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KIND Magazine Is Building the Room Budtenders Deserve to Be In

June 22, 2026

There's a version of this job where you get certified, step onto the floor, and figure the rest out as you go.

For a lot of budtenders, that's exactly how it starts. The training covers the regulatory basics and what responsible retail looks like in practice. What it can't always teach is the broader industry fluency that separates a good budtender from a great one: who the brands are, what's trending nationally, where the real conversations are happening.

That's the space KIND is building in.

KIND Magazine is a national media and events platform that connects budtenders, brands, and retailers across Canada. Serena Somani Hudson is its Managing Director. We asked her about the KIND platform, what budtenders can expect from it in 2026, and why the partnership with CannSell makes sense.

Tell us about the KIND brand. Who are you, what do you do and what sets KIND apart?

KIND is a national media and events platform designed to connect and elevate the cannabis industry across Canada.

At our core, we bring together brands, retailers, and budtenders through thoughtfully curated events and media that create real value—not just visibility.

From my perspective, what sets KIND apart is our discipline. We’ve been very intentional about building something that prioritizes quality, credibility, and experience over scale for the sake of scale.

As someone who operates both at the retail level and within national industry platforms, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to bridge the gap between brands and budtenders—and that’s exactly what KIND is designed to do.

We’re not trying to be everywhere—we’re focused on being impactful where we are.

I’ve also always believed that to earn trust in this industry, especially in markets like British Columbia, you need to show up with humility and a real respect for cannabis culture. That mindset is embedded into everything we do at KIND.

What can budtenders expect from KIND magazine?

KIND Magazine was built with the budtender in mind.

From my perspective, budtenders are one of the most influential—and often underserved—groups in the industry. They’re the ones guiding the consumer experience every day.

So the magazine is designed to be:

  • Practical – content that helps on the sales floor
  • Credible – insights from brands and operators that matter
  • Forward-looking – highlighting emerging products and trends

We want budtenders to pick up KIND Magazine and feel more confident in their knowledge, more connected to the industry, and better equipped to do their job at a high level.

What KIND events can budtenders look forward to in 2026?

2026 is an exciting year for KIND as we continue to build a strong national presence.

We’ll be hosting:

  • KIND Gardens Vancouver on April 9th 2026
  • Edmonton on June 25th 2026
  • KIND Summer Fair Toronto in July (2 days)
  • Ottawa in September
  • KIND Winter Fair Toronto in December (2 days)

From my perspective, what makes KIND events different is that we design them with intention.

Budtenders can expect:

  • Direct, meaningful access to brands
  • Strong product education and sampling opportunities
  • A space to connect with peers across the country

We’re very focused on making sure that when someone attends a KIND event, they leave with real value—not just a good time.

Is there anything else about KIND that the industry should know?

One thing I would emphasize is that KIND is being built for the long term.

We’re not focused on short-term wins—we’re focused on creating platforms that the industry can rely on and grow with.

I also see KIND as a connector. Some of the most important conversations in cannabis don’t happen in formal settings—they happen through shared experiences, on the floor, and at events. That’s where we’ve chosen to operate.

As we continue to expand, staying grounded in the culture and the community is something I take very seriously.

From your perspective, how does your partnership with CannSell add value for budtenders?

Our partnership with CannSell is very aligned in terms of purpose.

CannSell provides the essential foundation—education, compliance, and responsible retail training.

What KIND does is build on that by creating opportunities for budtenders to engage with the industry in a more dynamic way—through events, product discovery, and ongoing education.

From my perspective, when you combine structured training with real-world experience, you create more confident, capable budtenders—and that ultimately elevates the entire retail experience.

"At the end of the day, if we’re helping budtenders feel more confident and connected, we’re doing our job right." - Serena


KIND and CannSell aren't building the same thing. But they're building toward the same outcome.

CannSell covers the foundation: AGCO-required certification, responsible retail training, and the product knowledge that earns customer trust on the floor. KIND extends that further, connecting budtenders to brands, events, and peers who are navigating the same realities in shops across the country.

The two work together. A certified budtender who shows up to a KIND event walks in already ahead.

Get certified with CannSell or nominate a standout budtender.