An Interview with Scott Reach of Rare Dankness

Growers Network would like to thank Scott for taking the time to speak with us today. We also wanted to add that our whole Canna Cribs production team was extremely impressed with the Rare Dankness facility, and it was a real privilege to be let inside this amazing operation.

Editor's Note: Scott’s episode of Canna Cribs is here! Check it out below! Don't forget to like the video and subscribe to our channel!

Hello Scott. Thanks again for taking the time to talk with us today. I'm wondering if you can you tell us a little bit about how you became involved with Cannabis?

Living in NY, started using cannabis to not have to take narcotics. I was a bicyclist, worked in the bicycling industry, a few broken collarbones, a few broken ribs over the years and cannabis was easier on my system than the narcotics.

That's a really great testimonial about the healing power of cannabis. Can you tell us how you then transitioned to professional cannabis grower?

I love plants, I’m a southern kid, grew up with gardens and farming with my granddad, and weed was expensive in NY, 600 an ounce, so it was really a way to avoid paying street prices.

What makes The Rare Dankness brand so special?

We were one of the few mom and pop brands that started grass roots style with the culture and today we’re looked at as one of the top brands in the world. We do every from genetics - where I got my start - all the way to manufacturing, production, licencing, we have a plethora of things going on.

What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in the industry since you got started?

Price (laughs). No, I think technology and innovation has changed. When this manifested, everyone just kind of started with their basement grow made bigger. Then, over time, we’ve added automation, technology, the concentrate production demands high-level chemistry, so there’s a lot more legitimacy - in addition to the price slide.

Any predictions for the future of the cannabis industry?

In the next 3 years you’ll see global legalization to an extent, whether or not the US follows suit we just don't know. My belief has always been that the US is dragging its feet until pharma companies can lock up specific cannabinoids - THC and whatnot. The US has a stranglehold within its area, but you look at countries like Canada, South America, and even China, everyone else is looking to monetize, whether it’s through pharmaceutical application or other countries doing a lot more hemp stuff.

With the farm bill passing and the increased demand for hemp-derived CBD, does Rare Dankness have any plans to enter the hemp market?

We’ve consulted on a few projects, one in Switzerland, a couple here state side. I was previously involved with Elite Cannabis. So we’ve dabbled a little bit, but my focus has always been on the THC side. I’m always willing to help, but it’s a lane I don’t really want to swing into as big as what we do on the THC side.

Any advice for growers trying to enter the professional space?

Yeah, the science is equally important to the culture, so things like micro-prop, disease and pests, marketing, branding, the global cannabis network are more important than ever. The days of the master grower are kind of long gone. Everything is run by computer and by people with that technical training and background. So school and passion are equally important.

Last question, what is Scott Reach's favorite cannabis cultivar?

I like the Starkiller 338, a specific phenotype we developed at House of Dankness when we were making seeds here in Colorado. We do a lot of testing on those for phenotypic variation, and seed 338 out of one of our test batches, was probably one of the most special plants I’ve seen in nearly 20 years of growing.

What do you think, readers? Want to hear more from Scott Reach? Check out our on-site interview with Scott, as well as the trailer for Canna Cribs episode 6 at Rare Dankness below. Want to talk directly with professional growers like Scott? Click the "Join Now" button at the bottom of this page and start a conversation, ask a question, or just read some great info available only to our members!