The Cult of Preferred Gardens: Inside the Brand’s Award-Winning Flower

California cannabis is a story you can't tell without mentioning Preferred Gardens and David Polley. A trendsetter in the mixed-light and greenhouse space, this grower-turned multi-state operator has dialed in what consumers want, with a company history dating back to 2015.

Polley himself had already been growing for a decade before Preferred launched, giving him more than 20 years of cultivation experience. In that time, he has learned a thing or two about what makes his style, Preferred.

The Strains Behind the Reputation

One of the big things that sets Preferred apart is that they aren't simply using the same cut everyone else is growing. Instead, Polley has spent considerable time and effort pheno-hunting over 260 strains from seed.

This process, which he has described as his favorite part of the cannabis journey, is also what makes The Gardens at Preferred something special. A unique library of cultivars that is exclusive to their brand.

In 2023, Preferred Gardens came in second place at the Emerald Cup with their collaboration entry with Doja Pak, 11:11. High Times even recognized their Sherbanger as one of the best strains in 2023.

This was just the start, as the awards and recognition have kept rolling in.

In 2025, Polley and team took another second spot at Zalympix for D-Lish, a Sweet Retreat × Z cross with a sweet candy-like funk. Preferred had another hit with Kamikaze, winning best Z/Hybrid at Zalympix 2026.

But the icing on the flower came with Mixed Light Z, which won the $60,000 Proper Doinks High Rollers Z Bracket in 2025 before taking the $120,000 Proper Smoke Network Invitational in 2026.

Preferred Goes Nationwide

Preferred is not a giant corporation operating as some monolith. In fact, it’s the opposite, with Polley and his wife Nicki still quite hands-on across all the different pieces.

This has made their expansion into new states even more commendable, as it takes a lot to expand beyond the borders of its home state.

While currently available in California, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York, and Florida, Preferred is still expanding and focusing on the right partners to bring its brand to more markets while maintaining the quality users in California have come to expect.

California Is Still Preferred

While entering new markets, California is still Preferred’s main hub. It has indoor cultivation in Sacramento and mixed light/greenhouse operations near Winters in Yolo County. As mentioned in High Times, this gives Polley about an hour between locations to prepare for what's next.

State-of-the-art indoor facilities can be easier to automate, while Polley told High Times that one of his Yolo greenhouses is around 20 years old, meaning something mechanical is almost always demanding attention.

But this kind of dedication and focus on the product can get missed in fully automated operations. That personal care and trust are what make Preferred Gardens preferred.

Preferred Gardens at embarc

At embarc, consumers have access to a full array of Preferred Gardens products. Top consumer picks include premium indoor flower in award-winning strains like Z and D-Lish, plus a unique pheno-hunt find, Znackz.

Preferred also has flavor-forward vapes. Standouts include Neon Zebra and Pearlz, both renowned for their next-level terpene profiles.

If you’re looking for a top-shelf brand that’s stayed true to its roots, Preferred Gardens is definitely one to try. Next time you’re at your local embarc dispensary, give them a try.