First Smoke of The Day

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.

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.

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!

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

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

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

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.

Big Man Across the Pond: Lorenzo Dalo's Terps Army is Taking Over EuropeSome things are worth the wait, and this episode's guest definitely did not disappoint.Get ready for another exciting episode of First Smoke of the Day! We're hyped to bring you our long-awaited chat with Lorenzo Dalo, the world-trotting founder and CEO of Terps Army. Originally from Italy, Lorenzo got his humble start as a promoter for one of Barcelona's early cannabis clubs. Since then, Lorenzo has become one of the most significant players in the Euro game as the creative force behind Terps Army and their iconic Donut Joint. Lorenzo is credited with bringing the hash hole to the forefront of the cannabis world, and, in true Italian fashion, he's got a lot to say about the proper way to enjoy one.Sesh with us and enjoy our insightful chat with one of the most cultured guys in the scene as Lorenzo shares details about his path to success, his vision for the future, and his insider perspective on the state of the industry in Europe.Can't wait for our next drop? Subscribe to our channel and hit us up at FSOTD.com for sneak previews, exclusive merch deals, and early access to upcoming episodes!Want even more? Sign up on our site - FSOTD.com