In the feast-or-famine tumult of the California Cannabis industry, true survivors need vision and a clear sense of purpose to keep a seat at the table.
That’s probably why, after 13 years, Space Gem has grown into one of the most respected edibles brands in California Cannabis. Founder Wendy Baker isn’t just sitting at the table but setting it.
In an industry driven by multi-state licensing deals and reactionary, market-driven pivots, founder Baker continues to operate head-down in Humboldt County, leading the pack in her own lane, making the smart choices for her brand.
Baker built her company with a clear vision of making high-quality edibles using ice water hash as the activated ingredient — a choice that quickly set Space Gems apart from the rest of the field.
“I feel like the ice water hash is a better high,” Baker said in a conversation with Leaf in November. “I feel like it’s cleaner. It’s more like flower. It’s not as messed with, not as processed.”
Baker collaborates with Have Hash founder, Jacob Stockwell, who provides the high-grade solventless hash for her entire line.
“I think we’re almost on eight or nine years now,” Baker said. “We’ve been working together for so long; we just know how to work together.”
The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. Baker’s high-quality gummy candy lines consistently win awards, accolades and shelf space at more than 350 retailers statewide.
With the respect she’s found on the California market, one might expect Baker to seek licensing deals in other states, jumping into the ring with other brands trying to position themselves for quick growth and market dominance. While she’s not necessarily opposed to the idea, she also knows that relinquishing control over operations in order to open new states could compromise the quality of her products in those markets. That’s something she can’t abide.
“I’m very open, but I’m also very protective of my recipe just because that recipe is mine,” Baker said. “I can do whatever I want, basically. I’m from Humboldt, and I live here, and I have that freedom. That’s very important to me. That’s worth more than anything.”
Baker spent the last year rolling out some four stock-keeping units with her Mini Gems line, which feature functional mushrooms in addition to the ice water hash, and also introduced her high-potency Flying Saucers, a 9-gram edible that packs an interstellar 100 milligrams of THC.
“Every Friday we have flying saucer Fridays,” Baker said, referring to the new tradition of winding down the week with one of the hard-hitting gummies. Last Friday, I ate one. I closed my eyes, and I felt like I was leaving my body almost. You know what I mean? I only ate 30% of the gummy. I just took a bite of it.”
With the Mini Gems and Flying Saucers lines launched and flying high, Baker plans to hunker down in 2026 and focus on operations. It’s going to be a year for fine-tuning processes, ensuring they can keep up with demand, and continuing to dial in their quality and consistency. She wants to keep people hungry for new treats by spacing out new releases.
“We do have plans to do new products, but the market also has to be ready for it,” she said. “We’re just working on just perfecting our Mini Gems and staying in stock. We added six new SKUs this year, so that was a big learning curve, learning how to keep them in stock.”
While there are new huge announcements on the immediate horizon, Space Gem will be adding new SKUs to its Flying Saucers line, which Baker sees as a major point of differentiation for her brand in the crowded California edibles market. She’s also prepping for the launch of a podcast episode she recently recorded with James Loud (@jamesloudpodcast).
For this Cannabis edibles pioneer, it’s all about steady improvement, intentional release schedules and not getting distracted by shiny object syndrome. After all, this isn’t about overbuilding to make a quick buck. This is about legacy.
“This is what I want to do for the rest of my life,” Baker said. “You know what I mean?”
Flavors to Try
All Space Gem gummy candies use solventless ice water hash that is activated through a heating process called decarboxylation before being bonded with coconut oil. The OG classic Space Drops still come in multiple flavor and cannabinoid variations, with a 1:1 THC:CBD version providing a strong counterpoint to the high THC experience.
The high-potency Flying Saucer comes in a selection of mouthwatering flavors, including the zippy Sour Tangerine. Also puckeringly delicious, the Sour Watermelon Mind Expanding Belt packs 100mg of THC into a strip of confectionery goodness, and the functional-mushroom-infused Mini Gems offer options to suit your desired mood, from the Vibrant Focus Sativa in Sweet Cherry flavor to the Celestial Sleep Indica in Sweet Fig flavor.
spacegemcandy.com | @spacegemofficial
This article was originally published in the December 2025 issue of California Leaf.
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