Jason is back! Our dear friend shares about his history in activism and encourages more of our community to listen to your inner voice and engage with the people around you. We discuss the forum created in Santa Cruz to encourage cannabis stakeholders to engage in shaping local policy. Jason also has a call to action to keep our cannabis community active in giving back and shaping policy across California and beyond.

Jason of Equilibrium Genetics 04/16/21

JJ NYC, breeder of Top Dawg Genetics provides a serious download of his in person experiences growing up on the East Coast & living through the different era's of cannabis in the New York scene.  Starting early, into JJ's high school years and beyond to the times in Central Park to Wetlands he continued to build foundational friendships that bred the lines of legends. 
The Cannabis Connection is extremely humbled by JJ's forthcoming testimony regarding the roots behind legends like Sour Diesel, Chemdawg, RFK Skunk, Hazes galore and more. This interview will shake the bedrock of your understanding of the origin of Sour Diesel and the players behind these timeless cultivars.

                              

JJ NYC - Top Dawg Seeds 08/27/21

Our guest is Neil Gavande of Santa Cruz Cannabis Co. Founded in 2016 in the Santa Cruz Mountains, at an elevation of 1550 ft. Santa Cruz Cannabis Company grows the finest Cannabis anywhere. Their terroir and climatic conditions are unique, and they neighbor many a Pinot Noir vineyard, informing those in the know about the unique Santa Cruz Mountain environment. The Cannabis grows about 1/2 mile from Summit Road in Santa Cruz County on a former equestrian ranch, ringed by towering Redwoods. We explore the business of producing and selling high quality, raw, fresh frozen flowers that are used to create unique lines of live resin cartridges and other specialty cannabis concentrates.

Santa Cruz Cannabis Co. Inc. - Neil Gavande 07/23/21

Ellen Holland spent years writing, editing, and commissioning cannabis news as the former senior editor of Cannabis Now magazine. She has edited books focused on cannabis cultivation and strains and has been featured as a panelist at events such as SXSW and the New West Business Summit. Interviewed on KPFA, and the first listener-supported non-commercial radio station in the US, Holland has also contributed to publications including the San Francisco Chronicle and AlterNet.

Ellen Holland - Weed: A Connoisseur's Guide to Cannabis 12/10/21

Our guest is Skye McDougall a seasoned Bay Area Chef and Owner / Operator of Hyphaelife Santa Cruz. Being located in Santa Cruz, one of earliest cities to take a decriminalized approach to "active" varietals, we have the unique opportunity to educate the local public as to the medical benefits of (until recently) taboo strains and varieties of fungal fruit that the broader public may be unaware of. To be clear we at Hyphaelife Santa Cruz believe very strongly in the medicinal value of these strains and do not condone their irresponsible consumption. There has been much convincing evidence coming from the scientific community as of late concerning the burgeoning awareness surrounding the efficacy of treating particular psychological disorders such as chronic depression, anxiety, alcohol and substance abuse with low dosages of the active compound "psilocybin" in addition to the naturally occurring entourage chemicals found present in the fruit of certain varieties of mushroom.

