A multi-instrumentalist and singer, MARKNOXX is a Sacramento native who’s been living in Los Angeles since his music career first drew him there over a decade ago.
When not working at Haus of Grams dispensary, NOXX is usually in the recording studio. You’ve probably heard him performing vocals on 2019’s “I Wanna Thank Me” with Snoop Dogg or playing bass on E-40’s “Rick Rock Horns.”
For this California-based musician, Cannabis is therapy.
“When I smoke, it relaxes my mind, and I can think things through,” he said. “It puts me in a space where I can relax, be creative and really focus on something — especially with music.”
He told the Leaf that he’s been budtending for three years now. His first job was actually at MedMen’s LAX location, where NOXX said he became one of the store’s top sellers. What he really enjoyed, though, was getting to know all about the California retail market.
“They had a product knowledge system where, for an hour a day, you would have to study the brands on the shelves and get familiar with all of their products,” NOXX said.
It was while working at Medmen that NOXX realized what kind of effect you can have on a person by helping them pick out some Cannabis.
“I learned that the point of a budtender is to meet the needs of every patient who comes with love and respect. Whether that’s someone just looking to have a good time, and you guide them to a strain, or someone looking for something for pain,” he explained. “It’s about helping out your community.”
When Medmen filed for bankruptcy, NOXX returned to music full time but remained interested in budtending. Around October 2025, while talking with a good friend and fellow musician, DJ Qwess Coast, he mentioned wanting to get back to working with Cannabis. Qwess Coast told NOXX about a new store he was opening called Haus of Grams. NOXX quickly signed on to this team, which he said is composed of a large percentage of artists, musicians and creators — the perfect place for a creative individual to discuss their needs with someone who speaks their language. Like with his last store, NOXX told us he’s once again a top seller at Haus of Grams, something he attributed to a management-advised focus on the customer experience.
Even though NOXX loves budtending, he dreams of someday working with a brand to create his own signature strain. When asked what that would look like, he had his answer locked and loaded.
“I love Purple, the original Purple from back in the day,” NOXX said. “I would want to resurrect that and breed it with some Peanut Butter Breath or Lamb’s Breath. Those are my other top strains, so if I had a strain, I’d want it to mimic those frequencies, but also be some gassy Purple.”
Check out NOXX’s upcoming album, “E.A.R.S.,” on his website.
