TasteMakers 2023: The Year Of The Terps
By Roddrick Taylor Certified Ganjier
2023 marked an Olympic year for the cannabis industry, witnessing events worldwide, from Spannabis in Spain to Terp Basel in Miami. Breeders engaged in competitions for genetics, recycling landrace cultivars through tissue sampling and acquiring seeds from faraway lands like Pakistan, cultivated for centuries.
The breeding competition aimed to develop a cultivar with medicinal and euphoric effects, devoid of hunger side effects, and another producing a relaxing body high without causing hunger. Research intensified to explore the benefits of various cannabis compounds.
Desired flavors were crossbred globally for competitions such as the Emerald Cup in California and the Australian Cannabis Cup in Nimbin, New South Wales. Notably, Kingston from Gas House in Miami continued to gain worldwide recognition, with internet traffic surges during their Pluto seed drop.
In 2023, seeds from various breeders became highly sought after as more states allowed adult recreational cannabis use and home cultivation. Anticipating 2024, both craft and commercial cannabis farmers, as well as home cultivators, are gearing up for cultivation, emphasizing the importance of “knowing what you grow.”
Last year saw the emergence of outstanding craft and commercial cannabis cultivars, including indoor and sun-grown varieties. Guava terpene hybrids, like Blue Guava and Guava Runtz, dominated early in the year, followed by underground breakouts like OG Pluto and Gumbo. Cultivars like Zkittles, Lemon Cherry Gelato, Runtz, and Gary Payton gained popularity. Local favorites, such as Canna Queen Genetics Company and Stoned Goat Farms, showcased their unique cultivars and terpene expressions.
Concentrates, traditional and bubble hashish, experienced a great year in 2023. Fine concentrates like Paletas and live rosins, particularly from companies like Man On The Mountain Melts and 710 LABS, gained acclaim. Craft producers like Frenchy Cannoli apprentices Cherry Blossom Belle and Lena of Cannam Garden Farms contributed to the diverse landscape of concentrates.
Despite the industry’s successes, challenges persisted due to cannabis being classified as a Schedule I narcotic. Strict regulations, taxes, and banking issues forced many small businesses to sell, merge, or close. Pricing and product availability varied between states, reflecting the diverse cannabis laws across the country.
2024 holds promise for changes in scheduling, fair taxing, and safer banking practices. The goal is to make cannabis easily accessible for adults 21 and older in every state, emphasizing standardized testing processes for cannabis compounds in testing labs.
The year 2023 in cannabis, as reviewed on [https://cannabisquery.com/], was both remarkable and challenging. As we enter 2024, expectations are high for further advancements in the industry, anticipating potential rescheduling or descheduling as Congress recognizes the numerous benefits of the cannabis plant. The competition for cured cannabis cultivars is on the horizon. We should experience new and rare genetics in the promising an exciting year ahead. Until next year.