The decade-long twists and turns of the battle over a proposed Oakland coal terminal are not over yet.
In March, 86 organizations and nearly 1,000 individuals sent an “open letter” to Los Angeles hedge fund owner Jon Brooks, urging him to make an “irrevocable commitment” not to build an Oakland coal terminal. Four years ago, Brooks’ hedge fund loaned $7.1 million to a coal company executive working with local developer Phil Tagami. That executive has since died, the company went bankrupt, and Brooks took possession of both the company and its contested right to ship coal through Oakland.
San Francisco Baykeeper is one of the anti-coal coalition partners. Staff attorney Ben Eichenberg said allowing coal to be shipped through Oakland would be destructive to the Bay, as coal residue is dumped into waters surrounding port terminals. There is also the effect of “fugitive dust” as coal cannot be shipped in covered train cars (see EBX, “Dust Proof,” July 12, 2023, eastbayexpress.com/dust-proof/).
Longtime Oakland resident and board president of 350 Bay Area John Lucero Fleck said his organization co-signed the letter to Brooks because “he does not have a long history of being tied in with coal.” Multiple things other than coal could be shipped through an Oakland terminal, he said, that would not have the same devastating environmental effects.
But the court battles continue. In Oakland on April 29, grassroots organization No Coal in Oakland (NCIO) reported, “a three-judge panel of the California Court of Appeal heard oral argument on the City’s appeal from a 2024 court decision that would give developer Phil Tagami and his associates another two-and-a-half years to get construction of a marine export terminal underway on the West Oakland waterfront. The court has until July 28 to issue its decision.”
In Kentucky, in November, a judge allowed Brooks’ Insight Terminal Solutions to proceed with a $1 billion lawsuit against the City of Oakland, termed by NCIO a “frivolous lawsuit.” The city is now trying to have the case removed from Kentucky bankruptcy court and sent to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
NCIO organizer Ted Franklin, who has been with the group since 2015, is a former practicing attorney. He noted that even if the court rules against the city in the current appeal, more litigation to stop coal will ensue. “It will not be the end of the fight,” he said. He also suggested that, rather than actually pursuing building the terminal and shipping coal through it, developers are now simply trying to put the city on the hook for as much money as possible in “damages,” despite an earlier judgement denying a claim for $159.6 million.
The community, he said, is united in efforts to stop coal shipments. The open letter to Brooks quotes opponents such as Martha Kuhl—nurse, former treasurer of the California Nurses Association and current first vice president of the Alameda Labor Council—who said: “As a pediatric nurse for over 40 years I strongly oppose coal exports through Oakland. Trains carrying coal would endanger the health of children and families and the entire community.”
The current American president has signed four executive orders aimed at reviving the dying American coal industry. At a photo op on April 8, standing in front of coal workers in hard hats, he pledged support for “beautiful clean coal.”
But industry facts show that although coal once provided half of U.S. electricity production, its share dropped to 16% in 2023. Cheaper natural gas now provides 43% of U.S. electricity, supplemented by growing contributions from wind, solar, hydropower and nuclear energy. (Source: AP)
All those interviewed agreed that Oakland and East Bay residents can show their support for stopping coal in various ways. “Reach out to your elected officials, such as city council members, and tell them to continue fighting the coal terminal,” Eichenberg said.
Fleck noted that his organization has many opportunities for involvement, including 350 East Bay, which monitors the current climate action plan, and 350 Action, the political arm, which meets with city council members and encourages constituents to attend and voice their concerns.
NCIO welcomes additional supporters, Franklin said, and not all methods of helping demand attending in-person protests.
Recently elected Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee wrote in a statement to NCIO during her campaign: “I strongly support Oakland’s ban on coal and will continue to fight against any attempts to bring coal shipments through our city. Instead of harmful fossil fuel projects, we should be investing in clean energy infrastructure, creating good union jobs in renewable industries, and protecting public health. As Mayor, I will work alongside community organizations, environmental advocates, and labor to ensure Oakland remains coal-free and moves towards a healthier, more sustainable future.”
One of the most essential services that alternative weeklies like the East Bay Express provide is the ability for reflection and analysis in hindsight. This is certainly the case for Oakland staffer Leigh Hanson and a note she scribbled during a meeting leading up to the Oakland recalls of Mayor Sheng Thao and DA Pamela Price.
On April 7,Eli Wolfe reported that Hanson had been fired from Oakland City Hall “after media reports about hand-written notes she took in a meeting last year that contained a reference to Black people that prompted outrage from many quarters.” The article goes on to say, “The notes, written during a March 4, 2024 meeting of Thao supporters, were a rough blueprint of ways to fight the recall Thao was facing. One four-word notation said, “Use BP as tokens” or “use Black people as tokens.” Due to the cryptic nature of the reference, as in exactly who was using Black people as tokens, and the haste in which it was initially reported, many misconstrued it to mean that Thao and the City of Oakland planned to tokenize its Black population, sparking outrage.
