Cali Goes East: Cookies, Runtz, Jeeter, Backpack Boyz, and More in NYC
If California is the birthplace of modern cannabis culture, New York is its global stage. For decades, East Coast consumers looked westward for inspiration, flying home from LA with stories of strains, celebrity drops, and cutting-edge branding. Now, the pipeline is reversing. A wave of California cannabis brands is planting roots in New York, reshaping the market and declaring that the Empire State is more than just another stop — it’s a proving ground.
Why California Brands Want New York
California built the blueprint for cannabis culture. From legendary genetics to flashy retail experiences, the state has been a laboratory for innovation. But New York brings something California doesn’t: the cultural megaphone of the world’s most influential city. In music, art, and fashion, what happens in New York reverberates globally. To succeed here means stepping into the center of the cultural conversation.
As Honeysuckle has reported in interviews with founders across the industry, brands know New York isn’t just a market expansion — it’s a cultural statement.
Jeeter: The Pre-Roll King Lands in NYC
On September 5, 2025, Jeeter — America’s #1 pre-roll brand — officially launched in over 50 dispensaries across New York, from Manhattan to Albany. With a new Hudson Valley facility, 200+ local hires, and a slate of cultural activations, Jeeter’s arrival marks one of the biggest California-to-New York debuts yet.
Co-founder Sebastian Solano told Honeysuckle: “New York is the heartbeat of culture. It’s not just another market — it’s a global stage.”
From airplane-themed pop-ups (“The Mile High Experience”) to surprise Jeeter Hook Up Days, the brand’s East Coast rollout mirrors its West Coast ethos: cannabis as culture, woven into music, nightlife, and entertainment.
Backpack Boyz: Culture Meets Creativity
Founded by Juan Quesada, Backpack Boyz has become synonymous with innovative packaging, top-tier genetics, and a fearless cultural presence. With stores across California, Arizona, and Michigan, the brand is in New York.
As Quesada told Honeysuckle in a recent profile: “We’re not just selling flower, we’re preserving culture.”
That commitment to authenticity — paired with collaborations with legendary breeders like Derry (Barney’s Farm) — makes Backpack Boyz one of the most anticipated California arrivals in the Empire State.
Sluggers: Baseball, Cards, and Culture
What started as an idea from Berner has grown into a brand that fuses sports, collectibles, and premium pre-rolls. Sluggers’ packs come with baseball-style cards that showcase strain collabs and cultural ties, making them feel more like artifacts than just products.
With a strong foothold in California, Sluggers has been steadily expanding — and New York is up. In conversation with Honeysuckle, co-founders explained: “There needed to be something beyond the product itself that builds loyalty. In New York, that means tapping into the city’s love for sports and culture.”
Expect Sluggers’ East Coast entry to be as much about community and storytelling as it is about what’s in the pack.
Wizard Trees: Designer Cannabis Comes East
As a vanguard of West Coast designer cannabis, Wizard Trees is gearing up to bring its premium genetics and artisanal pedigree to New York. Hailing from Los Angeles, the brand—helmed by breeder Scott—has long held renown for its dedication to “designer cannabis,” producing celebrated strains like Zoap, Tea Time, The Keeper, and the upcoming ZoZa. With a history deeply rooted in small-batch, hand-crafted cultivation and collaborations with legendary breeders such as Deep East, Wizard Trees represents an elevated sensibility and quality-first approach Their social channels quietly hint that New York is next on their expansion horizon—a promising sign that this hallmark Californian brand will soon plant its flag in the Empire State’s booming cannabis landscape.
Cookies: The Global Empire Comes to NYC
Founded by Berner, Cookies is arguably the most recognized cannabis brand in the world — a fashion label, music movement, and cannabis powerhouse rolled into one. From its iconic blue branding to celebrity partnerships, Cookies built a blueprint that countless others follow.
New York consumers have long sought out Cookies genetics, and with formal market entry, the brand brings not just flower but an entire lifestyle to the East Coast. Cookies’ NYC arrival isn’t just another expansion — it cements the brand’s status as a global cultural force.
Runtz: From Street Fame to Worldwide Recognition
Born in Los Angeles, Runtz became one of the first strains to transcend the cannabis space and enter mainstream pop culture. With co-signs from rap icons and instantly recognizable packaging, Runtz built hype into an art form.
Now, as the brand moves into New York, it taps into a city as the #1 pre-roll with just as much love for street culture and music-driven trends. Runtz’s crossover appeal makes it one of the most natural Cali-to-NY fits — a brand that thrives at the intersection of lifestyle and legacy.
Preferred Gardens: The Grower’s Touch
Dave Polley’s Preferred Gardens has become a growers’ favorite, celebrated for revolutionary lighting techniques and small-batch quality. Already established across California and expanding into multiple states, Preferred Gardens is infor New York through licensing partnerships.
As Polley told Honeysuckle: “Preferred Gardens is about growing with consistency and quality, no matter the state.”
That grower-first ethos is exactly what many New York consumers — hungry for authenticity — are looking for.
Stiiizy: Lifestyle at Scale
With sleek design, innovative hardware, and a lifestyle-driven approach, Stiiizy has become a California staple. Its NYC expansion signals more than just product placement — it’s about brand experience. Stiiizy brings its immersive retail style, creative collabs, and cult following to New York dispensaries.
Connected & Alien Labs: Cali Legends Go East
Few brands carry the weight of Connected and Alien Labs. Known for strains like Gelonade and Zkittlez, and celebrated for pushing genetic boundaries, both have already built massive demand outside of California. New York, with its discerning consumer base, is a natural next step.
710 Labs: Connoisseur Craft
Beloved for its concentrates and flower, 710 Labs has built a reputation for quality and exclusivity. Their East Coast debut tests how premium California craft translates in a rapidly evolving New York market. Fans are already eager for drops that have long been Cali-only.
Doja: Cali Craft Flourishing in New York
Doja isn’t just a California success story anymore — it’s a name that New York connoisseurs already know well. With curated drops and exclusive events, Doja has carved out a reputation on the East Coast as one of the few California brands able to maintain authenticity while crossing state lines.
Known for cultivating rare, flavor-forward genetics and working closely with breeders who prioritize quality over hype, Doja has created a loyal following in New York. Their presence here goes beyond product placement; it’s about education, culture, and community.
As Honeysuckle has seen firsthand through collaborations with growers tied to the brand, Doja’s model works because it puts connoisseurship first. In a city where authenticity matters more than anywhere else, Doja has proven that West Coast craft can thrive in the Empire State without losing its roots.
The Challenges of Expansion
Breaking into New York isn’t simple. Licensing hurdles, supply chain logistics, and brand translation across state lines can trip up even the strongest players. There’s also the challenge of honoring New York’s own equity-driven cannabis market — one built to prioritize local entrepreneurs. Successful California brands will need to collaborate and integrate rather than overshadow.
The Future: Cross-Coastal Culture
This movement isn’t one-way. While California brands bring West Coast flavor to New York, it also opens the door for NYC innovators to push back west. With national legalization on the horizon, the Cali–NYC bridge may become the backbone of a national cannabis identity.
From Cali’s sunshine to New York’s skyline, these brands aren’t just selling products — they’re writing the next chapter of cannabis culture.
