PuffCon dropped into downtown LA like it owned the lot. Not metaphorically. Literally. A working film studio became the backdrop for two full days of rosin, glass, beats, heat, and everything in between.
The streets were fake, but the sesh was real. There were prop LAPD cruisers parked in one area, glassblowers throwing flame just past the gates, vendor-lined alleys that led to a stage where Eric Andre later launched a live game show. The whole thing looked like a simulation, but hit like the real thing.
The new Puffco Proxy had already been released before the event. But this was the first time I got to hit it surrounded by the noise, the terps, the foot traffic, and the people who make this world spin. It was a fitting place to get to know the device. And the community that helped shape it.
Here’s what went down.
A Backlot Turned Block Party
This didn’t feel like a trade show. It felt like a neighborhood that got high and decided to throw a party. Two main corridors ran like alleys through the lot, flanked by booths pouring out dabs, conversation, and limited drops. There were hydration stations, real food, open space to roam, and a main stage tucked at the far end like a prize.
Day two took a sharp turn into absurd brilliance. Eric Andre hosted a live version of Rapper Ninja Warrior. Contestants had to rap while doing balance tests, dodging flying objects, or spinning until the beat melted. Reggie Watts was judging. Nobody knew what the rules were, but the crowd was locked in. Some MCs pulled it off. Some collapsed mid-verse. Nobody cared. It was hilarious.
At one point, I wandered past a building labeled LAPD and froze. Looked real. Turns out it was part of the set. Inside, there was air conditioning, snacks, drinks, and a quiet zone for media and creators. A welcome break. More events should think like that.
The Proxy in Practice
Let’s talk tech.
The new Proxy looks and feels like Puffco figured out what worked and just made it sharper. Taller. Slimmer. Matte-frosted. The kind of thing that blends into a record shelf or a dinner table without screaming for attention.
It’s not just looks. The deeper 3D chamber means you can drop bigger globs without losing flavor. The joystick carb cap, pulled from the Peak line, gives smoother airflow and a better feel in use. The Proxy cycles through four temps. I started on blue and moved my way up to white. With the right hash, every level hit.
And I had the right hash. I tested it with some full-bodied live rosin from Yapo Farms and another batch from Girls in Green, the brand co-founded by Alice Reis. Both extracts ran beautifully through the chamber. Clean pulls. No char. Full flavor.
There’s a hidden mode too. Five taps on the white setting unlock a secret profile that pushes the heat up to 630 degrees Fahrenheit. Not for rookies. But I tried it. It worked.
Puffco’s app adds even more: you can build custom sessions, adjust LED colors, track usage, and check your battery. I barely scratched the surface there, but the features are deep if you want to dial things in.
Battery life? Around fifteen sessions per charge. You can use it while plugged in, which helps.
Hash and Homies
PuffCon wasn’t just a tech demo. It was a meet-up. A smell-test. A soft launch of friendships. I floated between booths and brands, stopping to sesh or chat or just vibe.
At Yapo Farms, the rosin was bright, textured, and expressive. At Girls in Green, the flavor came in layers. I crossed paths with Champelli, a name you hear in lyrics and whispers. The Bay Area legend was there in the flesh, talking flower and presence.
The First Smoke of the Day crew was floating around, showing love and rolling nonstop. Proper Doinks held their own too, in conversation and in combustion.
We saw Susie Plascencia, co-founder of MOTA Glass and founder of Latinas in Cannabis, a consistent presence and advocate. Her impact was felt. So was her warmth.
A special shoutout goes to Chelsea from Puffco, who puts real effort into making sure women extractors and cultivators get proper visibility. That work doesn’t always get noticed. But it should.
Final Take
PuffCon 2025 didn’t try to do everything. That’s probably why it worked. It gave people space to sesh, connect, and explore without being overwhelmed. No lines snaking for miles. No brands screaming over each other. Just good weed, good rhythm, and a lot of thoughtful design.
The new Proxy held up. It looks good. Hits right. Travels light. It isn’t the answer to every problem, but it solves a lot of them. Pair it with something from Yapo or Alice’s jars, and it becomes the kind of tool you’ll reach for without thinking.
PuffCon made sense. Not just because of the device. But because of the people, the flavors, the moments between hits. It felt lived in. Like a world built for hash heads by hash heads. That matters.
