Humboldt Seed Company is one of the most recognized seed banks in the United States, with a long history of producing high-quality genetics and preserving the cannabis legacy of the iconic Humboldt region of California. Behind this success is a team of experts committed to innovation and excellence, and one of those key figures is Halle Pennington, the company’s Products Executive.
In this interview, we spoke with Halle about her role within Humboldt Seed Company, the process of developing new varieties, the challenges of the seed market in the US and the importance of genetics in the evolution of the sector. In addition, we also discussed other topics such as her vision of the role of women in the industry and the trends that will shape the future of cannabis.
Join us for this exclusive chat with one of the most influential voices in the industry!
Humboldt Seed Company: World-class genetics from the heart of cannabis
Humboldt Seed Company is one of the most prestigious seed banks in the United States, with roots in the legendary Humboldt region of California, the birthplace of high-quality cannabis cultivation. With more than two decades of experience, the company has established itself as a benchmark in the creation of innovative, stable genetics adapted to both commercial growers and small producers.
Among its most notable varieties are Blueberry Muffin, known for its incredible aroma of freshly baked blueberries and its rapid flowering; Garlic Budder, a potent and tasty hybrid with a unique terpenoid profile; and Hella Jelly, which surprises with its extremely powerful cerebral effect. These and many other strains have positioned Humboldt Seed Company as a reference bank for those seeking quality, stability and performance in each seed.
Interview with Halle Pennington, Products Executive at Humboldt Seed Company
Humboldt County is part of the iconic Emerald Triangle. What does it mean to you to have grown up in such a legendary region for cannabis cultivation?
Growing up in Humboldt County immersed in the cannabis industry was a huge privilege. I only realized this much later as an adult. The amount of specialized knowledge passed down organically by spending so much time with my family and other cultivators in the community has been invaluable. You could pretty much throw a rock in any direction in Humboldt when I was growing up and hit a cultivator or breeder with exceptional skills and experience. I’ve learned so much that I couldn’t have learned anywhere else.
What was it like growing up alongside your father, Nat Pennington, a renowned cannabis breeder? Do you have any special memories related to his work? What lessons have you learned from him?
I look back on my childhood and see it as this great adventure. We had so much fun together. I spent most of my time outdoors either in the cannabis garden or the vegetable garden surrounded by the redwood forest. It all seemed very normal to me until one day when I followed my dad to the gorilla grow and he attempted to spray paint our dog in case there were hidden game cams in the area. That day stands out as a really funny memory. He is a very science-oriented person, but he also has this innate talent for breeding where I can see him kind of feel his way to the next big thing. There is this coming together of art and science which is really special.
The knowledge I’ve gained from spending time with my dad goes far beyond cannabis breeding and cultivation. He is also one of the most humbly intelligent people I’ve ever come across and I have a lot of respect for his dedication to the community and his environmental work.
The Emerald Triangle: Californian Cannabis & Tradition
The Emerald Triangle is a region located on the west coast of the USA and formed by three counties (Mendocino, Humboldt and Trinity), a land were cannabis has been grown for decades now. But, why is cannabis cultivation a traditional activity in this region? Is the weed coming from this area the best in the US? We answer all these questions in this article.
How do sustainability and respect for the environment play a role in Humboldt Seed Company’s work?
Sustainability and retaining a symbiotic relationship with our farm and gardens is one of the most important things to us. We use micro hydropower, solar and 100% organic practices. My dad’s background in salmon genomics and his work to preserve local freshwater tributaries is what originally led him to the cannabis business. He has founded several nonprofit organizations including the Nature Rights Council, an environmental organization led by Humboldt’s indigenous youth. He also played a crucial part in the negotiations that led to the agreement to remove the dams on the Klamath River that blocked salmon runs. This is considered the largest dam removal project in the world. Every year our team participates in snorkel surveys to assess the local salmon populations. Respect for the environment has been passed down to me since I was young and it is baked into our company culture at this point, which is pretty great!
Do you remember your first conscious experience with cannabis? What impression did it leave on you?
I grew up around it and it was just a normal aspect of my parents’ adult lives. My first time consuming I had snuck some out of my mom’s indoor grow. She caught me about ten minutes after I had taken a couple of hits and I got a pretty good yelling at. Even with her yelling at me and me being in a bit of trouble I was completely relaxed. This was my first experience with the power of cannabis to ease anxiety. I was listening to every word she said, but I felt none of the stress you would expect to feel in that situation. It was a bit of an aha moment for me.
How did your perception of cannabis change as you grew older and learned more about the plant and the culture surrounding it?
I wouldn’t say it changed. I just became more aware of the stigma surrounding cannabis. Growing up it was very much a communal commodity and a completely normal part of everyday life. I felt perplexed by how the outside world viewed it. In my early teens, when I first realized people were getting long jail sentences for cannabis it just didn’t line up with all the benefits I had seen firsthand for so many years. Waking up to the wider reality made me even more proud to be a part of the culture and an advocate for its medicinal use.
How do you see the evolution of the cannabis market in the United States since Humboldt Seed Company started its journey?
Unfortunately, there has been a bit of a de-evolution of the industry in the U.S. Every farmer used to have genetics with unique flavors. You could really see the personality of each breeder coming through. Now it’s all candy, gas fumes and more homogenized. There has been a huge loss of uniqueness in the flower market.
For us there has been a shift from a purely local market to a global market. We originally started breeding for family and friends with the goal of providing the best genetics to local growers. With legalization, we are focusing on breeding for specific bioregions. We’re applying what we learned breeding for the Humboldt County climate and extending that to other areas around the world like South America, Morocco, and the Caribbean.
