Scratching your head over the maze of the blossoming cannabis industry? Eager to pick the brain of a bona fide trendsetter in the realm? Then we’re are so lucky because we’ll get the chance to sit down with Reggie Harris of Hyphae Cup,  a true pioneer, and visionary in the world of cannabis. 

Picture my excitement when I stumbled upon Instagram posts about Hyphae Cup. Curiosity took over, and I just had to find out who was the genius behind it. So, I did what any inquisitive person would do – I turned into an Instagram detective, slid into Reggie’s DMs, and started chatting. Ever since it’s been a total blast getting to know Reggie and watching his incredible journey unfold. 

Come along with me today as we dive deeper into Reggie Harris’s world and the awesomeness he’s been cooking up in the cannabis industry.

Reggie’s Journey

Reggie made his way from Brooklyn, New York, to Oakland, California, around 2015 or 2016. Before that, his solid career path involved politics, community organizing, and political campaigns, although he always had a side gig selling weed or mushrooms. While living in Brooklyn, he worked on organizing around education and eventually found himself advising the family of Eric Garner, the man murdered by the NYPD years ago. This type of activism was close to his soul, but it required constant anger and energy, which is not for everyone.

So, Reggie left New York and moved to Oakland to work with the Black Organizing Project, pushing for the removal of police from schools and their replacement with guidance counselors. Although he didn’t achieve their goal during his time there, it was accomplished after George Floyd’s death. However, working in the nonprofit sector didn’t provide enough income, so after a year, he started working on weed farms.

When Oakland decriminalized mushrooms, Reggie dove in headfirst, building connections and businesses. This led to the organizing of conferences across the country and the creation of the Hyphae Cup, initially, the Psilocybin Cup, inspired by the Emerald Cup and Cannabis Cup. His competition is unique because it relies on scientific judgment rather than human judges. The Hyphae Cup shares the same basic concept as other cannabis cups but has been innovated to learn from the experiences of the cannabis industry.

From Brooklyn to Oakland California

California, particularly Northern California, has given Reggie a sense of belonging. He has lived a nomadic life, residing in various places such as Ohio, Florida, New York, Switzerland, and Holland. Settling in Northern California allowed him to grow as a politically active person with an outlaw spirit, which he feels is embodied by the region. Oakland, specifically, holds a special place in his heart as a thriving community where people like him can flourish.

The successful people in Oakland are those who are determined to live life on their terms, regardless of the law. The city has a rich history of activism, from plant medicine to the LGBTQ+ community, and the emergence of the Black Panthers. The Panthers, originating from Oakland, ignited a coast-to-coast civil rights movement. Reggie believes that there might be something in the water or air that makes the people of Oakland resilient and unwilling to be oppressed.

He acknowledges that Oakland has its share of violence and that living in an outlaw neighborhood comes with its challenges. However, the vibrant community thrives despite the difficulties, and the sense of community is stronger than the challenges they face. Reggie reflects on the opportunities for growth and happiness that have arisen from the freedom to engage in plant medicine without the constant pressure of law enforcement.

The Behind of the Scene of Hyphae Cup

The inspiration for Reggie’s venture came from his love for mushrooms, which he used to generate income during high school and college. After a transition to weed, he became more involved in the cannabis culture, attending events like the Cannabis Cup and the Emerald Cup. In 2019, when mushrooms were decriminalized in Oakland, Reggie became active in the decriminalized nature movement.

Reggie and his team acquired equipment from a folding cannabis lab and partnered with scientists to develop a potency testing method using HPLC. They founded Type A Labs and began testing mushrooms from various cultivators. At first, they struggled to get samples, but once they started sharing their reports, cultivators took notice and demand increased.

To involve the greater community, Reggie organized an online event featuring panels on topics such as legislation, community organizing, and science. The event created careers for many of the winners and demonstrated the community’s hunger for such initiatives.

What is HLPC Testing?

As Regie has observed the world of mushroom potency testing from a business perspective, he might often encounter questions about the science behind it. While not a scientist, he can still learn quite a bit about high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and how it’s used to test mushrooms for their potency.

Understanding HPLC

High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) is a technique used to separate and analyze compounds within a mixture. In layman’s terms, an HPLC machine uses a process to test a substance (in this case, mushrooms) for the presence and concentration of a known compound (such as psilocybin).

The Process

The HPLC process involves using a non-variable standard (identified compound) and a variable (the mushroom sample). The machine is fed both substances, and it tests the variable for any traces of the non-variable. If the non-variable is present in the variable, the machine determines its concentration.

For example, in mushroom potency testing, the non-variable would be a known psilocybin standard, and the variable would be the mushroom sample being tested. The HPLC machine would analyze the mushroom sample to determine if psilocybin is present and, if so, at what concentration.

Proper Preparation and Submission of Mushrooms for Potency Testing

When submitting mushrooms for potency testing, it is essential to provide a specific dry weight of the fruit body. Photos should be taken before and after the drying process to document its appearance. The mushrooms must be completely dry, or “cracker dry,” to ensure accurate testing and prevent mold growth. Additionally, consuming properly dried mushrooms is more pleasurable, as improperly dried ones can become bendy and get stuck in one’s teeth. In contrast, if they are thoroughly dried, they can easily be crumbled, mixed with water, and consumed without issue.

The Comprehensive Approach to Mushroom Testing

In the beginning, Regie and his team, which included scientists from Steep Hill Labs and CW Analytics, primarily tested for psilocybin and psilocin. However, they soon realized that focusing solely on potency could lead to the loss of valuable genetics. This phenomenon had already occurred in the cannabis industry, where it became difficult to find moderately potent strains that still retained the appealing qualities of more potent varieties.

