Business
Science
Blackleaf & PackGods
First Smoke of the Day podcast founded in the cannabis Mecca of Los Angeles, California. We bring you an exclusive podcast that dives into the depths of smoke culture, cannabis cultivation, branding empires, worldwide extraction leaders, and cultural marketing masters. Interviews that bring light into the prohibition shadows as for the first time we get to hear straight from these passionate Tastemakers. Hosted by “Packgods” and “Blackleaf” two dedicated lifelong Industry players interviewing other leaders from all over the world. This is a family built by smokers for smokers. Join our family on FSOTD. com. We are constantly dropping new Exclusive content to our site and Early access to content on FSOTD. com. Be part of our Global Support by subscribing on YouTube, Apple, or Spotify and @FirstSmokeOfTheDay instagram. This is an inside view into our checkered history with this precious plant and the worldwide smoke culture that surrounds it, some who have risked it all.InstagramYouTubeBlackLeaf IGPackGods IGWebsiteThank you so much for tuning into First Smoke of The Day. A cannabis and culture podcast giving you insight into the mind and lives of growers, extractors, playmakers, street brands, and underground culture in the global cannabis industry. Be sure to subscribe to the show on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you consume podcasts. Make sure to also leave a 5-Star review on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Total 156 episodes
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02/12/2024

Todd McCormick: Where Did Real HAZE Go?, Playboy Mansion, Raids, Prison, Opening Woodstock

We’ve had other guests on in the past who have unveiled never-before-heard history of the herb, but nothing comes close to the secrets revealed in this episode.Blackleaf finally hunted down the elusive Todd McCormick, an American activist, childhood cancer survivor, author, and medical herb patient for a once-in-a-lifetime conversation. Todd has a laundry list of achievements and sightings in pop culture dating back to the late 80s. More recently, he’s been an ongoing judge at the yearly Emerald Cup in NorCal and was one of the winners of the Cannabis Culture Award in 2012. You may have also seen him speak on screen during the 2007 documentary, The Union: The Business Behind Getting High.There are no stones left unturned in this episode, as Todd recalls his famous 1997 arrest where he was caught with over 2,100 plants at a Bel-Air mansion and never snitching on any of his constituents, subsequently serving a 5-year sentence as a result, and getting bailed out by DJ Pooh and Boondocks creator, Aaron McGruder. You’ll also hear about the famous Playboy Mansion parties that he used to attend as well as host in the name of herbal activism.It’s impossible to stuff all of the insane stories Todd tells into one description, as well as all of the celebrities that he’s befriended over the years. But, some names that will come up along the way include his close friends Hugh Hefner, Bill Maher, Dave Matthews, Tommy Chong, Mel Frank, Andy Dick, Joe Rogan, and so many more. You’ll even get to hear the legends of Skunk strain creator Skunkman Sam and Northern Lights strain creator, Seattle Greg.In the realm of valuable knowledge, Todd riffs gems left and right throughout this pod. He weighs in on the global expansion of herb, its origins in Afghanistan and the Greater Middle East, how to perfectly pop a seed, why classic strains are dying out, and the origin of the war on drugs via the alcohol industry.Take your time to really go through this episode and soak up all of the crazy stories and wisdom from the unsung hero of herb, Todd McCormick, who’s been growing for over 40 years and sharing their mission of normalizing herbal consumption at places like Woodstock ‘99, where he wound up giving a 40-minute opening speech.Find all of Todd’s current genetic work showcased through his brand, Authentic Genetics Seed Company, agseedsco.com.Subscribe to our channel and the FSOTD.com site to keep up with other key players and enjoy conversations with tastemakers from the culture you can’t find anywhere else. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
3h 45m
25/11/2024

Dr. Riley: The Science of SmokeAbility, The Entourage Effect, Ash Color & Terpenes

Take out a pen and a pad because this episode of the pod with a real-life herb scientist will redefine your preexisting knowledge of the plant.Blackleaf is joined by viral content creator and natural product chemist with a Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences, Dr. Riley Kirk, to discuss a number of hard-hitting questions that only a scientist could accurately answer.The entire first half of this episode is truly a treasure trove of educational nuggets surrounding Dr. Riley and her team’s efforts to unravel the Science of Smokeability (S.O.S.), as well as her own endeavors to understand the effects of terpenes and other compounds that make up each individual experience with a given strain.You’ll hear Dr. Riley speak on the very real nature of the Entourage Effect, as well as how it can change based on the form of consumption you’re engaging in. She also weighs in on the receptors in our brains and bodies that respond to different strains in a way that only “the nose knows.” If you’ve ever wondered why some herb smells like straight up dog shit, then this is also the podcast for you. Dr. Riley delves in deep on terpenes and how some of them present themselves in other organisms in the world. On the less stinky side, she even explains her theory behind why some strains spark creativity.Deeper in the conversation, you’ll hear Dr. Riley give her candid opinion on the synthetic cannabinoid wave, the over 30% potency debate, why you should try more CBD, and how to more consciously purchase your herbal goods. This episode is especially unique because you’re getting the perspective of a regular smoker who consumes daily who is also a highly educated chemist with a Ph.D and a deep passion for the plant.Subscribe to our channel and the FSOTD.com site to keep up with other key players and enjoy conversations with tastemakers from the culture you can’t find anywhere else. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1h 47m
18/11/2024

Hunting Afghani Genetics, Preserving Indigenous Strains, Surviving the War on Drugs: Kevin Jodrey

