The Future of California's Cannabis Legacy & Tourism Opportunities
In this episode of The Goldenhour Podcast, David Spradlin, CEO of Goldenhour Collective, shared his insights on the future of legacy cannabis farming and the importance of preserving California's cannabis heritage.
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According to Spradlin, there's a noticeable shift back to legacy cannabis farming.
"When we first kind of conceptualized Golden Hour, I didn't know anybody doing this work right outside of the Emerald Triangle," he noted.
However, he's seeing more operators supporting small, mom-and-pop legacy farmers, creating a meaningful differentiation in a crowded market. Leaning into the legacy farmers and really what makes California special is being really well received by consumers.”
This approach isn't just about preservation—it's about offering something unique in a market where most dispensaries carry identical products.
For Goldenhour Collective, legacy farmers have been growing since before legalization. "Legacy farmers are the people that really created the opportunity for an industry to exist," Spradlin emphasized. "They created the culture that created the great strains and produced the medicine that launched this entire industry."
One of the most significant opportunities Spradlin sees for 2025 is the maturation of legacy cultivation and manufacturing. "The reality is finally setting in that you must be more than just a great farmer," he said. Understanding costs, pricing strategies, and business operations has become crucial for survival.
"When you understand your numbers, you have a lot of decision-making power that you didn't have when you're flying blind," Spradlin explained. This evolution isn't just about profits—it's about empowerment and sustainability.
Drawing parallels with the wine industry, Spradlin emphasized preserving California's cannabis regions. The same principle applies to cannabis: while mass production has its place, losing the craft side would be devastating to the industry's soul.
Spradlin sees enormous potential in cannabis tourism, particularly in the North State, just next door to the Emerald Triangle.
"There's a soul that comes with the medicine, there's a soul that comes with the plant, and it's largely part of where it's cultivated," he explained. However, he notes that communities need to embrace this opportunity fully.
For farmers interested in working with Goldenhour, Spradlin welcomes connections through their website (www.goldenhourcollective.org) or directly via email (david@goldenhourcollective.org or haylee@goldenhourcollective.org.
"Goldenhour is a mission rather than just like a business. We can't open stores fast enough to accommodate the amount of growers that we want to work with,” said Spradlin.
The future of California cannabis lies in balancing innovation with tradition, mass production with craft cultivation, and business savvy with agricultural expertise. As Spradlin and Goldenhour Collective demonstrate, there's room for both worlds—but only if we actively work to preserve the legacy that built this industry.
DISCLAIMER: The Goldenhour podcast provides information about cannabis and related topics for general informational and entertainment purposes only. The content is intended for adults 21+ and should not be considered medical, legal, or professional advice, as cannabis remains federally illegal in the United States and laws vary by jurisdiction. The views expressed by hosts and guests are their own, and any discussions about health effects, business opportunities, or consumption should not be taken as recommendations. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that you are solely responsible for complying with applicable laws in your jurisdiction and that any actions taken based on the information presented are entirely at your own risk.
