A Society that Elevates Your Cannabis Experience
to a Higher Realm
Knowledgeable & Friendly Staff
At A Higher Society, our crew doesn’t just work here — we live this culture. Our staff is stacked with sharp, experienced cannabis pros who know their strains inside out and actually care about getting you the perfect match. No ego, no judgment, no confusing “budtender talk” — just real people with real knowledge and a passion for quality. Whether you’re chasing relaxation, creativity, or a full-on mind-melting vibe, our team has your back. Ask questions, explore confidently, and let our experts guide you through the fire. This is Western New York’s cannabis community at its finest — friendly faces, killer product knowledge, and zero pressure. Just the way it should be.
Meet the Minds behind
A Higher Society ...
A Higher Society wasn’t built by investors in suits or corporate executives chasing trends. It was built by three real men with real stories — Donny, Marc, and Davin — who turned hustle, heart, and years of hard-earned experience into one of Western New York’s most unapologetic and respected cannabis brands.
Donny is the firestarter — the one who learned early that cannabis wasn’t just a pastime, but a lifeline. What began as a teenage escape became a mission. He dove headfirst into the science, the craft, and the culture long before it was acceptable, let alone legal. His passion for true, medicinal cannabis is the backbone of A Higher Society.
Marc is the loyal day-one — the kid from Blasdell who grew up shoulder-to-shoulder with Donny, turning childhood grit into grown-man drive. He’s the one who keeps the vision sharp, the work consistent, and the standards higher than the industry average. When others cut corners, Marc tightens them.
And then there’s Davin — the warrior. Life threw him battles that would break most people, but he fought harder, came back stronger, and linked arms with his brothers to build something deeper than a business. His resilience, loyalty, and belief in healing through cannabis tie everything together.
These aren’t just three owners — they’re a force. A trio forged through friendship, loss, grit, and a relentless commitment to doing things the right way.
Together, they built A Higher Society from the ground up, proving that when purpose and passion collide, something powerful is born.
Our Story:
The Making of A Higher Society
In the small town of Blasdell, New York, a bond was forged between two childhood friends, Donny and Marc. Their journey began in elementary school, where they spent countless days playing football and lacrosse, sharing dreams and adventures. Little did they know that their shared passion would eventually lead them into the vibrant world of cannabis.
It was around 2010-2012 when they first dipped their toes into the cannabis industry, long before it was legal. As pioneers navigating the cannabis prohibition, they experimented with growing, extractions, and what they affectionately called “donations.” Their early days were filled with curiosity and a spirit of rebellion against the status quo.
Donny’s personal journey with cannabis began at the age of 14. Initially just a casual experience, it transformed into something profound during his teenage years after the loss of his beloved grandmother. Struggling with depression and ADHD, he discovered that cannabis offered him relief and healing, proving to be a far better alternative to traditional pharmaceuticals. This epiphany ignited a passion for the medicinal properties of cannabis, and the duo became deeply invested in the industry by 2017-2018, eventually establishing a CBD extraction lab in Denver. This venture soon expanded to include THC extractions, producing popular products like pens and waxes.
It was during this journey that Donny met Davin, a connection born through a mutual friend who tragically fell victim to the heroin and fentanyl epidemic sweeping their region. Thankful for their resilience, the trio turned their focus to helping friends heal through the power of alternative medicine—cannabis. However, as fate would have it, Davin had to step back to focus on his family when his daughter fell ill. Despite the challenges, he and Donny remained in contact, growing closer over the years and forming a family-like bond.
As Davin’s daughter healed and the cannabis industry blossomed, the three friends began to reunite. Everything changed on March 31, 2021, when Governor Cuomo signed the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act into law, opening the floodgates for the cannabis industry in New York. With the Seneca Nation now allowed to operate their own dispensaries, Davin reached out to Donny and Marc, expressing his desire to build something meaningful together, but only if it was with his brothers.
At that time, Marc and Donny were already working together and had planned a trip to Colorado to learn from established dispensaries that had been thriving in the legal market for nearly a decade. Armed with fresh ideas, they returned home, ready to collaborate with Davin. Their first major opportunity came when they were invited to vend at a local cannabis festival.
The festival was a chaotic affair; due to a broken tent, they set up their makeshift booth with a table and Ziploc bags. Despite the rocky start, they had a successful day in sales. Inspired, they returned to the drawing board, officially branding themselves as A Higher Society. They designed a logo and created hoodies and T-shirts for their small team, marking the beginning of a new adventure.
By November 2021, they had secured a storefront on Richardson Road in Gowanda, a hidden gem off the beaten path of Irving. With determination and hard work, they laid the groundwork for what would become a thriving dispensary. On March 7, 2022, construction began, and by April 20, 2022, they celebrated their grand opening, a day that symbolized their dedication and passion.
Fast forward to October 2023, and the trio began building their first indoor grow together. In December 2023, they purchased a second location in Salamanca, completing the build by summer 2024. Although they weren’t ready to open just yet, they held events to engage with the community. Finally, on January 24, 2025, they proudly opened their second location at 38 Main Street.
Their vision is clear: to offer a fully integrated seed-to-shelf experience, encompassing everything from flower and extractions to edibles and disposables. Committed to organic practices, A Higher Society aims to provide the best possible alternative medicine for the community they cherish.
Join us on this journey as we continue to grow, innovate, and elevate lives through the power of cannabis. Welcome to A Higher Society—where friendship, passion, and healing come together in perfect harmony.