California’s Emerald Triangle has long been considered an epicenter of cannabis culture. Farmers have cultivated the plant for generations, while breeding new varieties that continue to stand the test of time. Flower and seeds from the Emerald Triangle have long been coveted outside of the Golden State. More and more, partnerships are bringing these strains to new audiences—and helping the craft cannabis community at the same time.
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One of the most recent deals sees Rebel Grown, a legacy cannabis genetics company from southern Humboldt County, Calif., team up with Ohio-based Anthos Organics to bring heirloom Emerald Triangle cannabis to the Buckeye State. The partnership will bring several exclusive Rebel Grown cultivars to the market, including Double OG Chem and Double OG Sour.
Anthos is known for its living soil cultivation practices, something that left a lasting mark on the team at Rebel Grown. Living soil refers to growing cannabis in a medium rich with natural microbes that feed the plants, often reducing the need for bottled nutrients.
Many Emerald Triangle farmers employ regenerative practices like these, growing under the sun or in mixed light, with sustainable agriculture at the forefront. When working with outside entities to bring their genetics to new markets, deploying similar growing styles will ensure the final product has similar qualities to the original creations.
For the tight-knit cannabis community in Northern California, finding like-minded partners is paramount. Shared values are often a requirement for farmers and breeders seeking out companies to bring their creations to new markets.
“Learning that Anthos cultivates in living soil beds and maintains strict standards really impressed me,” said Dan Pomerantz, founder and CEO of Rebel Grown, in a press release sent to GreenState.
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Samantha Mikolajewski, president of Anthos Organics, said the respect was mutual.
“Both Anthos and Rebel are united by reverence for the plant, a deep history in cannabis culture, and a commitment to doing things the right way,” Mikolawjewski shared in the release.
The deal between Rebel Grown and Anthos Organics is yet another example of the Emerald Triangle finding new consumers amid growing demand for the region’s unique varieties. But that’s not the only benefit.
Partnerships extend a lifeline to craft cultivators
For legacy cannabis operators like Pomerantz, expanding to new markets isn’t just about getting heirloom genetics into the hands of excited consumers—it’s also a way to ensure their community is remembered.
“When I think of legacy, my whole brand is really a testament to the old-timers in my neighborhood in southern Humboldt, who welcomed me and made me feel accepted,” Pomerantz told GreenState. “Those guys are true legacy. My brand, Rebel Grown, is so that [it] is not forgotten.”
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Johnny Casali of Huckleberry Hill Farms is another legacy farmer from the Emerald Triangle who has been working to share his unique genetics with the world. His award-winning Whitethorn Rose variety gained national notoriety after comedian Bert Kreischer sang its praises on his podcast.
Like Pomerantz, Casali believes the voices of his community are just as important to amplify as the cannabis plants within.
“It’s always been a feeling that I’ve had that one day our legacy genetics and the stories of the small farmers would eventually become the most valuable thing that we have,” Casali shared with GreenState.
In the last several years, craft cultivators in Northern California have struggled to survive. Between over-regulation, high taxes, and a saturated wholesale market, many farmers have been forced out. For people like Pomerantz and Casali, partnering with larger commercial cannabis companies provides a lifeline – wider access to their in-demand genetics and increased exposure to the stories of the Emerald Triangle.
“I think it’s really important for corporate cannabis to support legacy operators,” Pomerantz said.
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Jason Gellman of Ridgeline Farms in southern Humboldt County secured a relationship with cannabis mega-brand Cookies in 2023. The company, which operates in several states across the country, collaborated with Ridgeline to bring its popular Lantz variety to new audiences. The pair’s latest drop, the award-winning Blueberry Caviar, is also making waves.
“Working with companies like Cookies is a major advantage for a smaller brand,” Gellman told GreenState. “They [had] already established a customer base long before I partnered with them. They spread my brand name all over the world in a positive way, and I am very thankful for that.”
The Emerald Triangle has long been revered for its high-quality cannabis. As legalization spreads, it’s easier than ever for consumers to access these legendary genetics. At the same time, legacy cultivators may have finally found a way to survive in the new weed era.
