Budtender Spotlight: July Recap

The Budtender Spotlight continues to celebrate the incredible people behind the counter — the ones who keep cannabis culture thriving through their knowledge, care, and everyday impact. Each month, budtenders are nominated across several meaningful categories, including:

• Trail Blazer — pushing the industry forward with fresh ideas, leadership, and passion
  
  
• Have Your Bud’s Back — dependable, supportive, and always ready to help their team
  
  
• High Spirits — bringing good energy, positivity, and a great vibe wherever they go
  
  
• Rooted in Integrity — embodying honesty, trust, and strong values in everything they do
  
  
• Customer Champion — going above and beyond to create amazing experiences for every customer
  
  
• Strain Specialist — knowing their products inside and out

In July, we received an incredible wave of nominations from across the industry, and we’re excited to highlight a standout group of budtenders who truly went above and beyond their roles. These passionate pros aren’t just selling cannabis — they’re building community, shaping experiences, and keeping the culture alive.

We caught up with each winner to hear their story — from the moments that keep them inspired, to the team dynamics that make their dispensary feel like home. At Kayapush, we know that thriving cannabis businesses are built on strong teams, and these budtenders are living proof. Let’s take a look at our July winners.

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Introducing Our July Winners & Their Dispensaries

Matt Sullenger from Vibe by California Ukiah (CA, USA)

Matt Sullenger embodies High Spirits with his lively, magnetic personality that customers can’t get enough of. He’s known not just for product knowledge, but for building genuine connections — so much so that many customers time their visits just to see him. Matt goes above and beyond to make every guest feel welcome, offering thoughtful recommendations, occasional surprises, and plenty of laughs along the way. His natural ability to brighten the room and make every experience personal has turned first-time shoppers into loyal regulars, creating a true sense of community within the dispensary.

He brings his community-centered energy to Vibe by California Ukiah, a community-focused cannabis destination offering over 500+ high-quality, lab-tested products in a welcoming and educational environment. Known for its knowledgeable budtenders, everyday value pricing, and commitment to supporting local Mendocino County growers, Vibe makes cannabis accessible without compromising on experience. With a focus on sustainability, transparency, and genuine connection, Vibe by California is redefining what it means to shop for cannabis in Ukiah.
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Bryana Marissa Crisostomo from Kindling Cannabis (ON, Canada)

Bryana Marissa Crisostomo was nominated by her former manager, David Weeks, for truly embodying being Rooted in Integrity. Known for her unwavering professionalism, kindness, and dependability, Bryana has become a cornerstone for her team. She consistently goes above and beyond — maintaining a spotless, welcoming environment and ensuring operations run smoothly without ever needing direction or discipline.

Bryana Marissa Crisostomo brings her warmth and expertise to Kindling Cannabis, a modern Ontario dispensary redefining convenience and cannabis shopping. Offering fast delivery, curated premium products, and a smooth online-to-door experience, Kindling makes accessing quality cannabis effortless and approachable. With a focus on education, personalized service, and community connection, Kindling Cannabis delivers a customer-first experience that Bryana embodies every day.
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Maya Ann Barkley from Team Cannabis (BC, Canada)

Maya Ann Barkley was nominated by her manager, Michelle, for embodying the core value of Have Your Bud’s Back. Known for her unwavering dedication and willingness to go above and beyond, Maya is the kind of teammate who always steps up to support both her colleagues and customers. Her hard work, positive energy, and genuine care have made her an essential part of the Team Cannabis family. 

Maya brings her passion for people and the plant to Team Cannabis, a boutique BC dispensary dedicated to crafting a welcoming, personalized cannabis experience. Known for its thoughtfully curated selection of premium products, warm atmosphere, and focus on empowering customers through knowledge, Team Cannabis has built a loyal community of enthusiasts and newcomers alike. With a commitment to authenticity, connection, and approachable service, the Team Cannabis spirit shines through Maya’s customer-first approach every day.

James Batchelor from T Cannabis/Cost Cannabis (ON, Canada)

James Batchelor was nominated for embodying High Spirits with his unmatched passion and dedication to the cannabis industry. Known for being the first to jump in and help anyone — from local budtenders to province managers and even teams out of province — James is a go-to leader who lifts up everyone around him. His love for the plant and commitment to serving both rural and urban cannabis communities shine through his work 

He brings his expertise to two sister dispensary brands — T Cannabis and Cost Cannabis — that together cover both rural and urban cannabis communities in Ontario. T Cannabis was built on the core mission of delivering quality service and value to rural customers. Cost Cannabis, on the other hand, is focused on urban consumers, offering everyday low prices to ensure unbeatable value. Both brands were acquired by SNDL Inc., further linking them under a single retail network across Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Together, these brands embody a customer‑first philosophy — blending personalized service, accessible pricing, and transparency to make cannabis approachable across diverse communities.
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What Keeps Them Coming Back Every Day?

For these budtenders, it’s never just about the plant — it’s about the people they serve and the community they help build. Their passion shines through in every interaction, making the dispensary more than just a workplace. Here’s what motivates them to show up and make a difference day after day:

“Connecting with great people and building friendships in Ukiah.” — Matt, Vibe by California

 “Helping others and making them smile while building community in Milton.” — Bryana, Kindling Cannabis

 “Standing for quality, education, and genuine good vibes — not just making a dollar.” — Maya, Team Cannabis

“Great selection, prices, and amazing customers.” — James, T Cannabis/Cost Cannabis

From sparking a smile to guiding someone through their first experience, these budtenders remind us that connection is the real cornerstone of cannabis culture. Whether it’s sparking a smile, guiding someone new, or being a daily dose of good energy, these four are redefining what it means to be on the frontline in cannabis.

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What Does Team Culture Feel Like?

We asked each winner to sum up their team culture in just one word — and the responses say everything:

• Inspiring — Matt
• Chill — Bryana
• Dedicated — Maya
• Inclusive — James 

But it wasn’t just about how they feel in their teams — it was also about how they’re seen. Each of these budtenders was nominated by someone who noticed their impact, whether it was for being “the glue that holds us together,” “always helpful and knowledgeable,” or someone who simply “makes this place feel like home.”

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Big Thanks to Their Nominators

When we asked what they admired most about the person who nominated them, their answers showed genuine appreciation:

“Their ability to ensure everyone on the team feels heard and respected.” –  Matt, nominated by Jonathan, Manager

“His tenderness toward animals and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.” – Bryana, nominated by David, Manager 

“Inspired by her dedication, loyalty, passion for the industry, and selfless leadership.” – Maya, nominated by Michelle, Manager

“Her strong knowledge and meaningful customer relationships.” – James, nominated by Tanya, VP of Operations 

The support runs deep — just like the roots of this community.

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Celebrating the Faces of the Plant

Each month, we shine a light on the people behind the counter — the educators, the empathizers, and the everyday legends of cannabis culture. To our July winners — Matt, Bryana, Maya, and James — thank you for showing up, standing out, and raising the bar!

Know someone who deserves the spotlight? Nominate a budtender who’s making an impact — we’re always looking for the next great story.