This is just one of those episodes. If you love weed, whether you’re in the industry or just a fan, you can’t miss a second of this extended conversation with one of the real harbingers of the culture and preservers of the plant.Blackleaf is joined by the mythological man behind the curtain of cannabis, Kevin Jodrey @kevinjodrey, creator of Port Royal, owner of Wonderland Nursery, and co-founder of The Ganjier.Sit down and strap in for a longer episode that doesn’t skip a beat on moments of invaluable game-dropping, never-before-heard strain lore, run-ins with law enforcement, traveling the world for weed, certifying Ganjiers, and so much more. If you’ve ever wondered where the birth of high-CBD strains began or what herb looks like in the wild countryside of Afghanistan while hunting genetics with Landrace Mafia, you’ll be on the edge of your seat for this entire chaotic ride.Kevin Jodrey is hands-down one of the most well-known and respected growers out of Humboldt County. He’s also an internationally respected expert on the plant, accredited for improving and forwarding the modern cannabis movement. On top if it all, he’s spoken at a slew of universities, judged the Emerald Cup multiple times, and appeared on National Geographic and A&E to speak on cannabis education.You’ll hear Blackleaf ask countless questions on every smoker’s mind, and Kevin candidly weighs in on topics such as the THCa wave, nicotine addictions fueling the candy wave currently sweeping the industry, how the average grower can preserve their genetics, why tissue culture isn’t always done right, and the fact that real Sour may be gone forever.Kevin was literally at the epicenter of the “Green Rush” with seemingly uneding stories he riffs on from Humboldt back in the day throughout this incredibly special episode of the pod. Today, he’s at the forefront of the “Clean Rush” aka the sustainable movement of regenerating land naturally through cannabis cultivation…among countless other projects that span the globe.It’s hard to concisely put into words all of the crazy insight, free game, jaw-dropping stories of hunting genetics and fighting law enforement, as well as genuine life and relationship advice that you can absorb from this episode. So, simply put—light one up, kick back, and lock in.Subscribe to our channel and the FSOTD.com site to keep up with other key players and enjoy conversations with tastemakers from the culture you can’t find anywhere else. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
3h 31m
11/11/2024

Keeping OG Kush Alive, Drug Smuggling Parents, Legacy in Blood: Northern Emeralds

For anyone who thinks “OG is dead,” it’s time to tune in and rethink that with this episode featuring the true keepers of OG genetics from Northern California.Blackleaf catches up with Alex and Cody from Northern Emeralds (@northernemeralds), a respected and longstanding brand that’s been growing classic strains for over a decade. Their mission? To cultivate top-tier OG varieties and bring them to the people.In this episode, Alex and Cody share why they believe many have lost the ability to grow real OG, how they’ve managed to keep their operating procedures public for those willing to learn, and why their prices have remained consistent for ten years. Interestingly, their core consumer group is between 45-60 years old, proving that there’s still a loyal fan base for classic strains.Few cultivators in California can say they’ve specialized in OG for over a decade while maintaining their prices and refusing to compromise on quality. As California’s market continues to shift, Alex and Cody provide valuable insight into what’s kept them steady, while others rush to the bottom.You’ll also hear their unique life stories, from Cody’s upbringing with parents who lived on the edge of the law to Alex’s experiences across the globe. These personal journeys are as compelling as the growing knowledge they share, making this episode one-of-a-kind. How many people can say they’ve had conversations with authorities about whether their family members could return to the U.S.?If you’re a cultivator or home grower struggling to get the most out of your OG plants, this episode is packed with tips on how to perfect your grow. Alex and Cody explain the “freshness window” of cannabis and why OG strains need specific care, with insights that can elevate your results.Subscribe to our channel and visit FSOTD.com to stay updated on more key players and get exclusive conversations with culture originators you won’t find anywhere else. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2h 12m
04/11/2024

Rare Gelato Genetics, Canadian Global Export, Voice of the Plant: Sherbinski

Hustlers of the world need to unite for this reunion episode with one of California’s most iconic brands that have taken their IP to a global scale in ways that trappers can only dream about.Packgods and Blackleaf are joined by the mastermind breeder behind Gelato 33, Sunset Sherb, Bacio Gelato, and so many more, Mario Guzman aka Sherbinskis, for a follow-up conversation to see how far he’s come since we last connected on episode 25 back in 2021.Mario truly pulls back the curtain on the global weed market in this episode, dropping gem after gem after gem after gem of insider knowledge on how to effectively scale your brand to the highest level. We’re talking big-boy mergers, preserving genetic libraries before the viroid hit, moving WEIGHT in and out of Canada, elevating your IP, and connecting with some of the true originators of the culture across Europe.Along the way, you’ll get to hear Mario talk about his business endeavors and close calls with scammers and snakes with his significant other, some adventures in Milan that turned Mario off to the high fashion and fragrance world forever, as well as his exclusive seed activation with MJ BizCon happening in Las Vegas this year. He might even make some crazy announcements before the end…we’ll give you a hint, it has to do with the oldest seed bank in the world, Sensi Seeds.Also, if you’ve been curious at all about weed events in places like Berlin, Barcelona, and more, you can’t miss a second of this pod. Mario weighs in heavily on why Spain is still gaining momentum, how Europe still hasn’t figured out how to move rosin properly, and how Canada is currently the global hub for indoor cultivation. On a mental health note, you’ll also hear a lot of refreshing realizations from Mario on this episode since we last spoke with him in 2021. He details what it was like having “fame” and quickly growing tired of celebrities and Hollywood parties, losing his 200k+ IG account, finding happiness away from social media, and putting his heart and soul into his newest project, Voice of the Plant.This episode is nothing short of inspiring, and we encourage everyone with a passion for weed to take a moment to hear Mario impart some of his wisdom, experience, and vast knowledge of the plant.Subscribe to our channel and the FSOTD.com site to keep up with other key players and enjoy conversations with tastemakers from the culture you can’t find anywhere else. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2h 10m
21/10/2024

