The Legacy of Romulan: How Jake Built a Cannabis Breeding Empire
There's a special kind of energy that fills the room when someone speaks about their life's passion. That energy radiates through every word Jake shares about his journey with Romulan Genetics. His story isn't just about cannabis breeding – it's about honoring family legacy, preserving cannabis history, and creating something that genuinely helps people.
From Playing Under Cannabis Plants to Building a Breeding Empire
Jake's connection to cannabis began literally from diaper age. As a toddler, he played with Tonka trucks under the cannabis plants his father grew. His father was deeply involved in cultivation and breeding, operating both a backyard grow and a commercial production site elsewhere.
"I grew up around it," Jake explains. "My dad was doing the breeding and some of the cultivation in our backyard. I was a little kid playing in it."
By ages 8-9, Jake was already developing a passion for the plant. While other children his age remained oblivious to cannabis, Jake was flipping through his father's High Times magazines, dreaming about his future. "I remember thinking, 'This is what I want to do when I get older. I want to make new strains.'" Even then, Jake had clarity about his calling: "I don't want to be a drug dealer like he is. I want to grow pot and make new strains."
This childhood dream stayed with him, though his path took several detours. After high school, Jake joined the Marine Corps. Following his service, he became involved in interstate cannabis trafficking, which eventually led to an arrest and time served. After release, he moved to Northern California and established a successful electrical engineering company specializing in architectural design.
When his father passed away, Jake found himself in possession of a special cannabis cutting – the legendary Romulan strain. What began as sharing this special plant with friends evolved into a mission to preserve a piece of cannabis history.
"It wasn't just something that got you high," Jake reflects. "There was a whole legacy and history that went with it. I felt this responsibility to make sure it didn't die with me."
The Fascinating History of Romulan
The Romulan strain's history is as rich and complex as its effects. According to cannabis lore, the strain was bred by Romulan Joe (formerly known as Mendocino Joe), who had connections to Sacred Seeds, a renowned seed bank in Santa Cruz. After a raid in 1982, Joe relocated to British Columbia, where he became known as Romulan Joe.
However, an alternate history suggests Romulan's origins date back to the 1950s in Canada. Backyard growers reportedly blended Korean, Colombian, Afghan, and Mexican genetics – seeds brought back by veterans of the Korean War. Over decades of selective breeding for indica traits, Romulan was tailored to thrive in British Columbia's cooler climate.
What makes Jake's story particularly fascinating is his family's direct connection to this legacy. His father, a U.S. Navy veteran and cannabis grower, was part of a network of veterans, motorcycle clubs, and breeders spanning California and British Columbia in the 1960s and 70s. This community, which often met during camping trips across the Pacific Northwest, exchanged seeds and cultivated what would eventually become Romulan.
"Initially it was known as Port Alberni Pinebud in Canada and Pine Mountain Bud in California," Jake explains. The strain evolved through careful breeding and phenotypic selection, ultimately becoming a cultivar particularly valued by veterans dealing with PTSD.
The name "Romulan" reportedly comes from the strain's mind-bending effects, jokingly said to "dent your head" like the alien race from Star Trek known for their V-shaped foreheads. Interestingly, though Star Trek debuted in 1966, Romulan's cultivation predated the series, suggesting the name was a playful reference added later.
Romulan Genetics: From Personal Mission to Cannabis Brand
Romulan Genetics officially began in 2017, though Jake had been growing and sharing the cut informally before then. "Initially this whole thing was just a plan to get this cut that I had out into people's hands," he explains.
After giving the cutting to Dark Heart Nursery in California, thousands of clones were distributed. The strain quickly gained popularity, with the nursery sending it to legacy farmers and prominent breeders in the Emerald Triangle who verified its authenticity through their own testing.
The transition to seed production came in response to international demand. "I had people in Canada and Europe asking me, 'Hey, I can't get the cut. I'm too far away. Can you make seeds?'" Jake recalls. What began as a small batch of regular seeds evolved into Romulan Genetics, a company dedicated to preserving and enhancing the legendary strain.
By 2019, Jake was officially making and releasing seeds under the Romulan Genetics brand. What started as "a little joke" – creating a company just to sell a single strain – has evolved into a respected breeding operation with numerous successful crosses and a passionate customer base.
In 2021, Jake retired from his lucrative electrical engineering career to focus entirely on Romulan Genetics. "I made really good money as an architectural design electrical engineer. I could make 20 grand plus in a week really easily," he shares. "But as I got into growing and breeding more, I didn't even want to do that anymore. I fell in love with the plant."
Jake's description of his relationship with cannabis speaks volumes about his dedication: "The plant chose me. From there on, it was just like a ball and chain. I'm just this plant's prisoner. I do what it wants me to do."
The Meticulous Art of Cannabis Breeding
What sets Romulan Genetics apart is Jake's methodical approach to breeding. Each new strain undergoes a rigorous development process spanning 1-3 years from conception to release.
"Most of the stuff that I make and release now are F1 filial generation feminized seeds," Jake explains. "They are always minimum of a year from the moment I start, not concept, to being released. And that's if I rush it."
The typical timeline spans 2-3 years and includes multiple growing cycles to thoroughly test each potential release. Jake first grows the parent strains multiple times to become intimately familiar with their characteristics. After making the initial cross, he conducts both optimal growing tests and stress tests to ensure stability.
"I used to grow it really well first, and if it passed that, then I would put it through a stress test where I grow it intentionally very, very poorly," he explains. Recently, he's reversed this approach, starting with stress tests to quickly identify and eliminate problematic genetics.
