The Clade9 Story
When Dave and James first met over twenty years ago, it wasn’t about business — it was about the flower. Dave was deep into breeding and dialing genetics like a mad scientist, while James was obsessed with tracking down the best smoke in the scene. We compared jars, lit up, and instantly bonded over our shared love for the plant and the science that makes it great.
That moment sparked a lifelong collaboration. Dave turned his master’s degree in math into precision cultivation techniques, teaching himself what he calls a “PhD in cannabis agriculture.” James brought street-level knowledge and a palate tuned to perfection, helping guide the flavor profiles that people love today.
Clade9 became our way to share that obsession with the world — a brand built to grow super-consistent, terpene-driven cannabis that hits exactly how you want it to. From Diamond Dust (our High Times Cannabis Cup winner) to Fig Bar and LA Piff, every strain is grown with the same focus: flower we’re proud to smoke ourselves.
Our Founders
Dave
David Holmes is the engine behind Clade9’s cultivation, personally responsible for the genetics that put the brand on the map. Strains like Diamond Dust, Fig Bar, Diamond Bar, and LA Piff all came out of his grow rooms. With a master’s degree in mathematics and a self-taught education in cannabis agriculture, Dave blends precision science with creative instinct. Over 20+ years, he’s chased the perfect flower — winning a 1st Place High Times Cannabis Cup for Diamond Dust along the way — and turned Clade9 into his living art project: a place to grow unforgettable cannabis, every single time.
James
James Alegria is Clade9’s official smoke-tester, vibe-curator, and flavor connoisseur. While Dave grows it, James makes sure it’s worthy — a role he’s been training for during two decades in the scene. From the legacy market to today’s regulated industry, James has been obsessed with finding the weed that hits just right, and his palate helps shape Clade9’s terpene-family approach.
James has spent years building relationships with breeders, growers, and tastemakers across the industry, keeping Clade9 plugged into the freshest genetics and trends. He brings the culture, the taste, and the unfiltered feedback that keep Clade9’s menu exciting and customer-approved. If you’ve ever wondered who’s responsible for your favorite flavor drop — odds are, James smoked it first.