James Loud Podcast

The legend returns.In this special edition of the James Loud Podcast, we take a deep dive into the untold history of GDP — Grand Daddy Purple — the iconic Bay Area strain that changed the game forever. Once the most sought-after flower in California, GDP dominated dispensaries, music culture, and underground markets before mysteriously fading away. Now, James Loud is bringing it back.Joining the show are Jason Washington and Luke Scarmazzo — two legacy operators with firsthand experience during the golden era of Northern California genetics. Jason Washington, founder of Plants Over Pills and Kulture, built one of Montana’s largest early medical operations before serving federal prison time and returning to build purpose-driven brands focused on community and plant-based wellness. Luke Scarmazzo, co-founder of Prophet Brands and author of High Price, served nearly 15 years in federal prison after opening one of California’s first state-legal dispensaries in Modesto. Together, they break down the rise of GDP in the early 2000s, the Bay Area culture that made it legendary, and why the real cut stood apart from everything else on the market. From underground grow houses and old-school genetics to modern hype strains, branding, legalization, and the future of legacy flower, this episode captures a piece of history from the people who lived it. This isn’t just nostalgia — it’s a conversation about preserving genetics, honoring legacy operators, and bringing authentic flavor back to the culture. Keep your eyes open… GDP is coming back.Follow James Loud:Instagram: https://instagram.com/JamesLoudInstagram: http://instagram.com/jamesloudpodcast/Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-loudFollow Plants Over Pills:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plantsoverpills/Follow Luke Scarmazzo:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukescarmazzo/Produced by Gears and GritInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gears.and.grit/About the James Loud Podcast:Hosted by award-winning breeder, author, and innovator James Loud, the show explores the art, science, and culture of modern plant genetics, sustainable cultivation, and community storytelling. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, James brings decades of experience, creativity, and insight to every episode.In 2024, the show was honored as Podcast of the Year by the International Industry Awards for its commitment to education, storytelling, and innovation. Each week features voices from across the creative and agricultural worlds — all united by passion, authenticity, and craftsmanship.Join us on this award-winning journey as we explore the future of cultivation, creativity, and culture.

Network's High Supply Show 2026!We went inside one of LA’s biggest cannabis trade shows with James Loud to connect with top names in the industry.From exclusive interviews to behind-the-scenes moments, this episode gives you a real look at the cannabis community, the people driving the culture, and what’s really happening inside a B2B cannabis event.This is 1 hour of real conversations, networking, and insight from leaders in the legal cannabis industry, including growers, brands, and innovators shaping the future.If you're into cannabis business, cultivation, branding, or industry networking — this is for you.🎥 Featuring:• Cannabis industry leaders• Live interviews• Trade show access (Los Angeles)• Behind-the-scenes content• Networking in the cannabis spaceSubscribe for more content around cannabis culture, business, and behind-the-scenes access.Follow James Loud:Instagram: https://instagram.com/JamesLoudInstagram: http://instagram.com/jamesloudpodcast/Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-loudProduced by BenjiInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/_benjiblancoAbout the James Loud Podcast:Hosted by award-winning breeder, author, and innovator James Loud, the show explores the art, science, and culture of modern plant genetics, sustainable cultivation, and community storytelling. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, James brings decades of experience, creativity, and insight to every episode.In 2024, the show was honored as Podcast of the Year by the International Industry Awards for its commitment to education, storytelling, and innovation. Each week features voices from across the creative and agricultural worlds — all united by passion, authenticity, and craftsmanship.Join us on this award-winning journey as we explore the future of cultivation, creativity, and culture.

On this episode of the James Loud Podcast, we sit down with Jason Washington, founder of Plants Over Pills and the visionary behind Kulture. From Division 1 football to building multi-state businesses, Jason’s journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and purpose.Jason shares his raw story, from becoming one of the largest providers in Montana’s early medical market to facing federal raids, prison time, and rebuilding his life from scratch . What came out of that experience is a mission-driven approach to business, focused on education, community impact, and helping people move away from dependency on pharmaceuticals toward plant-based alternatives.We dive deep into the creation of Plants Over Pills, a brand designed to challenge the status quo and spark real change. Jason breaks down the strategy behind building meaningful brands in a crowded market, why purpose matters more than hype, and how initiatives like scholarship funding for addiction recovery are being integrated directly into the business model. This is entrepreneurship with intention, not just profit.From industry realities and market struggles to legacy, fatherhood, and personal growth, this episode goes far beyond business. It’s about perspective, accountability, and building something that actually matters.Subscribe for more real conversations with founders, operators, and innovators shaping the future.Follow James Loud:Instagram: https://instagram.com/JamesLoudInstagram: http://instagram.com/jamesloudpodcast/Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-loudFollow Plants Over Pills:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plantsoverpills/Produced by Gears and GritInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gears.and.grit/About the James Loud Podcast:Hosted by award-winning breeder, author, and innovator James Loud, the show explores the art, science, and culture of modern plant genetics, sustainable cultivation, and community storytelling. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, James brings decades of experience, creativity, and insight to every episode.In 2024, the show was honored as Podcast of the Year by the International Industry Awards for its commitment to education, storytelling, and innovation. Each week features voices from across the creative and agricultural worlds — all united by passion, authenticity, and craftsmanship.Join us on this award-winning journey as we explore the future of cultivation, creativity, and culture.