Skye McDougall - Hyphaelife Santa Cruz 01/28/2022

When writer / director Seth Ferranti received a twenty-five year LSD kingpin conviction, after faking his suicide and landing on the US Marshals Top-15 Most Wanted list, he thought his life was over. 
As a drug dealing teen Ferranti sold LSD and marijuana at 15 East Coast colleges, crisscrossing across five states- Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Maryland- a wanna-be rock star and Hunter S. Thompson-style outlaw whose hero’s were Henry Rollins, Axl Rose, and Jim Morrison. He followed the Grateful Dead and considered himself a counter culture rebel, not a criminal, as he was breaking laws which he thought were wrong.
He stands by those convictions today and see’s himself more as an activist who was a little ahead of the times. A trailblazer of the legal cannabis and psychedelic movements. 
He began building a writing and journalism career from inside the belly of the beast. With unlimited access to criminals and their stories Ferranti started crafting raw portrayals of prison life and crack era gangsters. Discovering a passion and talent for writing Ferranti also studied the trade earning an associates, bachelors, and masters degree while in prison.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
With hope for his future renewed Ferranti started penning prison and gangster stories for Vice, Don Diva, FEDS, Hoopshype and others. He took it one step further and established his brand, Gorilla Convict, from prison. Ferranti became a true-crime publisher and built a website documenting stories that the mainstream media was not willing to share.
In February 2015, after serving 21 years, he was released from the Bureau of Prison, to seek his fortune.
Back in the world Ferranti continued his writing career as a journalist penning pieces for Vice, Ozy, The Daily Beast, Dazed, Merry Jane, and features for Penthouse and Real Crime Magazines, among others. He also started writing and publishing comic books under his imprint GR1ND Studios and embarked on his true passion, filmmaking.
Fresh out of prison Ferranti joined forces with Shawn Rech and Transitions Studios to make White Boy, a feature documentary on Richard Wershe Jr. that aired on STARZ and became a Top Ten hit on NETFLIX.

Ferranti starred in the Season One Finale of Vice TV’s I was a Teenage Felon. Has appeared on Fox News, Inside Edition, and News Nation as a subject matter expert, and is currently directing several documentary projects- Nightlife, Dope Men, Tangled Roots, The Secret History of The LSD Trade, and Generation ECSTASY- which are in various stages of production. He also has numerous scripted and television projects in development. It appears there is no stopping him.

Seth Ferranti -Outlaw Filmmaker 03/04/2022

Brandon Parker joins our broadcast! Brandon is the man behind 3rd Gen Family Farms.
3rd Generation Family Farms is a pioneer cannabis company located in the heart of the Emerald Triangle. For many generations, 3rd Gen has cultivated sun grown cannabis using organic methods, paired with unrivaled passion for the cannabis plant, gave birth to some of the finest cup winning strains celebrated around the world.
With over 96 cups and counting, 3rd Gen Family Farms has cemented their legacy of breeding excellence in cannabis history. 3rd Gen always aims to be the number one, bringing the most stable genetics and unique terpenes to fellow cannabis enthusiasts worldwide.

Brandon Parker - 3rd Gen Family Farm 09/09/2022

The Cannabis Connection welcomes three guests live:

Elliot Lewis, CEO and Co-Founder of Catalyst Cannabis Co.

Jon Kolodinski, Founder & CEO Creme De Canna

DJ Daddy Spleece of Reality Sound International.

The show sheds light on their stories and roots in the cannabis community plus explore a new community activation happening September 30 at Catalyst Watsonville 1324 W. Beach St, Watsonville CA 9a-9p featuring live community concert with Ancestree, Kava Jah, Rocker-T and DJ Spleece.

Apologies for a few technical gaps lost first part of the show and a few short segments throughout due to connectivity issues. Thank you for supporting Santa Cruz Cannabis Talk Radio!

Elliot Lewis-CEO Catalyst Cannabis Co. Jon Kolodinski-Creme De Canna, DJ Spleece 9/22/23

Today on The Cannabis Connection Show we welcome Todd McCormick. We discuss the primary colors of Cannabis and celebrate the life of Sam the Skunkman.
Todd McCormick is a former cancer patient who started using cannabis in 1979 under his mother's supervision while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. Todd overcame the cancer and went on to become a lifetime advocate for medical cannabis. In 1984, Todd started cultivating cannabis and has never stopped. Starting in 1994, Todd worked with Jack Herer as an editor of The Emperor Wears No Clothes and after Jack’s passing, he released the 12th edition of the book with memorials to Jack. Todd also owns Authentic Genetics and supplies cannabis genetics worldwide at: www.AGSeedCo.com

Todd McCormick of Authentic Genetics - Celebrating Sam the Skunkman 2/14/25



Today on the show, we welcome Melanie and Craig of Alpenglow Farms. We connected in Las Vegas at the MJBowl awards, where Alpenglow won the MVP award for Best Outdoor Flower in California for their Jack Herer. This was a cathartic and inspiring conversation. I hope you enjoy. 

