Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/599676
f a l l / w i n t e r 2 0 1 5 | 7 5 nol—the psychoactive compound providing feelings of euphoria), CBD (cannabidiol—a non-psychoactive compound having many therapeutic applications), and other cannabinoid compounds of the cannabis plant. Popular strains have evolved to meet the vast and ever-changing pref- erences of consumers. While plant genetics originated in various places around the world, the most popular and diverse strains of cannabis are bred, blended, propagated, and cultivated in the Emerald Triangle. One of the well respected breeders in the region is Leo Stone of Aficionado Seeds, a seed bank known for breeding diverse strains that yield award- winning cannabis flower (Aficionado Seeds sell for up to $500 for a pack of five seeds). An all-organic farmer, Stone equates cannabis cultivation to preparing a great dish: "What matters are ingredients, techniques, and timing. In addition to your genetics and growing techniques, it's important to know when to plant, when to prune, when to feed, and when to harvest. It can make all the difference from good to great." With side-by-side crops, one cultivated according to his technical program and the other cultivated according to the moon cycle, Stone claims he has always seen better results when planting and feeding according to the moon. "It sounds a bit hippy," he says, "but we've been doing it for years and it works." Part of what makes the Emerald Triangle so distinct from any other region in the country is the rich culture of cannabis cultivation that goes far back and well beyond an economic incentive. Triple Bottom Line In a growingly competitive marketplace, sophisticated consumers are starting to pay attention to cannabis origin and whether crops are sustainably and organically produced. According to Steep Hill Labs CEO David Lampach, "More and more clients [dispensaries, manufacturers, Luke Bruner, VP of Legislative Policy for California Cannabis Industry Association and founding member of California Cannabis Voice Humboldt. Master Gardner Kevin Jodrey, founder of Wonderland Nursery.