Who will pass on the legacies, cultivation methods, and unique eye for genetics possessed by the Emerald Triangle legends we all grew up admiring? Today’s guest is the answer to that question, along with how classic cuts are being properly preserved, showcased, and bred in new ways to excite modern smokers.

Blackleaf is joined in the FSOTD studio by the protege of giants, Leo Stone of Aficionado Seeds to divulge spicy unheard stories about his experience going AWOL from Army Intelligence to pursue the plant, being mentored by OG Mike, how he got involved with Mike and Eddy Lepp’s dispo in San Diego, how Leo got the real Lemon Diesel and Purple Urkle, when Cherry Pie Kush cuts were selling for $500k a pop, Kevin Jodrey’s impact after setting up HPRC in Arcata, when Leo got his hands on his first 160 acres in Mendo, and so much more.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to grow up in a military family, and still have an unquenchable thirst to be involved with the plant, this episode is for you. Leo will detail growing up on base in Japan and how hard it was to get a bag of weed, as well as when he made his decision to go into Army Intelligence, and the moment he got busted for having weed at his residence on base, going AWOL, and eventually getting put on by OG Mike in SD, solidifying his lifer-status in the budding industry.

For any cigar smokers out there, Leo will go into deep detail on his former affinity for premium stogies that used to charm him into many important rooms and get him seats at life-changing tables during his military years. This same deep understanding and appreciation of cigars was one of the driving factors in creating Aficionado Seeds, tailor-made for connoisseur 🍃smokers. The brand also pioneered luxury genetics by introducing highly sought-after strains like Black Lime Reserve and Chemdog Special Reserve. Combined with luxury packaging, it’s no surprise Aficionado has won multiple High Times Cups in the past.

Numerous other names of interest are mentioned throughout this podcast by both Blackleaf and Leo, including the legend of Mandlebrat, the controversy surrounding Rez Dog, Leo’s first SeedsHereNow drop, how the G6 Jet Fuel strain came around, and the origins of the EU Aficionado French Connection seed brand, as well as his budding Aficionado Colombia project. You might even see Leo gift Blackleaf an authentic Colombian farmer’s scarf from his people down South.

It’s literally impossible to detail every noteworthy story contained within this episode. If you were a fan of our Kevin Jodrey pod, you can’t miss a single story from one of his main disciples. If you’re also curious about how things really went down in Mendo and Humboldt back in the day, you’ll be on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Search Aficionado Humboldt online to see what they’re currently cooking up.

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We’ve talked about OG before, but never to this extent. For everyone out there who thinks the classic Kush varieties have long since disappeared—think again. Today’s guest is about to prove how far you can go when you hunker down on what you know and stand your ground on the impact and importance of OG in today’s industry.

Blackleaf is joined in the FSOTD studio by the mysterious legend himself, Mike from KushCo., to discuss all things surrounding OG genetics, as well as what it’s like having some of your protegees surpass you in the industry, being a diehard HPS guy, and slowly integrating LEDs, and how the original KushCo. OG cut came from Wonderbrett, the story behind the Sour Power strain, and the problems with today’s industry, from the dispensaries to the taxation, and so much more.

If you’ve ever wondered the backstory on a wide number of iconic OGs, you can’t miss a minute of this pod. Mike really dives deep into the lore for so many strains that it’s almost worth taking notes. You’ll hear him talk about some of his early work with DNA Genetics, and how the Kosher Kush and Skywalker OG strains are actually the same cut. He may even reminisce on the Original Glue that he used to put out with his people called “King Kong Glue,” citing it as the one that got away.

The main topic surrounding this entire pod is the return of the Gas and overall demand for Kush varieties once again in the legal market. Blackleaf asks Mike several questions such as why he stuck to his guns growing OG for so many years, how he responds to others trying to get his original cuts these days, why he hasn’t done an out-of-state licensing deal yet, and the extra intensive labor and experience required to even hit a dialed-in run with some of his staples like Sour Sage OG, which they’re coincidentally phasing out of their lineup for a more modern take.

For those who are still asking, “What happened to OG in California?” This episode is your definitive answer. While many wiped their rooms to make room for candy, Runtz, and LCG-inspired strains, Mike kept cranking the same strains that he came up loving, that he knew everyone would come back to again in due time…and that time is now. Blackleaf heralds KushCo.’s flower throughout this episode as the most frequently gifted to him when someone says he needs to smoke some “real gas,” or “real OG.”

If you are a passionate grower or commercial cultivator looking for inspiration, we can’t recommend this episode enough. Mike perfectly illustrates how big you can go when you never break stride from what YOU like to grow and what YOU like to smoke. You’ll even hear him discuss how to carefully build out your partnerships, too, so that everyone can keep doing what they love. Tap in and hear Mike’s full story before he ducks back into his massive grow to continue pumping out pure heat.

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This is the episode you’ve been waiting for, with possibly one of our most highly-requested guests, talking about the dirt, grime, poor legislation, break-ins, and incredibly tough decisions of the industry that no one else has the cajones to say with their chest, let alone on camera. Grab your popcorn for this one.

Blackleaf sits down in the FSOTD studio with the Elliot Lewis, the notoriously outspoken CEO of Catalyst Co, a vertically integrated operation with over 33+ dispensaries statewide, plus a consumption lounge, who also produce a slew of in-house brands, to get down to the nitty gritty of the Glass House Farms fiasco, where industry tax money REALLY goes, getting raided multiple times by the DCC, the prominence of dirty or poisonous products at smoke shops/trap shops, receiving death threats, owning 25% of Cali Plug, why Elliot has his CCW and stays strapped, and so much more.

If you thought you knew the whole story with Glass House Farms dating back to Elliot’s initial lawsuit against them, buckle up, because we really get into the entire debacle from start to finish. Elliot dives into deep detail about his inherent issues with Glass Houses’s operations, segwaying into assertions that 90% of Black Market products come from the legal market, and for those like Glass House that’ve claimed clean noses throughout, and to be caught red-handed back-dooring product…their behavior only damages the playing field on both sides.

You might be thinking this is just another episode with a very vocal guest, but Elliot goes so much further than rocking the boat. You’ll hear him talk about the real efforts he’s been making with his team to lobby for change at the legislative level in California, his “tax strike,” and how he found a loophole that enabled him to potentially save millions on his taxes, much to the dismay of the DCC.

On top of all the crazy stories that Elliot lets loose during this pod, there’s also multiple conversations about what might happen when big money enters the industry and how many players may sell and exit, how our tax money goes straight into the pockets of politicians and super PACs, where all the homeless and fire relief money has ACTUALLY gone in CA, and how he hopes that someday the people will put the right individuals in position, but if it’s up to the current powers-that-be, nothing will ever change in terms of taxation, safe banking, and general profitability and longevity in the space.

If you’ve ever wondered the full story on how Catalyst came into prominence, the partnership between Caleb at Connected and Elliot, how brands grew with them as they expanded locations, the grocery store model that have to implement these days to protect margins, as well as what it really takes to get your brand on their shelves, you have to sit through to the end to truly soak up all of Elliot’s game and candid responses.

It’s almost impossible to detail every vital knowledge-drop, never-before-heard background story, and tokens of wisdom that Elliot lets loose throughout this extended episode. By the end, you’ll understand why his slogan, “Weed for the people,” is basically tatted on his chest. If you’ve ever felt like it’s impossible to build an empire in the industry off honesty, grit, and never once “selling out,” you can’t miss a minute of this pod with one of California’s most resilient retail operators.

Subscribe to our channel and the FSOTD.com site to keep up with other key figures and enjoy conversations with trailblazers from the culture you can’t find anywhere else.

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