8771
Best Dispensary
1. Fruit of the Earth Organics
Sweeping the competition, Fruit of the Earth wasn’t fooling around this year. Tip your cap to them. The business nailed it with a variety of products and helpful customer service.
901 Early St., (505) 310-7917
2. Best Daze
Nothing to sniff at here. Best Daze found its way to the podium once more, which isn’t something most dispensaries can say. Go ahead and pay a visit. You won’t be disappointed.
4641 Airport Road, (505) 585-4937; 820 Mercer St.; Agora Shopping Center, 7 Avenida Vista Grande D1
Take a bow Sacred Garden. Your high-quality cannabis raised some eyebrows. It’s no wonder the business has gained a loyal following since it first started offering medicinal products years ago.
1300 Luisa St., (505) 216-9686