Though the San Francisco Chronicle first reported on Hanson’s termination, saying that Hanson and other staffers had to turn over their records after a federal grand jury subpoenaed them last year in an ongoing investigation of Sheng Thao, which included the notes, it was the Oakland chapter of the NAACP stepping in that eventually led to her termination by Interim Mayor Kevin Jenkins. The NAACP supported the recalls of both Thao and Price, who were mostly funded by Piedmont hedge-fund manager Phillip Dreyfuss.
What was missing at first, was any testimony from Hanson herself on the meaning of the words she transcribed. Television station NBC Bay Area was the first to gain access to her written statement where she clarified to whom the “tokens” reference referred.
“These handwritten meeting notes record a group discussion that included proposed messaging points that the anti-recall campaign wanted to provide to potential surrogates,” she said in her statement prior to reports circulating. “They are a specific reference to Seneca Scott, a paid African American political operative, who was hired by the wealthy white funders of the recall campaign to obscure the public’s understanding of the recall’s political origins. It was Mayor Thao and her political team’s belief that this operative’s paid involvement constituted tokenization by the recall’s financier, and Oakland voters had a right to understand this connection.”
Throughout the recalls last year and the mayoral election of this year, the tokenism of Black people not only became a rising concern, but became more evident with each passing day.
Kim wrote: “On Feb. 22, an unknown group dubbed the Black Action Alliance (BAA) declared its agenda for the first time. It wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that BAA was founded by a ‘group of concerned citizens’ to boost Black priorities when it comes to public safety, economic development, homelessness, public schools, and affordable housing. ‘While these are policy priorities for the Black community in Oakland, these points directly impact quality of life for Black communities across the East Bay and broader Bay Area,’ it stated.”
But as it turned out, BAA was not at all what it presented itself to be.
Kim continued, “The treasurer for the Black Action Alliance is Steven Lucas, a partner at San Rafael-based law firm Nielsen Merksamer. The BAA and the law firm share the same public address and phone number. Lucas is also treasurer of Revitalize East Bay, a committee largely funded by hedge fund manager Philip Dreyfuss—a conservative Piedmont resident who has given upwards of $340,000 to the group and spent more than $1 million on the recalls of Thao and Price last year.”
It turned out that the Black Action Alliance was, in fact, founded and funded by a white conservative.
BAA cosponsored the first Oakland mayoral debate of 2025 between former Congressional Rep. Barbara Lee and former Oakland City Councilmember Loren Taylor, with Empower Oakland (EO), an organization supposedly founded by Taylor, though EO denied any direct involvement with his campaign. Leading up to the debate, three Black organizations in Oakland decried the tactics employed by both BAA and EO as tokenism.
Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) released a statement, pointing to the “lack of transparency and misrepresentation” in the sponsoring of the debate.
“We recently learned that the lead sponsoring organization—based outside of Oakland—failed to fully disclose its affiliations or its involvement in controversial efforts that have directly impacted Black leadership throughout the Bay Area,” the statement said.
Greg Hodge, CEO of the advocacy group The Brotherhood of Elders Network, also released a statement on X Thursday, expressing strong disapproval of Empower Oakland head Biyani’s version of events. Biyani claimed this week that BAA had “recruited” partner organizations like The Brotherhood and BWOPA.
“We are deeply disappointed and we firmly believe that Empower Oakland owes our organization and community at large an apology for spreading misleading information,” Hodge wrote. “The Brotherhood of Elders Network was not recruited by the Black Action Alliance, a group that most of us had not heard of until a few days before the KTVU mayoral debate. In truth, we have significant concerns about the purpose, origins and authenticity of this group.”
Though pinpointing exactly who was responsible for these misrepresentations proved to be difficult, recall organizer Seneca Scott was present at the debate in support of Taylor even though Taylor had called him “toxic and hateful” in a prior panel regarding his open transphobia, homophobia and harassment of a city official who had to file a restraining order against him.
According to The Phoenix Project, “Isaac Abid, the founder of Revitalize East Bay, assumed the role of principal officer at Empower Oakland’s campaign finance committee on March 20, 2025 … REB was functionally the sole contributor to the Black Action Alliance, a committee roundly criticized by standing Oakland Black advocacy organizations for misrepresenting itself and serving as a manufactured community organization to partner with Empower Oakland and KTVU.”
On March 22, Cat Brooks and her organization Anti-Police Terrorism Project issued a public statement on Twitter/X after a fake flier bearing their letterhead began circulating. The flier said, “Reject Barbara Lee.”
Anti-Police Terrorism Project wrote: “Someone is spreading a fake statement in our name to drag us into dirty politics. We see it, and we won’t let it slide. Oakland deserves integrity, not deception. Don’t fall for the lies.”
Clearly, the use of Black people in the practice of making only a perfunctory or symbolic effort to do a particular thing, especially by recruiting a small number of people from underrepresented groups in order to give the appearance of sexual or racial equality, or tokenism, was being employed. But exactly how did not emerge until after the election and Lee’s victory.
