Spannabis 2023 | Barcelona, Spain
2023 has been an astonishing year for Spannabis attendees, cannabis brands, and influencers who meet up at the world’s premier cannabis conference to swap cultures, genetics and share generations of cannabis knowledge. This is our recap article featuring some notable breeders, social clubs, friends and more.
Spannabis is largely a celebration of genetics and the lovely gardens in which they are cultivated. The festival has some accessories such as PuffCo who won best vaporizer with their new PuffCo Peak Pro model. However, most attention is rightly reserved for breeders who are famous or about to become so.
Spannabis Champions Cup 2023 Awards
Best Stand – CANNA
Best Seed Bank – BSF Seeds
Best Nutrient – Bloom Stimulator por BAC
Best Cultivation Product – PureLED PRO 680 por Plantasur
Best Post Cultivation Product – Terps Spray por Cali Terpenes
Best Paraphernalia Product – Cupsy por Puffco
Best Hemp Product – La Original por Cannabeer
Best CBD Product – Kritikal Bilbo CBD Balsam por Genehtik
Best Vaporizer – Peak Pro por Puffco
Best New Product – Rokzbastic por Atami
Nat Pennington, Humboldt Seed Company
I first saw Humboldt Seed Company at Spannabis in 2019 where they had a humble table with black cloth backdrop, which displayed the black and white Humboldt Seed Co. moniker. Fast forward to 2023, Humboldt has an impressive custom booth setup with hardwood natural looks. The team is serving the customers and translating their verbal orders through the different European accents.
“Jelly Donuts, California Octane, Blueberry Muffins!”
Customers are shouting out final additions to orders as the queue shifts forward. Next in line is a Polish gentleman who places his order and then begins proudly showing off harvest photos from last year’s Humboldt Seed Co. Genetics.
Cannabis enthusiasts perusing the menu were able to enjoy scratch & sniff cards along with an interactive 3d display by @eriknugshots called the Nugatron.
I asked Nat Pennington about some of his customers favorite strains that are worth noting from the conference.
"We love some of the older ones that are really starting to come into themselves. We love the OG Kush, and we are really proud of the OG Kush because it breeds true. It’s 100% true breeding. Some of the older strains are really coming into their own, and we have so many different reasons to be proud of them. Poddy Mouth is a great strain for the outdoor growers, because it looks as good or better than indoor production much of the time."
Pennington explains what I already know to be the unfortunate truth.
"California, right now, is in a state of shock, a shell shock, from the economic circumstances. Especially in the Emerald Triangle, they have allowed so much cannabis to be grown in SoCal that it just wrecks the economy in the Emerald Triangle. It makes it worth a lot less.”
Just then we are interrupted by a customer asking for ‘feminizado’ - feminized Seeds in Spanish. Nat sets him up with a pack of seeds and a smile. The man smiles back and initiates a handshake of heartfelt gratitude. You can tell this is why Pennington and his family continue to cultivate these certified strains. For the sake of his fellow growers in Humboldt and all of the Emerald Triangle. We hope that the policy for importing and exporting can catch up before we lose anymore of these amazing farms and families. They truly are responsible for some of the finest cannabis in the world. And like wine or beer, the best of it should be made available to the markets for the best-selling price.
Terphogz's, USA
Terphogz is a renowned cannabis breeding company that is known for developing some of the most highly sought-after cannabis strains in the world. The company was founded by breeders Tony Mendo & Green R. Fieldz, who combined their skills and knowledge to create some of the most unique and flavorful cannabis strains available today. Terphogz has earned a reputation as one of the top cannabis breeding companies in the industry, and their strains are highly regarded by cannabis enthusiasts around the world.
One of Terphogz's most famous strains is Zkittlez, which has won numerous awards and is highly regarded for its fruity, candy-like flavor and potent effects. Another popular strain is Lemon Tree, which is known for its bright citrus flavor and uplifting effects. Terphogz creates their famous strains with friends from heavyweight breeding programs like 3rd Gen Family and Dying Breed Seeds.
For 2023 Spannabis, Terphogz released several hybrids along with an updated Skittlez 3.0 (Skittlez 2.0 x Skittlez) seed drop, which topped the menu pricing at $500 Euros.
Wedding Cake, Cherry Runtz, Gelato’s and Grape Pie crosses are still highly sought after by cannabis enthusiasts and connoisseurs for their unique flavor profiles and powerful effects. Terp Hogz, Sherbinski, Seed Junky and Exotic Genetix are among the most famous Spannabis names who are known for crossing hybrids to pull the best characteristics from other unique strains.
In addition to their impressive line of strains, Breeders from the Spannabis Conference are also known for their attention to detail in their breeding process. They carefully select parent plants with desirable traits and work tirelessly to create new and exciting hybrid strains that offer a range of different effects and flavors.
Exotic Genetix, USA
Exotic Genetix is a renowned cannabis breeding company based in Washington State, USA. The company was founded in 2008 and has since gained a reputation for producing some of the most potent and flavorful cannabis strains in the market. Exotic Genetix is known for its extensive breeding program, which involves combining some of the best cannabis genetics from around the world to create unique and exotic strains. Their newer hybrid phenotypes like Lazer Fuel, Popscotti and Taffy Gas are getting attention from growers everywhere.
