Interview with the Lowryder Creator: the Joint Doctor

Autoflower cannabis didn’t just “appear” one day fully optimized with high THC, rich terpenes, and Instagram-ready bag appeal. It started as a problem to solve. Short seasons, unwanted attention, and a need for plants that could finish fast without depending on light cycles.

At the center of that shift stands the creator of Lowryder, the genetic breakthrough that quietly rewrote the rules of cannabis cultivation.

In this exclusive interview with Doctor’s Choice, we go back to where it all began. From a family bust in rural Canada to the deliberate creation of compact, fast-finishing genetics, this is not the story of an accident. It’s the story of intention, persistence, and a very different way of thinking about cannabis.

We also dig into what growers still get wrong about autoflowers in 2026, the truth behind potency and terpene hype, and what actually separates real breeders from trend-chasing crosses.

If you think you understand autoflowers, this conversation might force you to rethink a few things.

1. You basically broke cannabis genetics with Lowryder. Be honest... Did you know you were starting a revolution, or were you just messing around and accidentally changed the game forever?

My goal as a cannabis enthusiast, ever since I was a young man, was simple: Find or create a compact strain that would be easy to grow in a short season like Canada’s.

To understand my motivation, I will tell you a quick story. Back in the mid-80s, when I was in my mid-teens, I got off the school bus one day to a nightmarish scenario. Our farm was crawling with cops. My father’s beautiful Cannabis plants were all piled up in the back of a truck. It was a bust.

This was in September, as I recall. The Colombian strain my dad had been growing behind the chicken coop had grown so tall (9 ft) that they had become visible to the neighbors. Some roofing contractors had apparently reported us to the police, as we later found out.

In time, I began to envision a new type of bonsai Cannabis that would help avoid this type of scenario. I was really afraid of “the law” taking my family away. I had read about mythical wild “ruderalis” plants from Siberia, so I figured that it was possible.

Truly, I wasn’t even the first person to have this idea. But I made it my mission. Along the way, I have had a lot of help and been inspired by great growers and breeders, beginning with my father, who I am very grateful for. I consider myself very lucky. But I don’t consider Lowryder an accident.

Looking back, I’m a second-generation Cannabis grower and enthusiast who has dedicated his life to this amazing plant. And I’ll tell you something else - I was never afraid of trying something different. My family was different. I was taught to think for myself and not blindly accept the mainstream narrative.

Honestly, though, I could never have imagined how far this journey would take me! 

2. If you look at autoflowers in 2026, what's the biggest thing people still don't understand about them... despite acting like experts on the internet?

People who have learnt from the start that Cannabis is photoperiod-sensitive tend to overthink the process. They have to un-learn the traditional narrative. First-time growers have no such problems. 

The biggest advantage of autoflowers is outdoors, where their fast maturation - regardless of the light cycle or ambient light pollution - allows growers to harvest quality sensimilla, and in some regions even get multiple harvests per year.

For indoor home-growing, the main advantage is that you can quickly grow and harvest your medicine in a single vegetative chamber. No cloning or change of light regime needed. It’s deceptively simple.

3. Autoflowers used to be "fast but weak." Now they're hitting insane terp and THC levels. At what point did you go, "okay... this is getting out of hand"? Do you think a high THC level can compromise other traits of the plant?

Without a doubt, we have gotten better at breeding bigger and better plants now, and we understand how autos work better. In the beginning, we basically saw them as a novelty, a cute, miniature plant that your mom can grow in her garden. Now, we know better how to give them the best chance of success. We are many generations into this adventure.

Now, let me tell you this: the idea that original autoflowers were “fast but weak and small” has been grossly exaggerated, mainly by competing seed companies. It’s a simple marketing ploy, but it’s been going on for over 20 years. Let me paint a picture for you:

As soon as the first competing seed company made their own autoflowering strains in the mid-2000s, suddenly, they said their strains were so much better than mine. Most of it was just effective marketing, an easy way to gain attention and get in on the biz.

Sure, there were some quality issues. And there were growing pains - the demand for autos skyrocketed very quickly, which opened the door to lesser-quality copies, and seeds ending up on the market that maybe should have been properly tested first. Things were too rushed. But farmers gotta make a buck.