On April 16, Oakland’s John Arthur Jones made a public statement on Facebook that connected all of the dots. Along with screenshots of text messages to verify his claim, Jones wrote, “After Mayor Thao fired Chief Armstrong Seneca [Scott] told me that he is ‘tapped in’ with some outside folks looking to pour hella money into Oakland to ‘get rid’ of the Progressives. He said these folks are willing to pay but they need ‘locals with credibility.’ Seneca told me that he signed on with them but he didn’t have the credibility I had being that I am actually born and raised in Oakland, on top of my reputation as a Community leader. He said I am needed to recall Sheng so Loren can get elected.”
Going back to the “recruiting” aspect of tokenism, Leigh Hanson had inadvertently opened the door to an investigation that eventually led to proving that what she wrote was correct. It should be considered in exonerating her.
As a woman whose earliest childhood memories include being incarcerated at a Japanese internment camp with her parents and grandparents, 85-year-old Nobuko Miyamoto has a lifetime of experience with “gaman,” or endurance. She finds it painful to see the same Alien Act of 1798 that imprisoned Japanese Americans during her childhood years be used against immigrants today.
Instead of quietly stewing over the cycles of oppression that many endure today, Miyamoto dances, sings and has now memorialized her story of resistance in the film Nobuko Miyamoto: A Song in Movement.
“I’m not stopping,” Miyamoto says. “As long as we can breathe and move, we have an obligation and a joyful responsibility to be a part of the movement.”
On May 23 at 7pm, Miyamoto will attend the Town Hall Theatre in Lafayette for a screening of the film, a dialogue and a signing of her book, Not Yo Butterfly.
Miyamoto moved from internment camp to dance, using the stage as the canvas of her artistry. When she became aware of tokenization and consumption of her art by a largely white audience during one of her performances, she didn’t leave the stage. She dove deeper into her cultural roots.
“I started training when I was 7, and was working in the film industry by the age of 15,” Miyamoto says. “I started getting frustrated with the sometimes stupid things we had to do to make money. That’s when I started looking around to find what other ways I could express myself. And that’s how I started singing.”
Miyamoto studied with Danny Clark, who introduced her to Nina Simone, Lena Horne and other powerful vocalists. And then she encountered folk singer and activist Chris Ijima in New York City. “I would say he was the James Taylor of Asian America, and it was easy to sing with him,” Miyamoto says.
This creative partnership led to something much bigger. “We realized there had never been a song about who we were as a people that the younger generations could identify with,” Miyamoto recalls. “That’s when we started creating music and realizing there was power in it.”
Miyamoto was only a few months into the journey of mothering when she was widowed as Attallah Ayyubi, the father of her son, was killed at a mosque in Harlem.
“I had to learn how to be a mother of a biracial child; to know, to see and be part of the Black world as well as my own Japanese-American culture, and to see the world and more through more than one view,” Miyamoto says.
She fell in love with her husband Tarabu Betserai Kirkland, a filmmaker, playwright and founding member of KPFA’s Third World media department, some 30 years ago. Kirkland says it’s more important than ever to preserve stories like Miyamoto’s.
“We have to understand how all these issues are connected to our survival and history,” Kirkland says. “Nobuko has also done a really good job at connecting people from all different communities with her work.”
El Cerrito-based performing artist Carla Vega joined Miyamoto’s Great Leap’s Collaboratory mentorship program for emerging artists nearly 20 years ago; she’s sung, danced and expanded the movement of resistance through the arts with Miyamoto ever since.
Vega says that the film gives folks a glimpse of the woman behind the songs and dances. “It gives us an intimate perspective and broad scope of her life experience and creative processes—a deeper dive into the woman behind the music, dance, activism,” she says.
She says that art like that of Miyamoto’s may be the thing that gets people through these turbulent times.
“The arts are central to our resilience,” Vega says. “In creating festivals and events that bring people together—these opportunities can be healing and fortifying, reminding us of our humanity, our interdependence, giving value to creative and innovative ways of understanding the world around us.”
Nobuko Miyamoto will be at the Lafayette Town Hall Theatre on Friday, May 23, at 7pm for a screening of ‘Nobuko Miyamoto: A Song in Movement’ and audience discussion. For tickets and info, visit townhalltheatre.com.
Though named after the King of the Cowboys, guitarist Roy Rogers isn’t a country and western yodeler. The Bay Area resident and Redding native is an acclaimed Delta blues musician and producer. His extensive credits include work with a diverse array of celebrated figures including John Lee Hooker, Norton Buffalo, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and Ray Manzarek. But Rogers’ body of work under his own name—showcased on dozens of albums—has earned him fame in and beyond the world of blues. Rogers comes to The Freight on May 24.