Touring Caves With Taliban, Blowing Bangkok Tree & Hunting Ghosts: Vibe With Chu

Try not to lose your lunch when you hear some of these crazy stories from one of the most globetrotting stoners we’ve ever met who’s lowkey building a food empire.BlackLeaf and PackGods manage to catch Jerry Chu aka @vibewithchu between his insane personal content schedule and worldwide traveling efforts in support of @TFIL, a YouTube channel focused on travel and helping others with over 4 million subscribers.Sit tight as Jerry deep dives into spending time between Bangkok and LA, soaking up the blossoming canna culture across Thailand while supporting Elton Castee’s channels on global scale. Learn how he’s been able to hop on countless flights and capture magic while still building his own social media empire off of cooking dank food, blowing big tree, and bumping incredible tunes.You might want to take notes while @vibewithchu delves into how he found his content niche, got un-shadowbanned, and made the algorithm work in his favor to accrue over 100k new subscribers in a month. And this is just free game not even accounting for the crazy stories he has from working with Elton.It all began with Jerry taking a PA job on Elton’s other channel, Haunted Homies, where he literally hunted ghosts with this guy until he brought him onto the @TFIL project. Your jaw will drop countless times during some of his travel stories like when they got a private tour of Afghanistan from the Taliban themselves, including an inside look into the caves Osama Bin Laden hid in.You might even catch a little relationship advice from Jerry along the way about how to maintain a solid connection when you’re traveling almost non-stop. There’s a little bit of something relatable for everyone in this podcast alongside some of the fantastic things Jerry’s been able to experience and achieve at a young age.Subscribe to our channel and the FSOTD.com site to keep up with other key players and enjoy conversations with tastemakers from the culture you can’t find anywhere else. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2h 35m
14/10/2024

Illegal Paris Grows, Moving Packs In Amsterdam, & Winning 18 Cannabis Cups: T.H. Seeds Story

If you feel like you know the real story of the cannabis scene exploding in Europe in the early 90s and 2000s, prepare to rewrite your history books with this episode with one of the true godfathers of herb.Blackleaf is joined by international cannabis icon and lore keeper, Julian of TH Seeds, to hear his first-hand accounts of trapping indoor grows in Paris, moving packs to Amsterdam during its hay day, learning under Scott Blakey aka Shantibaba himself, and winning over 18 cannabis cups over his career since the early 1990s.Julian dives deep into the formation of the famous Greenhouse Seeds, arguably the most successful cannabis business in the world, and winner of over 42 High Times Cannabis Cups since 1985. Along the way, you’ll hear never-before-heard origin stories of other legendary seed banks like Mr. Nice and Archive Seed Bank, and the relationship that Mr. Nice, Julian, Arjan, and Neville all shared during those times.Blackleaf comes swinging with some huge questions during this episode such as whether or not Skunk is dead and whether good weed needs to even be over 15-18% THC. Julian responds with his in-depth opinion on the European weed market, highlighting the booming Barcelona market, and reassuring Blackleaf that iconic cultivars like Skunk, Haze, G13, White Widow, and White Rhino all still have original cuts floating around Europe from the OGs that are either still on shelves or could be revived.Throughout this pod, Julian weighs in heavily on his opinions on the state of the American weed market, claiming it moves too quickly and doesn’t pay enough homage to the time-honored commercial genetics that has spawned the designer hybrids we see come and go so quickly today, as well as why Barcelona has become the new hub for all of the seasoned Dutch growers.This is hands-down one of the most interesting guests we’ve ever had on FSOTD in terms of stake in the culture. Julian easily has over 30 years of experience hunting genetics, feminizing seeds, cultivating fire weed, and is now working with his partners to help enormous commercial grows around Europe hunt their own proprietary genetics and maximize their systems.Subscribe to our channel and the FSOTD.com site to keep up with other key players and enjoy conversations with originators of the culture you can’t find anywhere else. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1h 48m
07/10/2024

Infiltrating Fashion & Making Millions Off Emotions: Broken Promises Story - Ep. 134

Get out your notepad for this pod because there are some serious GEMS being dropped for any creatives or entrepreneurs out there to scoop up.BlackLeaf and PackGods sit down with the ultimate power couple taking the streetwear industry by storm, Jason and Mandee Bence, founders of Broken Promises. Jason and Mandee take us on their own wildly interesting journeys to finding each other, falling in love, and creating Broken Promises from the ground up together while also modeling on the side, because why not?Jason (@jasonpromises), Broken Promises co-founder, dives deep into his sordid criminal history, background in cooking with legends like Guy Fieri and Michael Voltaggio, creating a rap duo with his twin brother, Sean (co-founder of Your Highness,) as well as trying his hand at the weed industry before ultimately stumbling into fashion. Mandee Bence (@mandeebence) is the real secret weapon of this episode, y’all. You’re going to be on the edge of your seat the entire time Mandee recollects her beginnings at art school to landing her first job at a skate shop with THE Dom DeLuca aka @brooklyndom, and then moving on to higher-level creative roles at places like Vans, and NuEra.Beyond their crazy stories, these two get into the nitty-gritty of how exactly they created Broken Promises, got it into Zumiez, and onto the backs of celebrities like Post Malone and Rubi Rose. They also give vital advice on building your first portfolio, establishing connections via LinkedIn and social with buyers, and faking it until you make it in the most masterful way possible. Jason and Mandee are the perfect yin and yang of the most extroverted guy in the room combined with the quiet killer in the corner; both making moves at an alarming rate. Together, they’ve been able to scale Broken Promises to the level that they just did a collab with Mattel’s Hot Wheels. A feat that seems nearly impossible considering they’re a couple who run the entire operation without any other internal members. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to own and operate a company that rakes in millions with a staff of two—sit down and tune the f*ck in.Subscribe to our channel and the FSOTD.com site to keep up with other key players and enjoy conversations with tastemakers from the culture you can’t find anywhere else. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2h 26m
23/09/2024

Border Towns Cranking Millions, Exotics In The Midwest & Michigan Market Explosion: Hytek