What’s your view on the cannabis landscape in Europe? What challenges and opportunities do you see in that market?
The long history of the legality of seeds in Europe is interesting and as a result we see a more developed seed and home grow market. Even though cannabis is not necessarily legal, there is a tolerance for home growing or possession of small amounts of product. The social club model is interesting as well and different from what we have in the U.S. In Spain and the Netherlands, it’s more developed and we have excitement for this kind of model growing in Germany and the Czech Republic. One of the challenges is just the sheer number of seed producers. It can be difficult for the average consumer to weed out the authentic companies producing high-quality products from the disingenuous ones producing low-quality products.
It’s also interesting to see the diversity of autoflowers in Europe. The autos are still newer in the U.S. but have been accepted longer in Europe. The preferred flavors are also different. Amnesia was all there was in the EU for 30 years, and now you see the diversification of flavors and consumers want the next big thing being hyped on social media. Our Mint Jelly auto won at the Autoflower World Cup in 2024 and created a bit of a buzz. It’s also been fun to see what we consider the classic OG and our signature strain, Blueberry Muffin becoming popular in Europe. These are new and novel to the European consumer, giving us the opportunity to introduce something new and exciting to the market.
Do you think the cannabis industry is moving toward a more regulated and professional model? What challenges does it still face?
Absolutely. As with any profitable industry that’s evolving at this fast pace, it tends to lead to increased regulation. One big challenge is the number of hurdles preventing consumers from cultivating their own plant medicine affordably. It would be great to see more direct-to-consumer models as well as legalized home grow worldwide. In some places such as California the tax and regulatory structure has completely decimated the smaller producers and in the EU there are still so many who view it as this dangerous thing, so the challenge of educating the public on its uses and benefits remains difficult and will take time.
As a young woman in an industry historically dominated by men, what challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?
The Humboldt County scene has been historically male-dominated and there are a lot of common stereotypes surrounding women. Women have sometimes been referred to as “grow hoes”. This reference is really derogatory and offensive to women who have made significant contributions to breeding and cultivation. I am passionate about helping to change this perception. Sometimes you just have to grit your teeth and push through. Overall I feel super grateful to be a part of this industry and I do see more and more women forging ahead in the space.
Do you think women’s presence in the cannabis industry is growing? How important is it to promote female participation?
I think it is definitely growing. I see more and more women in major leadership roles. It’s important that they are welcomed and respected. I believe women will play a significant role in shaping the future of the cannabis industry.
What personal values do you strive to apply in your role at a company with such a rich history?
Retaining authenticity and staying true to the plant and to our roots. Always remembering where we came from and co-existing with our local environment in the most peaceful and environmentally respectful way possible.
Blueberry Muffin is often called one of Humboldt Seed Company’s gems, and we know it’s one of your favorites. What makes this strain so special to you?
Blueberry Muffin will always have a special place in my heart. It’s one of the first strains I vividly remember the creation of. Smell is such a powerful memory. It’s very nostalgic for me. The intense blueberry muffin smell is like nothing else. This one is special, and it’s no surprise that it has become a bit of a cult classic and the strain most associated with Humboldt Seed Company. It really does smell exactly like blueberry muffins straight out of the oven!
Are there any other strains that are personal favorites of yours?
Favorites are last year’s Granny Candy and this year’s new release Chicken N’ Wafflez. We always strive to make sure our strains actually taste like the name. Chicken N’Wafflez is named after the popular Southern dish from the U.S. This staple of soul food culture consists of fried chicken with warm waffles covered in maple syrup. This is a fun one!
How do you feel about the current “THC race” that many breeders seem focused on?
I honestly find it a bit frustrating. It’s nice to have a few high THC strains in your arsenal, but when it comes to a daily smoke I’m not looking for something in the high 20s or 30s. On the day-to-day I prefer something a bit less high octane. When it comes to breeding I’ve never headed into a pheno hunt wanting to find the highest THC plant in the field. I’m looking for beautiful, dense trichome structure and unique, knock your sox off terpenes.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): The principal cannabinoid in cannabis
THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is the main constituent of cannabis, responsible for its psychoactive effects. In this post we tell you more about one of the best known cannabinoids, exclusive from the cannabis plant and useful for many patients who benefit from the socalled entourage effect, that is to say, the synergy created by different compounds like THC and CBD acting together.
What plans do you have now at Humboldt Seed Company? What are you currently focused on?
My main focus will always be to continue the hunt for that something special. One thing I’ve learned after pheno hunting over 100,000 plants in my lifetime is that there is always something new and interesting to discover. This keeps it fun and there is always that excitement of looking forward to the next year’s pheno hunt. That next unicorn is out there somewhere…
Where would you like to see the cannabis industry in the next 5 to 10 years?
I would like to see the industry and markets stabilize. It would also be great to see consumers become more educated specifically on the topic of sourcing safe, quality products.
Finally, what message would you share with new generations interested in diving into this fascinating world?
Let your passion for the plant guide you. The cannabis community is a group made up of mostly wonderful people. Pick someone to learn from whose work you admire and whom you respect. Choosing the right mentor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.
In closing, Halle makes it clear that innovation and a passion for quality genetics are the pillars of Humboldt Seed Company. With a firm commitment to excellence, sustainability, and grower satisfaction, the company continues to set the pace in the cannabis industry. We thank Halle for sharing her experience and vision with us.
Until next time, good luck!