Rogers’ musical journey has taken him far and wide. In the early, pre-Beatles 1960s, he was already playing in a band. The group’s repertoire included “Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, standard fare of the time,” Rogers recalled. But when his older brother brought home a vinyl copy of Robert Johnson’s King of the Delta Blues Singers, his life changed. “That record blew my mind,” he said. “‘What is this? How does he do that?’”
Hearing Johnson’s powerful voice and unusual guitar tunings struck a chord with the then-teenage musician. “Nobody could approach him rhythmically,” Rogers said. “He borrowed from other guys—like Son House—but Robert put it all together in a way that was just stunning. Still is; always will be.”
Thus inspired, Rogers dove deeper into the world of blues. Reading the credits on the back of early releases from British groups like the Animals and the Rolling Stones, he was fascinated by their blues-oriented songs. He recalls wondering, “‘Who’s McKinley Morganfield? Who’s Chester Burnett?’ I was a kid, so I didn’t know who those guys were!”
But he made a point of finding out. The ’60s brought the peak of the Fillmore West and Avalon Ballroom, so he got to see legendary bluesmen like Jimmy Reed and John Lee Hooker live onstage. Rogers was especially moved by the blues’ Delta variant. “The passion and delivery of that type of blues … it all emanates from there for me,” he said. By the time British blues boom artists like John Mayall’s Blues Breakers and Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac came to the attention of American ears, Rogers was already a seasoned blues guitarist.
Rogers worked regularly, teaming up with fellow Bay Area musician David Burgin. “It was a harmonica and slide-guitar duet in the Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee mold,” he said. The pair gigged extensively, releasing A Foot in the Door in 1978. By 1980, Rogers had earned a spot in John Lee Hooker’s band. He went on to play on and produce four of Hooker’s albums, including the 1989 Grammy-winning release, The Healer. He learned a lot working with the legendary figure. “You’re not trying to reach everybody” with your music, Hooker told him. “You’re trying to make a statement.”
Like many guitarists, Rogers plays a variety of models, but one instrument closely associated with him is a double-neck model based on a Gibson 125. For his playing, one neck might be tuned in standard fashion, with the other set to an open tuning, best for the distinctive slide playing that characterizes much of Rogers’ work. “The whole Delta blues [style] is based on being able to approach the music as a soloist,” he said.
While Rogers is steeped in the blues, he uses the form as a foundation, not the be-all and end-all. “I don’t consider myself a straight-ahead blues guy,” he said. “Because I like to stretch the envelope.” That musical open-mindedness and versatility has led to work—live dates, studio sessions, production—with an extensive assortment of musicians outside the blues idiom.
Rogers’ credits in the 1990s and beyond include work with Miles Davis, Taj Mahal, Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, fellow Bay Area musical heroes Steve Miller and Carlos Santana, and many more. He also recorded and released a trio of albums with former Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek.
Even amid his numerous collaborative projects in various genres, the giants of blues remain closest to Rogers’ heart. “It all goes back to the Delta blues,” he said. “And if I can come within even a minuscule approach of what they achieved, I’m a happy guy.”
Roy Rogers & the Delta Rhythm Kings with Special Guest Jimmy Pugh play Saturday, May 24, 8pm, at The Freight, 2020 Addison St., Berkeley. Tickets $44. 510.644.2020. thefreight.org.
The lead character in Min Kyu-dong’s gratuitously violent Pagwa (The Old Woman with the Knife) doesn’t operate the same way as most other action figures.
First and foremost she’s female and, as advertised, she’s a genuine senior rather than a mere over-the-hill ingénue. Also, true to her billing the South Korean hit-woman known as Hornclaw—played as an adult by 63-year-old Lee Hye-yeong—prefers cold steel cutting and stabbing to torrents of lead. The one cliched characteristic Hornclaw shares with, say, Michael Fassbender’s ice-cold death dealer in David Fincher’s The Killer (2023), is that she has her reasons.
It was she who long ago was left alone to wander barefoot through a snowstorm as an orphaned schoolgirl. She who was adopted as a dishwasher in a hamburger joint, was sexually assaulted by an American soldier, grew up and graduated to the role of sworn avenger of women and girls brutalized by a parade of goonish male bullies. Hornclaw’s original weapon of choice: a long, thin, icepick-like knife. Many, many blades of all sizes come into the picture in Hornclaw’s mission to rid the world of “pests.”
The plot does not march through time in a straight line. As cooked up by author Gu Byeong-mo, screenwriter Kim Dong-wan and director Min, rather late in life Hornclaw makes the acquaintance of a bolshy young guy named Bullfight (actor Kim Sung-cheol). Bullfight’s singular achievement is slaying a gang of crooks whose racket is to forcibly harvest human organs. In that respect, Bullfight and Hornclaw have something in common—they both dispense street justice to people with bad manners.
Such a simple folk tale does not waste its time with irony. Hornclaw belongs to a sort of “vengeance agency” for aggrieved clients. The agency, including the renegade Bullfight, is dedicated to wreaking death and destruction on the type of miscreants who would kidnap a harmless veterinarian’s young daughter for immoral purposes.
