Interview with an award winning international cannabis Breeder

At Green Unicorn Farms, we invest a lot of time in seeking out the cleanest, richest, most aromatic smokable hemp flower available in the U.S., in order to offer a safe, premium quality, and thoroughly enjoyable user experience, everytime.

Working with only the most experienced cultivators in the market, the most premium quality hemp flowers all require expert knowledge and skills, but it all starts with great seed genetics and we were keen to talk to an expert in the field to find out a bit more.

Introducing… James Loud

An interview with James Loud, author of the book Breeding Cannabis due out 4/20/2020 and founder of Loud Seeds and several other emerging seed brands. James Loud is an award-winning, world-class supplier of premium quality cannabis (THC/CBD) seeds. James brings in over 20 years experience in cannabis breeding, cultivation, and organic methodology to create some of the world’s finest cannabis cultivars.

His creative and unique seed genetics have been winning awards since 2012 when he first won the High Times Cannabis Cup for Loud Seeds “Loud Scout” strain.

Dedicated to refining California-style seed genetics for the world market, he owns an enviable collection of rare and exotic varieties that have gained cult status among cannabis and hemp connoisseurs alike.

“His creative and unique seed genetics have been winning awards since 2012 when he first won the High Times Cannabis Cup for Loud Seeds “Loud Scout” strain.”

The Interview

Luckily for us, we know a guy who knows a guy… We had the chance to chat with James Loud just before Christmas!

As you know, we’re all big fans of Loud Seeds here at Green Unicorn Farms. Can you tell us a bit about yourself? Where are you from and how did you get into the cannabis market?

James – I’m from Portland, Oregon, but I grew up in the Bay area. I started growing cannabis, like a lot of my friends in that area, but wanted to have a backup career as it was illegal back then. I was always really interested in flavors and fusions so I worked in the food industry as a chef and for several years while cultivating cannabis and breeding new varietals.

I wanted to use my experience from blending flavors in the restaurant business, which naturally led me to plant genetics. I’ve been involved in cannabis genetics for over a decade now, and with genetics, I feel like I can make a larger impact on the overall quality of plants that are being cultivated.

I’m not really interested in being the biggest in the business or anything like that, I just want to provide great tasting quality genetics, and offer something more novel than other companies. Breeding stronger plants with more desirable qualities makes it easier for farmers too.

“I’m not really interested in being the biggest in the business or anything like that, I just want to provide great tasting quality genetics, and offer something more novel than other companies.”

Why are good seed genetics particularly important when it comes to producing smokable hemp flower?

James – There are so many benefits to having good quality cannabis genetics. They’ll be more pest resistant and produce higher yields which is great for the farmer. They can also have stronger terpene profiles, making the plant taste and smell great, which is what the customers are after.

Currently most breeders just cross a popular (unstable) male and female and think they’ve got a new hybrid seed variety but we should really be breeding these varieties into stable genetics to reinforce desirable traits and eliminate undesirable ones.

 

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A post shared by James Loud ⚡️⚡️⚡️ (@jamesloud) on Jul 8, 2019 at 4:47pm PDT

We saw on Twitter you use the hashtag #passionforthesacredplant. Do you consider cannabis to be sacred?

James – Yes, cannabis makes the world a better place. it’s one of the most amazing plants put on earth. We’re finding out that it has been helping people for thousands of years and has the ability to help and treat so many different illnesses and problems.

That’s what got me interested in breeding CBD rich genetics too, and we’re working on some strong CBG genetics and other minor cannabinoid varieties that should be ready next year. We follow the research that’s being done on cannabinoids and terpenes closely and try to anticipate the demand that will follow.

“We follow the research that’s being done on cannabinoids and terpenes closely and try to anticipate the demand that will follow.”

What do you consider to be the most important factor when it comes to growing premium smokable flower? Do you prefer indoor or outdoor, for example?

James – Currently indoor is king if you look at price point and demand. But, people don’t give outdoor enough credit. I personally love it. Sungrown is so much more natural and plants can take on different characteristics depending on the region they’re grown in. Different altitudes, temperature, soil, water, humidity, everything… It’s like wine.

Terroir is the future of cannabis marketing and I believe there are farmers in California designating geographical areas like they do for wine. I think in maybe ten years time. people will be branding their cannabis based on where it was grown and consumers will have their favorite regions. The thing is with cannabis the same cultivar (cultivated variety) grown in a different environment can express itself differently. So some day people will be able to differentiate from Sour Diesel grown in a Sonoma region as opposed to a Mendocino region.

 

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What’s your personal favorite strain to smoke? Do you have different favorites for different occasions?

James – My favorite varieties are Chem91, Head Band, and Catpiss but I love trying new stuff. I get really excited when I’m given the opportunity to try something novel or different. For example, there are a lot of banana strains around at the moment. I have a banana cross with skittlez that was epic and a different than all the others I’ve tried in the past.

I like to keep anywhere between 20 and 30 different flavors around the house and then, depending on what mood I’m in, I’ll choose one to smoke for that particular occasion and enjoy the taste and feelings it gives.

“For example, there are a lot of banana strains around at the moment. I have a banana cross with skittlez that was epic and a different than all the others I’ve tried in the past.”

 

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A post shared by James Loud ⚡️⚡️⚡️ (@jamesloud) on Dec 17, 2018 at 10:43pm PST

Thanks for sharing with us James!

So, there you have it. James is using his experience, know-how, and superior palette from the world of chef-ing to help create high quality and great-tasting hemp strains that keep us coming back for more.

He makes a great point about the connection between top quality hemp and fine wine. How much do you know about the hemp you’re smoking?