JournalJournal
Collin Johnson
California, make some room on the top shelf. Blackleaf just carried two of his standout cuts into the state's recreational market, and they couldn't taste more different. One leans into candy, florals, and a gas finish. The other tastes like a peach that spent all summer in the sun. Velvet Venom and Peaches now sit in 3.5g and 7g jars at a select group of dispensaries from Santa Rosa to Southern California. Blackleaf made a limited run, so once these jars sell through, they're gone.
Keep reading to embark on a sensory journey into the fire flavors that Blackleaf just unleashed across the state. We’ll also highlight each exclusive retailer he’s chosen for this massive drop so you can find the shop nearest you to get a closer look.
Blackleaf sums up his whole approach in a few words: "Old roots. New standard. A legacy line, refined. Heavy floral, clean ash." That mission shows up in every jar. Blackleaf puts in the selection work, takes its time through flower and cure, and only ships cuts that burn clean. This launch puts that standard on rec shelves across the Golden State.
The drop includes two strains in two sizes. Shoppers can pick up Velvet Venom or Peaches in an eighth (3.5g) or a quarter (7g). Only the retailers listed below carry the jars, and each shop sells them while supplies last. Every participating dispensary serves adults 21 and over with a valid ID.
Velvet Venom delivers the kind of flavor arc that keeps you reaching for the joint. It opens sweet, turns sour, and lands on gas. An offspring of Permanent Marker, Blackleaf has honed in on a new variety caked in layers of flavor. Here's what to expect when you crack the jar.
Velvet Venom looks the part. The nugs grow squat, tight, and loaded with color. Light and dark greens run into deep blues and purples, while stale orange pistils hug the surface. A thick layer of trichome heads coats every bud, so each nug looks dipped in sugar. That kind of intact frost points to careful hand-trimming and a slow cure.
Pop a jar of Velvet Venom and sweet florals hit first, with a soapy, candy edge that Gelato fans will clock right away. Break a nug apart and the profile turns. A modern gas rolls out, followed by sour citrus and a little funk on the back end.
The smoke follows the same path. Sugary florals carry the first half of the joint. Past the midpoint, sour citrus takes over. Near the tip, a nutty gas closes it out. Plenty of candy strains open loud and then fade. Velvet Venom keeps changing until the last pull.
Smoking the Velvet Venom strain may provide a speedy onset. The high might roll from head to toe like a wave and settle into a dreamy, grounded calm. Stress may melt off on the exhale. A lighter smoke like a 1-gram joint might keep you creative and upbeat enough to maintain throughout the day. A heavier 2-gram bat could lean into full-body relaxation that sets you up for solid sleep. Your dose steers the ride.
Grab Blackleaf’s Velvet Venom strain if you love candy and Gelato-style terps but are looking for more of a diverse gassy layer in the mix. Terp chasers who want more nuance than a straight fuel bomb should start here. And yes, it burns down to a clean white ash.
His Peaches strain lives up to its name from the first sniff to the roach. It pairs juicy stonefruit with a tart candy bite and a potentially balanced high that might fit almost any part of the day. Blackleaf embarked on a massive pheno hunt with this Zkittlez x Papaya cross to hone in on the #67 pheno you’ll find in the jar today.
Visually, Peaches shows off heart-shaped nugs in pale green with streaks of blue. Cheesy orange pistils weave through the cracks for a bright contrast. The buds feel dense and sticky between your fingers. Break one open and you'll find a cavern of glittering trichome heads that releases even more aroma.
The name tells no lies. On the nose, Peaches reeks of ripe stonefruit with a tart, candied mango note underneath. The draw stays smooth and sun-warm, and the sweetness builds the deeper you get into the joint. Toward the end, a tart candy bite steps forward alongside that bright peach. Grind a fresh nug and everyone in the room will ask what you’re rolling up.
Smoking Peaches might immediately lift your mood while hinting at the relaxation still on the way. The high may start at the top of your head and drift down, loosening muscle tension as it goes. It might wake up the mind without racing it, so it slides right into a hazy and upbeat afternoon. Lighter tokes from a bong or pipe could keep you clear and present. Larger doses might lean sedative and help you wind down for the night.