To address this issue, Regie’s partner Ian created the Hyphae Spectrum, which categorizes various mushroom strains based on their intended use and potency. This allowed them to appreciate the unique qualities of each genetic variety, identifying champions for micro-dosing, spiritual, and recreational categories. As a result, they expanded their testing to include up to 13 tryptamines and even began testing cordyceps for cordycepin potency.

Regarding visual evaluation, Regie mentioned their collaboration with the owner of the mushroom church, who helped set the standard for what constitutes visually appealing mushrooms. This standard includes closed caps, which not only look better but may also be more potent and healthier for cultivators. Open caps, which release spores, can lead to breathing issues for those working in cultivation environments. In conclusion, Regie and his team aim to create a more comprehensive understanding of mushroom potency and appeal, taking into account both scientific measurements and visual qualities.

Does improperly dried mushroom consumption affect your trip?

Although only supported by anecdotes, consuming improperly dried mushrooms could negatively impact the experience. Any natural food left at room temperature for a few days with moisture content could develop bacteria, fungus, or other unwanted elements. People often assume that because mushrooms are drugs, these factors don’t matter, but consuming unknown bacteria growing on the mushrooms might cause adverse effects or even illness.

It’s crucial to understand that not all cultivators are ethical, and growing mushrooms on a large scale can be challenging. Contamination can spread differently in such scenarios. For instance, if a cultivator experiences a high failure rate with many contaminated bins, instead of disposing of the affected mushrooms, they might try to salvage and dry them.

However, contaminants such as Trichoderma could still be present, and any moisture remaining in the mushrooms can allow them to proliferate. This could be particularly concerning for individuals with autoimmune disorders or other health issues.

Lessons from Building a Team and Learning from the Cannabis Industry

Credit must be given to the people who have been part of Reggie’s journey, especially those with a background in the legal cannabis industry. Although Reggie couldn’t crack into the legal cannabis industry, his partners could. One of the key management approaches Reggie employs is to hire or partner with capable individuals and give them the creative freedom to achieve their goals.

Ian Bollinger, one of Reggie’s partners, played a crucial role in creating the spectrum and pushing the paradigm shift. As a scientific outlaw, Ian operates on the edges, but the timing was perfect for their endeavor. COVID-19 created a captive audience, with everyone at home seeking interesting information on their phones. This unique circumstance allowed Reggie and his team to craft and shape the culture in a way that might not have been possible otherwise.

Understanding their position in the current landscape, Reggie and his team aim to establish community norms as much as possible before big money steps in. By doing so, they hope to create a long-lasting, positive impact on the community going forward.

Challenges Faced by Reggie as a Pioneer in the Energy and Psychedelic Space

Reggie has faced many challenges along the way. As a black cultivator in a predominantly white space, Reggie has had to overcome both external and internal obstacles to achieve success.

One of the external challenges that Reggie has faced is the issue of credit and recognition. Despite being one of the first highly visible black cultivators in the psychedelic space, Reggie has had to deal with people taking credit for his work and not giving him proper recognition. He has seen his testing practices, methodology, and standards being copied without being given credit, and he has even had white-owned companies try to compete with him using the information he gave them.

In addition to external challenges, Reggie has also faced internal challenges. As a self-funded, bootstrapped operation, Reggie has had to navigate partnerships and deals carefully to ensure that he is not being taken advantage of. He has learned the hard way that it is important to pay attention to where money is going and to have the right people around him who he can trust to run his business.

Despite these challenges, Reggie remains committed to his work and continues to pioneer in the field of psychedelic research and cultivation. He understands that being a pioneer means taking risks and facing arrows, but he remains determined to keep pushing forward and breaking down barriers.

The Importance of Learning from Mistakes and Building a Thriving Community

Jay Z’s quote, “It’s not a loss, it’s a lesson,” rings true for many entrepreneurs, including Reggie, who has faced setbacks and mistakes while pioneering energy in a new industry. Reggie believes that sometimes, mistakes are simply an expensive lesson and that it’s important to learn from them and move forward.

Despite the challenges he has faced, Reggie acknowledges that he is blessed to have taken an idea and grown it into something that has gone nationwide and international. He has a community of supporters that he never had before, and he feels grateful for the transition from doing street work to legitimate work.

Reggie’s experience also highlights the importance of building a thriving community. His work has allowed him to connect with people all over the world who are interested in what he is doing, and he has received real love and support from his supporters in San Diego, Denver, New York, and DC.

When Reggie reflects on the stress levels and politics of his previous jobs, he realizes that he wouldn’t trade his current work for anything. The good, the bad, and the ugly experiences are worth it because he is building something meaningful and pursuing his own dreams, rather than helping someone else’s dream come to life.

The Magic of Mushrooms: A Story of Transformation and Gratitude

Reggie speaks about his experience with mushrooms and how they have positively impacted his life. He explains that mushrooms gave him a way to live that is legal and doesn’t require him to worry about selling them. They have given him a way to provide for himself and his community, and he is grateful for that.

Interestingly, Reggie’s first business venture was selling mushrooms. He felt like the mother mushroom had her arm around him, guiding him to this space. He believes that if people can take mushrooms and say they saw God, they can take mushrooms and say that the mushroom ordered their life’s path. Reggie is grateful for the positive impact that mushrooms have had on his life and how they have allowed him to transition from doing street work to legitimate work.

To learn more about Reggie and his journey, check out the full episode:

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