The Cannabis Connection

Happy 710! Really enjoyed this chat with Ian. We covered deep insights into the history of key cultivation hubs across Humboldt County. We explored cannabis as a psychedelic and catalyst for neuroplasticity, contributing to protest movements across California. We also do a nice genetics segment shedding light on key lines from the Emerald Triangle and beyond. 

Ian C. H. Hogan is a writer from the outlaw cannabis era. He got his degree in chemistry from Cal Poly Humboldt in 2009. He started Humboldt County’s first cannabis testing facility, CannaLabs, in Garberville in 2010, but after California declined to legalize recreational cannabis in 2012, he moved on to sunnier pastures. Ian now works as a consultant to the electric companies in California, focusing on building science and renewable energy, especially value engineering. Today his company, BIRA Energy, primarily does software development, designing tools to help predict and prevent blackouts. Ian C. H. Hogan is the author of three novels (HUMBOLDT HUSTLE, REDWOOD REVOLT, and soon TRIMMIGRANTS), numerous World of Darkness roleplaying game books, and the creator of the upcoming animated web series, POPULATION 420.

Today on the show, we welcome Genine Coleman to discuss the Legacy Cannabis Genetics: People and Their Plants Research Dissemination Event on June 26, 2026, from 1:30-4:30 PM at the Capital Events Center in Sacramento.  This Free public event will present findings from a first-of-its-kind, multi-year community-based participatory research project examining California's legacy cannabis genetics and the communities that steward them. 

Funded by Proposition 64 cannabis tax revenues dedicated to public university research, the project brings together researchers from Cal Poly Humboldt, UC Berkeley, the Origins Council, LeafWorks, and the United Core Alliance. 

It is always an enlightening experience to connect with Genine and I am grateful for her and this work. 

Genine is the Founder and Executive Director of Origins Council, a nonprofit education, research and policy advocacy organization dedicated to sustainable rural economic development within cannabis producing regions, and establishing nationally and internationally recognized, legally defensible, standards-based, geographic indication systems for cannabis. OC is partnered with regional trade associations based in rural legacy producing regions, and represents the collective membership of these regional partner associations in OC’s programmatic activity. Her research interests are focused on community-based participatory research and appellations research. She is currently collaborating with university researchers in California to study California's legacy cannabis genetics and culture. 

Today, we welcome Cole Chapman of High Hill Cannabis!
High Hill Farms is a fully permitted, owner-operated cannabis farm nestled in the Foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Spanning 15,000 sq ft, we cultivate 100% organic, sustainable, and regenerative cannabis in native soil. Our plants thrive in greenhouses, basking in natural sunlight, with cool nights and warm days contributing to the exceptional quality of the cannabis we produce. Committed to a healthy, clean lifestyle, we prioritize environmental stewardship and holistic practices to ensure that every product is pure, safe, and reflects our dedication to wellness. I’m passionate about creating, building, and collaborating with nature and community to achieve shared success. For me, it’s not about profit, but about fostering a sustainable future for everyone who supports the brand

April is the creator of Weird Spooky Storytime and the spooky girl persona @spookygirl831. With a B.A. in Social & Behavioral Science and a passion for research, April began diving into local history, folklore, legends, and paranormal stories throughout Santa Cruz and the surrounding areas. What started as late-night research rabbit holes eventually turned into creating videos about the strange and unexplained stories she was uncovering, and she never looked back. Fascinated by the paranormal for as long as she can remember, stepping into the world of spooky storytelling came very naturally, blending her love of research, local history, and all things weird and unexplained.

Budularo is a family brand. Founded by Tony Budularo, his son Isaac, and his son-in-law Dave Perkins. Tony Budularo has been growing for 53 years and is a world-renowned connoisseur known to have received many proven genetics from all over the world. His seed collection is coveted by growers from many continents. Led by his son Isaac and Dave, Budularo cultivates long-flowering sativas and hazes in a light-dep greenhouse in Mendocino County, many of which are exclusive to Budularo. Their passion is growing long-flowering varieties that don’t get you stoned, but lift you up and give you an enjoyable, long-lasting experience. 

