Cannabis breeders and nurseries are bringing some of their newest genetics to Richmond, California, as the Clonetopia Clone Release Festival returns September 19 and 20th. Taking place at 7 Stars dispensary, the two-day event will give adults 21 and older access to more than 16 cannabis strains and clones from breeders and nurseries including Ronin Seeds, Highline Nursery, Purple City Genetics, and The Library.
Among the genetics arriving at Clonetopia are Toad Venom, Cheri Maraschino, OG Zeebrah, Melogold, K’s Inferno, Bolinas, Black Maple Zuava, and more.
The event is powered by CANNA and arrives during an interesting period for cannabis genetics.
While candy and gas profiles associated with strains like Runtz and Lemon Cherry Gelato have become dominant across legal markets, breeders at Clonetopia are looking beyond that formula. Some are revisiting characteristics associated with older cannabis while others are working toward new combinations of flavor, potency, appearance, yield, hash production, and cultivation performance.
Toad Venom Makes Its Bay Area Debut
One of the biggest releases scheduled for Clonetopia is Toad Venom, which will make its Bay Area debut through breeder Ronin Seeds and Highline Nursery. Toad Venom combines ((Sin Mint Cookies x Z) x Animal Face) and carries a profile described as skunky, lime-forward, and gassy.
According to Ronin Seeds’ Jake, international interest in the cultivar has grown considerably.
“I’ve talked to people in 40 countries in the last month,” Jake said. “It is just the greatest blessing that people love something that we’ve created.”
Verified Toad Venom clones produced through Highline Nursery’s Humboldt facility will be available for $500 during Clonetopia. Highline will also be present to speak with growers about cultivating the strain.
The genetics come with some specific considerations.
According to Jake, Toad Venom prefers less intense lighting before becoming considerably more nutrient hungry during flowering. Its effects are another major part of its reputation. Jake describes Toad Venom as an extremely potent, indica dominant strain and cautions inexperienced consumers about underestimating its strength.
Breeders Look Beyond The Candy And Gas Era
Clonetopia will also showcase breeders attempting to expand the flavors and experiences available in today’s cannabis market.
Sacramento based The Library will release its OG Zeebrah at $300 per clone. The genetics combine OGZ x Rainbow Belts 3.0 with Zeebrah, itself a combination involving Z and Coolada genetics. Its reported flavor profile moves between grape, lemon, chocolate, and bubblegum.
The Library co-creator Kristian Andreassen compares modern cannabis breeding to sampling in hip-hop, where recognizable pieces of the past can become part of something new.
“We’re bringing the old world into the new a little bit,” Andreassen said.
That search for something different also extends to Oakland’s Purple City Genetics.
The nursery will debut Cheri Maraschino, a cultivar five years in development that takes a different approach to the cherry profiles that have become widespread throughout cannabis.
Purple City Genetics’ Auryn McCafferty said the team had become overloaded by the number of Lemon Cherry Gelato and Runtz crosses appearing throughout the market and wanted to explore another interpretation.
“We really like to explore all of the outer limits and peripheries what that flavor is,” McCafferty said. “It took me a while to say, ‘This is different enough. I like this.'”
Cheri Maraschino crosses Cheri with Kimchi and was developed to offer more than flavor alone. According to PCG, the cultivar can work for both flower and hash production while remaining visually appealing, easy to trim, and relatively straightforward to cultivate.
Clonetopia Highlights New Cannabis Genetics
Several other releases demonstrate how breeders are selecting genetics for characteristics beyond THC potency. Purple City Genetics’ Melogold focuses on grapefruit alongside butterscotch and funkier terpene expressions while also offering strong potential for hash production.
PCG will also bring Indigo, a dark purple, lemon forward cultivar with a reported flowering time of only 45 days.
Then there is Bolinas, a cross of Orange 76 and Chimera Junky that gives growers a modern take on sativa genetics with jasmine, orange, and incense characteristics.
For McCafferty, strains like Bolinas can introduce younger consumers to cannabis effects they may not regularly encounter in a market dominated by modern hybrids.
The Library is similarly looking backward and forward at the same time. Its K’s Inferno, combining Biscotti and Triangle Kush OG, puts greater emphasis on the powerful effects associated with older cannabis genetics.
The nursery’s Black Maple Zuava, meanwhile, is designed with both flower and hash production in mind. Combining Black Maple with Zuava, the cultivar reportedly produces large flowers while offering around a 4% hash wash return and compatibility with stacked indoor cultivation systems.
Together, the releases show how breeders are approaching the idea of a “better” cannabis plant from several directions. Flavor and potency remain important, but flowering time, yield, appearance, ease of cultivation, hash potential, and the ability to perform in modern indoor environments are increasingly part of the equation.
The upcoming Richmond event marks the second edition of Clonetopia following its debut in May. The festival is organized by longtime cannabis journalist David Downs, a High Times flower columnist and former Leafly senior editor.
For Downs, keeping up with cannabis genetics isn’t much different from discovering new artists as music continues to change.
“Music and weed keep evolving,” Downs said. “You gotta dig in, make a new playlist and try new things. It keeps you young.”
Clonetopia powered by CANNA takes place Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 7 Stars dispensary, located at 3219 Pierce St. in Richmond, California.
Adults 21 and older can attend, with a neighboring festival reception at the Exit Now gallery featuring music, food, art, merchandise, programming, and opportunities to meet participating nurseries.
Guests can RSVP for free, purchase limited ticket packages with merchandise, or pre-order select strains ahead of the event for payment at pickup.
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