Flavor chasers and Z-lovers should put Peaches at the top of the list. It also makes a strong afternoon choice for anyone who wants a potentially balanced, functional hybrid that still tastes like dessert. Expect pure white ash and an even burn.
Pick Velvet Venom if you want layers. It moves from candy florals to sour citrus to gas, and it might carry you from a heady, creative morning to a heavy night. Pick Peaches if you want fruit and love creative takes on Z. It delivers a bright, juicy stonefruit profile and a potentially balanced high that you can ride out all day long. Can't decide? Grab an eighth of each and run your own side-by-side.
Blackleaf placed Velvet Venom and Peaches with eight retail partners across California. Inventory moves fast on limited drops, so check each shop's online menu or call ahead before you make the drive.
GOAT Global calls itself a curated cannabis lifestyle brand, and it backs that up with a famously selective menu. The team works closely with breeders and cultivators and only partners with brands that clear its bar. Find the Blackleaf drop at the Westwood store on Westwood Blvd and at the Torrance location. Visit GOAT Global now.
Buzz runs a growing chain of recreational dispensaries across Greater San Diego, with stores in neighborhoods like La Mesa, Mission Valley, Sorrento Valley, Lemon Grove, and National City, plus a shop in Wildomar. All eight locations carry the Blackleaf drop. Order ahead online for a quick in-store pickup. Order online with Buzz today.
Evergreen holds down Orange County from its sleek, modern shop on East Edinger Ave in Santa Ana. Regulars rave about the deep selection, the daily deals, and a staff that knows its stuff. The shop also keeps one of the strongest review records in the OC. Visit Evergreen’s online menu now.
PACKS SGV serves the San Gabriel Valley from its El Monte shop on Peck Road. The team runs a curated menu, rotates fresh drops alongside fan favorites, and organizes flower by strain so you can shop by flavor and vibe. The doors open early and close late, which makes a Blackleaf pickup easy to fit into your day. Visit PACKS SGV and see what’s in stock.
The Outpost brings Blackleaf to Sonoma County. This clean, low-key shop in Santa Rosa's Bellevue neighborhood specializes in quality flower and solventless concentrates. Its buyer champions legacy producers over brands chasing a trend, which makes Blackleaf a natural fit on the shelf. Scope The Outpost’s Leafly menu now.
The Ounce brings Blackleaf to the heart of NoHo on Magnolia Blvd. This neighborhood equity retailer keeps prices friendly with weekly value deals and discounts for both first-time and returning customers. Swing by for a laid-back shop that treats locals right. Visit The Ounce’s Weedmaps page now.
Atrium set the bar for luxury cannabis retail in the San Fernando Valley. The sunlit, design-forward store on Topanga Canyon Blvd stocks a massive menu that spans hundreds of brands. It also draws crowds for its Baller Bag Saturdays and delivers to surrounding Valley neighborhoods. Visit Atrium’s website now and find the new flavors.
We Roll Up builds its shops to feel like destinations. The brand runs a harbor-side store in San Pedro and a location near LAX, and both lean hard into rosin and solventless hash. The team also grows its own in-house flower, so it knows good bud when it sees it. Visit We Roll Up’s website to see what’s in stock from Blackleaf.
Limited drops don't sit around. Velvet Venom and Peaches will move fast at every shop on this list, so check menus early and call ahead to confirm stock. Visit Blackleaf to learn more about the brand and its full lineup. If you get to smoke the strains, be sure to request a re-up from your local budtender! Then follow FSOTD for the latest drops and culture coverage you won't find anywhere else.
You can find both strains at GOAT Global in Westwood and Torrance, all eight Buzz locations, Evergreen, PACKS SGV, The Outpost in Santa Rosa, The Ounce in North Hollywood, Atrium in Woodland Hills, and We Roll Up in Los Angeles.
Blackleaf offers both strains in 3.5g and 7g jars.
Blackleaf released a limited run, and each retailer sells it while supplies last. Call your nearest shop to confirm stock before you head out.
Velvet Venom, a Permanent Market offspring, opens with sweet candy florals, shifts into sour citrus, and finishes with a nutty gas. Peaches, a Papaya x Zkittlez cross, tastes like ripe, sun-warm stonefruit with a tart candy bite near the end of the joint.
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