Best California Cannabis Brands in 2026 & Where to Buy Them
When it comes to what makes the best California weed brands, most connoisseurs will tell you it’s more about terpenes than high THC levels.
Of course, the best of the best will certainly have clean Certificates of Analysis (COAs) free of toxins, pesticides, heavy metals, and residual solvents. Batches will be consistent, and labels will be informative and transparent.
But let’s get back to terpenes for a minute. Beyond their rich flavor and diverse taste, terpenes play a role in the entourage effect. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, this is where cannabinoids, terpenes and other compounds work together to produce stronger effects. Long story short, high THC levels are great, but the use of terpenes is really what sets most cannabis brands apart.
Here at Down Under Industries, our goal is to serve the Petaluma area by bringing only the best California cannabis to our shelves. There’s a ton of fiery, sticky, stinky, and delicious weed in our section of the Bay Area, so we’ve created a list of some of our favorites.
Topical Wellness: Papa & Barkley
Founded by a son looking to relieve his father’s chronic pain, Papa & Barkley’s mission is to unlock the power of cannabis and improve people’s lives. Their products are naturally produced to retain the purest forms of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other nutrients, resulting in the higher potency that patients need. Plus, they’re dedicated to offering clean, sun-grown cannabis products made without chemical solvents.
Papa & Barkley started with a homemade balm infused in a crock pot. Today, their Releaf Balms are some of the best cannabis products around. They have won gold medals at the California State Fair, WEEDCon Cup, High Times Cannabis Cup, and even in Men’s Health.
Vapes: STIIZY
STIIZY is not only the OG in California weed vapes, but the brand has also participated in multiple efforts over the years to uplift marginalized voices in their communities. They have partnered with The Last Prisoner Project, co-sponsored events with the NDICA, and currently host a Joint Efforts platform, which supports a wide range of community initiatives.
In addition to their impressive support, their battery delivers major power, their vape pods are diverse, and their vertically integrated operations from cultivation to manufacturing ensure their products meet their quality standards at every step.
Pre-rolls: Fig Farms
Started in 2016 by a passionate husband-and-wife team in their garage, Fig Farms’ pre-rolls offer something more elevated than many other pre-roll brands: the whole flower. While some brands craft pre-rolls from parts and pieces of leftover buds, Fig Farms dedicates an entire section of their grow to pre-rolls to make sure consumers enjoy the best of their award-winning genetics and rich terpene profiles.
Speaking of award-winning genetics, multiple publications have named their strains in ‘Best of’ categories, including Leaf Magazine, High Times, and Leafly. To top it all off, the THC percentages in Fig Farm pre-rolls pack quite the punch.
Flower: Alien Labs
A pioneer of California’s legal weed market, Alien Labs has been breeding proprietary strains since 2014. Their “out-of-this-world” team meticulously cultivates exotic genetics, dense terpenes, and robust flavors in their research-backed indoor breeding facility. Their boutique strains and flashy branding have combined to create an “interstellar fandom” among top-shelf cannabis connoisseurs.
Alien Labs’ buds have won various awards over the years in competitions including High Times Cannabis Cup Arizona and ZALYMPIX for best overall and best terps. We’re particularly fond of their Planetary OG and BrainWash buds. These are sure to get your headspace right where you want it.
Concentrates: Raw Garden
Ranking as the #1 Best-Selling Concentrate in California, Raw Garden is ranked among the best cannabis brands for a reason. Their team of multi-generational farmers pioneered “quick-cool harvesting and sub-zero extraction to lock in the plant’s full flavor and potency,” so you get what you’re looking for in a concentrate without harsh added chemicals.
Their sciency in-house breeding and genetics resulted in a wide variety of high-purity concentrates. From indica diamonds to sativa rosin and more, one hit will show you why Raw Garden flies off the shelves.
Tinctures: Proof
Some cannabis brands just happen to offer tinctures, but Proof’s drops are the head of their game. A proud women-owned and operated company, their team brings compassion and a commitment to the highest standards that not only create exceptional products but also advocate for underrepresented and marginalized communities.
Whether you’re looking for sleep support or a quick high-potency buzz without the inhale, Proof has you covered. From CBD to CBN to CBG and more, the brand offers cannabinoid-concentrated tinctures that deliver a buzz, support, or the magical combination of both you’ve been searching for. If you need a more concentrated option, they also offer a RSO-similar 1000mg THC tincture.
Drinks: Cann
You can’t go wrong with Cann. This brand elevates tired barely-berry seltzer flavors to a whole new level, bringing fizzy drinks that taste fantastic while delivering a socially acceptable buzz. Cann’s mission is to promote socialization and living your best life by offering a “buzz that doesn’t backfire.”
Cann’s deliciousness includes complex fruity + herbal flavors like Blood Orange Cardamom and Lemon Lavender. You also get to choose the level of ‘socially-acceptable’ buzz you prefer, with options from a mellow 2mg THC/4mg CBD blend to a “Hi’er” 10mg THC lift.
Edibles: Kiva, Kanha, and DROPS
To be honest, it’s super tough to choose one best California edible brand. There’s really a 3-way tie, and here’s why.
Kiva crafts luxurious infused chocolate bars and chocolate-covered espresso beans that bring the perfect buzz to a premium, velvety-rich sweet treat. Their multi-dose chocolate bars let consumers choose the exact mg option that best fits the effect they need.
Kanha’s infusions bring nano-emulsion technology to the gummy game, delivering faster onset times than other brands. Kanha gummies are also known for their excellent consistency and are crafted with real fruit puree, combining top-quality flavors with some of the highest-quality terpenes and cannabinoids in this sector.
DROPS also prides themselves on real ingredients elevated by 100% rosin infusions. Their delicious infused gummies and jellies come in recyclable tins and are priced right, so you can choose a feel-good product that is better for both the environment and your wallet.
Shop California’s Best Cannabis Brands at Down Under Industries!
At Down Under Industries, our team is dedicated to bringing you California’s top cannabis brands, paired with a top-shelf consumer experience. Our passionate and expert budtenders are warm and welcoming, and happy to guide you through our extensive selection of cannabis products. There’s a lot to choose from, and we’re here to help you choose the best cannabis products for you.
Whether you’re looking for an uplifting sativa, the most flavorful terpene-rich flower, the best night’s sleep you’ve ever had, or overall wellness support, we’ve got you. That’s why we’ve been voted Petaluma’s Best Cannabis Dispensary – we’ve got what you need.
We look forward to seeing you at either our North Petaluma or Central Petaluma location, or delivering the best weed in California right to your door.
Photo: Garden Society is a B-Corporation with a purpose to promote the health and welfare of women through education and responsibly sourced products, and such other public benefits while operating in a responsible and sustainable manner.
This article was originally posted on March 31, 2025 and was updated on September 24, 2026.