At High Minded Cannabis Co, we pride ourselves on our commitment to quality and precision. Did you know our products are all grown, processed, and packaged in-house? Not only do we cultivate some of Michigan’s best weed, but we extract live resin and other concentrates to create our vape carts, edibles, and resins! Cannabis extraction can be a complex process, so we sat down with Brennen Smith, our Lab Extraction Manager, to learn how it works and what sets the High Minded lab apart from others.
Brennen Smith is one of few people who can say they truly grew up in the legal cannabis industry. His father, who had ALS, was an early advocate for medical marijuana, even working on the legislation that first allowed for medicinal weed access in Washington state. Brennen grew up working in and around the industry and started working in extraction in 2016. As a medical marijuana patient himself, Brennen says it’s important to him to have oversight over the medicine he uses, to be sure it is the best possible product.
For those unfamiliar with the process, cannabis extracts are typically created using solvents to separate cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plant itself. There is a lot of variation in what solvents are used and whether the plants are fresh or frozen, or dried or cured. These factors can all have a big impact on the quality, flavor, and effects of the final product. In the High Minded lab, we have an all organic process that utilizes whole plant extraction to retain the delicate terpenes and aromas of the original flower. Our team does 5 runs per day, extracting cannabinoids and terpenes from 12 pounds of flower every 90 minutes. That’s a lot of weed! Each batch then undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets our standards of safety and excellence. Our products are seed to sale, which means we do everything from nurturing the plants with organic nutrients to extracting the oil with natural compounds to crafting our gummies with local Michigan flavors.
What should you look for in a concentrate? The first thing, Brennen says, is to find a cultivator that you trust, because looks can be deceiving. “There are a lot of products that look great, but the flavor and effects just aren’t there.” He recommends sampling new oils alongside ones you already like to observe how the differences can be “like night and day.” He always keeps a favorite High Minded strain around for comparison. If you’re new to extracts, there are several kinds to try. For a strain-specific experience, Brennen recommends vaping live resin with a pen or a dab in order to enjoy the subtle flavors and nuances of the extract. On the other hand, distillate is the purest form of THC, which makes it perfect for a quick high from gummies or vape pens.
As an industry veteran, Brennen says one thing that stands out to him about working at High Minded is the cleanliness. Our extraction team spends around 8 hours a week, or roughly 20% of their time at work, cleaning and doing equipment maintenance to ensure quality and consistency.
Plus, we’re just built different. Some of Brennen’s favorite High Minded strains – Headband and Skywalker OG – are hard to come by, with another favorite, Tenzin Kush, that is not grown commercially anywhere else in Michigan. Brennen has worked for a lot of cannabis companies but he says above all, the culture at High Minded sets us apart. “Everybody cares. People come to work with passion and new ideas.”
Explore our selection of concentrates, gummies, and vapes at your local Timber Cannabis Co. or Cloud Cannabis stores. Or pick up some of Brennen’s favorite – Waffle Cone Live Resin.
Waffle Cone is an indica-leaning hybrid with a creamy sugary smoke and hints of cherry and nuts. Soothing to both the mind and body, Waffle Cone melts away stress, pain, and inflammation as it wraps you in a warm, tingling creeper high that will take you to new depths of relaxation and bliss.