Work by Devin Troy Strother Commissioned by Different Leaf
When we first launched Different Leaf in 2019, we set out to create a publication that treated cannabis with curiosity, depth, creative energy, and respect. Too often mass-market journalism about cannabis perpetuates tired stereotypes and dangerous misinformation and we set out to do our part to counter that in a format that embraced a higher standard across the board.
Over the years, we watched the conversation around cannabis evolve, and we evolved with it, growing from a Massachusetts-focused magazine into a national voice. But in 2023, we made the decision to pause and rethink.
Why? Over the past decade, cannabis has legalized it has moved beyond private conversations and into the fabric of broader culture itself. It’s no longer just an industry or a underground movement—it’s a unique presence, shaping the way we think about culture and creativity. And to truly reflect that, we needed to approach storytelling differently.
We’ve spent the past year rethinking not just what we cover, but how we present it. That meant reimagining our format from the ground up. With the guidance of our newly appointed curators, Denise Markonish (MASS MoCA) and Ryan Schreiber (Pitchfork), we’ve introduced a guest editor model, where each issue is shaped by an artist, musician, designer, or cultural visionary whose work challenges and redefines contemporary creativity.
Each guest editor will bring a distinct vision to their issue, curating contributors, themes, and design to create a truly singular publication. The print editions will be available in softcover, hardcover, and an exclusive premium edition featuring artist-designed smoking accessories. Meanwhile, our redesigned website will serve as an evolving extension of this vision, hosting digital collaborations, new artist commissions, and an ongoing conversation about cannabis at the intersection of art, music, and design.
To mark this shift, we’ve commissioned a piece from Los Angeles-based artist Devin Troy Strother, whose work lives at the intersection of humor, identity, and cultural critique. His mixed-media practice—spanning painting, printmaking, and installation—draws on everything from stand-up comedy and hip-hop to Matisse cutouts and kitsch. His ability to weave together seemingly disparate cultural threads—high and low, art historical and pop cultural, personal and political—mirrors the expansive lens this new Different Leaf brings. His contribution is the first in a series of creative collaborations that will live both online and in print.
Devin Troy Strother in-process sketches
This fall, we’ll release our first issue, available in softcover, hardcover, and a premium edition featuring exclusive artist-designed smoking accessories.
Different Leaf has never been just about cannabis. It’s about the world that grows around it. This is our way of telling that story, and we’re just getting started.
—Michael Kusek & the Different Leaf Editorial Team