Budtender of the Month: Celebrating Kyle Leamen of Pluto Plants

January 16, 2026

Kyle is by far one of the most passionate, dedicated, and enthusiastic budtenders that we’ve ever encountered.  We were so impressed by the ways he cultivates trust and respect in his community.  Frankly, we are obsessed with his desire to bring passion, interest, and excitement to each sale, while introducing the “magic of cannabis” to new consumers.  Kyle doesn’t just walk the walk, he talks the talk.  Read on to find out what Kyle’s most passionate about, his tips for consumers and colleagues, the future of cannabis that he envisions, and more.

Why are you passionate about your role?

"I've fallen in love with the sensory experience of Cannabis. I love the different aromas and flavour expressions. All the different terpenes and how you can blend them together to make something completely new. I find it fascinating how some aromas will translate into the taste. Of course, I alsolove the large range of ways it can make you feel.

I deeply enjoy getting to share this experience with other people; talking to staff about products and what makes them great, the wide range of people I get to interact with in just one shift, getting into the deepest details with the passionate consumer, and introducing some of the magic of cannabis to the newest consumer. Being able to use my own interest and acquired knowledge to provide this service to my local community has been incredibly fulfilling and helps fuel my passion.

I believe that delivering high quality service is a very valuable and rewarding experience. I enjoy getting to introduce a customer to one of my favourite products or producers. It's very rewarding to have someone come back and say they loved your recommendation. To cultivate that trust and respect amongst your community is a very fulfilling experience."

If you could have any other role in the industry, what would it be and why?

"I believe I would do very well in a brand relations position. There are a lot of overlaps with Budtending. I believe it could be just as fulfilling a role, but in different ways.  

I would love to do more facility tours and document them. I believe understanding where your product came from enriches the experience and helps bring a brand and their products to life.  

I would love to find a way to push Canadian cannabis culture forwards. I think cannabis is caught in a weird valley. There's nowhere that you're really allowed to talk about it. Social media doesn't want it and will actively restrict your accounts. Cannabis is still considered taboo or inappropriate for public or advertising spaces.  

I think cannabis is cool. To me it's the coolest thing in the world. Ultimately, I want to continue to be involved in the story telling experience of cannabis. "

What are you excited about for the future of cannabis in Canada? What do you envision?

"I look forward to seeing more intentional flavour pairings and uses with cannabis. I think cannabis is a very sensory driven experience that can pair well with other popular artisanal products like coffee and wine. When done well, you can also pair dried flower with a nice hash or rosin.  

As the market matures, I think we've started to see more space for these sorts of products and experiences. I look forward to seeing where they end up in a few years."

Want to nominate a budtender?

Do you know a budtender who deserves recognition for their knowledge, passion, and commitment to customer service? We’d love to hear from you!  

Nominate a Budtender