Cannabis connoisseurship is evolving in an exciting number of ways today. With a product as ancient as the earth itself, and a legal market still in gestation, the potential is exhilarating. Despite its villainized past, cannabis has been steadily reintegrating itself into people's lives in a variety of ways. Since its legalization in Canada in 2018, it has gained popularity across demographics of all ages. As cannabis education rises, more people are beginning to understand the symbiotic nature of cannabis with our bodies, and fear and stigma are diminishing. This shift has created a huge opportunity for those looking to refine and progress the art of legal cannabis.
Deep in the heart of Canadian cottage country, nestled in the stunning wilderness of Muskoka, Ontario, lies the Muskoka Grown/Dank Craft cannabis facility — and the incredible team intent on rising to that challenge. Located near the bustling lakes of Bracebridge, this modernized 65,000 sq. ft. facility is home to passionate people producing high-quality craft cannabis, and they were kind enough to grant us a behind-the-scenes tour of their operation.
As lifelong cannabis enthusiasts, this visit was one of the most anticipated stops on our roadshow. Well before we arrived at Muskoka Grown, Rob and I knew it was home to a wildly passionate team. My conversations with the multitalented coordinator Yvonne Smith were filled with helpful information and genuine enthusiasm for the upcoming visit, setting the tone for what would be an unforgettable experience.
The Team
Upon arrival, we were greeted like longtime friends and introduced to the gifted people behind the magic:
- Tanya McMaster — Trim Manager
- Natalie Osmond — Harvest Manager
- Hailey McConnell — Quality Control / Packaging Manager
- Natalia Nowicki — Sales and Marketing
- Shaun Matchett — Horticulturist
Before setting off on the tour, we were treated to an unforgettable homemade luncheon made by Yvonne, and an intimate conversation with the team about their respective journeys into cannabis.
Into the Facility
Upon entering the production facility, Rob and I underwent full decontamination from the outside world. When it comes to creating consistently high quality — especially with something biological — one of the most overlooked aspects of the process is sanitation. Removing any variable that might contaminate or degrade the process must be paramount, and this takes an enormous amount of due diligence. As we changed into scrubs and hairnets, passed through a vacuum chamber, and had a head-to-toe safety check, the importance of sterility was unmistakable.
As Natalia gave us the layout — spanning twenty-two rooms over two floors — we learned that the facility houses five processing rooms, one lab, one large trim room, one vault, two storage rooms, and numerous cloning, vegetative, and flowering rooms where plants are kept healthy at their various stages of growth.
Mother plants are kept alive for no longer than 120 days — a strict rule to avoid genetic drift and loss of vigour — with each mother clocking up to about 600 cuts a week, and up to five cultivars running at a time.
The Human Touch
One of the most remarkable things we noticed at Muskoka Grown was the attitude of every team member. Even unprompted, everyone greeted us with an enthusiastic smile and an explanation of their role. Inside jokes were being cracked everywhere. The pride was palpable.
It seems trivial but is arguably one of the most important things when it comes to making a product worth any connoisseur's time. The happiest teams grow the happiest plants. There is simply no avoiding the often demanding and labour-intensive work that goes into creating a craft product — especially cannabis. Despite machines making things invariably easier over the years, there is nothing that can replace the human touch.
All the cannabis grown here is hang-dried, hand-trimmed, and never irradiated. To consistently provide exceptional quality, no detail can go unnoticed, and daily visual checks and constant proactive manual handling help the team familiarize themselves with the plant in a truly singular way.
Our goal is for anyone who smokes Muskoka Grown cannabis to feel as though they're on a Muskoka dock, surrounded by the beauty of nature.
There is an intangible quality to the air in Muskoka. Surrounded by endless forests and lakes, the air is fresh, clean, and invigorating to the senses. That quality cannot be replicated by technology alone, and the Muskoka Grown team is keenly aware of the balance needed between nature and technology in their cultivation process.
Sustainability and Science
One of the most inspiring initiatives we learned about during the tour was Muskoka Grown's collaboration with Guelph University. They're working to process their stalks and stems into hemp biomass for use in hempcrete research — an incredible step toward sustainability that turns waste into something genuinely valuable.
The Cultivars
As we moved through the facility, we were introduced to three of the exceptional cultivars currently growing at Muskoka Grown.
Blueberry — a classic strain that had been part of their lineup for years. After some initial struggles, the team had dialed it in perfectly and were proud to have it back in the collection. THC: 27%–34% · Genetics: Highland Thai Afghani × Temple Flo · Creator: DJ Short
Space Cake — an indica-dominant strain known for potent effects and a distinct flavor profile: a delightful combination of sugar and fuel. THC: 30%–34% · Genetics: GSC × Snow Lotus · Creator: Bhodi Seeds
Koko's Cookies — the staff favourite. Known for its unique fox-tailing, it is their self-proclaimed heavy hitter and the cultivar the team was most excited to show us. THC: 27%–34% · Genetics: Forum GSC × Chemdawg · Creator: Skunkhouse Genetics
Not for beginners.
What It Means
The reintroduction of cannabis to society calls upon those with the pioneer's spirit. Rob and I have made it our mission to seek out the passionate teams who are working tirelessly to create the high-quality cannabis products we all deserve. As a teenager, I never imagined I'd one day have the privilege of experiencing what I did at Muskoka Grown — meeting the passionate people behind the plants I love, learning about their stories firsthand. This unforgettable tour reminded me of why I fell in love with cannabis in the first place: the people, the passion, and the plant itself.
Muskoka Grown/Dank Craft is a prime example of how passion, attention to detail, and a commitment to sustainability are setting the standard for what craft cannabis can be. For anyone seeking high-quality, thoughtfully cultivated cannabis, this is a team worth watching.
