Today is a special day in New York history; for the first time, amNewYork is running reviews of cannabis flower. We’re treating flower with the respect we treat wine and fine dining.
This column is meant to help you separate the dank from the mids, whether you’re a first-time smoker or a lifelong aficionado.
What gives me this expertise? Well, I’m Angelo Kitkas. I own Flower Power Dispensers (22 W. 66th St.), the Upper West Side’s first legal licensed dispensary. For decades before I went legal, I sold cannabis the old-fashioned way, cowboy style, across this city. I’ve got stories for days, but I’ll save those for another time.
But I don’t just sell cannabis. I love it. I’m an absolute flower snob. Think of me as a cannabis sommelier. A guy who always goes out of his way to stock his store with the small batch, craft cannabis that the corporate shops ignore. I want my customers smoking what I smoke, and that’s always going to be damn good weed.
And I want you to know what special flower New York’s talented growers have produced. One day I might talk about edibles, or drinks, or salves, but for now I’m strictly flower, old school, so put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Without further ado, here are Angelo’s Picks, May 2025 edition:
LeadFarmer Mac 1 (Pre-Roll):
New York City is the pre-roll capital of the world. New Yorkers are always on the go, we travel light, so we buy pre-rolls. This is one of my favorite pre-rolls of late. This strain is a sativa, traditionally known for head highs.
LeadFarmer is a USMC combat veteran, the first microbusiness to legally grow cannabis indoors in New York. People across New York, like LeadFarmer, have been growing for years before legalization; they were the silent heroes for stoners like me.
These pre-rolls have a beautiful flowery aroma. Flowery to its core. It has this sweet and savory flavor once you smoke it, like putting a bacon, egg and cheese on French toast.
This smokes really smoothly. This will give you a head high for a few hours but you can function on it, just take the edge off for a bit.
Hudson Cannabis, Full Moon, Moon Walker (Pre-Roll):
Here’s another sativa pre-roll – it’s larger and infused with rosin (a type of hash).
Hudson is owned by two sisters up in Hudson, New York. All their cannabis is cultivated outdoors, sun-grown, in an organic style. New York State is blessed with the best outdoor cannabis on the East Coast.
This has a spicier, earthier scent out of the package. It smokes wonderfully. This is a profile you get with good outdoor weed.
It also gets you really high. Definitely a headier high, all you need is a few tokes, and you’re golden. This is two grams, a big one. I’d advise sharing with friends.
Sensei, Candy Cane (Flower)
Sensei’s Candy Cane is traditional flower. This batch is sticky, a bit velvety, exactly what I like to roll. You look at it, you see the little crystals, it’s shining.
Sensei has been growing cannabis for years before he got his microbusiness license. He’s a bit of a legend, with roots in The Bronx and Yonkers.
The smell, it’s incredible, vibrant fruity, some earthy undertone. It tastes like it smells. So fruity, so sweet, like a watermelon Jolly Rancher.
It smokes incredibly smoothly. As far as flowers go, this is some of the best you can get here. Do you have a friend in town? Have them try this, then go for a walk in Central Park or get some pastrami at Katz’s to give them a real NYC experience.
But don’t make too many plans. This flower is the true meaning of Indica. It’ll get you stoned and make you want to melt into a couch.
Thanks for joining me on this journey. I’ve got years of experience putting smiles on customers’ faces, and I want to make sure the residents of the best city in the world smoke the best cannabis in the world, too.