If you’ve seen any of the headlines about Michigan’s legal weed market surpassing California’s, you’d be crazy not to soak up the game from this pod.PackGods and Blackleaf get an insider’s look at the booming market in the midwest from Hytek founders and cultivators, Chocolate and Tyler (@hytekdetroit.) From inside Hytek’s cushy creative space, you’ll get to hear some of the wildest stories you’ve never heard about what’s going down right now in Detroit and the surrounding areas.Hytek co-founder, Chocolate, goes in with a full clip of hot takes on the current state of the Michigan market from the beginning of the episode and throughout. You’ll hear him make bold claims like Michigan only getting connoisseur-grade flower within the last three years. Or that live resin carts will always be better than live rosin carts.Throughout the episode, Chocolate and Tyler provide invaluable intel on the booming border town dispensaries in Michigan that are essentially moving millions monthly to out-of-state trappers. Tyler affirms these numbers by highlighting Michigan’s extremely low taxation on recreational products right now, also bringing up that there is no cap on purchase quantities. Blackleaf jokes that he go in and accidentally buy five pounds of five different flavors. If you’ve been wondering about the profitability of pre-packaged flower versus bulk flower in Michigan’s market, Chocolate and Tyler drop immense game on what’s been working for them with their cultivation space and distro. According to these two, the deli-style dispensaries we remember in California from back in the Prop 215 days are the current wave in the Midwest. Midwest customers are apparently eating up the ability to look at fresh jars of bulk flower and see each nug weighed out for their bags. And this is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of all the secrets these two let out about Detroit’s market…we didn’t even get into the cheap land they’ve been able to scoop up.You’d be a fool not to absorb every tidbit possible from this interview with one of the biggest cultivators currently selling out of hype strains like Popz 41 across countless Michigan retailers.Subscribe to our channel and the FSOTD.com site to keep up with other key players and enjoy conversations with tastemakers from the culture you can’t find anywhere else. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1h 14m
16/09/2024

Global Brands Making Waves ZUSHI, TENco, Scumbags: Co-Founder & Creative Director: Gerry

Every hustler and designer needs to sit down and power through this hourlong podcast with the co-founder of one of the most prominent weed brands in the world if they want to truly “lock-in.”PackGods and Blackleaf were finally able to corner elusive hustler from San Jose, @Gerry, co-founder of The TenCo, to walk us through his incredible entrepreneurial journey that’s now led The TenCo overseas to places like Thailand to continue spreading their iconic cultivars like the Blue Zushi strain you’ll often see smoked by No Jumper podcast hosts.The guys jam-pack every question possible for @Gerry into this episode, learning how he cut his teeth as a 21-year-old creative director for World Star Hip-Hop during its medioric rise into the mainstream along with advice he got from WSHH founder Q himself on how to grow his craft as a designer and reach success. With the entire universes and original IP that The TenCo creates for each of their Zushi characters, it’s safe to say he’s putting Q’s advice to good use.You’ll find out how @Gerry linked up with his partner who incepted the Zushi brand and cultivates the iconic fire people around the world smoke today. Gerry goes in on how he came up with the original characters and custom packaging for each of their Zushi strains which currently reign supreme over flavor-hunters everywhere.If you’ve ever wondered how some of these celebrity collabs come about, Gerry elaborates on how The TenCo has gone on to form fluid and organic partnerships with multiple celebrities and entities including Coi Leray, ComplexCon, as well as an upcoming collab with Sexyy Red.For all of the aspiring creatives out there, Blackleaf asks @Gerry point-blank how he got more into Illustrator, to which he eventually expresses that The TenCo is actually looking to hire new designers right now. If you have fire work to show off, @Gerry is the man to hit up in the DMs ASAP.Subscribe to our channel and the FSOTD.com site to keep up with other key players and enjoy conversations with tastemakers from the culture you can’t find anywhere else. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1h 6m
19/08/2024

Sourcing Rare Genetics, Zalympix MI, & Mastering Michigan’s Terroir: Exotic Matter Featured Ep 16

Get ready to feel inspired when you hear the story of Jesse and Ty from Exotic Matter founded in Michigan back in 2009.The Exotic Matter (@_exotic_matter) story is one of pure discovery and unbridled passion for the plant. Today, they are dominating the rec market across Michigan, recently opening their own storefront, The Trap, in Muskegon, boasting the cheapest prices in the city. It all began with Jesse’s dream and uncontrollable urge to start growing a few plants wherever he could stash them. When he met local underground growers online and was able to gain entry to their private forums, Jesse found himself exchanging seeds in the mail while he was simultaneously learning how to clone and find his way.Jesse was always hungry to take the next big step and move away from his residential trap 4-lighters to a bigger commercial situation with staff. To get the knowledge he needed, Jessie spent time earning his stripes helping other cultivators run upwards of 150 lights until he and his partner found their sweet spot. He chronicles the growing pains of having to go from his various garage grows to a full-fledged commercial facility with 20 staff members. It all paid off when Jesse’s family gave him the green light to build a massive outdoor grow on their 300-year-old family land that sits on an ancient glacial riverbed and empties into the Great Lakes of Michigan within the past several years. They’ve been cranking flower for fresh frozen and rosin pressing like gangbusters with no intention of stopping. BlackLeaf & PackGods remark on the impressive HQ they host the episode in as well as the flower presented to them.BlackLeaf & PackGods can’t get enough of their Blue Yuzu strain in this pod, it doesn’t take long for them to start complimenting the smoke. Jesse even comments on Michigan’s lack of enforcement on how much product you can buy at their shop in Muskegon legally. There is no limit! BlackLeaf postulates picking up 5 P’s of his favorite flavors and walking out the door with a big smile.If you’re curious about what exactly is going on in Michigan’s recreational market and who’s pumping out the most cutting-edge genetics and grabbing the best from Cali, you need to tap in with this conversation. Exotic Matter is sitting at the center of the culture in the Great Lakes State and steadily getting louder. They call themselves the “Keepers of the Fire” for a reason.Subscribe to our channel and the FSOTD.com site to keep up with new content and conversations with tastemakers and pioneers from the culture you can’t find anywhere else. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1h 20m
12/08/2024

Trapping Humboldt In ‘96, Hitting 50m+ Views, & Becoming Cannabis Comedy Kings: Black Market Vikings Ep. 130