Welcome to Alpenglow Farms, our off-the-grid homestead where we practice the fine art of growing a garden and a family in the mountains of southern Humboldt County, California.

For over two decades, we have poured our love and dreams into our homestead and through its evolution emerged Alpenglow Farms. One of the cornerstones of our family farm is our cannabis cultivation where we employ solely regenerative and sustainable farming practices, which produce our craft cannabis that we share with our California community through our retail partners.

Our cannabis cultivars embody the essence of our homestead’s unique terroir and we look with hope towards the future where our craft cannabis may one day be recognized as the Benbow Appellation.

Located at the heart of Humboldt County, Alpenglow Farms is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, where the mountains, forests, and streams provide a breathtaking backdrop to our lives. Every day we endeavor to live in harmony with this special place and we are honored and excited to call this land home. The pristine environment inspires us and serves as a reminder that our stewardship with the land will preserve and protect this piece of earth for generations to come.

Melanie and Craig - Alpenglow Farms 12/19/25

Today on the show, we welcome Dylan Mattole of Mattole Valley Sungrown from Honeydew, CA. Join us for an inspiring conversation behind the award-winning flowers and hash from the finest clear waters of the Emerald Triangle. 
At Mattole Valley Sungrown, we are a family homestead farm. We are connected to this land. We believe that if we care for this land as stewards, it will, in turn, provide nourishment and fulfillment for us. Everything we do, we do with intention and purpose. 
We are striving towards regenerative. Our motto is “Less is more”.  Every day on the farm is a day to listen and learn from nature. We cultivate cannabis, raise livestock, and grow food using organic and regenerative-guided practices. We look to the land first for our inputs. Our alpacas and sheep provide fertilizer and help build living soil and abundant compost.
We use rainwater collection as our primary source of irrigation, and our electricity comes from the sun. We are actively engaged in habitat enhancements for the local wildlife. We believe our actions on the farm should always offer long-term benefits, not only for our family, but for the community, the watershed, and many generations to come. We hope you enjoy the high-grade sungrown flower and rosin that comes from our family.


Dylan Mattole of Mattole Valley Sungrown - 12/26/2025

Today on the show, we welcome Eric & Jill of Hogwash Pharms and Most Wanted. 
Hogwash Pharms is a family owned and operated farm operating off-grid in Humboldt County-the cannabis heartland of America-known for its old growth redwoods, the lost coast, and traditional cannabis. 
Located in the Mattole watershed, growing seed cultivars adapted to our microclimate and created on-site. Hogwash Pharms’ THC & CBD strains are grown outdoor in full sun, using stored water from well and rainwater catchment tanks. We use only organic ingredients soil amendments in our soil beds. 
Hogwash Pharms has a combined 80 years’ cultivation and farming experience. We have been living and working on our farm since 1994- growing veggies, fruit berries, olives and also raising poultry for eggs, and heritage hogs, too.

Jill & Eric - Hogwash Pharms 1/9/2026

liToday, we welcome Justin Lee, the CEO and Founder of Ay Papi, an award-winning regenerative organic craft solventless brand innovating and pushing the boundaries of what is possible with the plant. 

Ay Papi is a health and wellness company specializing in award-winning craft solventless products.  Ay Papi is committed to sourcing and phenohunting the cleanest sungrown regenerative cannabis through collaborations with legacy farms. Ay Papi is on a mission to bring the community rare, exotic, and sensory experiential cultivars that inspire. 


Ay Papi - Justin Lee CEO and Founder 1/16/2026

Today on the show, we welcome Shanon Taliaferro of the Mateel Community Center to discuss Reggae on the River 2026! We explore Humboldt County history, the decades-long tradition of music festivals, kindred spirits between Jamaica and Northern California, and the ongoing legacy of love in healing through music and community. We look forward to Reggae on the River 2026, and we encourage you to consider a pilgrimage to the Lost Coast to explore the wonders of the redwoods in Humboldt and beyond.

