About Different Leaf
Since its founding in 2019, Different Leaf has set a new standard for high-quality, thought-provoking editorial on cannabis. What began as a magazine dedicated to demystifying legalized cannabis for both newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts quickly evolved into an award-winning publication known for its sharp storytelling, striking visuals, and thoughtful exploration of the industry’s cultural impact.
In its early years, Different Leaf focused on the burgeoning Massachusetts market before expanding its lens nationwide in 2021. Along the way, it built a reputation for editorial excellence, earning recognition from the Society of Publication Designers, Folio: Magazine, and industry expert Samir Husni, among others.
Now, in 2025, Different Leaf enters its next chapter—one that embraces the intersection of cannabis with art, music, fashion, and design. More than a magazine, Different Leaf is a cultural platform, dedicated to uncovering the creative forces shaping contemporary culture through the lens of cannabis and its influence across these creative industries.
Bringing this vision to life, each biannual issue is shaped by a guest editor—an influential artist, musician, or creative visionary—hand-selected by Different Leaf’s newly appointed curators, Denise Markonish (Chief Curator, MASS MoCA) and Ryan Schreiber (Founder, Pitchfork). These guest editors are given full creative freedom to define the issue’s editorial direction, visual identity, and collaborations, ensuring a fresh and immersive experience with every release.
To reflect this elevated approach, Different Leaf will be available in multiple formats, including softcover, hardcover, and a premium collector’s edition. The premium edition, produced in limited quantities, features signed and numbered copies alongside bespoke, artist-designed smoking accessories designed by each guest editor—offering readers an exclusive, tactile extension of the magazine’s creative vision.
Michael Kusek
Michael Kusek
Prior to founding Different Leaf, Michael Kusek published the award-winning New England-based arts magazine Take. He worked in public relations and marketing for over twenty years providing consulting to a portfolio of national and regional arts and creative organizations, individuals, and businesses.
Brit Smith
Brit Smith
Brit Smith has been a news writer and podcaster focused on the New England cannabis scene since 2017. While majoring in biological anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley, she studied the historical and cultural relationship between humans and marijuana. She has also written extensively on medical cannabis research around the world. She hosts Different Leaf’s podcast and cofounded the cannabis news podcast Puff, Puff, Press.
Debbie Way
Debbie Way
For more than 20 years, Debbie Way has been writing and editing magazines in print and online. Despite having graduated from a college notoriously full of stoners, she only started using cannabis regularly in the last five years. A couple of hilarious-only-in-hindsight experiences have made her swear off edibles—for now, at least.
Janet Reynolds
Janet Reynolds
An award-winning lifelong writer and editor, Janet Reynolds is also a lifelong fan of cannabis. In other words, writing and editing Different Leaf merges three of her favorite things into one happy moment. Who says dreams can’t come true?
Lilly Pereira
Lilly Pereira
Lilly Pereira is a creative director who specializes in publication design. In her 20+ years in the business, she developed many successful and award-winning magazines for clients. The Society of Publication Designers, UCDA, CASE, and the Ad Club of Western Massachusetts have recognized her work.
Zoe Pappenheimer
Zoe Pappenheimer
Zoe Pappenheimer is a designer and illustrator living in Western Massachusetts. She is the artist behind Fearless Fashion Magnetic Dolls (Chronicle Books, 2025) and her work has been featured in I.D. Magazine, Frankie Magazine, and Uppercase Magazine. She has won recognition from the Society of Publication Designers, Ad Club of Western Massachusetts, Minted, and Higher Education Marketing.