Try not to choke on your smoke between all the wild takes and unbelievable stories during this episode.Our team is still reeling from the hilarious honor of hosting the notoriously disruptive kings of cannabis comedy, the Black Market Vikings, in our studio. The guys sit down with OG jokesters Jack Rawson (@CJ_Humboldt) and Jeremy Sanders (@JayHumboldt) for a tell-all that takes more twists and gut-busting turns than you can even imagine. The Black Market Vikings have been shaking up the California cannabis scene from the jump, and it all began with CJ Humboldt trapping and scrounging for primo bag seeds around Humboldt County in 1996. We’ve all heard the legends about how pumping and jumping the Emerald Triangle was during the beginning of the Prop 215 era. If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to be a young buck back then with something to prove and plenty of good smoke in your lungs—you can’t miss this part of the pod.CJ and Jay chronicle the beginning of Black Market Vikings in the wake of legalization and California’s rapidly shifting market and finding their niche in outlandish cannabis comedy. You’ll hear CJ drop gems about everything from going viral for their “That Weed Is Trash” skit to narrowly surviving a nasty car crash while simultaneously getting roadhead. Yes, you read that right. And that’s just scraping the surface of the strange stories and success these two have seen despite facing countless obstacles and rough situations while growing up. Following the success of their YouTube channel and overall social media presence, Black Market Vikings further got their foothold in the culture when they began dropping crazy genetics that they didn’t even grow! Find out how CJ and Jay have built a weed brand without having to do any of the growing themselves. Learn the origin story of hype cultivars like White Lobster and their hilariously popular “Yamagucci Coochie” strain. We highkey recommend not skipping a single second of this conversation not only for the comedic relief, but the sheer audacity that some unique individuals have to stake their claim in the cannabis industry by literally any means necessary. Follow Black Market Vikings on YouTube and social media for daily laughs and strains that sound funny, but seriously SMOKE. Subscribe to our channel and the FSOTD.com site to keep up with other key players and enjoy conversations with tastemakers from the culture you can’t find anywhere else. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2h 17m
29/07/2024

Duke of Doja: A Mad Scientist Behind the Hottest Global Strains Ep. 129

All Hail: An Audience With The Duke of DojaGet ready for an exclusive look at the man behind the curtain!We're extremely excited to bring you a wildly decorated guest for this episode of First Smoke of the Day - breeder extraordinaire Duke of Doja. Join us and special guest Doja Pak for a dive into the Willie Wonka cannabis factory of the Duke's mind.Duke of Doja refers to himself as a humble steward of fine cannabis, but don't let his modesty fool you. He's a modern-day alchemist, a mad scientist dealing in chromosomes and alleles to bring new and exciting strains to life. Discovering his love for cannabis in Georgia, the Duke first came to California to compete in martial arts tournaments and immediately felt at home. After a smokey road trip across the country, a young Duke first dipped his toe into breeding, crossing strains and growing plants for personal use out of his small apartment in Humboldt. Over twenty years later, the Duke has established himself as one of the most dedicated and creative breeders in the game. His award-winning strains have kept Doja at the top of the list of most sought-after brands and enthusiasts hungry for his next mind-blowing experiment. The Duke's passion and curiosity have never waned, and we're here to soak up all the knowledge he has to throw at us and share it with you! Pack a fatty and pull up a chair as we talk flower, genetics, and martial arts - everything our guest loves. The Duke shares some of his favorite deep-cut strains that you should be smoking, including Peach Tree and the famous Coffin Candy.We hope you enjoy our talk with the Duke as much as we did. Hit up Doja for a look at his latest concoctions, and subscribe to our channel and our website FSOTD.com to keep up to date with other key players and tastemakers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1h 39m
01/07/2024

Stories From a Past Life: Freeway Ricky Ep. 127

Stories From a Past Life: Freeway RickyEveryone thinks their life could be a movie. Today's guest would probably be right.Thank you for joining us for another thrilling episode of First Smoke of the Day! You're in for a treat this week as we sit down with one of our most genuinely interesting guests yet: the mythical Freeway Rick.In the 80s and 90s, Freeway Rick was THE kingpin in the California drug world, moving hundreds of millions of dollars worth of cocaine during his career. But his story isn't at all like the dramatic portrayals of drug lords in crime movies. Rick was never drawn to violence or power; he was just an ambitious young man trying to pull himself out of poverty through one of the few opportunities life afforded him.But it all came crashing down when he was finally caught and sentenced to life. While imprisoned, Rick resolved to improve himself and make amends for his part in the cocaine trade, starting with giving himself the education he was denied. He learned to read and write and eventually began studying law to appeal his sentence. His efforts paid off in the end; Rick eventually won his appeal, securing his release after over 20 years behind bars.Now an author, actor, and advocate for prison reform, Rick shares his unique point of view through books, documentaries, and interviews, warning others away from his troubled path. But his story doesn't end there.Rick is now making waves in the legal cannabis industry, leveraging his considerable skills to build a brighter future for himself and his community. His dispensary, Freeway Rick's, is a testament to Rick's determination and belief in second chances. Settle in for a rare and entertaining look into one of the most prominent figures of the 80s drug trade as Rick shares some larger-than-life stories about his rise, fall, and path to redemption, along with some interesting insights into how the current legal industry compares with the black market of his day. If you're in the LA area, check out Freeway Rick's in the SF Valley, and, wherever you are, make sure to check out our site for more awesome content - FSOTD.com!#freewayrickross #rickross #podcast #firstsmokeoftheday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1h 41m
18/06/2024

