David Hua

David Hua Author Profile

A Journey Through the Ganjier Experience CANNABIS EVENTS & CULTURE

Nestled deep in the heart of Humboldt County, surrounded by towering redwoods and the scent of fresh pine, we embarked on a journey that changed the way we see—and truly understand—cannabis. 

Through the Ganjier certification program, we explored the art, science, and soul of cannabis with a small group of passionate learners, guided by some of the industry's most respected experts. 

If you haven’t heard of the [Ganjier](https://www.ganjier.com/) program before, it’s often described as __the cannabis industry’s equivalent to a sommelier certification__—designed to elevate the standard for cannabis service, evaluation, and education. Developed by a council of respected experts, the Ganjier curriculum blends deep sensory analysis with cannabis business acumen and cultural history. 

The goal? To cultivate a new class of certified professionals who can assess cannabis quality with accuracy, guide consumer experiences with confidence, and champion the craft with care.

This immersive day wasn’t just educational—it was transformative. I’d love to take you along for the ride and offer a glimpse into what this unique experience is all about. 

![Humboldt](//downloads.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/5gbsuxzn6DY1k0XzztJyy1/fd642012707781b5fe6376cf7bac2839/241031_-_Ganjier_Campus-17.jpg)

---

### A Sacred Start in a Historic Dojo

We began our journey in a quiet dojo, once a kung fu training sanctuary, where the energy of discipline and respect lingered in the air. It was the perfect place to ground ourselves before diving into the deeply intentional practice of cannabis evaluation.

![Dojo](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/2slnY9p8pMykas7wcBDKHM/574f3666a0f15a5cd621e379ba658c76/241031_-_Ganjier_Campus-01.jpg)

--- 

### Learning the Language of Cannabis

Under the guidance of legacy legends Kevin Jodrey, Swami Chaitanya, and Wendy Kornberg, we learned how to evaluate flower with a trained eye—and nose. We explored trichomes, flower structure, terpene profiles, and the nuanced qualities that separate good cannabis from truly exceptional cannabis. We also learned from Nikka T, a master of hash and concentrates, whose deep expertise in solventless extraction added another dimension to our education.

This process wasn’t just about observation—it was about calibration. Speaking a shared language of quality allowed our group to develop a collective understanding, creating consistency in evaluation that felt both scientific and soulful.

This entire experience was made possible thanks to Max Simon, who co-founded the Ganjier program alongside a council of respected cannabis experts, including educators like Nick Tanem, Swami Chaitanya, Kevin Jodrey, and others. 

Inspired by the structure of wine sommeliers and cigar masters, they envisioned a rigorous, multi-disciplinary program that would raise the standard for cannabis appreciation, service, and expertise. Ganjier isn’t just a title—it’s a calling to serve the plant and community with integrity and intention. 

The depth of thought and collaboration that went into building the curriculum—from sensory evaluation to processing methodology and contemporary consumption—was evident in every moment of our experience.

![Cannabis Evaluation](//downloads.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/QMto2y6mneEVz28HMoE57/63b882e65234bdf1b30d745d86408976/241031_-_Ganjier_Campus-04.jpg)

![Guided by Legacy Cannabis Experts](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/2aKLyLKAjYI3HAoSJnQJD5/b88a6157ca62e0662127d5185f09f1b5/241031_-_Ganjier_Campus-12.jpg)

![A Shared Language for Quality](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/3xgAoDTvCyOFXCPV7h6m45/9fef0fd777a2da593811c14b0ef77c78/241031_-_Ganjier_Campus-08.jpg)

--- 

### Nourishment and Connection

Lunch was a comforting bowl of creamy soup, prepared by Chef Alex Scherma—also a certified Ganjier—using ingredients sourced entirely from the surrounding region. The meal reflected the values of the day: intention, locality, and care.

It wasn’t just food—it was fuel for deeper conversation, shared reflection, and connection with the people walking this path together. Huge thanks to Chef Alex for crafting such a thoughtful, seasonal dish that nourished both body and spirit.

