Power in Numbers: Wisebird’s Jacob Bird on Hash, Education, and Empowering New Connections in the Cannabis Industry

You probably won’t find many professional chefs that, after 25 years, make a bold career change and dive into cannabis. However, that’s exactly what the founder of Wisebird, Jacob Bird, chose to undertake. Although Jacob has since retired his chef skillset and cannabis edible ventures, the experience remains deeply embedded in Wisebird’s hash manufacturing processes.

Jacob has his eyes set on a new agenda and Outspoke caught up with him to get the full scoop on what Wisebird has in store for 2020. What’s the most important takeaway? Well, it involves the whole California cannabis industry. Keep reading below to find out.

Can you tell me a bit about Wisebird and what services you provide?

We are a grassroots company from the shores of North Lake Tahoe and specialize in solventless Type 6 non-volatile manufacturing. We produce for private label, white label clients and bulk wholesale. We make hash, rosin, infused pre-rolls, tinctures, topicals, suppositories, ect….you name it we can make it.

Our company is based on the Four Pillars of Health and Happiness: diet, exercise, meditation, and natural medicine. We treat our bodies as a temple, positive dopamine releases, and take a moment every day to silence the mind. Self medicating after achieving this routine is what we call “Full Spectrum of Happiness”.

I read you were making different types of edibles with Wisebird products?

In the past, we did do a lot of edible products and petit fours. There was a big call for that. As soon as the 100mg cap came into play, it [became hard] to continue that side of the business.

I’d like to see the day where we can get patients fresh baked edibles, or maybe even build consumption lounges where you can get Bolognese, a Dirty Chai, or a slice of medicated pie and play a game of Russian billiards. This would be a CannaChefs’ dream.

Do you see Wisebird pioneering new connections with adjacent or unsuspecting industries?

That’s a really a good question. Yeah! I’ve always had the vision that Wisebird products and our affiliates could tap into the outdoors community. Being from Colorado and my wife from Truckee native, we are mountain folks. We’ve always had a term Conscious Cannabis Creations and that connection is a natural segway into this culture that needs to be built.

After reading a prior feature on your work, you had me thinking a lot about the hash process and the value of grassroots business. Can you provide some thoughts on that? Do you think a strong community plays into enriching the hash or cannabis industry?**

Definitely – community is really what it’s all about. We started as a 501c in Washoe County and turned into a for-profit entity. Now we’re a post-prop-64 brand. We are as grassroots and shoestring as it gets, and a third-generation victim of the drug war. I’ve also seen grassroots groups internal politics destroy the concept of a co-op movement.

The value lies in trust, and honesty and that’s hard to find, let alone in an entire community united. There’s power in numbers and the more these groups work together regardless of the voice or movement they preach, the more these barriers can get broken down. We can enrich each other, not just those like ourselves. Let’s stop voluntarily segregating into social circles like it’s highschool all over again.

Do you think technology could help the cannabis community at all in that regard? Any thoughts on Outspoke?

I do. That’s one reason I like what Outspoke is building. Technology and the collection of data is crucial. As the manufacturer, the distributor, and the point-of sale start to work together more, we can control the margins. Outspoke helps everyone involved in the supply chain and decision-making.

Keeping our eyes on these critical control points as a team helps. There’s no miscommunication in the terms of negotiations and everybody is on the same page. The ability to start dialogues and do business based on data helps break these social barriers, where those impressions or stigmas sometimes divide communities.

What are two things that you think should be changed with regards to hash or cannabis right now?

Hash companies need to focus more on trichome education. The hardest thing about selling hash is 80% of consumers don’t know what hash is, or even the difference between rosin and resin. For example, educating [distributors on] and buyers the in grades of hash and not all hash is created equal. This can then be passed down to the consumers and that is it as organic as extraction can get would make that hard part easier and easier.

I’d like to see CA follow suit as our neighbor does, Nevada, and start requiring at least 3-5 terpene profile percentage on labeling. I am amazed that we pay almost 1000 dollars per CAT-3 test for retail ready SKU and a terpene profile is an extra cost that’s not included.

The “entourage” and “catalyst” effects are so important to users understanding their endocannabinoid system. It is like your fingerprint, unique and different for each individual. Terpene profile should be mandatory, not an option at the extra cost of a business.

Lastly, any exciting upcoming projects for the future?**

We do! I’ll definitely be working with some pretty well-known top shelf brands that we have done some R&D with already. As far as new projects, that’s what an alchemist and chef does, right? We’re always tinkering around. We definitely have some things in the works.

You can find Jacob and Wisebird on Outspoke. Sign up today for free before June 15th.

Matt Dell is a writer for Outspoke and Outcrowd Group.