“The Living Soil” is a documentary project that explores the intricate and sustainable cultivation of premium, indoor, no-till, living soil cannabis. The focus is on a grow facility that employs advanced, eco-friendly, farming techniques. The series will visually document the entire life cycle of the cannabis plant—from cloning to harvest—while emphasizing the labor-intensive methods required to cultivate these unique, high-quality strains.

This documentary aims to demystify the sustainable practices behind these top-tier strains and highlight the growers’ passion and innovation. Additionally, the project showcases the potential of sustainable farming methods as a model for broader ecological movements, offering an inspiring alternative to resource-intensive agricultural practices in the face of climate change.

Not all cannabis is created equal. The Living Soil is a documentary project that examines the intricate and sustainable cultivation of high-quality, indoor, no-till, living soil cannabis. The focus is on a cultivation facility that employs advanced, environmentally conscious farming techniques. The series will document the entire lifecycle of the cannabis plant—from cloning to harvest—while highlighting the labor-intensive methods required to produce these exceptional, premium strains.

This project holds significant importance for several reasons. Most people have never had the opportunity to witness the inner workings of a grow facility, much like how many are unaware of the origins of their food, such as beef or eggs. However, what distinguishes cannabis from other agricultural products is that, while many consumers may have a general understanding of how their food is produced, the same cannot be said for cannabis. Most individuals do not know how the cannabis they purchase is grown or how cultivation methods influence its quality. A novice might assume that cannabis is simply a weed that requires only basic soil and sunlight to thrive. While this is partially accurate, the genetics of the plant, the quality of the soil, and the type of light used play crucial roles in determining the plant’s ultimate quality.

The phrase “life is too short to smoke poor-quality cannabis” encapsulates the essence of this project. There are countless ways to cultivate cannabis, much like the myriad ways one can edit a photo in Photoshop. Just as there are endless techniques for photo editing, there are numerous cultivation methods, each leading to a different outcome. However, only specific practices—such as those employed in the cultivation of no-till, living soil cannabis—ensure the production of the highest quality product.

Cannabis is medicine. The term “marijuana” was introduced to the United States between 1910 and 1920, primarily in association with Mexican immigrants fleeing the Mexican Revolution and U.S. soldiers returning from abroad. It wasn’t until the 1930s, however, that the term was weaponized by prohibitionists to stigmatize cannabis and promote racist agendas. William Randolph Hearst, through his national newspaper empire, played a pivotal role in launching what came to be known as “yellow journalism”—the use of sensationalized, often misleading, stories designed to sway public opinion. During the 1920s and 1930s, Hearst’s publications actively sought to vilify cannabis, sometimes exaggerating or fabricating events, such as linking car accidents to cannabis use, while downplaying the far more frequent and dangerous consequences of alcohol consumption.

As a cannabis activist with the Veterans Action Council, my mission is to continue the work of Dennis Perone/Jack Herer and advocate for cannabis as a legitimate, effective medicine. This documentary is crucial in educating the public about no-till, living soil farming techniques, as this regenerative approach produces the highest-quality medicine. For far too long, cannabis has been unjustly demonized, a legacy that traces back to figures like Hearst and Harry Anslinger of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics.

As a veteran who served two tours in Iraq, two tours in Korea, and as a contractor in Afghanistan, I personally use cannabis for medicinal purposes. I am not alone in this experience. After 15 years in active-duty service, I was medically retired as a 100% disabled veteran. During my time at Balad Air Force Base, I was exposed to burn pits for an entire year, which led to chronic, often debilitating pain. Over the years, I tried various medications provided by the Veterans Affairs Department, but only cannabis products have effectively alleviated my pain. Cannabis has also helped me manage my sleep, anxiety, PTSD, arthritis, and overall mood.

When I used cannabis products of lower quality, they were not as effective in managing my symptoms. One reason that produces lower quality cannabis is the soil it’s grown in and what’s added to that soil. When people add pesticides and salt-based nutrients to soils, the cannabis plants will not produce the best quality medicine. This is why cannabis grown using the no-till, living soil method is superior—it produces top-tier medicine that provides the best relief. It uses the natural microbes from compost and other natural nutrients that the cannabis plant craves, and it thrives off them producing the best cannabis possible. Once cannabis reaches this level of quality, it can then be processed into other products such as edibles, hash, rosin, and wax. However, everything begins with the genetics of the plant and the quality of the soil in which it is grown.

This project aims to showcase the importance of sustainable cultivation methods and the profound impact they have on the quality of cannabis as both a medicine and a product. Cannabis covers the social and political landscapes of our everyday life whether people realize it or not. Cannabis is a medicine. Cannabis has been weaponized by governments across the world as a “drug” that is harmful. Scientific evidence-based research refutes this weaponization time and time again. The intent of this documentary is to highlight and demystify the way cannabis is grown. The organic way. The way cannabis should be grown. It can be used as a guide to others to learn how to grow their own medicine, organically, and pesticide free while taking care of the land. As cannabis farmers, and cannabis activists, we are stewards of the land and the environment.

Microbes and nutrients ensure thick, lush, cannabis jungle treetops much like in the Amazon jungle.

Nothing is wasted and all parts of the plant are recycled to provide much needed microbes and nutrients.

The living soil is a mini-ecosystem of microbes and nutrients that are far superior and are natural compared to salt based, store bought, nutrients.

The mother plant stays in a vegetive state which ensures a consistent and reliable genetic.

Female clones are produced from the mother plant.

The female clones need much love coupled with high stress training so they can mature into thriving adults.

The females start growing buds that contain no seeds.

Specialized scissors are the common tool in the industry. They frequently build up resin from the plants that is very sticky like tree sap.

The female plants grow strong, healthy, top kolas once they are nearly fully matured.

Harvest day means using the specialized scissors to cut down the females and hang them on commercial grade wire coat hangers.

Cannabis buds come in different sizes and colors.

The flower is dried on the drying rack at a carefully monitored temperature and humidity to ensure the best quality medicine.

A bin full of buds awaits trimming.

An 80 year old cannabis smoker hand trims cannabis.

The final product rests in turkey bags awaiting to be jared and sent to cannabis dispensaries in Northern California.

Lens Warrior

The Living Soil Project

The Living Soil Project