May’s Budtender of the Month was suggested by Mandee and Jason at Smoken Promises. They’ve been traveling up and down the state talking with budtenders and told California Leaf they immediately recognized the passion and curiosity Jordanna brings to the job.
Jordanna is a lifelong weed smoker who became a California budtender last December. She works at a few stores around Los Angeles, including Xzibit’s West Coast Cannabis and Snoop Dogg’s S.W.E.D. She told California Leaf she’s always been a creative, colorful person who doesn’t necessarily fit in with the traditional corporate setting. Working as a budtender gives her the chance to openly express her passion for Cannabis and the freedom to continue her work as a tattoo artist.
How did you get inspired to start budtending?
I actually started budtending off and on back when I lived in Washington. I have eight piercings, colored hair, lots of tattoos, so I’ve always tried to find a job that fits me. I love making art and tattoos, but I also really like helping people, and budtending seemed to be the kind of place that put those things together.
What surprised you about the job?
Getting to know all the brands was challenging, but it’s cool the way California lets us have a sample open for people to see and smell. There are also a lot more people who come around asking for the classic strains like OG, Sour Diesel and Trainwreck. People out here love the classics.
What would you tell other people looking to get into budtending?
Be out there, be active and be knowledgeable. Do everything you can to follow the brands and keep up to date. There’s no way I would have gotten so far in the last few months if I wasn’t trying to learn about brands, try new products and go out to pop-up events.
What’s your favorite way to consume Cannabis right now?
I’m mainly a concentrates smoker, though I have gotten back into flower in order to talk about the strains that are popular out here. I like the really heavy indica stuff from Bear Labs and Team Elite Genetics, as well as Clayborne Co. As far as flavor, the Banana strains have been up there with me, like the Banana OG, Banana Sherbert and Banana Cream Cake x Jealousy.
With such a passion for becoming part of California’s Cannabis community, we asked Jordanna where she eventually sees herself going with the weed scene. She told us that she wants to continue making creativity a center focus by eventually working to model and maybe rep with one of her favorite brands. “I would for sure work for Alien Labs or Smoken Promises, they’re fire.”
