13) Tom Hill: Curator of Landrace

August 12, 2024 2 min read

Tom Hill

is an iconic figure in the cannabis world, recognized for his commitment to the preservation and improvement of cannabis genetics. Here's a full expose on Tom Hill

Biography of Tom Hill

California native Tom Hill became famous in the 1970s and 1980s for his major contributions to cannabis breeding. He grew up in an area where cannabis was widely cultivated and developed an early interest in landraces and landraces..

Achievements in Cannabis

Tom Hill is best known for his passion for pure and original genetics. Unlike many contemporary breeders, he preferred to work with non-hybridized lines and authentic landraces. His desire to preserve these traditional genetics has made him a respected voice in the cannabis community.

Entourage and close friends

Although little specific information about his personal circle is available, Tom Hill was certainly influenced and surrounded by growers and breeders who shared similar beliefs in preserving traditional genetics..

Genetics created

Tom Hill is credited with creating several renowned genetics, including :

  • Mendocino Purple : A distinctive purple strain, loved for its relaxing properties and unique terpene profile.
  • Deep Chunk : A robust indica lineage, renowned for its stability and resilience.
  • Hill's Anesthesia : Another creation appreciated for its medicinal qualities, known for its strong analgesic effect.
  • X18 : X18, like PTK, is an ancient indica lineage derived from an import from Pakistan that was introduced to Northern California in the early 1980s.

Tom Hill was known for using primarily landraces and landraces in his breeding work. Here are some examples of the types of strains he used:

  1. South American landraces : He explored regions like Colombia and Mexico to collect traditional cannabis strains, often rich in terpenes and adapted to their local environments.
  2. Asian varieties : Strains native to Asia, such as those found in Afghanistan, India, and Nepal, which often have unique chemical profiles and distinct effects.
  3. California landraces : As he was based in California, Tom Hill also worked with varieties native to his region, taking advantage of their adaptability and local characteristics.

By choosing these non-hybridized strains, Tom Hill aimed to preserve the unique characteristics of each strain while improving some of their qualities, such as their disease resistance or terpene profiles.

Stories and anecdotes

Tom Hill is often associated with stories of travels and explorations to collect original landraces, particularly in South America and Asia, thus enriching his gene pool.

Beliefs and influences

Tom Hill was deeply committed to preserving the genetic diversity and quality of cannabis strains. His refusal to bow to modern trends of intensive hybridization and his commitment to pure genetics marked his legacy in the industry.

Why he is considered a purist

Tom Hill is considered a purist due to his philosophy of working with unmodified genetic lines, preserving the unique characteristics and terpene profiles of traditional strains. His approach contrasts with the contemporary trend toward complex, commercial hybrids, which has earned him the respect of cannabis purists and connoisseurs.

Tom Hill has left a lasting legacy in the history of cannabis breeding, influencing many contemporary breeders and continuing a tradition of quality and authenticity in the cannabis world.



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