The connoisseur-grade cannabis market is real, and here’s how Californians are leading the charge

By The Cannabist Staff

Call it the Humboldt effect.

California and notably its weed-friendly county of Humboldt in the Emerald Triangle are oft-regarded throughout the cannabis industry as epicenters of marijuana expertise.

Now in a landscape where more and more states have adopted marijuana legalization measures, Californias cannabis connoisseurs are well-positioned to take their knowledge national, says Ellen Holland, senior editor of Cannabis Now magazine.

Weve been in the game since 1996 with the medical (marijuana) program, she says on The Cannabist Show. I met (medical cannabis activist) Dennis Peron. Those people are still around, inspiring us every day. I do feel like there is a push in California for the finest of the fine things. As we like our wines and our artisan foods, we also love incredible cannabis.

Residents demand transparency in the cultivation-to-retail process as well as celebrate products such as solventless hash, she says.

While California has a strong history in cannabis ...