“The Ganjier Course and Systematic Assessment Protocol are by far the most involved and in-depth cannabis courses/tools I have come across.”
Name: Dan Klompstra I Certified Ganjier
Location: Wheatley, Ontario, Canada
Ganjier Graduating Class: December, 2021
Favorite Cultivar: Whitethorn Rose
Daniel Klompstra already holds a few respectable distinctions, including Canadian Armed Forces Veteran, Husband and Father.
In addition to becoming a Certified Ganjier last year, he secured a unique position in the cannabis beverages sector (projected by Fortune, to reach $2 billion globally by 2028) as Cannabis Ingredient Specialist for Boston Beer Co., the brewers of the popular Sam Adams brand.
What was your position before joining Ganjier? Continuous Improvement Specialist within Canadian Cannabis
What is it now? Cannabis Ingredient Specialist – Boston Beer Co., Ontario, Canada.
What was your primary ambition/motivation for joining the cannabis field? I had the opportunity to switch career fields. Being a medical cannabis user for a few years and seeing its potential, I felt it was a natural fit.
Why did you choose the Ganjier program? Frenchy’s influence (which will never end). Secondly, I had taken many different cannabis programs and courses and while the content may have been great for their specific focus, they lacked a broader array of topics with depth. The difference taking the Ganjier was apparent immediately, as there’s a big difference when your instructors and founding council members represent centuries of experience.
What did you expect going into this course? I expected a deep dive into subjects with a few ‘wow’ moments! What I didn’t expect was the feeling of belonging, of community and respect amongst those I met.
What did you find? A group of unique, but driven and passionate people with a common goal. That goal being to further the education and de-stigmatization of cannabis, to ascertain a true representation of product quality through the SAP, and a strong emphasis on responsible consumption.
Was there a game-changing “Aha” moment for you during the course? I’ve had one during, and one after. During: Connecting the cultivar nomenclature with the terpene profiles and overall reported effect! Seeing how the influence of 3 major terpenoids can change so much of what we sense when assessing cannabis is phenomenal.
After: Kevin Jodrey explained to me that of the four main categorizations of aroma, only fuel and floral were driven largely by terpenes. Most fruit scents are driven by esters, same as earth.
What skills/knowledge/philosophy have you been able to take away and apply to your cannabis career? I bring forward with me the community that I experienced in Humboldt, as well as the knowledge I gained from the other students/Ganjiers, courses and instructors. The potential I see in cannabis, especially when it comes to quality and integrity, is astounding.
What impact did the Ganjier training have on your cannabis career/future? Receiving that sense of self-validation, that you were on the right path…it’s really a great feeling and experience which I’m using to propel myself forward.
To those considering the course, what advice would you give? Do yourself a favor. Driving through the redwoods, talking cannabis with living legends, experiencing what amazing quality is like…it’s worth it.
