Cannabis world is in mourning; last Monday, January, the 2nd, the Italian breeder Franco Loja passed away in Congo, because of malaria. One of the most influential people in the sector.
42 years old, and almost half his life focused on valuing our beloved plant; strain hunter, tireless explorer who travelled half the world looking for strains, to make them available for everybody.
FRANCO LOJA
Franco was one of the heads of the famous seed bank Green House; besides, together with Arjan Roskam, another cannabis titan, also started the project Strain Hunters, searching, identifying and helping to preserve local strains in zones where scientific research is difficult or impossible.
He wanted to create a genetic seed bank for recreational purposes, even medical purposes, genetics which could be useful, at some point, to develop better medicines.
We have lost a cannabis lover and protector, leading spokesperson, colossus, fighter – we owe him a lot. Due to his activist mindset, he collaborated in everything he could, attended almost every fair, acted as judge in Cups, wrote in cannabis mags… For Loja, cannabis was his life and passion, and he knew he was on his way to help, he could do it and he actually did it till the end.
Wherever you are, fellow, we thank your struggle and will towards cannabis. From this blog, Gea Seeds would like to express his condolences to Franco family, friends and relatives, Green House and Strain Hunters.
Rest In Peace, fellow.
“Cannabis is my passion, my bread, my home. I feel it is my duty to make sure this amazing plant is preserved and enjoyed. I am a smoker, a grower, a breeder, and a strain hunter. For life. Franco Loja”.
*Base pics from his personal Facebook page.