When a passionate cannabis dispensary owner met a family-driven cannabis cultivation company, Massachusetts’ cannabis industry was never the same. The rising collaboration between Rasta Rootz dispensary and Advanced Cultivators promises not only quality cannabis and diverse flower, but also introduces a higher standard of quality cannabis in Boston. 

While this mission is not new for either industry entrepreneur, they met when they were both expanding their businesses and seeking authenticity and quality in the industry.

After Rasta Rootz’ owner, Fern, visited the grow at Advanced Cultivators for the first time, he noted “You don’t want to leave their grow; it picks your spirits up. It’s not just about being a good person but also treating your people well. It all has to align.”

In this latest blog, we sat down with Richard Borges from Advanced Cultivators and Fern Bent-Mullings from Rasta Rootz to discuss their emergence of a cannabis partnership. 

Advanced Cultivators: Intertwining Craft with Authenticity 

Advanced Cultivators has always been about one simple mission: to grow exceptional cannabis that embodies their family values and passion for the plant. 

The company was created between Richard Borges and his brother-in-law, Steven Ramirez in 2020. As a contractor by trade, Richard had his first encounter with cannabis in Northern California, where he learned to combine his skills with his passion for the plant. Steven spent over 25 years mass cultivating cannabis in the Northern region of California. He and his brother-in-law moved to Massachusetts to root themselves in a new business and carry on their cannabis legacy – but with the pace of rolling out legalization in the state, Advanced Cultivators didn’t make their first sale until March 2023. 

Fast forward to this year, the cultivation team has ranked #1 for their Sativa flower and #2 for their Indica flower in this year’s 2024 NECANN Cup. 

“We’re a huge family operation. The passion, knowledge, and work we put into our cultivation show in our flower,” Richard said. “There’s no ego attached to what we do — just communication and trust.”

The Budding of a True Partnership 

While the team at Advanced Cultivators was establishing themselves and their brand, the focus was primarily on expanding and perfecting their crop. They hadn’t ventured into the wider MA market or community much – but that all changed when they attended a local cannabis golf social and connected with Fern from Rasta Rootz.

Once they connected at the event, they learned they shared similar industry values, exchanged business goals, and further brainstormed how to collaborate. 

“We visited each other’s facilities and immediately saw how we could align,” Richard explained. “We realized we’re the same kind of people — focused on family, culture, and helping each other out. We both have a culture drive that is passionate and authentic and we stay true to our heritage and roots.” These points are what both Fern and Richard hold as standards within their cannabis company, which quickly became the recipe for an exceptional future partnership together. 

Going Beyond “Quality Cannabis” 

For both Advanced Cultivators and Rasta Rootz, “quality cannabis” goes beyond just the end product of the flower. It’s about the love and effort put into growing it and how it serves the community.

When Richard met Fern, he warned the Boston dispensary owner that his cultivation company was “just barely getting started” with all they planned to bring to the market. As the first Latino-owned cultivation in Massachusetts, they aim to make a big splash, showing they belong and are here to stay. 

“We push boundaries in the industry and make a lot of noise because we believe we should be here,” Richard explained. “We never remediate cannabis,” he noted, meaning they would never treat or sterilize a batch of their cannabis to meet acceptable safety standards. If it doesn’t hit, the group will scratch the batch and start over at the drawing board. 

“We want our efforts to set the standard in the industry and encourage others to do better. Everything we put out is tested and safe. The winners in this are the customers.”

Fern echoed these sentiments, reminding how these similar values reflect the work at his Boston dispensary. He expressed his desire to keep the industry grounded and prevent it from being overtaken by big corporations. “I don’t want ‘Coca-Cola’ companies coming in and overshadowing the small operators,” Fern said. “We’re here to set the standard for customer service, quality products, and knowledgeable budtenders. It’s not about the race; it’s about making lasting connections and legacies.”

It’s All in the Cultivation Method 

Richard explained that the true essence of quality cannabis doesn’t involve just THC content or the final trim job. It involves innovative growing techniques and cultivation methods.

Each of their grow rooms is equipped with a high number of sensors, more than any you’ll find elsewhere on the East Coast. It helps fine-tune and regulate the temperature and environment of the plants. This precise monitoring prevents micro-climates from forming, allowing all plants to grow to their full genetic potential.

The curing process is often highly debated in an ever-demanding cannabis market – but for this cultivation, the curing lasts around 20-24 days, ensuring higher-quality terpene profiles and detailed Certificates of Analysis (COAs) with every final product.

You Can’t Rush Perfection 

Among all the many detailed strategies and steps this group has implemented into their grow room, Advanced Cultivators is never afraid to fail and try again, shifting their focus on constant research and development to breed the finest genetics and cannabis plants possible. “We never say we’re the best. We say, ‘Try it and let us know yourselves,'” Richard said, emphasizing the importance of feedback for research and development.

Fern recalled his first impression with some flower from Advanced Cultivators. He said when he visited, Richard and the team gave him a bag of “rejected flower” – strains they didn’t like the look and end result of. “I smoked it, and it was amazing,” Fern recalled, “They’re always trying to perfect and find the next best strain. You can’t rush perfection.”

What’s Next for the Partnership?

Both Fern and Richard are excited about the potential for a collaborative Rasta Rootz x Advanced Cultivators strain in the future. They are both committed to authenticity and quality in Boston’s cannabis community, working to attract consumers who are as immersed and engaged at the level of interest they are.

With a keen and careful eye for quality in Boston’s cannabis market, Fern is looking forward to carrying some strains from Advanced Cultivators soon – this decision is an easy one but doesn’t come lightly. Fern has a unique way of choosing partners; he “feels out” the vibe of the people behind the product. He believes that plants can feel the energy of their growers and that the cultivation environment matters. 

Rasta Rootz x Advanced Cultivators: The Future Ahead 

The partnership between Rasta Rootz and Advanced Cultivators is more than just a business deal; it’s a meeting of minds, values, and tons of quality cannabis. Both Advanced Cultivators and Rastar Rootz are dedicated to elevating the cannabis industry by staying true to their roots, pushing the boundaries of quality, and creating lasting legacies. As they continue to work together, be on the lookout for exceptional cannabis experiences rooted in passion, authenticity, and community.

Read more about cannabis education on the Rasta Rootz blog!