![ A Nourishing Midday Break](//downloads.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/4TOI2EIvJLS5hnSN8V1C7w/32021fea5ba534bf43914d2d973fea3d/241031_-_Ganjier_Campus-06.jpg)

--- 

### Putting Knowledge Into Practice

In the afternoon, we put theory into action. Together, we evaluated flower samples, applying the Ganjier methodology with surprising alignment. Despite different backgrounds and perspectives, our results were strikingly similar—a testament to the clarity and structure of the training.

It was fascinating to see how our individual assessments translated into formal Ganjier scorecards—scoring categories like aroma, appearance, flavor, and experience using a shared rubric. One flower we evaluated—__Black Cherry Runtz from [Fallen Oak Farm](https://www.sclegacyfarms.com/fallen-oak-farm-salmon-creek-legacy-farm-humboldt-county-ca/)__—received an overall score of 88, with strong marks in experience (8.8) and aroma (7.5), highlighting the strain’s standout traits. 

![A Testament to the Ganjier Method](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/2VAtiDpImE0UxfPieNbdH3/7913e48fff6825db9e42d33b939d85d7/241031_-_Ganjier_Campus-05.jpg)

![Black Cherry Runtz Ganjier Scorecard](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/56I5IG16Ukmdw6e7BAKg1n/94263b4457250359bc67933bb6e1ec48/2025_Blog_OG_Image___1200_x_630_px___1_.png)

--- 

### Walking the Rows with Johnny Casali at Huckleberry Hill Farms

The day continued with a scenic trip to [Huckleberry Hill Farms](https://pickhumboldt.com/#about), home to the legendary Whitethorn Rose and a model for regenerative, sun-grown cannabis cultivation. We were welcomed by founder Johnny Casali, a second-generation Humboldt grower whose story is as powerful as the flower he produces.

In 1992, Johnny was arrested for cultivating cannabis on his family’s land—a nonviolent offense that led to a 10-year federal sentence due to mandatory minimum laws. After serving eight years, he returned home to a community that embraced him, and he has since become a vocal advocate for legacy farmers and equitable cannabis policy.

Johnny’s farm is more than a business—it’s a tribute to resilience, community, and the belief that cannabis can be grown in harmony with nature. With practices rooted in sustainability, biodiversity, and deep respect for the plant, Huckleberry Hill stands as a living example of what’s possible when tradition, advocacy, and environmental stewardship come together. Learn more about Huckleberry Hill Farms [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKf3qoZh0_E). 

![Arrival at Huckleberry Farms](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/5YhhUCRREsBuch7VxsHwzP/e1bbf06245e6c57654211afe7a077741/241031_-_Ganjier_Campus-19.jpg)

![Life is Good](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/3Gj1PvFsJW16AS5d60s0ty/5d1f0369c8e31aa54bfb9e95da47212b/241031_-_Ganjier_Campus-29.jpg)

![A Warm Welcome from Johnny Casali](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/2yykCV27fit3CGNL3gPW5t/454545cc49b640361e98d8fcd3f046c0/241031_-_Ganjier_Campus-28.jpg)

![Welcome to Huckleberry Hill Farms](//downloads.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/1GBm408BacDeiKYV4foDmm/03a4f23af61818d86a213777896c01e6/241031_-_Ganjier_Campus-19.jpg)

---

### Encountering Whitethorn Rose

While walking through the rows of sun-grown cannabis, one flower in particular stood out—Whitethorn Rose, a signature strain from Huckleberry Hill Farms. Visually striking and incredibly aromatic, this cultivar offered a complex bouquet that unfolded in layers: notes of fruit punch, creamy berry, soft florals, and earthy funk drifted through the air.

