BestBüds

In New Jersey’s fast-growing cannabis market, where new dispensaries open regularly, BestBüds distinguishes itself by how it approaches cannabis as a wellness tool rooted in education, safety, and trust. Located in downtown Woodbury, BestBüds is a women-owned and women-managed dispensary, an uncommon distinction that shapes every aspect of its culture, from leadership to customer experience.

Founded by Amanda Terpstra and Laura Trujillo, BestBüds grew from deep community ties and a long-term vision. Amanda spent years working alongside her grandmother, who ran a business in the same downtown district long before women commonly owned companies. That early exposure to women-led entrepreneurship, paired with a desire to revitalize Woodbury’s historic core, helped guide BestBüds’ path forward. As mothers themselves, the founders bring a lived understanding of caregiving, time constraints, and discretion to the business, shaping an approach grounded in patience, education, and care.

Long before opening its doors, the team invested years in civic engagement, attending city meetings, working with policymakers, and advocating for responsible cannabis legislation in Woodbury. That persistence paved the way for local licensure and positioned BestBüds as part of a broader effort to normalize, regulate, and de-stigmatize cannabis through education.

What truly sets BestBüds apart is its leadership structure and expertise. The dispensary is managed by women across key operational roles, where general manager Kristy Straub holds a Master’s degree in Cannabis Science and Therapeutics from the University of Maryland, bringing rare medical literacy into a retail environment. Her background informs how staff is trained and how customers are guided, particularly those navigating cannabis alongside existing medications or health concerns.

Education at BestBüds goes beyond product familiarity. Staff receives training that covers cannabinoid interaction, terpene profiles, tolerance, and potential medication considerations, areas often overlooked across recreational cannabis retail. This is especially meaningful as traditional medical-only dispensaries decline, leaving a gap for consumers who still rely on cannabis for symptom management but lack access to informed guidance.

Rather than promoting high-THC products, BestBüds helps customers understand how they want to feel and what outcomes they seek, whether support with pain or anxiety management, assistance with sleep, or simple relaxation. Balanced cannabinoid ratios, terpene-forward selections, and lower-potency options receive the same attention as stronger products, ensuring customers feel supported.

“We want people to feel confident and informed,” says Amanda. “That involves listening first, explaining how cannabis works in the body, and helping someone find what actually supports their wellness.”

This philosophy is reflected in how the menu is built. The dispensary favors small-batch, craft cannabis from independent operators, supporting cultivation integrity and everyday usability over mass-produced inventory. Guided by inventory manager Rose Speero, it curates a menu that prioritizes balanced cannabinoid profiles, terpene-forward options, and accessible price points. This encourages customers to choose products based on how they want to feel rather than defaulting to potency alone.

That reframing doesn’t stop at the product level. Co-founder and COO Laura Trujillo applies the same care-driven logic to BestBüds’ delivery model, treating access as part of the product. Free delivery within designated zones helps older adults, individuals with mobility challenges, busy parents, and customers still navigating stigma. Phone consultations allow staff to answer questions in depth, ensuring customers receive the same guidance they would in-store. ADA-compliant counters, ramps, and a relaxed pace allow conversations to unfold without pressure, reinforcing the idea that cannabis retail can feel welcoming.

By hiring locally, supporting neighboring businesses, and remaining engaged in civic conversations, the dispensary functions as part of the neighborhood rather than a standalone retailer. The goal is not simply to sell cannabis, but to contribute to the community’s long-term health and vitality.

In an industry often driven by speed and scale, BestBüds succeeds through clarity and restraint. Science guides education, safety informs service, and women lead every aspect of the operation. The result is a dispensary that treats cannabis with care and intention, offering a model for thoughtful, community-rooted retail to serve people first while remaining credible and sustainable.