Robert Clarke and Todd McCormick sit down with First Smoke of the Day to talk about the real history behind cannabis, from the early days of Hashish to the evolution of genetics, cultivation, and medical research that shaped today’s industry.

In this deep-dive conversation, Robert and Todd share firsthand stories about the origins of hash culture in America, the global journey to preserve plant genetics, and what the future holds for growers, breeders, and cannabis education.

This episode is for every cultivator, breeder, and enthusiast who wants to understand where the culture came from and where it’s going next. 

🎧 Watch now to hear stories that defined cannabis history and inspired a new generation of growers.

From Senior Savvy Cannabis: What if everything you’ve been told about sativa and indica is wrong?  In this episode, I...

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” ― Hippocrates

I am going to share with you my recipe for health and well-being. Over 20 years ago I was already rather high and staring at my Marinol bottle, earlier that day I had just used an A/B two-part epoxy earlier that day to fix something in my house, and it got me thinking about how cannabis works to help and heal our bodies. 

If cannabis was approaching you with all of it’s healing powers, in one hand would be the trichomes that contain the cannabinoids and terpenes, and in the other hand, would be the hemp seed, with its complex proteins and perfect balance of essential fatty acids.

In this episode, I interview Todd McCormick, who has over 40 years of experience in the garden. We discuss how modern breeding methods are transforming old-school genetics and what that means for the future of cultivation.

If you have questions, we have answers, please see this page.

Please enjoy a free copy: Click the image of the book for a free PDF copy:

Like almost everything else about growing excellent Cannabis, germinating your seeds successfully is pretty simple.

What are the primary colors of cannabis? Check out this article written by Todd McCormick to find out!

Northern Lights is easily one of the most popular cannabis varieties in the world. Initially bred in and around Seattle by a small group of growers in the 70’s, it quickly turned into an international phenomenon. 

When the cannabis taxonomy was first being written in 1753, Carl Linnaeus was essentially aware of only one type of cannabis: the European hemp variety of Cannabis that he added the suffix “sativa”, which at the time simply meant to grow or to sow. This type of cannabis was used industrially for ropes, cloth, paper, paints and varnishes, but surprisingly, not for the drug content.

With this glossary, we want to offer the Authentic Genetics community our best understanding of some important words and terms we all share and use every day. 

Authentic Genetics is dedicated to preserving the legacy and heirloom genetics that have circulated within the community for the last 50 years and beyond.

Thiols, also known as mercaptans, are found in a wide range of natural products, including fruits, vegetables, and herbs. In cannabis, thiols are produced by the plant in response to their environment and are believed to have a protective role in the plant's defense against pathogens and other stressors.

Of all the varieties that I have grown, "Skunk" has to be the most requested and also the least understood. Many people think it is a variety, when in reality, it is more of a description of one of the many distinctive scents of cannabis found in Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Hindu Kush mountains. 

Cannabis cloning is a crucial technique for growers seeking to replicate specific strains and maintain genetic consistency. Successful cloning requires careful attention to detail and the use of appropriate tools and methods. In this article, we will explore the process of cannabis cloning using Hormex #8 rooting hormone, water with a pH of 5.8 and a nutrient concentration of 350 ppm, Grodan rooting cubes, 10x20 trays, and humidity domes.

I receive a lot of email from new growers who are asking me really fundamental questions about how to handle their seeds and how to set up their grow so I figured I would take a few minutes and share with you the steps that I take when I sort through a pack of seeds.