On this episode of the James Loud Podcast, we sit down with the legendary Ed Rosenthal—one of the most influential authors and educators of all time. Known as the “Guru of Ganja,” Ed has spent decades shaping modern cultivation, writing bestselling books, and contributing to publications like High Times. His work has educated generations of growers, builders, and innovators, laying the foundation for the entire modern scene.In this conversation, Ed reflects on his incredible journey—from early activism in the 1960s to helping shift public opinion and push legalization forward. He shares behind-the-scenes stories of writing some of the first widely read cultivation books, working with scientists and universities, and being part of pivotal moments that changed the course of the industry forever. This is real history from someone who lived it and helped build it.We also dive deep into the evolution of cultivation, extraction, and global genetics—from Northern California to Morocco to India. Ed breaks down how techniques evolved, what the future could look like (including biotech and personalized formulations), and why preserving original plant genetics is more important now than ever. His perspective bridges old-school knowledge with forward-thinking ideas you won’t hear anywhere else.If you care about the roots of the culture, the science behind the plant, and where everything is headed next, this is a must-watch episode.Subscribe to the James Loud Podcast for more conversations with pioneers, innovators, and legends shaping the future.Follow James Loud:Instagram: https://instagram.com/JamesLoudInstagram: http://instagram.com/jamesloudpodcast/Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-loudFollow Ed Rosenthal:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edrosenthal420/Produced by Gears and GritInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gears.and.grit/About the James Loud Podcast:Hosted by award-winning breeder, author, and innovator James Loud, the show explores the art, science, and culture of modern plant genetics, sustainable cultivation, and community storytelling. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, James brings decades of experience, creativity, and insight to every episode.In 2024, the show was honored as Podcast of the Year by the International Industry Awards for its commitment to education, storytelling, and innovation. Each week features voices from across the creative and agricultural worlds — all united by passion, authenticity, and craftsmanship.Join us on this award-winning journey as we explore the future of cultivation, creativity, and culture.

On this episode of the James Loud Podcast, James sits down with Noel, founder and operator of Sun Extractions, a cutting-edge extraction company based in New Jersey. Noel is a longtime industry pioneer whose journey spans decades—from the underground Northern California scene to building licensed operations on the East Coast. His experience bridges legacy cultivation, early concentrate innovation, and modern large-scale production.In this conversation, Noel shares incredible stories from the early days, including the rise of iconic genetics like Headband and Sour, the evolution of concentrates, and the experimentation that helped shape today’s extraction techniques. From the origins of live resin to the transition into regulated markets, this episode dives deep into how flavor, aroma, and technique have driven innovation over the years—and why those fundamentals still matter more than ever.James and Noel also break down the current state of the industry, comparing West Coast and East Coast markets, discussing product trends like vape technology and solventless vs hydrocarbon extraction, and exploring where things are headed over the next five years. Beyond the business, Noel opens up about resilience, rebuilding after loss, and what it takes to stay passionate and successful in an ever-changing landscape.If you’re into cultivation, extraction, genetics, or the real history behind the modern market, this is a must-watch episode packed with knowledge and perspective.Subscribe to the James Loud Podcast for more conversations with innovators, builders, and pioneers shaping the future.Follow James Loud:Instagram: https://instagram.com/JamesLoudInstagram: http://instagram.com/jamesloudpodcast/Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-loudFollow Sun Extractions:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunextractions/Produced by Gears and GritInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gears.and.grit/About the James Loud Podcast:Hosted by award-winning breeder, author, and innovator James Loud, the show explores the art, science, and culture of modern plant genetics, sustainable cultivation, and community storytelling. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, James brings decades of experience, creativity, and insight to every episode.In 2024, the show was honored as Podcast of the Year by the International Industry Awards for its commitment to education, storytelling, and innovation. Each week features voices from across the creative and agricultural worlds — all united by passion, authenticity, and craftsmanship.Join us on this award-winning journey as we explore the future of cultivation, creativity, and culture.