​MENDO: Welcome, Brian. We’re pleased to have you with us today. Tell us a little bit about Retro Cannabis.

Brian Leblanc – Retro’s Director of Sales: Thanks, Mendo. Get ready to embark on an exhilarating journey with Retro Cannabis! Nestled in the breathtaking landscapes of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, we are a passionate craft cannabis micro producer. From day one, our unwavering commitment has revolved around creating extraordinary cannabis products, infusing each step of our process with an unwavering attention to detail. Our bold vision drives us to redefine the consumer experience, shattering the boundaries that confine the current cannabis marketplace. Brace yourself for a remarkable adventure unlike any other!

MENDO: Retro Cannabis has a strong reputation for quality. Could you enlighten us on your approach to ensuring such a high standard?

Brian: Absolutely. We employ cutting-edge extraction equipment that elevates the quality of our final product to a whole new level, greatly enhancing the overall experience for our consumers. Our meticulous low and slow extraction, winterization, and formulation processes ensure that our products are completely free of harmful chemicals and botanical terpenes, guaranteeing a clean and natural experience. This unwavering commitment to excellence permeates our entire product line. Noteworthy offerings include our Retro High CBD Oil, Retro Full Spectrum (FS) Honey Oil, and Retro Full Spectrum (FS) Ceramic Vape Cartridges. Our ceramic vape cartridges exemplify premium quality. We steadfastly refuse to compromise on the quality of our hardware, as we want consumers to savor every drop and enjoy our products to the fullest extent.

MENDO: In the complex world of cannabis extraction, “winterization” is often mentioned. Can you demystify this concept for our readers.

Brian: Of course, not a problem. In simplest terms, winterization is a purification process we use to remove unwanted elements from our cannabis oil.

During extraction, along with the desirable cannabinoids and terpenes, other substances like fats, lipids and waxes are also separated from the plant matter. While these are natural components of the plant, they don’t contribute positively to the final product.

Winterization involves dissolving the raw extract in ethanol, then chilling it to a very low temperature – hence the term ‘winterization’. This cold treatment causes the undesirable components to solidify and separate from the rest of the solution. The mixture is then passed through a filter to remove these solidified impurities. After that, we remove the ethanol from the solution, usually through a process known as rotary evaporation or ‘rotovapping.’

This method is important because it helps our team ensure that our cannabis products, such as Bruce Juice Full Spectrum Honey Oil or GLTOZ Full Spectrum Ceramic Vape Cartridge are pure and clean. Not only does this make for a smoother and aroma-filled experience, but it also prioritizes our customers’ safety. We are committed to creating products of the highest quality and safety standards and winterization is an integral part within that process.

MENDO: Retro, you’ve talked a lot about your full spectrum products. Could you elaborate on these and perhaps explain how they differ from other extraction products in the market?

Brian: Certainly. For those unaware, a “Full Spectrum” product, in the world of cannabis, refers to an extract that maintains the full range of compounds found in the original plant. This includes not just THC and CBD, but also other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Essentially, what you put in; is what you get out! The reason we are such firm believers of this product approach is because the presence of these compounds allows consumers to experience something called the Entourage Effect. The Entourage Effect is when all of the components I just mentioned work in harmony to enhance the overall therapeutic benefits of the product.

Now, the difference between our Full Spectrum products and others in the market primarily lies in our extraction process. Traditional methods like the creation of live resin involve mechanically pressing the cannabis plant to extract the resin, which, while effective, can be quite labour-intensive and cost prohibitive. At Retro Cannabis, we utilize state-of-the-art CO2 extraction techniques which replicate the benefits of a Full Spectrum live resin product, but with superior cost efficiency and far lower demand on production labour.

Our extraction process preserves the delicate balance of cannabinoids and terpenes present in the plant, creating an extract that delivers a comparable (or better) experience to that of a live resin. It captures the essence of the original strain in a concentrated form, resulting in a product that’s not only potent, but also maintains the unique flavour and aroma profiles of the source cannabis.

​MENDO: Innovation is a buzzword in this fast-moving industry. How does Retro Cannabis stay ahead of the curve?

Brian: At Retro Cannabis, we strive daily to ensure that innovation is at the forefront of our actions and decisions. Whether that is creating a new product, improving an existent process or exploring product collaborations with other craft cannabis partners. That being said, we believe that groundbreaking products take time. We never want to rush a product to market just to try and stay abreast with our competition. We know we can create our own waves in the market. Potent Pete! Canada’s strongest infused pre roll for example, took our team over 12 months of research and development to finalize and move to mass production. Our team wanted to be confident it checked all the boxes so to speak. Our product development team has lots in our pipeline currently and while not all of those will make it to market, we are confident the ones that do, will slap!

MENDO: You mentioned your newest addition, the Potent Pete infused pre-roll. How does this product fit into your innovative product line?

Brian: We're thrilled to introduce Potent Pete!, an infused pre-roll that boasts unprecedented potency in the Canadian market. With a 55% THC content and a 2.1% terpene profile, it's a perfect blend of the hybrid strain, Powdered Donuts, and Sativa Dominate Blueberry Muffin with a full-spectrum micronized THC isolate (FSMI). The result? A sensory-rich, flavourful cannabis experience that's both potent and enjoyable. Our cutting-edge extraction process ensures the preservation of terpenes and other cannabinoids, meaning you get a pure and intense experience with Potent Pete!

MENDO: That's truly ground-breaking. How can cannabis consumers purchase your products?

Brian: We're thrilled to announce that our incredible lineup of products is now available across numerous provinces in Canada, and you can even get them delivered right to your doorstep through the amazing Mendo online platform!

MENDO: What does the future hold for Retro Cannabis?

Brian: Retro Cannabis's plan is to revolutionize the cannabis industry by blending the nostalgia of the past with the innovation of the present. We aim to redefine the way people perceive and experience cannabis, providing a unique and captivating journey for enthusiasts and newcomers alike. With our carefully crafted products, we strive to evoke a sense of wonder, exploration, and pure delight. Our vision is to create a brand that transcends boundaries, celebrates individuality, and sets new standards of excellence in the world of cannabis. Ultimately, we aspire to shape the future of cannabis culture and empower people to embrace the extraordinary possibilities that lie within this remarkable plant.

MENDO: Thank you for your insights, Brian. Your commitment to quality and innovation continues to redefine the cannabis industry.

Brian: It's always a pleasure, Mendo. We at Retro Cannabis look forward to delivering world-class cannabis products that push the boundaries of expectation, catering to both seasoned connoisseurs and newcomers. We encourage everyone to follow us on IG at @retrocannabis, and on LinkedIn to stay up to date on all retro-inspired content. Share your Retro-experience with us!