Don’t worry too much about connecting the dots. What exactly do the movie’s various villains do to deserve being killed? That depends. Who gives the orders? We never really find out. Hornclaw and Bullfight make their bloody way through a forest of guilty foes like a firestorm mowing down trees.
Occasionally we observe Hornclaw pausing to contemplate her chaotic life, as if to make sense of it. Sullenly, she pays attention to happy families, aware that she can never again fit that mold. A trace of regretfulness passes over the old woman’s face—that’s actor Lee’s brief opportunity to do some old-fashioned acting before going back to the Korean guignol at hand. Hornclaw kills almost out of habit. Afterward she indulges in a bit of awkward reflection—“I’m not a good person”—or some hard-earned words of advice—“Hold tight onto your grudge.”
The Old Woman with the Knife is never a “good” arthouse-style foreign film, tugging our heartstrings with moments of pathos or well-justified comeuppance. The bitter old woman and the brash young sword-punk ping-pong from scrape to scrape in their own hectic sphere, rarely philosophizing and even more rarely taking a coffee break. Admirers of ultraviolent Asian action contraptions like director Gareth Evans’ Indonesian-made orgy-of-combat series the Raid pics will find moments to appreciate.
The impossible stunts are impossible to miss. Any real human being would be dead after this kind of shellacking. An evil intruder posing as a housekeeper kills young Bullfight’s abusive—what else?—father. Hornclaw beats a bully on a subway train. A bad guy eats a container of wriggling worms. Hornclaw, the consummate outsider, just doesn’t have time for holding hands and bravely carrying on into a cloudy future.
The Old Woman with the Knife is a confusing onrush of energy, like life itself. Filmmaker Min Kyu-dong, whose previous features have veered unsteadily from marital dramas to horror shockeroos, must have been out of his mind to put a senior citizen through such an ordeal. But the audience will remember it.
For five decades, the members of Steel Pulse have fought the good fight the best way they know how: with a flood of reggae. The legendary band is on its 50th Anniversary Tour, celebrating its Grammy-nominated 12th studio album, Mass Manipulation. Ever aware of the forces that pit people against each other, lead guitarist David Hinds brings his humanitarian impulse and respect for the African diaspora to the music. In songs like “Black and White Oppressors,” “Thank the Rebels,” and “Human Trafficking,” the musicians of Steel Pulse gallantly uphold their reputation as reggae revolutionaries. – ADDIE MAHMASSANI
Welcome to the marimba mosh pit. The Gama brothers, born on the outskirts of Mexico City, grew up hammering out marimba melodies at weddings and street parties before diving headfirst into the chaos of punk as teens. In the wisdom of young adulthood, they fused those roots into their own rowdy hybrid, “cumbia punk.” Their albums, Batuco and Chimborazo, channel this wild energy, turning marimba into a riotous, bone-rattling lead, blended with surf guitar, big percussion and a little dub weirdness. – SONYA BENNETT-BRANDT
Ever since her 2001 self-released debut, Closer, Goapele has been a force to be reckoned with. This Oakland native graduated from the Berklee College of Music and used her gifts in soul music to illuminate civil rights and social-justice issues. Her sultry voice is beloved throughout the Bay Area, and she has collaborated with a “who’s who” of local artists like E-40, Hieroglyphics, Mac Mall and Zion-I. But her influence and voice extend far beyond just the Bay, as her music has appeared on national television shows and she’s shared the stage with legends like the late Prince and Stevie Wonder. She performs until May 24. – MAT WEIR
Ask 20 people how they feel about the iconic musical, and the world divides into lovers and loathers. Choosing to side with the lovers, the music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II transports audiences to 1938 Austria. Riding on the wings of “Climb Every Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Edelweiss” and “Do-Re-Mi,” the Von Trapp family and beloved governess Maria stare down Nazi forces and fight to preserve the country’s humanitarian roots. The story, based on the book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, will be well played at the always-reliable Berkeley Playhouse. Performances go until June 29. – LOU FANCHER
SFJAZZ presents trumpet-great Wynton Marsalis as featured soloist with an 11-piece jazz ensemble and Manila-born virtuoso classical pianist Cecile Licad providing live accompaniment to the silent film, Louis. Marsalis wrote the score for Dan Pritzker’s 2010 Louis Armstrong biopic, which follows the future icon at 6 years old roaming the streets of New Orleans in 1907. Jazz, the idiom that Armstrong radically advanced and turned into the foundation of American popular music, had yet to be named or fully born, and the film evokes the various settings and situations from which the music emerged. The film seeks to emulate silent film-era conventions, with big emotions and close observation of expressions. – ANDREW GILBERT
Phoenix-based Diva Bleach, fronted by Sydney Roten and Brie Ritter, blends pop-punk energy with diaristic lyrics to make infectious anthems with the heart-on-sleeve energy of the emo revival. They’re on tour with Tacoma’s Alex Vile, a four-piece band led by formidable singer/guitarist Alexandra Vilenius. They’ve got that same modern emo edge, channeled through ’90s grunge and raw, melodic soundscapes. With fervent emotion and undeniable hooks, the two bands are capturing the pulse of a new generation. – SBB