A cross between Lemon OG and Paradise Punch, Whitethorn Rose is beloved not just for its beauty but for its deeply expressive aroma profile. In a recent Ganjier review by [Fat Nugs Magazine](https://www.fatnugsmag.com/a-ganjier-review-of-whitethorn-rose-grown-by-huckleberry-hill-farms/#:~:text=Aroma,other%20cultivars%20I%20have%20tried), the strain was praised for being “as beautiful as it is fragrant,” with a scent experience described as unmatched by other cultivars. Tending to this plant and taking the time to evaluate it thoughtfully was a moment of stillness—a powerful reminder of how intentional cultivation can elevate not just a product, but an experience.

![Among the Flowers](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/7vZxlOGMWeixuSrDZMLQLS/616bb6a4a53939e8deb7a9a76ed55a56/241031_-_Ganjier_Campus-24.jpg)

![First Glance: Whitethorn Rose](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/4s5paSqSo7JVTh5Q4iiCr3/3454a3cd46cf71f103329be2fe1f4e63/241031_-_Ganjier_Campus-21.jpg)

![A Fragrance with Depth](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/31ZEsvJbAtGUXG8q4jHCMI/c76a0edfa5a42991cf12a57909ba79c2/241031_-_Ganjier_Campus-22.jpg)

![Signs of Intention at Huckleberry Hill](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/5rdJ1RCQ86qMzx3R79jxFa/a934d1280b6f99b4375cb64ffcbecb4c/241031_-_Ganjier_Campus-20.jpg)

![Whitethorn Rose in Full Bloom](//downloads.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/6qzTxhAx6ThuFcwsvELRwo/4728f75cd9878f63f17feb5b4874b506/241031_-_Ganjier_Campus-21.jpg)

---

### A Moment to Reflect

As the sun began to set, we gathered for a heartfelt closing ceremony—a final moment to reflect on everything we had learned, seen, and felt throughout the day. The Ganjier experience deepened our respect for cannabis not just as a product, but as a plant with profound cultural, sensory, and environmental significance. Like fine wine or craft chocolate, truly exceptional cannabis deserves thoughtful evaluation, shared language, and deep appreciation.

We’re deeply grateful for the craft, the teachers, and the community members who continue to walk this path—those who choose to keep learning, sharing, and uplifting one another through this powerful plant.

![Reflection: More Than a Plant](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/Xuod7bJGCr9a9LUPWRNdA/5c553451800062b7d23337b1fda3aff3/241031_-_Ganjier_Campus-31.jpg)

![Gratitude in Stone](//downloads.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/47w7yHg5jzmMdxwoH1gu8f/b352c8e099be43d8caffc63e7f3bfc93/241031_-_Ganjier_Campus-30.jpg)

---

### Closing Ceremony & Lasting Gratitude

We ended the day with a closing ceremony—a quiet acknowledgment of everything we had learned, experienced, and felt. The Ganjier experience reminded us that cannabis is worthy of reverence. 

![Gratitude for the Ganjier Journey](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/18pLjcqXAuQw81juF6m7EG/334dbe84f8c310331236e1960fe6e990/241031_-_Ganjier_Campus-03.jpg)

![Closing with Gratitude](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/i8kC6vtQAa3xmT88pmdLr/95205e267e41733ff0d11f9b65d7ff33/image__6_.png)

We left Humboldt with  a stronger connection to the people, plants, and practices shaping the future of cannabis. Whether you're a curious enthusiast or an industry professional, the Ganjier program is a powerful reminder of how far intention, education, and community can take you.

__Special thanks to the Ganjier guides who made this experience so impactful—Wendy, Swami, Amanda, Nick, Kevin, and Derek. Your passion, wisdom, and generosity continue to elevate the cannabis community. We’re grateful to learn from you and excited to carry this knowledge forward.__

A Journey through the Ganjier Experience

Explore the Ganjier experience in Humboldt.