Shanon Taliaferro - Reggae on the River & Mateel Community Center 1/23/2026

Today on the show, we welcome John Casli of Huckleberry Hill Farms. Huckleberry Hill Farms is a legacy craft cannabis farm nestled in the hills of Southern Humboldt County. Founded by John Casali, who was raised on this very land during the Back to the Land Movement, the farm is built on a deep commitment to sustainability, community, and honoring tradition. After serving 17 years in the federal system for cultivating cannabis, John returned to continue the legacy he began with his late mother, preserving her heirloom genetics and nurturing the land they love. Today, John and his partner Rose Moberly cultivate full-sun, organic cannabis while sharing their story through advocacy, education, and farm tours. Each strain they grow carries history and heart, reflecting a rare lineage, grown with intention, and rooted in the unique terroir of Southern Humboldt.

Huckleberry Hill Farms - John Casali 01/30/26

Today on the show, we welcome Pete Olander. We explore how cannabinoids like CBD can serve as a secret sauce to complement formulating clean and safe phyto therapies to optimize wellness. We know the wellness trend will not go away, and we can also branch out into the world of functional mushrooms, terpenes, and other compounds that can assist the horsepower behind THC to provide us with our desired state of well-being. 

Pete Olander is the founder behind Happie, a company built on the belief that wellness should be approachable, enjoyable, and, above all, effective. His path to founding Happie started years before the first can rolled off the line — working side by side with biohackers, professional athletes, and nutrition experts who pushed the limits of human performance.

That knowledge became the backbone of Happie’s product philosophy: make powerful, functional wellness tools accessible to everyone.




Pete Olander Founder Happie 02/06/26



What do Neville Shoenmakers, Brownie Mary, Dennis Peron, Lawrence Ringo, and Rick Simpson have in common? Harry E. Rose. Today on the show, we welcome Harry Rose to share his life story and experience making medicine, healing others, and himself through the power of this sacred plant. 


Harry Rose is a Cannabis Industry Consultant, Cultivator, and Manufacturer currently holding 3 California state licenses in Humboldt County for legacy mixed light cultivation, Type 6 manufacturing, and distribution. Experience with the entire process from application to approval of annual licensing with state regulators BCC, CDPH, CDFA, and all local agencies. First group of medical cultivation licenses in California, as well as the first Type 6 manufacturing license. Helped to createguidelines for type 6 manufacturing licenses with the city of Eureka. Extensive knowledge of cultivation and genetics. Growing cannabis since 1985.


Harry E. Rose of Solful 02/13/2026



Barron Lutz is the founder of Nasha Hash, a Humboldt-based company specializing in premium solventless hash. With over a decade of hands-on experience, Barron has dedicated his career to refining cold water extraction and advancing solventless techniques inspired by
traditional Himalayan methods.

Known for his technical innovation, he has designed and developed custom washing and processing equipment to improve quality, efficiency, and consistency. Since founding Nasha Hash in 2016, Barron has grown the company into a leading producer while maintaining a strong commitment to craftsmanship, sustainability, and partnerships with legacy farmers.

His mission is to build a lasting brand defined by clean cannabis, ethical practices, and the highest standards of hash-making.
the

Barron Lutz Founder Nasha Hash - 02/19/2026

Indicus “Indy” Riggs owns and operates Galactic Farms, a second-generation regenerative farm and apiary. Indy is a founding member of the Cooperative Agriculture Network (CAN), an organization that aims to facilitate the development of cooperative enterprises in the agricultural sector. He is the vice-chair of the Humboldt County Growers Alliance (HCGA) Board of Directors, a member of HCGA's policy committee, and a regional council representative for Origins Council. 

In addition to his role in the local community, he is also the Vice President of the Redcrest Grange #504. Indy strongly believes that cooperation and collaboration between various economic sectors and community interests are immediate solutions to long-term sustainability and resiliency within the local economy and community.