Though the billing for this concert merely indicates the number of players and instrumentation, the contents of the program contain a talented array of musicians. Mary Watkins is best known as a prolific composer with three operas, film scores, chamber works and jazz pieces to her credit. Barbara Higbie is a multi-instrumental force and genre-defying composer who helped put Windham Hill on the map. Tammy Hall has raised her profile as a commanding leader of a jazz trio after years as the accompanist of choice for powerhouse vocalists from Barbara Dane and Holly Near to Kim Nalley and Denise Perrier. And Adrienne Torf is another prolific composer who has toured and recorded with Holly Near, Linda Tillery, Ferron, Meg Christian and June Jordan. – AG
Dinges, the award-winning investigative journalist who covered Latin America for The Washington Post and NPR, launches his new book, Chile in Their Hearts: The Untold Story of Two Americans Who Went Missing after the Coup. A conversation with the audience will revolve around the book’s core: the 1973 U.S.-backed coup in Chile and the true-life stories of Charles Horman and Frank Teruggi, two Americans who believed in Allende’s democratic revolution and were eventually executed. Romance, intrigue, cover-ups, false identities and accusations make Dinges’ book a thriller mystery nestled in the real facts, research and interviews that constitute trademark boots-on-the-road investigative journalism. – LF
Let’s get one thing straight: DeathByRomy isn’t your average pop star. While singers like Sabrina Carpenter, Adele, Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande cultivate a clean-cut image, DeathbyRomy wades in the dark waters of the abyss, like a cross between Lady Gaga and Marilyn Manson. This Los Angeles native has released several singles, but last month she dropped her debut full-length, Hollywood Forever, playing off the double meaning of wanting to be in Hollywood forever, and being buried in the Hollywood Forever cemetery next to the likes of Johnny and Dee Dee Ramone, David Lynch, Vampira (Maila Nurmi) and others. – MW
Who’s in the mood for some psychedelic cumbia? It’s the tried-and-true style of Tropa Magica, and it’s about as fun to dance to as it is to listen to. The delightful band evolved organically from brothers David and Rene Pacheco’s lifelong love of playing music together in East L.A. Like their contemporaries, Los Lobos and Chicano Batman, they bring the traditional rhythms of Latinx music boldly into a mix of ’90s grunge and psych-punk stylings with wondrous results. Their latest album, Para Bailar y Tripiar, features cosmic imagery, joyful melodies and zany meditations on love in tracks that include “Limerencia” and “Y3K.” – AM
Bollinger Canyon Road is lined with miles of white rose bushes. This month they’re in bloom. There’s something funereal about them, as if they indicate the way to a mausoleum entrance rather than mark the perimeter of Chevron’s San Ramon campus. Wearily, the roses compete with the onrush of cars racing off the freeway towards Renzo Piano’s refined vision of an outdoor mall.
Piano and his partners designed City Center Bishop Ranch without factoring in the demands of weekend mall goers. Despite a separate parking garage, motorists tend to ignore pedestrians while they compete for empty spaces. The busy sidewalks surrounding the mall are narrower than the wide interior walkways. Finding my way inside felt like a Herculean achievement. Piano made it difficult for visitors to casually come and go.
Wayfinding signs and employees, digital or the old-fashioned kind, are nonexistent. Before arriving, I should have studied the online directory map to locate Alora Social. Note: It’s on an unassuming corner on the left side of the mall’s front entrance. Social is chef Nicholas Peters’ second iteration of Alora, which belongs to the Good Times restaurant group that also includes Pippal in Emeryville. Alora Pier 3, the first iteration, opened on the Embarcadero waterfront in San Francisco.
During summer, the heat in San Ramon beats down hard on the unhatted. Once indoors, Alora Social’s air conditioning counteracts the sunshine with a cooling breeze. The interior design is on trend with a mix of faux and real greenery. A dark-pink vine of papery bougainvillea wreathed the wall behind our table. Grecian blues, whites and blonde wooden tables and chairs contribute to the cheerful atmosphere.
Alora’s sharing menu features cuisines from such Mediterranean countries as Turkey, Italy and Greece. On paper, that approach, without a singular focus, sounds problematic. In practice, only one of several dishes needs to be reimagined.
A charred eggplant dish called moutabal ($16) is mixed with yogurt, chili, shallots and mint. This version is as creamy as hummus and could easily replace it as a go-to dip. The five dip options are served with pita bread or a crispy lavash. Focaccia is another bread option for an additional $8. The pita bread is served warm and lightly salted. Vertical spears of lavash arrive golden in color, with herbs baked into the crackers. Both are worth ordering to try out the different textures. I would also recommend the spring pea hummus ($16), with one caveat. It’s brightened up by lemon and dotted with fresh peas and microgreens. But it should be served in a bowl rather than on a plate where it flattens out into a green puddle.
