On a recent episode of That’s Dope (the cannabis podcast based out of the UK), the team at A B Seedy were joined by Nikki & Swami!

Nikki & Swami have been at the forefront of the cannabis industry since the 1960s. Through their passion, activism, and advocacy – they have worked to reform cannabis legislation & destigmatize this beautiful plant. Working in the heart of the Emerald Triangle, Nikki & Swami founded Swami Select, a brand responsible for cultivating some of the finest cannabis coming out of California.

Here are the top 3 things we learnt from Nikki & Swami:

1. How to develop your terpene profile
2. How to overcome cannabis stigma 
3. Growing your own medicine should be a basic human right

Let’s dive right in! 

How to develop your terpene profile 

With advancing cannabis research, the role that terpenes play has become increasingly more important. Previously, it was thought that the main drivers of cannabis effects were THC & CBD. We are now learning that terpenes not only contribute to flavours, smells and tastes of cannabis yet they also impact the overall psychoactive and medicinal qualities (this is known as the ensemble).

Research is now suggesting that different ratios of terpenes can create different effects, therefore, you may want to experiment with terpenes when breeding.

That’s Dope asked Nikki & Swami how someone could approach developing their terpene profile, here’s what they had to say:

“If you want a higher terpene profile, first of all, grow outdoors in the full sun, and then the plant will respond to nature and the threats to the plant. The most important thing about a high terpene profile is to harvest in the dark. Get up early in the morning whilst it’s still dark and cut your plant in its first light. There is a graph of terpene production and it’s at its highest just before first light in the morning.”

How to overcome cannabis stigma 

Destigmatizing the cannabis plant is vital to the future of cannabis. The cannabis plant has been mischaracterized for over 90 years with misinformation flooding the mainstream media and politics. 

Even in places where cannabis has been deemed legal, the stigma still exists. Nikki & Swami have been fighting against cannabis stigma since the 1960’s and are still dealing with it today. They suggested that the best way to combat stigma is to embrace the history of cannabis and educate the public on the important role it has played for over 20,000 years. 

Not only has cannabis been used by humans as medicine for thousands of years, cannabis and hemp has also been used to create fabrics, clothing and ropes. Even entire naval fleets used sails made out of hemp.

It’s important we keep talking about our deep and rich history as well as all the amazing medical benefits that are continuously being discovered. 

Growing your own medicine should be a basic human right 

It is against the law to use and grow your own cannabis in most countries.

Research shows that cannabis can be a much more effective and less dangerous medicine than many pharmaceuticals offered today. As cannabis has been deemed a controlled substance, many people are unable to access cannabis medicines. 

Nikki & Swami (like many others) believe it is a fundamental human right for people to be able to grow their own medicines (just as people can grow their own food). Through continued work, they hope to make this a reality in the future. 

You can check out the full audio version of the episode of That’s Dope with Nikki & Swami HERE or watch on YouTube below!

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We hope you enjoy the episode!

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, we would love to hear from you!