With more young people flocking to dispensaries than ever, Gen Z is facing an unexpected dilemma: they have no idea what they’re actually buying. In a twist that’s taken the industry by surprise, dispensary-goers born after 1997 are now demanding “vibe curators” to help them navigate the world of cannabis—not based on strains or potency, but on “aesthetics, energy, and overall vibe.”

The role of a vibe curator, as envisioned by these self-described “cannaseurs,” would be to guide customers through an experience that “just feels right.” Responsibilities would include pairing products with mood boards, selecting playlists for shopping sessions, and categorizing strains based on things like “Feels like a Sunday morning” or “Energy to clean my whole apartment but make it fun.” Knowledge of actual cannabis properties is optional.

*“I don’t care about sativa or indica,” said 22-year-old Riley Kim. “I just want to know if it’s going to give me, like, main-character energy or make me feel like I’m in a Lana Del Rey song.”

Dispensaries are racing to meet the new demand. California-based Green Haven is already beta-testing “vibe consultants” who greet customers with iPads that display curated mood boards, and “energy readings” of each strain. “Gen Z doesn’t connect with old-school strain names or THC percentages,” explains Green Haven’s marketing lead, Carly West. “They want to walk out with a product that matches their aesthetic—whether it’s a ‘cozy cottagecore high’ or a ‘late-night in the city, neon lights’ vibe.”

The shift has left traditional budtenders scratching their heads. “They come in asking if we have anything that feels like a Wes Anderson film or ‘meditative but not, like, sleepy,’” said Julian Mendez, a budtender with five years of experience. “Honestly, I had no idea what to recommend, so I just made something up.”

Cannabis companies are responding with marketing campaigns tailored to mood-based shopping. Instead of traditional categories, brands are adopting tags like “chill AF” and “high-energy aesthetic,” and developing new packaging that focuses more on the “vibe” than the product details. One popular strain has been rebranded as “Feel-Good Nostalgia,” with zero mention of its actual THC or CBD content.

Meanwhile, dispensary owners remain cautiously optimistic. “It’s a bit confusing for our older staff, but if customers want vibe curators, we’ll make it happen,” said Theo Kim, owner of Green Oasis Dispensary. “Honestly, half the time they don’t even ask what strain it is. They just ask if it’ll look good in a TikTok.”

As the industry scrambles to evolve, one thing is clear: for Gen Z, cannabis isn’t just a plant—it’s an aesthetic. And if a vibe curator is what it takes to navigate the neon-lit haze of modern dispensaries, they’re here for it.