Sigara borek ($13) are cigar-shaped rolls of filo dough filled with spinach and feta. They were crisp and light, an elegant version of spanakopita that gets the balance right between greens and feta and crust. The herbal labneh dip that comes with it is a perfect foil for dipping.
CRISP ’N LIGHT Sigara borek ($13), cigar-shaped rolls of filo dough filled with spinach and feta, get the balance right at Alora Social. (Photo by Jeffrey Edalatpour)
Fattoush ($18) was the only dish that left me with questions. It’s the second salad I’ve had this week that didn’t work. Shaved carrots, orange and purple, outnumbered by far the shaved pieces of asparagus. Uncooked carrots are a tough sell for me, but when they’re shaved I find the texture abrasive. I expected the plate to be more vegetable forward, with cucumber and radishes too, but the ratio of lettuce to other ingredients was off. Reverse it, add haloumi or feta, tomatoes and cubed, not shaved, veggies and then it might awaken dormant vegetarians.
Italy is represented on the menu by several kinds of pasta. With the exception of a Spanish shrimp pincho ($33), the lunch entrees incorporate Middle Eastern flavors on kebabs. Ladolemono souvlaki ($28) is made with grilled chicken thighs. The kebab pieces on their own didn’t carry as much flavor as I was expecting. But the dish made more sense when the chicken was paired with bites of rice pilaf, cucumber salad and tzatziki.
Alora Social, 6000 Bollinger Canyon Rd., Ste. 1100, San Ramon. Open Sun-Thu 11:30am to 9pm and Fri-Sat 11:30am to 10pm. 925.236.2026. visitalora.com/alora-social
The Giants won 1-0 against the Athletics in San Francisco at a sold-out Oracle Park on Saturday, May 17, 2025. See a few photos and highlight reel below.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): I think you’re ready to establish new ways of nourishing and protecting what’s valuable to you. Your natural assertiveness will be useful in setting boundaries and securing resources. Your flourishing intuition will guide you to implement adjustments that safeguard your interests while remaining flexible enough to permit legitimate access. Be extra alert, Aries, for when you need to balance security with accessibility. Your best defenses will come from clever design, not brute force. Do what you need to feel secure without feeling trapped.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In July 1971, 26-year-old Taurus poet Bernadette Mayer kept a scrupulous diary. Every day, she shot a roll of 35 mm film, wrote about the day’s events and recorded herself reading her accounts. By Aug. 1, she had accumulated 1,100 photos and six hours of readings. One of her goals in doing the project was to learn more about how her memory worked. What was worth remembering, and what wasn’t? She also hoped to gain an objective perspective about her routine rhythm. Years later, she acknowledged that though this was a narcissistic experiment, she had no shame about it. Inspired by Mayer, and in accordance with astrological omens, you might find it worthwhile to lovingly and thoroughly study the details of your daily life for a while. It’s an excellent time to get to know yourself better.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Gemini writer Raymond Carver (1938–1988) established a reputation as a master of terse minimalism. One critic noted that he practiced the “Theory of Omission”—an approach to writing fiction that mandates the elimination of superfluous narrative elements. But it turns out that Carver’s editor Gordon Lish had a major role in all this. He deleted half of Carver’s original words and changed the endings of half his stories. Years after his death, Carver’s widow, Tess Gallagher, published the original versions, with the omitted material reinstated. I believe the coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to make comparable restorations, Gemini. In every way you can imagine, tell the full story, provide the complete rendition and offer elements that have been missing.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Even if you don’t regard yourself as a psychic or prophet, I suspect you now have an uncanny knack for deciphering future trends. Your intuition is operating at peak levels, especially when you focus it on the big picture of your long-term destiny. As long as you’re not overconfident about this temporary bloom of expansive vision, you can trust your ability to see the deep patterns running through your life story. To make the most of this gift, take a loving inventory of where you have been and where you are going. Then devote relaxed meditations to adjusting your master plan.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): River deltas form where rivers meet the sea, creating fertile and complex ecosystems that nourish abundant life. Some of my favorites are the Rhône River Delta in France, the Po River Delta in Italy and the Shinano River Delta in Japan. In the coming weeks, Leo, I will visualize you as the metaphorical equivalent of a river delta. I’ll call you the Leo Delta, trusting you will be inspired to celebrate and cultivate the rich intersections that characterize your life—areas where an array of ideas, paths and relationships converge. Be open to synergizing different aspects of your world: integrating emotions and logic, connecting with diverse people, blending personal and professional goals.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Your natural inclination is to solve problems through detailed planning and careful analysis. On occasion, that process dead-ends in overthinking, though it often works pretty well. In accordance with current astrological omens, however, I suggest an alternative approach for you in the coming weeks. Instead of trying to figure everything out, how about if you simply create a relaxed spaciousness for new things to emerge? Experiment with the hypothesis that progress will come not from doing more, but from allowing more.