How Cookies Develops New Strains Through Pollination

At Cookies, innovation starts at the source: the cannabis plant. Behind every cultivar on our menu is a process that begins long before you pull up to the dispensary. Step inside Berner's recent visit to Cookies One Log to witness the early stages of that process, where pollen meets flower, new genetics are created, and the foundation is laid for future strain collaborations.

Pollination is a key step in how new strains come to life. Male cannabis plants produce pollen, which is carefully collected and applied to selected females. Once pollinated, those female plants begin to produce seeds, each one holding a unique genetic combination from both parents.

During this visit to One Log, the team focused on exactly that: pairing proven genetics with standout plants already showing potential. These included cultivars like Frozen Grapes, Blueberry Caviar, and Cinnamon Milk. Each was pollinated with pollen collected from G.S.C., Pomegranate Shake, and more. Every decision was intentional, crafting our 100-year legacy menu. Each resulting seed carries a blend of traits such as flavor, aroma, color, structure, and effect that could become part of the next generation of Cookies genetics. Most of those seeds will never make it to market. The process of testing, pheno-hunting, and dialing in new cultivars is lengthy and selective. But for the few that rise to the top, this is where the journey begins. This kind of work requires collaboration. That is why we teamed up with Powerzzzup, the breeder behind iconic genetics like Gary Payton, and Ridgeline Farms, known for award-winning craft flower. Their involvement in the pollination process reflects a shared dedication to breeding excellence and preserving the art and science of cannabis cultivation. Our recent small-batch Hash Hole release, blending Pomegranate Shake flower with Ridgeline Lantz live rosin, is just a taste of what’s to come from these breeding projects. At Cookies One Log, this process is not rushed. It is deliberate, hands-on, and driven by experience. Breeding cannabis is about more than creating new flavors; it is about finding something rare, something that stands out in a crowded market and brings real flavor to the culture. From selecting females to applying pollen, every step taken during this visit was part of that mission.

Want first access to the crosses that make it through?