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Published -
- February 23, 2020
- 9:31 am
Over the past 20 years, Franco Loja and Arjan Roskam, known as the “Kings of Cannabis,” have made millions of dollars scouring the world for unique strains of weed to breed and then sell.
Now, they’ve turned their sights on Equatorial Africa, specifically the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as their next gold mine — and a way to revolutionize the cannabis industry.
“Equatorial Africa is one the best preserved because of the wars, the lack of infrastructure, political unrest. All these situations created isolation there,” Loja explained. “So that’s where we’re going.”
Loja and Roskam built their global powerhouse on inbred strains of cannabis called “landraces” that they’ve collected from all over the world — Argentina, Australia, and Brazil, just to name a few spots. Without these strains, the duo’s various breeding enterprises, Amsterdam coffeeshops, and even distribution centers wouldn’t exist.
What challenges did the Green House Seeds team face while searching for the Congolese strain in the Congo rainforest?
The Democratic Republic of Congo is home to some of the world’s most unique and rarest cannabis strains. Among these is the Congolese weed strain, a rare and highly sought-after strain that is prized for its potent effects and one-of-a-kind flavors. In a new documentary, “The Kings of Cannabis,” the creators of the Amsterdam-based company Green House Seeds set out on a mission to find this rare Congolese strain and bring it back to Amsterdam to share with the world.
“The Kings of Cannabis” follows Arjan and Franco, two of the most renowned cannabis growers in the world, as they travel deep into the heart of the Congo in search of this elusive strain. This journey takes them through some of the most rugged terrains, with the goal of finding and preserving the highly coveted Congolese weed.
The Congo rainforest can be a hostile and challenging environment to navigate. Going up against dangerous wildlife, treacherous terrain, and the threat of armed militias is no easy task. Still, these cannabis experts venture into the heart of the country, determined to find the Congolese strain.
The Congolese strain is highly coveted due to its euphoric and uplifting effects. It’s a sativa-dominant strain that’s perfect for long, creative sessions and boosts energy and focus. The plant produces long, slender buds that are highly resinous and packed with THC, the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana.
The Green House Seeds team spent months looking for the perfect Congolese strain. After many setbacks, they finally discovered a grower in the remote village of Kikwit in the southwest of the country, who had been preserving the original Congolese strain for generations. In exchange for Arjan and Franco’s help in setting up a proper grow operation, the Congolese grower agreed to share his prized genetics with them.
After months of high-stakes negotiations, Arjan and Franco finally obtained the rights to reproduce the strain back in Amsterdam. They transported the seeds back to their headquarters, where they began growing and perfecting the plant, conserving its unique flavor and aroma.
The discovery and safekeeping of Congolese weed is an essential step in preserving rare cannabis strains that have been threatened by extinction in various parts of the world. It offers growers the opportunity to explore uncharted territory and store unique genetics that could be lost forever. It’s an example of how cannabis tourism can provide valuable insights into the culture and botanical richness of a nation while also providing a new revenue stream for growers and local businesses.
In conclusion, the search for the Congolese strain is a testament to the value of preserving rare cannabis strains and the role of cannabis tourism in promoting the conservation and cultivation of locally grown and sourced cannabis. It highlights how the preservation of these strains can benefit growers, tourists, and local communities alike while contributing to the study and understanding of the unique qualities and properties of cannabis strains worldwide.