“Man, you gotta remember, we didn’t have easy access to advanced lab tests for THC and other cannabinoids. Everything was underground and under the table. 

But trust me - we had fast autos that were plenty good, right from the beginning. I’m talking about strong. 

And super tasty too.”

Absolutely, they’re generally bigger and generally stronger now, but I’m not sure that most breeders take the time to properly stabilise their lines. The nature of today’s flashy marketing strategies means that the best genetics don’t always float to the top. All this terpene-flavor hype mostly appeared recently as a clever marketing strategy. So honestly, in terms of strength and flavor, I wouldn’t say modern strains are some kind of super-special miracle.

6. Let’s talk breeding. In 2026, what truly separates a serious breeder from someone just crossing hype strains for Instagram likes?

A real breeder starts with a plan, a motivation, a vision. Not just crossing random hype strains, but understanding your goals and knowing exactly what you’re trying to achieve, instead of breeding without purpose or direction.

7. Name one innovation in autoflowers that genuinely excites you right now, and one trend that makes you think, “This is cringe.”

What really excites me is the ability to adapt autoflower genetics to different climates and situations. We are still discovering new, useful applications for autos in different contexts.

What’s cringe? Lies and bullshit just for the sake of profit. I still believe that this plant is an amazing, important gift for mankind. Let’s treat it with the respect it deserves. Keep it conscious.

8. If you had to create a strain today that reflects the future of autoflowers, what would be non-negotiable? Speed, potency, terps, resilience… or something people aren’t even thinking about yet?

Speed, resilience, versatility, flavor, quality, and consistency - these things are all important. 

It’s hard to imagine what the next big development in autoflowers could be… I can visualize an auto that gives multiple harvests, maybe, like a greenhouse tomato. Or perhaps a plant that crawls on the ground, has mutated leaves and red-colored buds. Something completely novel and different. 

Why not dream big? If I’m thinking about it now, some stoner buddy somewhere is probably thinking about it too - the trick is to turn pipe dreams into reality!

9. You’ve watched growers evolve for decades. What’s the most common mistake beginners still make with autoflowers in 2026 that makes you want to say, “We moved past this years ago”?

Too much stress. Transplanting. Topping, bending, lollipopping, overtraining… overthinking. 

Autos need freedom early on to vegetate properly and build enough green mass before flowering starts. 

10. If you could go back and talk to yourself right before creating Lowryder, what would you say? And more importantly, would you listen?

Would I listen? I hope so. I would tell myself the same thing I am telling you right now. 

Trust your vision. Even if you only take small steps towards your goal every day, if you stay focused, you can climb mountains, and achieve great things. 

Document everything! You will make mistakes. That’s how you learn. The destination may be far away, but if you believe in something, and you believe in yourself, you will get there. 

Don’t forget to enjoy the journey.

But when you encounter difficult tasks or problems, it’s better to face them with a clear head. Get the work done, a little every day, stay active, and treat Cannabis as your reward. It always hits nicer when you can celebrate what you have accomplished.

11. What’s on the agenda for Doctor’s Choice right now? Tell the community what they can expect this year!

A lot is happening right now, and I’m genuinely excited about all of it. Let me start with Black Mamba #42 — we’ve been running active market tests, and the feedback has been fantastic. What makes her stand out? She goes black regardless of temperature. No cold tricks, no stress manipulation. That’s genuinely rare, and growers are loving it. She has a rich cookie aroma along with a nicely balanced and potent high.

Then, something I’m personally very excited about:

I’m preparing two new regular strains that will join our Be a Breeder lineup. These are my own genetics, bred specifically with Canadian outdoor conditions in mind - short seasons, unpredictable weather.

They’re tough, stable, and built to work as parents. Resilient, consistent, and very well-suited for breeding crosses.

There are several other projects in the works as well - we’re a small team, but we stay busy. All new genetics will be released at Mary Jane Berlin in June, booth F-28. Come find us, I’ll be there, and I’m always happy to talk genetics with the community in person. And I’m always looking for good testers!

12. Imagine we’re at a global autoflower championship. Which continent would win, in your opinion, and why?

In this globalized age, it’s hard to say. And I’m not sure that it matters. Many competitors at the AWC still like to keep their identity secret, for obvious reasons. 

Maybe one day, when legality is no longer the main issue, we could think of having a battle of the continents.