Frenchy Cannoli, a California-based teacher, consultant, artisan, and activist, dedicated his life to the production and appreciation of traditional cannabis concentrates. Born in Nice, France, Frenchy’s journey into the world of cannabis began with his fascination for imported hashish in late-60s Europe. Inspired by the promise of exotic adventure, he embarked on a nomadic lifestyle, immersing himself in the traditions of cannabis production.
For over two decades, Frenchy traveled extensively, learning techniques passed down through generations from traditional producers in countries such as Morocco, Mexico, Nepal, Pakistan, and India. In the Parvati Valley of India, he spent eight growing seasons living in caves, harvesting cannabis resin alongside local cultivators. This hands-on experience and deep understanding of the plant’s cultivation and processing methods shaped his expertise.
Eventually, Frenchy settled with his family in California, where early access to medical cannabis laws allowed him to transition from hiding his life’s work to becoming a legal producer of cannabis concentrates. He dedicated himself to sharing his knowledge and preserving the art of hashish production through his “Lost Art of the Hashishin” seminars, which attracted thousands of aspiring concentrate-makers.
Frenchy was a strong advocate of open-source knowledge-sharing and freely demonstrated his techniques on platforms like YouTube, reaching a wide audience of enthusiasts. With over 194,000 followers on Instagram, he used social media as a tool to educate and inspire others in the cannabis community. He also actively campaigned for public education on cannabis post-legalization, working on the development of hashish grading standards and supporting regional growing certifications for cannabis production, similar to the appellation d’origine contrôlée rules protecting the integrity of Bordeaux wines.
In addition to his teaching and advocacy work, Frenchy embarked on a creative endeavor in collaboration with documentary filmmaker Jake Remington. Together, they were developing a feature-length documentary titled “Frenchy Dreams of Hashish,” which explores the challenges faced by small California farms in the era of legalization. Although Frenchy passed away, his wife Kimberly and Jake are committed to completing the docu-series, ensuring that Frenchy’s legacy lives on.
Frenchy’s charismatic personality and unique expertise made him a sought-after international speaker. He shared his knowledge on various topics, including cannabis terroir, the potential of organic and regenerative cultivation approaches, and the importance of independent “craft” production. He also contributed his writings to publications such as Extraction Magazine (USA), Skunk (Canada), Weed World (England), and Dolce Vita (Italy). In fact, Frenchy had completed the first draft of a book on the history of cannabis concentrates, which his wife is now editing for publication.
Frenchy Cannoli’s contributions to the world of traditional cannabis concentrates have left a lasting impact. Through his teachings, advocacy, and creative endeavors, he has inspired a new generation of concentrate-makers and fostered a deeper appreciation for the art and science of cannabis. His legacy will continue to shape the industry and serve as a reminder of the importance of preserving and promoting traditional cannabis practices.