A Journey Through the Ganjier Experience: Honoring Craft Cannabis in Humboldt

David Hua, founder of Meadow cannabis POS, weighs in on wWhat it's like to judge the Emerald Cup cannabis vape carts category

What it's like to Judge the Emerald Cup cannabis vape carts

By [David Hua, CEO & Co-Founder of Meadow](https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhua/ "David Hua, CEO & Co-Founder of Meadow")

In the early spring of 2021, I was given the honor of helping judge [The Emerald Cup](https://theemeraldcup.com), which is Northern California's destination for cannabis, and the largest cannabis competition in the world. This event has become a sought-after annual celebration that honors the finest sungrown cannabis harvests of California. Shoutout to the farmers; The Golden State is truly home to the best cannabis in the world.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the 2021 cup to become a digital event with safety protocols that were unlike previous years — we were not able to gather in person to smoke and sample all of the products — but I was honored to be a part of the historic gathering (even if it meant we were gathering on Zoom and tasting our own, sanitized supply of products — there would be no communal *puff, puff, pass* this year).

**I received my Emerald Cup judges kit for the 2021 vape cartridges category in early February, which included six CO2 cartridges, 17 distillate cartridges, and 44 live resin cartridges—I had a total of 67 vape cartridges to score.** My team consisted of 7 other vape cart judges, all fellow cannabis entrepreneurs, advocates and operators:

- Eliza Maroney, Co-Founder, Lucky Box Club
- Amit 'Bamboo' Vachher-Gnanathurai, Nursery & Plant Breeding Manager, Posibl Project
- Arian Roman, CEO/Founder, Alysida Health, KushQueen, MyCanna
- Del Potter, Chief Science Officer, Leef Labs/Aya Biosciences
- El Rock, NorCal Territory Executive, Phinest Cannabis
- Etienne Fontan, Vice President and Co-Owner of Berkeley Patients Group
- Nicole Powell, Head of Procurement

We each had our work cut out for us. Each judge was asked to submit our top 3 favorite products for the CO2 and Distillate category, and the top 10 for Live Resin since there were so many. Our combined scores would then be added up and analyzed to find the collective winners for this year's Emerald Cup.

<callout align="left">
### __What's the difference between a cannabis cartridge containing C02, Distillate and Live Resin?__

In short: These are the three most common extraction techniques that cannabis manufacturers use to extract cannabis oil.

__C02: __ 
Extracted from dried and cured plants using cooled CO2; often, food-grade terpenes or terpenes derived from cannabis are added back into the oil to create flavored pens.

__Distillate:__
Similar to CO2 extraction, just with more refinement and processing, using pressure, steam and heat to separate components through distillation. Color is often light yellow to golden honey colored. Sometimes terpenes are added to create a thinner product (easier to vape).

__Live Resin:__
After harvest, cannabis plants are flash frozen and kept in subcritical temperatures throughout the extraction process, preserving their flavorful profiles, cannabinoids and natural terpenes. Includes concentrates, budders, waxes.

</callout> 

Scoring for The Emerald Cup is based on a number of factors: we were to give each product a number based on the experience, oil appearance, onset, vaporization, effect, and "uniqueness" which encompassed things like packaging, hardware and any other standout features.

I had my scoring spreadsheet ready to fill in for each product; it was time to create a strategy for how I was going to make my way through the pile of cannabis packages. I had just a little over a month to judge the category, which meant I needed to be tasting and judging a least 2 carts a day; I knew I wanted to have time at the end of the month to compare notes and re-taste standout products.

![Emerald Cup 2021 vape cartridges judging](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/2zlaqCkyZtCf6qZ3oLQaNw/8ecaf2f730cad9f7d028b7841712c0a1/4.png)

Before starting the judging, I completed a 30-day cannabis detox, something I do every year to clean out my endocannabinoid system. (Fun fact: most of the time people call me "Hua," my last name, but it's a joke around the office that I become "David" when I go that long without weed. I become another person; cannabis helps me be calm and patient and I am less of both of those things when I'm fully sober).

