The Quiet Revolution of Arcana: A Collective Built on Breeder Recognition
The era of flashy IPOs, debt-fueled expansion, and empty corporate promises in the cannabis industry is coming to an end. In its place, a new era is emerging – one that is defined by grounded projects and a renewed focus on the plant itself. And in this High Times exclusive, we introduce you to one of the most exciting projects leading this quiet revolution: Arcana.
Arcana is a collective that has been built around the idea of breeder recognition. Born from late-night concerts and gatherings of cannabis OGs, this collective has brought together some of the most influential names in contemporary genetics. And they are not afraid to speak their minds about why they believe the industry needs a reset.
The legal cannabis industry has failed to live up to expectations and is now at a crossroads. It has been plagued by finance-driven, ‘get-rich-quick’ business models, entrepreneurs who prioritize profits over the plant, and a supply chain that has been stretched to its limits. The result? A market flooded with subpar products and artificial, hemp-based cannabinoids. And ultimately, it is the consumers who suffer.
Arcana’s public face is a blend of manifesto and mood board, featuring psychedelic visuals and decades of knowledge from its breeders who have dedicated their lives to the plant, the seed, and the science behind it. Instead of chasing mass retail or competing through price cuts, Arcana is taking a different approach. In Fall 2025, they will be launching with seeds, slips, and tissue culture clones from foundational strains like Chem91, Josh D OG, Ghost OG, Koffee, Banana OG, Kurple, and Black Cherry Freeze. And behind these strains are the names of the breeders who have brought them to life.
Their first facility, “Ghost Town,” located in Shelton, Washington, will serve as the breeding ground for these strains. It will also house DNA sequencing and testing across different environments. But what sets Arcana apart is their unique business model that focuses on breeder recognition.
As a project, Arcana is structured around two main buckets of intellectual property: the right to market, promote, and sell the breeders’ IP, and their breeding know-how, which they plan to share through seminars, consulting, and courses. This knowledge-based approach brings to light an often overlooked debate about recognizing those who breed and shape original strains – a group of individual plants that share common characteristics resulting from years of technical breeding. These strains often have consumer recognition or even a brand.
A notable aspect of Arcana’s structure is their PAC program. This system requires explicit breeder consent before genetics are used, ensures credit is given, and provides financial compensation. According to Arcana’s CEO, Andrew Berman, “this is the way we make sure the people who built cannabis genetics are treated with respect.” This PAC framework not only applies to the founding team but also extends to external breeders.
Berman, a cannabis businessman who has experienced the ups and downs of the industry, believes that this approach is crucial for the success and sustainability of the cannabis industry. And with Arcana, he hopes to set a new standard for how breeders are recognized and compensated for their contributions.