Some of Exotic Genetix's claims to fame include:
Cookies and Cream - This strain is a hybrid of Starfighter and Girl Scout Cookies, and it's known for its sweet and creamy flavor profile.
Grease Monkey - A cross between Gorilla Glue #4 and Cookies and Cream, this strain is known for its powerful euphoric effects and earthy, diesel-like flavor.
Kimbo Kush - A cross between Blackberry Kush and Starfighter, Kimbo Kush is known for its fruity flavor profile and relaxing effects.
Ken Estes, USA
Ken Estes is widely credited as the creator of the Granddaddy Purple strain of cannabis, also known as GDP. He is a California-based breeder who has been active in the cannabis industry since the 1970s. Granddaddy Purple is still recognized as one of the most iconic and influential strains of all time.
I sat with Ken GDP while fans lined up to share stories and take photos. Ken has forgotten more about great cannabis strains than most folks will ever be exposed to. He is a faucet of knowledge that flows with cannabis testimonials from a career of underground cannabis breeding. According to Ken, he created Granddaddy Purple by crossing two indica strains, Purple Urkle and Big Bud. The resulting hybrid strain quickly gained popularity for its distinctive appearance and powerful, relaxing effects. GDP is characterized by its dense, purple-hued buds with a sweet, fruity aroma and a high THC content that can reach up to 25%.
His travel partner, a nice young man named Jamal, maneuvered Ken’s wheelchair through the festival and the Barcelona Metro subway systems. This was not easy and I think it’s beautiful how we care for one another. I wanted to recognize Jamal for the dedication he shows while assisting Mr. Ken during such far travels.
Ken has been involved in a number of other cannabis-related ventures, including founding the Grand Daddy Purp Collective, a California-based medical cannabis company, and serving as an advocate for medical cannabis patients. He has also won multiple awards for his cannabis strains, including several High Times Cannabis Cup
awards.
Sherbinskis Seeds, USA
Sherbinski is a well-known cannabis breeder and cultivator who has gained a reputation for developing some of the most sought-after strains in the industry. The company was founded by Mario Guzman, also known as Mr. Sherbinski, who has been involved in the cannabis industry for over 20 years.
Sherbinski is perhaps best known for developing the popular strain Gelato, which has gained a huge following due to its unique flavor profile and potent effects. Gelato is a hybrid strain that is a cross between Sunset Sherbet and Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies. It is known for its sweet, dessert-like flavor and relaxing, yet uplifting effects.
In addition to Gelato, Sherbinski has developed several other popular strains, including:
Sunset Sherbert: A potent hybrid strain that is a cross between Girl Scout Cookies and Pink Panties. It is known for its sweet, fruity flavor and calming effects.
Bacio Gelato: A potent hybrid strain that is a cross between Gelato #41 and Bacio. It is known for its earthy, nutty flavor and relaxing effects.
Mochi: A hybrid strain that is a cross between Sunset Sherbet and Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies. It is known for its sweet, creamy flavor and relaxing effects.
Acai Berry #49: A flavorful and potent hybrid strain from the ancestry of Pink Panties, Sunset Sherbert, OG Kush and F1. It is known for its sweet, fruity flavor and uplifting effects.
Seed Stockers, Spain
Seed Stockers is based in Barcelona, Spain. The company is best known for producing high-quality cannabis seeds with a focus on providing affordable prices for their customers.
Seed Stockers offers a wide range of cannabis seeds, including both feminized and autoflowering varieties. Their seed catalog includes popular strains such as Girl Scout Cookies, Gorilla Glue, and White Widow, as well as newer and less well-known strains.
In addition to their focus on quality and affordability, Seed Stockers is also known for their commitment to customer service. They offer a satisfaction guarantee on all of their products, and their website features a wealth of information and resources to help customers choose the right seeds for their needs. Thank you for sponsoring Spannabis as well as local social clubs like Super Siberia Club. I really enjoyed hanging with this crew and watching how they positively impact the cannabis community in Spain.
Hybrid strains:
Breeders around the world produce their own wide range of hybrids using stable genetics developed by the world’s top breeders and passed down by enthusiastic gardeners. Here are a few more examples of genetics that are being used in hybrid phenotype hunts to generate popular indoor American strains of 2023:
Mac 1: A potent hybrid strain that is known for its resinous buds, gassy aroma, and powerful effects. It is a cross between Alien Cookies, Columbian, and Starfighter.
Dosidos: A flavorful and potent strain that is a cross between Girl Scout Cookies and Face Off OG. It is known for its relaxing effects and earthy, nutty flavor.
Gelato: A hybrid strain that is known for its sweet, dessert-like flavor and relaxing effects. It is a cross between Sunset Sherbet and Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies.
Biscotti: A potent strain that is known for its sweet and nutty flavor, as well as its relaxing effects. It is a cross between Gelato #25 and South Florida OG.
Sunset Sherbet: A flavorful and relaxing hybrid strain that is a cross between Girl Scout Cookies and Pink Panties. It is known for its sweet, fruity flavor and calming effects.
These are just a few examples of the many popular strains that have produced some of our favorite hybrids over the years. Each strain is carefully bred and selected for its unique characteristics and effects, and they are highly sought after by cannabis enthusiasts and connoisseurs.
