Budsapalooza ‘25 turns up the heat in Phoenix

Bands perform at Budsapalooza in Phoenix, AZ on April 11, 2025 while attendees wait in line to get cannabis goodies from vendors. Photographed by Alex Gold.

Phoenix in April isn't exactly known for its merciful climate, but tell a few hundred cannabis enthusiasts there's free weed and suddenly nobody seems to mind the scorching temperatures. Budsapalooza '25 descended upon downtown Phoenix on April 11th, transforming a cordoned-off section of concrete jungle into a smoke-filled oasis where the only thing more abundant than sweat was free weed (with the purchase of a ticket.)

Unlike music festival coverage where the sole focus is on the stage, Budsapalooza is a different beast entirely. The soundtrack here served more as ambient noise–perfectly fine when within earshot of the main stage, but quickly drowned in a sea of competing booths' own speakers. Though, I will note one particularly enthusiastic audience member at the comedy stage whose laughter was so violently contagious that Syd was stuck infectiously laughing–not at the jokes, but at the audience member's laughter.

Navigating Budsapalooza feels like a bizarre treasure hunt where the "X" on your map keeps moving–and multiplying. The layout, while technically organized with helpful signage, still manages to hide gems in plain sight (sorry to our friends at Flow Distribution's Sluggers tent–we swear we looked for you).

The true high point came from brands that shattered expectations. Gron's chocolate pearls (5mg each) performed the impossible: edibles that don't taste like you're chewing on your college roommate's houseplant. For someone who typically avoids edibles due to their distinctive "essence of lawn clippings" flavor profile, these dangerously neutral-tasting morsels could spell trouble for the uninitiated.

Similarly surprising was Coffeepott's infused vanilla coffee that managed to impress even a devoted energy drink loyalist. When someone whose coffee typically comes in a can labeled "Red Bull" gives your brew a nod, you've accomplished something.

Electric Honey (Clovr's new golden child) delivered vapes that deserve their own spotlight moment (full review incoming–stay tuned), proving that sometimes the buzz surrounding a product is actually justified.

While Budsapalooza centers around music, comedy, and art, the real headliners were the innovations being quietly unveiled between sample handouts. The customizable high is apparently 2025's answer to the craft cocktail, with brands like Pressure showcasing magnetically connecting vape units that allow users to mix-and-match flavors or hit both simultaneously. Not to be outdone, Boutiq offers a two-in-one disposable with button-controlled flavor switching - essentially the cannabis equivalent of those split-flavor slushie machines from your childhood convenience store.

Perhaps more telling about the industry's evolution is the digital shift happening behind the scenes. Brands are pivoting away from Instagram (where 90% of them live in shadowban purgatory for the crime of posting their actual products) toward proprietary apps. The "follow-for-free-stuff" economy is evolving into the "download-our-app-for-samples" era–a shrewd move that simultaneously builds customer databases and dodges social media's ever-changing cannabis policies.

Desert Sounds Magazine co-founder Alex Gold showing RAW Papers founder Josh Kesselman a prototype of this year’s DSM:420 Roadmap at Budsapalooza in Phoenix, AZ on April 11, 2025. Photographed by Syd Schwartz.

No Budsapalooza recap would be complete without mentioning the walking cannabis celebrity/cryptid that is Josh Kesselman. The RAW Rolling Papers founder achieves a rare status in the industry - a genuine rock star in a field increasingly populated by corporate suits playing hippie for the weekend.

Our encounter involved a contraption holding six joints that would make Cheech & Chong question their life choices, but the real highlight was showing him that his Juiced by Juicy brand made our upcoming DSM:420 Roadmap. His genuine enthusiasm confirmed what makes Budsapalooza special: beneath the marketing and free samples beats the heart of a community that still gets excited about the plant itself, and the creative ventures it creates.

The Budsapalooza experience can be summed up as controlled chaos where the line between industry showcase and adult playground blurs beautifully. The crowd - while technically chill - operated with the single-minded focus of people who recognized the mathematical equation of [shortest line] × [free cannabis] = victory.

MVP award goes unquestionably to Gelato for their stroke of genius: handing out cold water cans in the desert heat. When the temperature has you questioning reality before you've even hit your first sample, hydration isn't just clever marketing, it's humanitarian aid.

For next year's attendees, here's my advice: arrive early, and perform reconnaissance on the lines before committing. Some queues lead to take-home treasures while others offer on-site sampling only–a crucial distinction when your personal odometer is approaching "I can taste colors" territory. And go check out the glassblowers once the sun goes down!

Is Budsapalooza worth the inevitable day-after recovery? Absolutely. Between the early-bird pricing and the sheer volume of free products that find their way into your possession, the festival practically pays you to attend. More importantly, it offers a rare glimpse into cannabis culture that somehow balances commercial interests with authentic community vibes.

In an industry rapidly professionalizing, Budsapalooza maintains the delicate balance between business convention and celebration; a sweet spot where marketing executives and dedicated enthusiasts find common ground in their appreciation for the plant. It's chaotic, occasionally overwhelming, and entirely worth the sunburn you'll be nursing the next day.

Until next year, keep your water cold, your expectations high, and your eyes peeled for the next innovation that might just change your relationship with cannabis–or at minimum, get you absolutely ripped.