Cannabis Seed Breeder Franco Loja of Strain Hunters Dies at 42
By Keith Mansur
Oregon Cannabis Connection
Franco Loja, one half of the famed “Strain Hunters”, died today, January 2nd, 2017. The reason for his death is unknown at the time of this post. He was a partner of Arjan Roskam in the Green House Seed Co. in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Franco was the head breeder for the company which is the most awarded seed company in the world by many accounts.
The two spent years crossing the globe looking for cannabis strains. Their Strain Hunters video series has over 60,000 subscribers on YouTube, and they were recently featured on Vice TV while in Colombia searching for specific landrace strains. Franco also wrote for Cannabis Now and was a true cannabis celebrity and leader in strain development and breeding. Franco’s Instagram page had almost 100,000 followers on January 2nd.
Their strain Hunter site and the Green House Seed Co. websites both point to a tribute page for the legendary cannabis entrepreneur.
The page reads:
Franco is an icon and helped change so many peoples lives. He will deeply be missed as a brother, father, son, friend and so much more.
“Cannabis is my passion, my bread, my home. I feel it is my duty to make sure this amazing plant is preserved and enjoyed. I am a smoker, a grower, a breeder, and a Strain Hunter for Life.” — Franco Loja, Strain Hunter – May 20, 1974 to January 2, 2017.
Medical Jane on Greenhouse Seeds:
Since their beginning in 1985, the Green House Seed Co. has become the most awarded seed bank in the world. Based on a number of factors, they make sure that each grower chooses the best option for them when buying Green House genetics.
The Greenhouse team started collecting landraces over 25 years ago and their Strain Hunters collection offers them from seed. They also have a YouTube series that chronicles some of the amazing journeys.
http://www.greenhouseseeds.nl/
Franco’s Facebook page:
Article Image from www.strainhunters.com.
© 2016 Oregon Cannabis Connection. All rights reserved.
malaria
Pingback: Cannabis Seed Breeder Franco Loja of Strain Hunters Dies at 42 – 420.ag News
Word is he had a massive coke habit. Bets on a coronary event.
It was a shock for me to read this today ! A great fighter for Cannabis as also a good person passed away at the age of 42, ….. much too young !
I´m sure the whole C. – Community will miss him.
My regrets to his family and friends – and may he rest in peace – but for sure he won´ t be forgotten ..
Sincerely
don’t spread ballshit and have respect.
That’s interesting because no COD has been released yet. You must be psychic
no he is my friend and I work with him.
you are really out of line, and should really think before spreading nasty comments on someone you clearly don’t know.
Rip to one of the cannabis greats
Have a bit of respect
Ever body’s had their good and bad points that’s why we must not judge people death will come to us all.Franco was Ganja god, done so much for cannabis will be missed my friend Rip Hunter
Rest in Green my Friend.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/cadb4509b2f1e15bbac759297be1c3f2aa063f1110cccdd1f68bf6869f45edcc.jpg
Thank you for understanding life, and to give your respect to an amazing soul.
Pingback: Franco Loja of Strain Hunters Dies at 42 - Dolce Vita Balkan
I guess fake news stories are not only on FB! This is bullshit.
All web pages just go to a tribute. What if I wanted to find out more about what StrainHunters was all about?
https://www.youtube.com/strainhunters
I am sure you’ll love him…
Can’t understand people like you why would you speak ill of the dead Franco is no longer with us to defend your ignorance fortunately he has lft friends to defend him so I suggest you refrain from anymore deformation of character comments
You can simply click on the “Strain Hunters” link in the article and watch their videos? Franco was A LOT more than just strain hunters. This article is just an announcement.
Speculating on his cause of death is not appropriate, and speculating that it was a “massive coke habit” is just rude, Sonja. Did your mother ever tell you, if you can’t say anything nice…well this is the moment when you should be considerate..
He took up a great cause in life. His efforts will continue to unfold in the future. And his life will be remembered.
I’m in tears , so much respect for this dude only last summer I cracked 3 strain hunter money maker seeds , 2 I grew hydro and 1 outdoors ,the hydro were amazing but outdoors was the best plant I’ve cultivated in thirty years of growing R I P you legend
One love
i met franco at one of the thc expose’s in los angeles about 7 or 8 years ago. we quickly became friends. he was an awesome guy. he helped me with a few things very much. he was a brother to me. he actually cared about what he did and how he helped others. he will be missed by all. rest in peace my brother, rest in peace.
Trump is president. So, to the say something nice thing is out the window.
Pingback: Franco Loja, famed cannabis expert, has died at 42
So sorry to hear this. He was indeed one of the great cannabis champions. I always loved watching Strainhunters and hearing about his efforts to preserve the historic strains while making new ones. He did smoke like a chimney but who wouldn’t if you had that much herb 🙂
auf Wiedersehen (auf ˈviːdərzeːən)
much love from Devil’s Seed co. & Eternal X-Tracts in Cali
USA
goodbye, until we see each other again
http://www.devilsseeds.com. facebook or instagram
I’ve meet FRANCO , just about 1 month ago on Expomedeweed in Colombia and few days later on Expoweed in Chile . We had a great time , he even told me little about his project in Congo and to wake up to this news is very devastating . I didn’t know him well but I know he was a good person and I have respect for him. I’m sending condolences to his family and to the Greenhouse crew…, he won’t be forgoten…. Rest in peace , my friend , BOOM BHOLENATH in your memory ….
What’s Trump got to do with anything, idiot.
GOOD POINT, CHRIS. the old addage, “dont try and destroy someones life, with a lie, when yours can be destroyed, with the truth” applies.
cris..i have to tell you that sonja is not the only one who has mentioned this. also i have to tell you that celebral malaria sunded a bit suspicios ( especially if you know soething about that,coz it’s so hard that to go unnoticed ,and what GHS said-something like ,he died in peace-that can hardly be the truth if celebral malaria is the reason..also is suspicious coz we all who traveled in those counties know what medications we were using before and during and all those shots we needed to take..i’m just giving you the reasons why people may consider that suspicious. i’m not sying he had coke addiction or anything..if you were his friend you probably know…but celebrl malaria to go unnoticed..sorry..that really doesn’t sound good .as you can see,i’m not hidding under fake name or made up identiti,i’m posting this from my fb account and i am part of cannabis community..and i have to say that GHS are so unpopular that may have something to do with people be so suspicious..just try to stay cool and don’t think about that right now…think what can be done for his name -not to be forgoten..and his strains not to be called Arjan’s this and that in few months..) respect to franco..and i really do not care what s the reason of his death..man is gone,family and friends are in pain.
Again another diva that speaks without knowing anything.
Think what you like and live with your Karma my enemy.
I will keep smile to life. you had your 5 minutes fame, good for you.
Now kindly leave out of your delusions.
thank you.
respect goin out 2 franco he spread the luv him gone 2 soon R.I.P. from tokers in BHAM ENGLAND 1LUV
Never seen anyone get so much joy out of this plant. RIP brother.
Too bad Arjan, the owner of Greenhouse, decided to only sell female seeds and hoard all their genetics so nobody could do any breeding on their own and come up with even better hybrids. Just so he could charge more and make more money.
Pingback: NW Cannabis Zone » Cannabis Seed Breeder Franco Loja of Strain Hunters Dies at 42
I agree: so RUDE! If you ever met him you would know he was a good person and doesn’t deserve comments like yours Sonja. How would you like this to be done to you? RIP Franco-you were loved and will b missed. It was a pleasure meeting you in Jamaica last year.