Once a strain passes Jake's personal testing, it moves to external validation through an extensive network of testers. "I package them all up to a bunch of testers. It costs over $1,000 just in shipping to send them out to 150 different testers," he notes. These testers grow the strain in various conditions and provide feedback over a 6-12 month period.
Only after passing through this gauntlet does a strain earn a release date, with Romulan Genetics typically launching just one new strain per month and 6-8 new strains annually.
The Crown Jewels: Romulan Genetics' Standout Strains
Jake's breeding program has produced several remarkable strains, with ROM Scotty standing as his personal favorite. This "Black Label Certified" strain represents what Jake considers the pinnacle of his work. "I got lucky with that. It's so good, it's silly," he enthusiastically shares.
Another standout, I-REM Maiden, earned the coveted Black Label certification and debuts in April 2025. Jake describes it as having "this really good strawberry flavor to it, strawberries and cream usually is what you're getting." Beyond flavor, he emphasizes its exceptional effects: "The high is really, really good. It's just got a phenomenal high."
Other notable releases include:
- Rock Salts: A brand new strain launching March 1, 2025, featuring diverse flavors ranging from gingerbread cookie to sweet candy and gas notes.
- Gingers: Scheduled for release in May 2025.
- Fermented: A collaboration with Offensive Selections that Jake considers "right behind ROM Scotty" in quality. Unfortunately, this limited release has sold out.
- Mello Kitty: Once overlooked but now nearly sold out as customers discovered its quality.
Jake's dedication to quality sometimes means delays in restocking popular strains like ROM Scotty and Pure Crush. "If they don't come out just right, I don't want to sell them to people," he explains, demonstrating his commitment to excellence over expedience.
Building Community Through Cannabis
Beyond breeding exceptional cannabis, Jake has fostered a vibrant community around Romulan Genetics. His approach includes extensive customer appreciation efforts, from surprise free packs in orders to larger annual givebacks.
In 2025, Jake organized a homegrower competition using his Tryptomaniac strain. Participants grow the strain, submit their best sample, and compete for a $1,000 cash prize. While primarily designed as a community-building initiative, the contest reflects Jake's gratitude toward loyal customers.
"I've got this core group, and I like to find a way to say thank you and show my appreciation to them," he explains. "I'm going on six years now, and since day one, the same guy and the same other two dozen people keep showing up and buying every single drop that I put out."
This dedication to community extends to Jake's distribution approach. Romulan Genetics maintains partnerships with 15-20 different seed banks globally, ensuring accessibility for customers worldwide. "Even if you're in Russia, you can order seeds from Mandala Seeds and have them shipped there. If you're in Germany or other places, Deeply Rooted and Mandala will send them to you there," Jake notes.
The Botanical Prisoner: Life as a Cannabis Breeder
Despite the success and fulfillment Jake has found, cannabis breeding demands significant sacrifices. "I don't get many vacations. I haven't had a real one in years," he admits. "I can't venture too far away from my house because I've got cuts and plants and all these things to take care of."
The responsibility of maintaining rare genetics poses unique challenges. Jake has installed cameras and automation in his grow rooms, allowing limited time away, but the personal touch required in breeding means true vacations remain elusive.
Past experiences with plant-sitters proved frustrating. "You get mad, you blame someone because something happened to a plant, and they don't know what they're doing," Jake explains. Now, he prefers handling everything personally, especially given the irreplaceable nature of some genetics in his collection.
Yet despite these limitations, Jake's passion for cannabis breeding remains unwavering. "I love it. It's great," he says simply. For Jake, the prison of plant tending is one he's willingly entered – a labor of love that connects him to his father's legacy while creating something uniquely his own.
The Medicinal Power of Romulan
At the heart of Jake's mission is a deep appreciation for Romulan's medicinal properties. The strain is celebrated for its pain-relieving qualities and ability to induce calm without triggering anxiety or paranoia – making it particularly valuable for veterans dealing with PTSD and chronic pain.
Romulan's distinctive aroma and flavor profile – blending earthy pine with sweet citrus undertones – comes from a terpene profile dominated by pinene. This gives it a refreshing, forest-like scent that transitions to a complex interplay of resinous pine, skunk, and subtle floral notes when consumed.
For Jake, a Marine Corps veteran himself, preserving and sharing this strain represents a continuation of its original purpose – supporting veterans. By ensuring the Romulan genetics remain accessible to breeders and cultivators worldwide, he honors both his father's memory and the community of veterans who developed the strain.
Looking Forward: The Future of Romulan Genetics
As Romulan Genetics approaches its eighth year, Jake continues to innovate while honoring cannabis heritage. His work bridges past and present – preserving legendary genetics while creating new expressions through thoughtful breeding.
From playing under his father's plants to becoming a globally recognized breeder, Jake's journey embodies the transformative potential of following one's passion. Though cannabis remains his botanical warden, it's a confinement he embraces wholeheartedly.
"The plant chose me," Jake reflects. In this simple statement lies the essence of his story – a tale of destiny, dedication, and the profound relationship between a breeder and his botanical muse. Through Romulan Genetics, Jake ensures that a piece of cannabis history continues to thrive, bringing its medicinal benefits and rich heritage to a new generation of enthusiasts and patients alike.
For those seeking a connection to cannabis history or simply exceptional genetics, Romulan Genetics offers both – a living testament to the power of preserving the past while cultivating the future.
By Erik
Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnhhCos7jKM
https://skunkglobalmarijuanaculture.com/cannabis-world-news/lifestyle/history-heritage/reviving-a-legend-the-legacy-and-return-of-romulan-through-romulan-genetics/
WA States Advertising Disclaimer. Just In Case.
- "This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming.";
- "cannabis can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug.";
- "There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product."; and
- "For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of the reach of children."