Eager to get cannabis back into my body, I dumped all of the products on a big table in the backyard of Meadow HQ. At first glance, I saw several brands I recognized: Alien Labs, Flow Kana, Jetty, Raw Garden, Heavy Hitters, Legion of Bloom, Chemistry, and Beezle. There were also some new brands in the mix that I was excited to get to know. I compared the physical inventory on hand with my spreadsheet of products; I added dates on the spreadsheet next to the products I would taste each day throughout the coming month, and organized the physical inventory of products into C02, distillate, and live resin piles to make it easy to grab a new pen for each tasting session. I was to start with the C02 pens and taste them all in a row, then move to distillate, and wrap up with live resin, so that I could compare the pens to the others in their category before moving on to the next type of product.

For the next five weeks, I tried to sample each vape cartridge on it's own (most days I tasted one cart each morning and one each afternoon); I wanted to be able to judge how each concentrate affected me, both the onset of the high and how long the experience lasted, which required giving each product its own time and space to linger and the experience to unfold. As I began to taste different products, I began to get a better sense of the subtle differences between each cart—some of the distillates overdid it with syrupy fruit flavors that covered up the actual taste of cannabis; some live resins were so terpy, I sneezed as if I'd just stuck my nose in a field of spring flowers. I liked to see the variance in color—some were golden yellow syrups while others were like thick brown molasses. The [Bloomfield vape carts](https://thebloomfieldco.com/ "Bloomfield vape carts") (both Notorious THC Live Terpene and Sauce Distillate Cartridge and Pineapple Muffin Live Terpene and Sauce Distillate Cartridge) got extra points in my 'uniqueness' category for listing the full cannabinoid content on the packaging; I'd like to see more concentrates brands give consumers this kind of fuller picture of what's actually inside to help them understand more about the subtle nuances of the plant. We should encourage consumers to think about more than just the THC content.

It was challenging to pick the winners; I've never experienced so many different vape pens in my life, and the subtle (and sometimes bold) differences between all of them was impressive. The experience left me with a deeper respect for the farmers, the manufacturers, the hardware makers, the lab testers, and all of the other hands that go into crafting these clean, high quality cannabis products. At the end of the judging window, I added up the numbers in each category, triple checked my math, tasted and retasted products, and confirmed my scores.

The products that I personally gave the highest scores and was most excited about were the Blue River Chocolate Orange Jelly Sauce Cartridge from fresh baked x Blue River, and the Arcata Fire Live resin Runtz cape from ArcataX x Great Expectations Farm x Lightwork Distributors. I was glad to see they each took first place in their respective categories; the other judges clearly had good taste! 

[Blue River Chocolate Orange Jelly Sauce Cartridge](https://www.blueriverterps.com/products/blue-river-jellysauce-cart "Blue River Chocolate Orange Jelly Sauce Cartridge") (2021 Winner of The Emerald Cup [Cartridges, Distillate](https://theemeraldcup.com/2021-award-winners?_sft_contest_categories=cartridges-distillate "Cartridges, Distillate") Category)

- fresh baked x Blue River

- Category: Cartridges, Distillate

- Origin: Los Angeles County

My tasting notes: The orange chocolate flavor combination is solid and smooth; it tastes   rich and luxe, not like some of the other overly pungent fruity flavors. It would make a great dessert smoke. I also liked the "Draw Indicator" feature on the custom battery to help control the size of the hit (great for those morning tasting sessions before conference calls). 

**ARCATA FIRE LIVE RESIN VAPE – RUNTZ** (2021 Winner of The Emerald Cup [Cartridges, Live Resin](https://theemeraldcup.com/2021-award-winners?_sft_contest_categories=cartridges-live-resin "Cartridges, Live Resin") Category)

- [ArcataX](https://arcatax.com/ "ArcataX") x Great Expectations Farm x   Lightwork Distributors

- Category: Cartridges, Live Resin

- Origin: Humboldt County

My tasting notes: In addition to having a great taste, oil appearance,   taste, effect and experience, this product got bonus points from me in the uniqueness category for the following reasons:

- They use a ceramic (not plastic) cartridge made by [AVD](https://avd710.com/ "AVD710.com") which helped with flavor and temperature control. In addition to being a better experience for the consumer, in general I like to see the industry move away from single-use plastic and find ways to create more sustainable products.

