Cannabis Time Travel Then vs. Now
A look at botanical history with the “Ganja Guru” and the “Godfather of Growers”
There is a special kind of magic in the history of our community. Long before we had legalized dispensaries and specialized nutrient lines, there were pioneers who treated this plant with the reverence and scientific curiosity it deserves. If you’re looking to share some “mentoring love” with your friends or family looking back at Mel Frank and Ed Rosenthal is the perfect place to start.
The “Then” 1970s & 80s — The Era of the Giants
Back in the 70s, cultivation was a revolutionary act. Men like Mel Frank and Ed Rosenthal were essentially “botanical outlaws,” figuring out the secrets of the plant through trial, error, and a deep connection to the earth.
Mel Frank’s 27-Foot Sativa (1978): Imagine a plant so tall you need a ladder just to see the mid-sections. In 1978, Mel Frank documented a Colombian Santa Marta Gold that stretched to an incredible 27 feet.
The Vibe: This was a pure, equatorial Sativa. These plants are the “free spirits” of the cannabis world—they don’t like to be told when to stop growing.
The Tech: Grown in California’s El Dorado County, this wasn’t just a “wild” plant. It was pushed by an early outdoor hydroponic system. By giving the roots unlimited oxygen and nutrients, Mel proved that cannabis could truly become a tree.
The Visual: You can find the high-quality archival photos from this era in Mel Frank’s collection “When We Were Criminals.” The specific “tape measure” shot is a staple of his gallery exhibits. Check out the CVLT Nation gallery here to see the scale for yourself.
Ed Rosenthal’s 2-Pound “Baseball Bat”: If Mel was the king of height, Ed Rosenthal was the master of the “Super Bud.” In the 80s and 90s, Ed’s work in High Times showed the world that you could grow single colas so dense and heavy they looked like clubs.
The Focus: Ed was a pioneer of CO2 enrichment and maximizing the “calyx-to-leaf” ratio. He wanted every bit of the plant’s energy to go into the flower, not the foliage.
The Weight: He documented single heads that could weigh 2 pounds wet, drying down into solid, rock-hard “bricks” of resin
The “Now”: The Era of Precision & PotencyToday, the game has changed, but the spirit remains the same. Modern growers (like many of you in our community!) are taking the lessons Mel and Ed taught us and applying them to a new generation of genetics.
The Modern Shift
Today, we don’t necessarily want a 27-foot plant in our backyard—it’s a bit hard to hide from the neighbors! Instead, we use “XXL” genetics to pack that same massive yield into a shorter, wider “bush.” We’ve traded height for trichome density and terpene complexity.
A Message of Mentoring Love
Whether you’re growing a 27-foot “tree” in the 70s or a 5-foot “stacker” in 2026, the heart of the craft is the same: Listen to the plant.
Mel and Ed taught us that if you give the roots what they need (whether through high-tech hydro or a rich microbial soil), the plant will reward you with its full potential. As you mix your teas and check your PPMs this week, remember that you’re part of a long lineage of growers who have been chasing the light for decades.
Keep it green, keep it peaceful, and keep sharing the knowledge!
Looking for more history?
You can still read Ed Rosenthal’s “Ask Ed” column in High Times or check out his latest work on triploid breeding at EdRosenthal.com. For the photography fans, Mel Frank’s archival books remain the “gold standard” for seeing how far we’ve really come. If you have any tress growing in your garden, please feel free to share. Post your pictures here!