Indicus "Indy" Riggs - Galactic Farms 02/27/26

Today on the show, we welcome Q, Miguel, and Raven of Renegade Theater speaking about their April production of Reefer Madness. Renegade Theater Co. is a community-based theater company in Santa Cruz, CA. Renegade is a 501 (C) (3) non-profit that creates theatrical productions meant to challenge the standard expectations of theater. The show benefactor for Reefer Madness is The Last Prisoner Project. 

Gennevie "Q" Herbranson has served as the board president of Renegade Theater since its inception three years ago. She has been involved in theater in Santa Cruz since the summer of 2019, originally supporting her two kids in the youth theater scene.

Miguel Reyna is beside himself to be directing his first production for his friends at Renegade Theater. He has been acting in and directing theater for the past 40 years and will likely never stop. His past 20 years have happened here in Santa Cruz County. Most recently, he’s directed Stephen King's Misery at Actors Theatre. He’s also directed The Thin Place for Actors’ Theatre and The Humans for Mountain Community Theater, and co-produced Evil Dead The Musical at MCT.

Raven Voorhees is a barista in the heart of Santa Cruz (Abbott Square) and enjoys creating art both on and off stage. Raven has an extensive theatrical resume and has been in both of Renegade's previous adult musicals, Heather's and Cabaret. Raven is the lead role of Jimmy in Reefer Madness. 

In this conversation, we explore themes of propaganda, rebellion, and control over youth, using humor as political satire in a time when history is repeating itself in more ways than one. 

Renegade Theater Co. Reefer Madness 02/06/26

Today on the show, this one is a long time coming, years in the making. Welcome Reba! 

Reba, also known as Grateful_Cultivator, is a friend of cannabis. She has been cultivating since the Prop 215 days in the late '90s in Humboldt. She has a deep reverence for the plant, healthy soils, and wild spaces, with experience in most cultivation methods and particular expertise in organic and regenerative cultivation, as well as organic integrated pest and pathogen management.

Please check out her work and new podcast via IG, her handle is grateful_cultivator.

Reba - Grateful Cultivator 03/13/26

For more than two decades, WAMM has provided the world's best working model of a truly compassionate medical cannabis collective. WAMM has also brought healing, relief and integrative care to thousands of chronically and terminally ill members—many who otherwise could not afford this medicine—while helping pass America's first statewide medical marijuana law. They've even survived a DEA raid, and successfully sued the federal government in response. -Dr. Lester Grinspoon

WAMM Show with Valerie Corral-10/09/2015

Mean Gene Aficionado Seed Company’s Chief Breeder.  Mean Gene won this year at the 2015 Emerald Cup for his creation Cherry Limeade and is an overall unparalleled master of his craft.

Mean Gene-Art of Selection 01/22/16

Steve DeAngelo is founder of Harborside Health Center, Cofounder of Steep Hill Labs and Arcview group. He recently wrote his book The Cannabis Manifesto: A New Paradigm for Wellness and will be sharing his experience and expertise.

Steve DeAngelo-The Cannabis Manifesto 2/19/2016

Bam is a landrace and heirloom preservationist at Coastal Seed Company and head of extraction research at the Highest Grade Consulting. His focus on preservation has been to catalog and preserve as many landrace and heirloom varieties as possible with the goal of ensuring that he can leave behind all that he has been gifted and inherited for future generations.


Bamboo Show-Cannabis preservation and breeding 04/22/16

World-renowned expert on indoor, outdoor and greenhouse cultivation, Jorge Cervantes (George Van Patten) concealed his identity from 1983 to 2010 so that he could cultivate, study, write, photograph, and make videos about cannabis without persecution. After 30 years, travel to 5 continents, 20 books, countless articles in 10 languages, and millions of hits on his YouTube videos, Cervantes brings his best work to date in his new book The Cannabis Encyclopedia.


An Evening with Jorge Cervantes 05/06/16

Rick Simpson rediscovered a cure for cancer when he successfully cured his own skin cancer with his signature Cannabis oil.  Hear his story and insight on The Cannabis Connection!