- Local [SunGrown Packaging](https://www.sungrownpackaging.com/ "SunGrown Packaging"), made in Oakland. I like to see California cannabis companies supporting other homegrown California businesses.

I actually liked the Arcata House of Extracts carts so much that I reached out to [ArcataX on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/arcatax/ "Arcata House of Extracts Instagram: @arcatax"); they said [Sonoma Patient's Group](https://www.sonomapatientgroup.com/ "Sonoma Patient's Group website") was the closest dispensary to me that carried their products.  I used their online menu to place an order for several different types of their cartridges, and picked it up several days later. When something is this good, it's worth the 60-minute drive from San Francisco to Santa Rosa, and you want to have extras to share with fellow cannaisseurs.

![Arcata Fire House of Extracts](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/6hPhlvz4Jzx6abnDraHUK3/6f6295b097fc9e733c071814c60c1166/what_it-s_like_to_judge_the_emerald_cup.png)

I loved learning more about the different types of extractions and having this opportunity to taste California's best cannabis oils, and find new things to enjoy and share with my community. 

Below are the top 3 winners in each category; view the full list of the 2021 award winners at [The Emerald Cup website](https://theemeraldcup.com/2021-award-winners "The Emerald Cup website").

![Emerald Cup Top 3 Distillate Cartridges](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/7Byz5z5ooFUuRPYLkylkMr/2c6fd2d181c500d62c4ab58f94a352cb/3.png)

![Emerald Cup Top 3 Co2 Cartridges](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/7uEO2gUbDPwzQkGfzm7oZn/cc1c35f45f16911990eb896f6e9ce6b8/2.png)

![2021 Emerald Cup Top 3 Live Resin Cartridges](//images.ctfassets.net/6kwu1u6s8j23/3i3vN7H6mPI09W6g8u8UHx/f1043191ac36e615264a9bb99358aa22/1.png)

__Below is the full top 10 winners for the Live Resin cartridges:__

1st place: ARCATA FIRE LIVE RESIN VAPE – RUNTZ, ArcataX x Great Expectations Farm x Lightwork Distributors

2nd place: URSA LIQUID DIAMOND SAUCE CARTRIDGE “TAR HILL PINK LEMONADE”
URSA EXTRACTS, Bear Extraction House x Tar Hill Cannabis

3rd place: URSA NOVA BLUEBERRY MUFFIN CARTRIDGE, URSA Extracts

4th place: BANANA CREME – SOLVENTLESS VAPE, Jetty Extracts

5th place: KRYPTOCHRONIC – LIVE RESIN PEN, Alien Labs

6th place: LEMONATTI – LIVE RESIN PEN, Connected Cannabis

7th place: URSA EXTRACTS LEMON SUPER GLUE LIQUID DIAMOND SAUCE, URSA Extracts

8th place: ALIEN MINTS – LIVE RESIN PEN, Alien Labs

9th place: COLLINS AVE – PINK ROZAY 0.5G CARTRIDGE, ArcataX x 1L Garden Supply

10th place: CRESCO X FLORACAL MENTHOLOTTI – LIQUID LIVE RESIN, SLO Cultivation Inc. dba Cresco Labs x Floracal Farms

---

Shout out to the Taylor, Vicki, Tim; The Emerald Cup team worked so hard to organize everything remotely, safely delivering judges kits and making sure this historic event continued, despite the chaos of a global pandemic. It was a bright spot in my COVID quarantine and I'm grateful for the opportunity to participate and get to know more brands and products in our California cannabis community.

__>> Learn more about Meadow's role in other [cannabis events](https://getmeadow.com/community-and-events "cannabis events") in California__

Go inside the experience of judging this historic cannabis cup 

Posts by David Hua

A Journey Through the Ganjier Experience: Honoring Craft Cannabis in Humboldt

What's It Like to Judge The Emerald Cup Contest