The Truth About THCa with THC Club Featured Ep. 14

Have you been sleeping on THCa? Today's guests are about to set you straight.In this episode of First Smoke of the Day, the guys from THC Club are joining us to tear down misconceptions and answer all the questions you have about THCa and hemp flower. THC Club is a dispensary slinging hemp flower and other hemp products out of Houston, Texas. That's right, Texas. How is this possible, you ask? Simple - their products are focused on THCa content, allowing them to remain on the legal side of the hemp-cannabis dynamic.The Truth About THCa with THC ClubA lot of questions have been asked about THCa since 2018 when the cultivation of hemp products became federally legal. Hemp flower's delta-9 THC content falls below the limit requiring classification as cannabis, but innovators like THC Club found that THCa could be converted with the right techniques, maintaining legality while offering a high-quality product. THC Club saw the opportunity to strike at an untapped market and took it. Since then, they have opened an insane eighteen locations throughout Houston, becoming industry leaders in the Texas legal market and trend-setters in the THCa movement.Tune in to discover how THC Club is pioneering hemp products and how THCa is changing the conversation about cannabis in prohibition states.Did this change your mind about THCa? Let us know below, and remember to subscribe to our website for the latest in industry trends - FSOTD.com#firstsmokeoftheday #thc #thcclub #cannabisindustry #podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
53m
03/06/2024

Rescue your Grow: Expert Pest Control with Zenthanol Consulting Ep. 126

Rescue your Grow: Expert Pest Control with Zenthanol ConsultingDoes your grow op need a hero?We have just the man for you. Today's informative episode of First Smoke of the Day has us sitting down with Matthew Gates of Zenthanol Consulting, who is ready to share some extremely valuable nuggets of wisdom about the common pests that affect cannabis plants.Matthew is a crop consultant specializing in cannabis pest control, servicing growers and protecting their crops from all sorts of threatening insects, fungi, and diseases. A bonafide expert, Matthew has written and talked extensively about crop protection through many articles, papers, interviews, and seminars.Zenthanol helps growers stay at the cutting edge of pest control, leveraging their deep knowledge of the cannabis plants and the organisms that attack them to treat crops and prevent losses with the most cutting-edge techniques in the industry.Join us for this extremely educational chat with Zenthanol as we discuss pests, how to prevent and eradicate them, and the looming threat of treatment resistance.If you're a current or prospective grower, this episode is packed with valuable information that you won't want to miss. Subscribe to our website for more insider information from industry experts and innovators - FSOTD.comRescue your Grow: Expert Pest Control with Zenthanol ConsultingDoes your grow op need a hero?We have just the man for you. Today's informative episode of First Smoke of the Day has us sitting down with Matthew Gates of Zenthanol Consulting, who is ready to share some extremely valuable nuggets of wisdom about the common pests that affect cannabis plants.Matthew is a crop consultant specializing in cannabis pest control, servicing growers and protecting their crops from all sorts of threatening insects, fungi, and diseases. A bonafide expert, Matthew has written and talked extensively about crop protection through many articles, papers, interviews, and seminars.Zenthanol helps growers stay at the cutting edge of pest control, leveraging their deep knowledge of the cannabis plants and the organisms that attack them to treat crops and prevent losses with the most cutting-edge techniques in the industry.Join us for this extremely educational chat with Zenthanol as we discuss pests, how to prevent and eradicate them, and the looming threat of treatment resistance.If you're a current or prospective grower, this episode is packed with valuable information that you won't want to miss. Subscribe to our website for more insider information from industry experts and innovators - FSOTD.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2h 16m
21/05/2024

No Shortcuts: Bronny Farms on Doing it Right Featured Ep. 13

No Shortcuts: Bronny Farms on Doing it RightFor today's guests, the journey is just as important as the destination.Light up a jay, pull up a chair, and get ready for today's episode of First Smoke of the Day. We're sitting down with Bronny Farms, an up-and-coming grow op based out of Maine. If you don't already have your eye on them, you will after this. Bronny Farms is a family business, founded by brothers, who started their careers in Florida with a simple homebrew grow and a less simple harvest during a literal hurricane. After spending some time learning the craft, work as a grow consultant took him to Maine, where he started Bronny Farms alongside his brother.Bronny Farms' dedication to the grow process is the cornerstone of their business. From the beginning, they've refused to take shortcuts even when it would have been less risky to do so, choosing to start with seeds instead of clones. Jank isn't in their vocabulary: their tight quality control means they don't put out anything that isn't up to their very high standards. Join us as we vibe with Bronny Farms and break down their journey, their process, and their thoughts on how Maine is setting itself up to be the next big destination for growers. Whether you're considering venturing into cultivation or looking to elevate your game, Bronny Farms' mantra is clear: trust the process, do the work.Tune in to discover why Bronny Farms are the guys to watch and check out FSOTD.com for more exciting content. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1h 41m
17/10/2023

20+ Year Microbiologist with a Unique Specialty Ep. 111

20+yr Cannabis Microbiologist, Global Food Control by Russia, Organic Vs. Non-OrganicThis episode you might want to hold off smoking for! We dive deep into the Soil Web and science behind soil, hydroponics, and coco with benefits to each and downfalls. Today we welcome a 20+ year microbiologist and Agronomist to First Smoke, Brandon Rust. This episode is for all plant lovers and cultivators no matter the fruit your chasing, species you like growing or kind of plant you find interesting. Lighting up we get into why we only have 60 years worth of nutrients to mine from Russia and then we are going to face real issues with our global food pricing and supply chain. Brandon speaks about the microbiology and chemistry behind cannabis plants and understanding how the plant actually grows and the sciences behind it. Why grow Organic Vs. Non-organic? We get deep into the ramifications we face as a planet as well as health benefits and waste benefits. It was inspiring to hear about Brandon’s very rough childhood and seeing how he blossomed, became one of the leading plant agronomists and microbiologists in the entire cannabis space today. Listen in and take notes as we welcome Brandon Rust of Bokashi earthworks to first smoke of the day podcast.Connect with Brandon Rust!https://www.instagram.com/rust.brandonhttps://www.bokashiearthworks.net/FSOTD SponsorsDr. Dabber | IGGrow Generation | IGDrip Hydro | IGFSOTD LinksWebsite | YouTubeMake sure to tell all your friends and family to subscribe! Go register on the website for all the exclusive ad-free content, BTS, tutorials, and more! Please leave a 5-Star review! We appreciate your support, First Smoke Family! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
3h 11m
02/10/2023

