About Us

True Cut is a genetic identity platform for cannabis, built to define and verify cultivars at the DNA level.

The system is grounded in the PhD research of Anna Schwabe, which demonstrated a fundamental problem in cannabis: cultivar names are not reliable indicators of genetic identity. Without a stable reference, names drift, products become inconsistent, and breeders lose control of their work.

True Cut applies genome-wide SNP fingerprinting and population genetic analysis to create a consistent, measurable definition of identity. The platform allows breeders, cultivators, and researchers to document cultivars, verify plant material, and analyze genetic relationships across a shared dataset.

This is not about controlling genetics or restricting breeding. It is about providing the infrastructure the industry has been missing.

By anchoring cultivar names to genetic identity, True Cut provides a foundation for consistency, transparency, and accountability across breeding, cultivation, and consumer use.

Our Story

True Cut was built out of a problem that kept showing up across the cannabis industry. Cultivar names didn’t mean what people thought they did. The same name could refer to multiple genetically distinct plants. The same plant could circulate under multiple names. Breeders lost track of their work as it moved through the market. Cultivators inherited uncertainty. Consumers experienced inconsistency. And when questions came up, there was no clear way to answer them.

For decades, cannabis developed outside of the systems that support identity in other crops. There were no registries, no standardized documentation, and no genetic references. What existed instead was a network built on trust, reputation, and naming.

As the industry scaled, those systems didn’t.

True Cut was built on the PhD research of Anna Schwabe, which focused on genetic variation, cultivar identity, and the disconnect between naming and underlying genotype in cannabis. That work demonstrated a core reality: without genetic verification, cultivar names cannot be relied on to represent consistent or defined identities.

The idea to turn that science into a usable system came from Brian, who recognized both the gap and the opportunity. He brought forward the concept of building infrastructure that could apply established genetic methods to cannabis in a way that actually works for the industry.

Kevin Jodrey was eager to jump in on the project as he has been painfully aware of the need for this in the cannabis industry for decades. Kevin has deep roots in legacy cannabis and cultivation. He understands firsthand how genetics move through the industry, and how much the lack of identity infrastructure has impacted breeders and growers.

Chad Ternes adds further scientific depth, bringing expertise in genetics, data, and how these systems are applied in real-world contexts. Jonathan Wenger brings expertise in cannabis genetics, genomics, and breeding. His work at the University of Minnesota and experience within federally compliant research systems strengthen True Cut’s scientific and regulatory foundation.

Riley Kirk focuses on connecting verified genetic identity with real-world consumer experience. Using data generated through True Cut, she will explore how specific genotypes relate to how products are actually experienced by consumers. Over time, this creates the potential to identify patterns between genetics and reported outcomes, supporting more informed and consistent recommendations.

Angela Speakman brings clarity to our message, translating complex science into something accessible and educational.

Together, the True Cut team is building a system that reflects both the biology of the plant and the reality of the industry. The goal is not to recreate the past or define a single “correct” version of a cultivar. The goal is to create a stable reference moving forward, where identity can be documented, verified, and used as a foundation for consistency, transparency, and trust.