The True Story of Skunk #1: David Watson’s Revolution
1970 – California Beginnings
David Watson, a young breeder in Santa Cruz, begins crossing landrace strains. He acquires rare Afghani indica from Afghanistan and pairs it with Acapulco Gold and Colombian Gold sativas.
1975 – Sacred Seeds is Born
Watson founds Sacred Seeds, the first commercial seed bank. He stabilizes the hybrid over years, naming it “Skunk #1” for its pungent, skunky aroma that dominates rooms.
1982 – Sam the Skunkman Emerges
Watson adopts the alias “Sam the Skunkman”. Skunk #1 spreads through California’s underground grow scene, becoming the most reliable hybrid for indoor growing.
1988 – Cannabis Cup Victory
Skunk #1 wins the inaugural High Times Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam. Watson smuggles seeds to the Netherlands, where Cultivators Choice and later Sensi Seeds preserve the line.
1988 Cannabis Cup Winner1990s – Global Domination
Skunk #1 becomes the genetic backbone of Cheese, Super Skunk, Northern Lights #5 × Haze, and thousands more. 80%+ of modern strains trace lineage to this one plant.