Skateboarding, Ayahuasca, and Herb Ep. 110

Face of Pro Skateboarding & Weed, Ayahuasca Ceremony, DGK x RAW Collab, Launching Business’sIt’s that time! Roll up, today we have Boo Johnson pro skateboarder and the face of cannabis culture X skateboarding combined. We dive deep into Ayahuasca Ceremonies and the lessons they leave with you. Talking about the first time Boo ever smoked cannabis and what it was like on those early skate trips as a teen. Getting deep into the skate scene and getting signed by the Powell-Peralta team. Boo’s career insights as it all starts to take off for him and becoming a professional skateboarder. Inspirations like Stevie Williams and how Boo got into the business side of the industry and self branding. Some of the most inspirational lessons Boo leaves us with is how he collaborates and launches multiple products around his lifestyle and interests. Just to name a few Collaborations like Raw Rolling papers, Pharmacy Board shop, Cure Company Cannabis, (JHF) Just Have Fun Co, Long Beach Creamery, BooHooMan Clothing, DGK, Supra, Diamond Supply, Hawkers Co, Spy Sunglasses and many more. Light up, Listen in, and let’s take a ride it’s FSOTD x Boo J!!Connect with Nicky DiamondsInstagram - Boo JohnsonFSOTD SponsorsDr. Dabber | IGGrow Generation | IGDrip Hydro | IGFSOTD LinksWebsite | YouTubeMake sure to tell all your friends and family to subscribe! Go register on the website for all the exclusive ad-free content, BTS, tutorials, and more! Please leave a 5-Star review! We appreciate your support, First Smoke Family! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1h 56m
18/09/2023

Hunting for the Strawberry Cough Ep. 109

The Legend of Strawberry Cough, High Times Magazine, Traveling the Globe for Weed, Veganic GrowingIt’s Time to pull that vintage jar of head stash out because we have an OG cannabis personality on today. An Ex-High Times OG writer, Veganic Grower, and someone synonymous with the famous strain Strawberry Cough. It’s going to be a good one, an all around cultivation enthusiast the Kushman on FSOTD today. Welcome Kyle Kushman on with some “greens” big bong rips and we start with a deep dive into the 80’s cannabis scene in New York. The early days of Kushman learning the cultivation process and starting to write for High Times magazine. The magazine position takes him all around the world smoking and talking about the best cannabis at that time. From High Times cannabis cups to backyard hedges of plants all the way to getting gifted the Strawberry Cough. Getting into the Strawberry Cough and how that became one of the biggest strains in New York at that time as well as making it into movies. This episode is not to be missed for all the vintage fans of HighTimes magazine and reminiscing on those days of sticky weed and good stories ! Light up its first smoke of the day!Connect with Nicky DiamondsInstagram - Kyle KushmanFSOTD SponsorsDr. Dabber | IGGrow Generation | IGDrip Hydro | IGFSOTD LinksWebsite | YouTubeMake sure to tell all your friends and family to subscribe! Go register on the website for all the exclusive ad-free content, BTS, tutorials, and more! Please leave a 5-Star review! We appreciate your support, First Smoke Family! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1h 52m
04/09/2023

Skateboarding to Building Global Brands, Launches Hot Sauce w/ The Kardashians, Diamond Supply Co. Ep. 108

Skateboarding to Building Global Brands, Diamond Cannabis, Launching Hot Sauce w/ Kardashians, Designing Diamond SupplyFirst Smoke family we have a big episode, Roll Up ! Nicky Diamonds the founder of Diamond Supply Co. a Global skateboard apparel and accessories company. Nick started the company in 1998, at the age of 19 with just $500. Today, Diamond Supply Co. is a multimillion-dollar business with a global reach. Diamond Supply Company has been in the streetwear and skateboard communities for over 20+ years. As a young San Francisco skater that had a plan to launch his own revolutionary skate hardware brand. At the heart of his plan was a new type of bolt, and the idea of getting all his buddies to ride for his Diamond skate team. The clothing and apparel took off, and eventually became the worldwide streetwear brand we see today, Diamond Supply Co. Still to this day one of the biggest players in skatewear and streetwear after all these years shows dedication and timelessness. In the almost two decades since they started, Diamond has collaborated with brands like Nike, Puma, Modelo, Asics, Chevrolet, Travis Scott, Retna, Muhammad Ali, Wiz Khalifa, Currency, Dave East, Slayer, P-Rod, Nyjah Huston, Boo Johnson, Mutant Ape, The Hundreds, Crooks & Castles, McDonald’s, Tyler, the Creator and so many more. Big Clouds type of episode ! Light Up it’s Nick Diamond of Diamond Supply Co.Connect with Nicky DiamondsInstagram - Nicky DiamondsInstagram - Diamond Supply Co.WebsiteFSOTD SponsorsDr. Dabber | IGGrow Generation | IGDrip Hydro | IGFSOTD LinksWebsite | YouTubeMake sure to tell all your friends and family to subscribe! Go register on the website for all the exclusive ad-free content, BTS, tutorials, and more! Please leave a 5-Star review! We appreciate your support, First Smoke Family! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
3h 1m
21/08/2023

Plants with Intelligence, Natural Death & Birth, Food as Medicine, What’s DEM certified?! Ep. 107

Plants with Intelligence, Natural Death & Birth, Food as Medicine, What’s DEM certified?!What is Regenerative Growing and Farming!? Why do we want to eat and breathe in plants that are grown organically, what is proper nourishment and using regenerative natural practices!? Get your bongs & Snodgrass pipes out for this one, we get into so many topics with the “Dragonfly Earth Medicine” family. We dive into sharing crops, sharing genetics and sharing energy. Why growing in natural practices is the future of getting back to the land. How the plant responds to natural practices. DEM Creating a worldwide family around these practices and techniques that seem so foreign to some and so natural to others. Why we feel the way we do when we eat quality grown foods and smoke positively grown organic cannabis. Speaking on DEM certification and what that means as well why organic flowers!? We even get into natural births and natural deaths. This is a special guest the FSOTD team has been insisting to get on for a while. Welcome DragonFly Earth Medicine to FSOTD!Connect with Dragon Fly Earth MedicineInstagramWebsiteFSOTD SponsorsDr. Dabber | IGGrow Generation | IGDrip Hydro | IGFSOTD LinksWebsite | Patreon | YouTubeMake sure to tell all your friends and family to subscribe! Go register on the website for all the exclusive ad-free content, BTS, tutorials, and more! Please leave a 5-Star review! We appreciate your support, First Smoke Family! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
3h 12m
24/07/2023

