Puffcon 2023: a celebration of hash culture, music, and more

puffcon opening gates

In the heart of Los Angeles, the third edition of Puffcon took the cannabis world by storm. Heralded as a customer appreciation event for Puffco owners, this gathering has transformed into an annual extravaganza that stands as one of the premier hash celebrations of the year. 

Puffcon 2023 was nothing short of legendary, and it brought together cannabis enthusiasts from far and wide to revel in a day filled with music, activations, vendors, food, and more. Boasting more than 50 glass artists, 40 exhibitors, and 14 food options, this takeover of downtown LA was something magical.

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hash sign at puffcon
Puffcon is an annual celebration of all things hash Photo: Josh Freeman

A Puffco Paradise

For those unfamiliar with Puffco, it’s a brand synonymous with innovation and quality in the world of E-Rigs, or electronic dab rigs. Puffco devices are designed to vaporize hash and concentrates, providing enthusiasts a cleaner and more flavorful experience. Puffcon takes it a step further by not only celebrating Puffco’s creations but also the dedicated hash makers and artists who contribute to the ever-evolving cannabis culture.

The LA Center Studios event space was once again transformed into a cannabis wonderland, with hash makers and artists scattered throughout the venue. No matter where you turned, you were just a few steps away from a friendly face offering to refill your Puffco Peak or Proxy. 

Brands like Kalya and 710 Labs went above and beyond, ensuring that attendees had a constant supply of top-tier concentrates, often cracking fresh jars and delivering dabs to eager attendees still in line, for more dabs. Whether you are looking for gas, fruit, or funk there was something to please every discerning connoisseur.

Artistry in Glass

One highlight of Puffcon 2023 was the glassblowing area, featuring various talented artists and a dedicated section for the renowned glass artist Ryan Fitt. Personally, I was blown away by the collaborations between artists, including Mike Shelbo on the Goblin Proxy piece.

glass blowing at puffcon
Austin Hensley of @hensleyartglass does a live demo at Puffcon 2023 Photo: Josh Freeman

Enthusiasts had the opportunity to explore an array of diverse and competitively priced glass attachments for their Puffco devices, making it the ultimate destination for collectors and connoisseurs alike. For those who wanted to take a step back and admire the craftsmanship, live glass-blowing demonstrations throughout the event provided a captivating spectacle.

Music to Elevate the Atmosphere

What sets Puffcon apart from other cannabis events is its fusion of culture, art, and music. This year, the event organizers pulled out all the stops by bringing in a star-studded lineup of headliners. The stage was graced by the likes of 2Chainz, Action Bronson, Curren$y, and Zombie Juice. As the evening unfolded and the dabs continued to flow, these artists took center stage, electrifying the crowd and turning the event into a true cannabis carnival.

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Action Bronson, by no means a newcomer to this community, was able to get the crowd moving as his performance included great music sampled with comedic commentary and set the stage for the final act. With a Proxy full of funky, gag-worthy Strawberry Yogurt from Sugar Magnolia Farms, I was ready for Tity Boi to make an appearance.

Performing for a full hour, 2Chainz kept the crowd moving, performing original songs and featured verses from other hits. All the artists were mindful to take short breaks between songs to have the crowd raise their Puffco devices, and united we dabbed.  

2chainz at puffcon
Rapper 2Chainz performs at Puffcon 2023

A Turnout Beyond Expectations

Puffcon 2023 was a roaring success, surpassing all expectations, with over 6k in attendance. The turnout was so remarkable that a ton of the vendors sold out completely, and food vendors found themselves needing to restock midday and still ran out by the end of the evening. This overwhelming support from the cannabis community underscored the event’s status as a must-attend gathering for anyone passionate about the culture, technology, and artistry surrounding cannabis consumption.

vendor row at puffcon
A wide array of vendors at Puffcon 2023 Photo: Josh Freeman

In conclusion, Puffcon 2023 was an unforgettable celebration of cannabis and vaporization culture. It not only paid homage to the innovative devices from Puffco but also honored the hard work of hash makers and artists. With live glass blowing, a star-studded musical lineup, and a turnout that exceeded all expectations, Puffcon 2023 solidified its reputation as a premier event on the cannabis calendar. 

As we look forward to the future, with Peak or Proxy in hand, one can only imagine how Puffcon will continue to elevate and celebrate the cannabis experience for years to come.

This article was submitted by a guest contributor to GreenState. The statements within do not necessarily reflect the opinions of GreenState, Hearst, or its constituents. The author is solely responsible for the content.

Josh Freeman