Happy 420!

This 420, we welcome James Leitz, the Creator and Executive Producer of the California Cannabis Awards & Experience at the California State Fair. With over 30 years in sports, media, and live event production - including two decades at WMEIMG - he's built global campaigns and experiences for some of the world's biggest brands. Today, he focuses on emerging industries, helping shape the future of cannabis through large-scale, culturally relevant events. 

Loved this conversation, starting with cultivating the Tiburon Thai in high school to pioneering cannabis at the nation's most prestigious agricultural awards, one of the nation's oldest state fairs, celebrating farmers for over 172 years, and now we can honor Cannabis farmers in the annals of history. 

This week on the show, we welcome Jeremy Warren and Richard Philbrook of Dark Heart. 

Founded in Oakland, California in 2007, Dark Heart helped shape the modern cannabis industry through pioneering work in tissue culture, pathogen detection and large-scale genetic development-protecting and advancing the plant through years of meticulous cultivation. 

Jeremy Warren is the Director of Plant Genetics at Curaleaf. Jeremy has a PhD in Plant Pathology from UC Davis, has been leading Dark Heart's genetics program for over ten years, led HpLVd identification, and oversees plant genetics R&D at Curaleaf nationally and internationally. 

Richard Philbrook is the Principal Scientist of Genetics at Curaleaf. Richard is a Molecular biologist, studied plant genetics at UC Davis to work in cannabis, completed his Master's at Dark Heart, published researcher, and is recognized as an expert in cannabis breeding. 

We explore our history with the plant, favorite cultivars to cultivate and cross, and the Through the Woods launch of a new limited-edition trio of ultra-premium cannabis flower this 420. 

This week, we welcome Vanessa Lovarato to the show to share her wisdom on integrating weed into your favorite dishes and indulgences, such as chocolate, butter, and beverages. 

Born in California and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, television host, chocolatier, and food writer Vanessa Lavorato graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in art history and Italian. But the biggest lesson she took from school was that her calling sat at the crossroads of entrepreneurship, food, and cannabis. In 2010, she founded Marigold Sweets, creating a market for edibles that prioritizes flavor and sourcing while maintaining artisanal quality. Lavorato built her business on the strength of her premium product, despite the added challenge of navigating the ever-changing laws governing cannabis edibles. Starting in 2016, Lavorato cohosted and culinary-produced three seasons of VICE’s James Beard Award–nominated cannabis cooking show Bong Appétit.
 
 These days, her stoner-at-a-stove cooking show, The Edibles Club, brings together members from around the world to learn to make dishes like Hash Tortellini and Weed Hollandaze. She lives in Los Angeles with her dog, Bon Bon.

Today on the show, we welcome Kagyu of Coastal Seed Genetics. Our last show was 9 years ago. Kagyu's first cannabis garden in Santa Cruz was in 1969, and he has over 50 years of experience cultivating and preserving landrace lines. 

At Coastal Seed Co, our mission is to preserve and advance legacy plant genetics with integrity. We are committed to safeguarding heirloom and landrace lines, producing vigorous and reliable seed stock, and keeping authentic breeding traditions alive for future generations. Through careful selection and transparency in our work, we provide cultivators with genetics rooted in history, built for performance, and selected for true expression in real-world gardens.

www.coastalseedgenetics.com

“Our job isn’t to chase hype—it’s to protect the line, honor the plant, and pass it forward better than we found it.” -Kagyu

Today on the show, we welcome Alex Tice to discuss Arizona Cannabis, Skateboarding Culture, Self Expression, and Radical Habits. 

Alex Tice is the COO and CRO of Flow Distribution and a founding member of the company, where he leads sales, manufacturing coordination, product development, and marketing strategy. He played a key role in growing Flow into one of the largest cannabis distributors and manufacturers in Arizona, while also helping shape the 22Red brand. Rooted in the skateboarding industry, Alex was drawn to the cannabis space as it began expanding in Arizona around 2014, seeing it as a natural cultural and business evolution. Originally from Tempe and now based in Phoenix, he continues to drive innovation and growth across both Flow Distribution and their cannabis brands.