Korea $450 eighth, Lil Pump Tour, Drakeo, Building Million Dollar Brand Ep. 104

Korea $450 eighth, Lil Pump Tour, Drakeo, Building Million Dollar BrandFrom selling small batch clothes in a parking lot in downtown Los Angeles to becoming one of LA’s most sought after brands. This is a story that starts with passion, hustle, and focus with determination built a multi million dollar streetwear brand. Today we welcome Desto Dubb to First Smoke of the Day podcast owner and face of “Awful Lotta Cough Syrup.” We dive into Desto’s early background and how he hustled a street Dream one shirt at a time. Desto’s journey has been a full time hustle and grind since the very beginning. Developing his multimillion dollar clothing brand all while being a fully self funded, self-made entrepreneur and operator. Building brand hype one piece at a time and learning how tour merchandise is made while touring with Lil Pump. Desto’s most successful move creating “That’s an Awful Lotta Cough Syrup” was formed out of street culture inspiring Hip Hop and so birthed the massive popularity of “Lean” Culture. Awful Lot brand now has two separate brick and mortar locations in Los Angeles. The main flagship right on Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. From curating tons of successful relationships with Hip-Hop heavyweights like French Montana, Young Thug, Quavo, Coi Leray, Lil Pump and the late Drakeo The Ruler all repping the Brands designs and collabs in pictures and videos. Desto has many successful collabs across so many different industries and is also a heavily viewed podcast guest with appearances on shows like No Jumper & Bootleg Kev. Light Up with the newest looseleaf Collab they just dropped as “Awful lotta Loose Leaf” and listen to what it takes to find inspiration while turning a part time hustle into a game changing full time business for you and your entire families lives to change forever. Sit back and listen to Desto’s Inspirational Hustle.Connect with Desto DubbIG - personalIG - bizSiteFSOTD SponsorsDr. Dabber | IGGrow Generation | IGDrip Hydro | IGFSOTD LinksWebsite | Patreon | YouTubeMake sure to tell all your friends and family to subscribe! Go register on the website for all the exclusive ad-free content, BTS, tutorials, and more! Please leave a 5-Star review! We appreciate your support, First Smoke Family! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1h 59m
19/07/2023

Founders Police background, BIG Pharma, Alcohol, & Tobacco United against Cannabis, & Ghost Distro’s Ep. 103

Founders Police background, BIG Pharma, Alcohol, & Tobacco United against Cannabis, & Ghost Distro’sToday we have Glass House Brands a massive vertically integrated cannabis brand that focuses on all aspects of the cannabis process. Very controversial episode and we are here to ask tough questions. Glass house currently has the largest greenhouse cannabis cultivation in the United States. Boasting one million square feet of canopy and another four million of canopy in reserves they are ready to expand as soon as federal legalization passes. The company was founded by Kyle Kazan, Graham Farrar and Jocelyn Rosenwald in 2015 and is headquartered in Long Beach, CA with cultivation in central California. One of the owners being an ex-police officer we get into Kyle’s background and ask difficult questions about now owning a large cannabis brand and what that looks like trying to give back. Kyle’s life is an interesting one being a highly successful businessman in real estate, ex-police officer and also running very large (billion dollar) investment portfolios. Graham’s background is also an interesting one as a large scale cultivator with a successful entrepreneur background as well being a founding member of the company Sonos. We have a rare opportunity to sit down with Cannabis Freedom fighter Luke as well fresh out of 15 years of prison for cannabis. Speaking about what that was like and how it feels to be free! Today we light up and dive deep with glass house brand, their backgrounds and how they were able to play a role in getting Luke Free. Let’s try and ask the questions the industry is all wondering..Connect with Glass House BrandsInstagramSiteFSOTD SponsorsDr. Dabber | IGGrow Generation | IGDrip Hydro | IGFSOTD LinksWebsite | Patreon | YouTubeMake sure to tell all your friends and family to subscribe! Go register on the website for all the exclusive ad-free content, BTS, tutorials, and more! Please leave a 5-Star review! We appreciate your support, First Smoke Family! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2h 13m
10/07/2023

Running LA Marathon Blazing Blunts, Highest Host Ever, Smoking Pounds, Leaving B-Real TV Ep. 102

Running LA Marathon Blazing Blunts, Highest Host Ever, Smoking Pounds, Leaving B-Real TVIn today's episode of "First Smoke of the Day," we have a special guest joining us known by many aliases but we call him Adam Ill. Huge First Smoke family welcome to the Highest Host aka Mr. “WHAAAAAAAT.” Adam talks about his early beginnings with cannabis and starting to smoke at an early age. Passion for being on stage and hosting events as well as shows from early cannabis days. Now fast forward to being known all over the internet as a renowned smoker and passionate cannabis advocate. Adam brings authenticity, fun, levity and passion to the conversation today. We hear about Adams personal journey with cannabis but also how it has played a transformative role in his career and overall  life. Co Hosting shows such as Breal TV for a while and other successful internet shows he’s now focused on the future of hosting live shows, TV and Podcasts.  It’s only Up from here with the Highest Host in the room Adam Ill aka “Whaaaaaaat!!”Connect with Adam IllIG - PersonalIG - BizSiteFSOTD SponsorsDr. Dabber | IGGrow Generation | IGDrip Hydro | IGFSOTD LinksWebsite | Patreon | YouTubeMake sure to tell all your friends and family to subscribe! Go register on the website or Patreon for all the exclusive ad-free content, BTS, tutorials, and more! Please leave a 5-Star review! We appreciate your support, First Smoke Family! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2h 3m