Rick Simpson Special International Broadcast 06/03/16

Nick Mahmood of Green Source Gardens discusses his process with stewarding his farm in Southern Oregon. Nick and the family at Green Source Gardens were awarded The Regenerative Farm Award at the 2016 Emerald Cup. Jesse Dodd creator of Biovortex also contributed to creating this revolutionary award and shares his ideas about how the future, like the past, is regenerative.

Regenerative Farming-Nick of Green Source Gardens & Biovortex 1/13/17

Rob Clarke author of four books, the first was Botany and Ecology of Cannabis which was self published in 1976 over 40 years ago. 1981 Rob published Marijuana Botany which continues to be required reading for any grower or breeder. In 1998 Rob published HASHISH! which shared the technique and history of hash.  2013 Rob Published Cannabis Evolution and Ethnobotany which is a tour de force testament to a life in Cannabis stewardship.
Local farmer varieties or landrace cannabis genetics across the globe are disappearing.  Researchers like Rob Clarke travel to globe to research different narrow leaf drug varieties of cannabis and hemp. With Rob's recent trip to Turkey we discuss the works of groups that are hoping to map out the genetic genome of Cannabis. Rob illuminates how we need more medical research and explores pathways to patent cannabis varieties.

Robert Connell Clarke 12/30/2016

Richard Nathanson shares his journey of studying entomology at Berkeley learning Integrated Pest Management by the minds that coined the term and sharing strategies to work with nature to keep crops healthy and natural producing the best results in health and vigor.

Richard Nathanson - Integrated Pest Management 07/07/2017

Duke Diamond- Breeder, Grower and Macguyver of all things Cannabis. Duke sheds light on his story breeding seeds, growing organic cannabis and the long strange trip it's been behind the building block strains that created the powerhouses that dominate the industry today.

Duke Diamond VA 04/20/18

Bushy and Pat Mrs. BOG live and direct in our Santa Cruz Talk studio. We had a lot of fun talking the history of BOG seeds, origins of the gum, sour bubble and other legendary cultivars. Overgrow and sharing knowledge in the community is covered along with Bushy's work to educate growers online and through his book. Great conversation with a legendary breeder, grower, OG and friend!

BOG Seeds 08/10/18

Ras Kaya Paul of Pacific NW Roots joins us to discuss genetics, community, culture, hash, farming the farmer and Kaya's Koffee! Great discussion with a righteous family man looking to serve the community & steward some of the world's finest cannabis.

Ras Kaya Paul - Pacific NW Roots 03/29/2019

Steve Smith is an iconic leader in the Medical Cannabis Movement worked alongside so many well known Bay Area activists like Jack Herer and Ed Rosenthal. He is the founder and operator of Hope Net dispensary, community organizer, seed breeder & industry innovator. Steve joined our broadcast by candlelight through a major snow storm that wiped out all power in the State of Maine. It was an honor to have him on the show and hear of his contributions to the greater cannabis community.

Steve Smith - Seed Breeder, Activist and Industry Innovator 04/10/2020

The Cannabis Connection hosted by Christopher Carr provides stimulating conversation with professionals, regulators, researchers, and experts striving to demystify common misconceptions about Cannabis. Our radio broadcast educates and opens a dialogue surrounding the potential Cannabis has to heal ailments, but also our society from a social and economic standpoint. Carr's professional mission is to educate the public on Cannabis stewardship, science, policy, industry, and research. An adviser for Santa Cruz County and Executive Committee Member for Community Prevention Partners, Carr also serves as a Guest Lecturer at Cabrillo College, College of Botanical Healing Arts, and judge for both High Times Cup and The Emerald Cup. Carr represents Santa Cruz in the greater Cannabis Community and has positive rapport with the leading activists in Sacramento and Emerald Triangle. Rooted in the ethics of Compassionate Use Act while engaging the leading minds of the ever evolving California Cannabis Industry, Carr serves the community shaping a local Cannabis movement that reflects the values of Santa Cruz through leadership and compassion.

the.cannabis.connection

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