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): As they climb, mountaineers carefully assess every handhold and foothold. Unfailing concentration is key. I recommend adopting their attitude in the coming weeks, Libra. You are entering a phase when ascension and expansion will be among your main assignments. The best approach to your adventures is to make steady progress with precision and thoughtfulness. Rushing rashly ahead or taking needless risks could be counterproductive, so be scrupulous about planning and preparation. Trust that the most efficient path to the summit will be via small, deliberate steps. Your winning combination will be ambition leavened with caution.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): At age 42, Scorpio painter Georgia O’Keeffe left her busy New York art career and traveled to New Mexico for the first time. The landscape’s beauty overwhelmed her. She wandered around the desert for three months, creating no art at all. A few critics accused her of wasting time. She rejected their ignorant misunderstanding of her process, replying, “To see takes time. I had to learn the country first before it would let me paint it.” Her most iconic paintings emerged after this phase of pure observation. I’m recommending a similar period for you, dear Scorpio. While your instincts may tempt you toward a flurry of activity, I believe now is a time to wait and see; to pause and ponder; to muse and meditate.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): By the 20th century, the 483-mile-long Seine River in France was so polluted that most of its fish were gone. But clean-up efforts have been successful. Now there are 32 fish species, including the Atlantic salmon. The Seine is also very close to being completely safe for humans to swim in. I would love it if you were inspired by this success story to undertake a comparable project in your own life, Sagittarius. What would you most like to see revived and restored? Now is a good time to begin the effort.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Until she reached her 70s, Capricorn visual artist Louise Bourgeois was a peripheral figure in the art world, modestly respected but not acclaimed. Then New York’s Museum of Modern Art presented her work in a major show. In response, the New York Times reviewed her work, saying it was “charged with tenderness and violence, acceptance and defiance, ambivalence and conviction.” I bring this to your attention, Capricorn, because I suspect the coming months will also bring you recognition for labors of love you’ve been devoted to for a while—maybe not in the form of fame, but through an elevated appreciation by those whose opinion matters to you.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The name of the old Talking Heads album is Stop Making Sense. One of its many implications is that we periodically derive benefit and relief from being free of the pressure to sound reasonable and be consistent. According to my detailed, logical, in-depth analysis of your astrological omens, now is a perfect time to honor this counsel. I hope you will give yourself a sabbatical from being sensible, serious and overly sane. Instead, please consider a sustained pursuit of pure pleasure, fun foolishness and amazing amusement.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Be on high alert for fleeting intuitions that flow through your awareness. Really good ideas may rise up only briefly and only once, and you should be ready to catch them in the ripe moment before they fade away. Do you hear my urgency? Pay special attention to passing thoughts or sudden insights. They may contain more value than initially apparent. I will even speculate that seemingly ephemeral inspirations could become foundational elements in your future success. Document your hunches, even if they seem premature.
Published in cooperation between Hempuffs and the East Bay Express
Looking to buy cannabis seeds in 2025? With countless seed vendors flooding the market, it can be challenging to decide which ones are worth your time, trust and money. Whether you’re a seasoned grower or just starting out, finding a reliable seed bank that delivers high-quality seeds, fast shipping and excellent customer service is key to a successful growth.
To save you the hassle, we’ve carefully curated a list of seven top cannabis seed banks that are making waves in the industry this year. These vendors are highly rated by the growing community and are trusted for their premium seed genetics, germination guarantees and user-friendly shopping experiences.
So, if you’re ready to invest in cannabis seeds from trusted sources and ensure a strong start to your grow, keep reading. We’ll break down why these vendors stand out, what they offer and how they make your growing journey seamless and stress-free.
Get ready to discover a new seed bank to buy weed seeds in 2025. We’ll bring you seven of the best weed seed vendors on the market and show you why we picked them.
Seed Supreme emerged at the top of our list because the seed bank has taken a special seat in the hearts of cannabis enthusiasts. Why? The seed bank has a wide selection of marijuana strains and ships to customers across the world.
That is not all; the high-quality seeds are budget-friendly, too, and SeedSupreme has the best promotional deals and gives free seeds on orders.
Seed Supreme sells various types of seeds ranging from female seeds and autoflowering cannabis seeds to regular seeds. These seeds are sourced from amazing local U.S. breeders just to bring their customers the best of the best.
Some of Seed Supreme’s bestsellers are Blue Dream Feminized Seeds, Bruce Banner Autoflower Seeds and GG #4 Feminized Seeds, among others.
As a customer, you can choose the strain that best suits your preferences from this diverse range of 4,000-plus quality strains. As one of the best seed banks that ships cannabis seeds in the United States, Seed Supreme provides growers with the best value for money.
Although Seed Supreme’s customer service response time could be faster, the company strives to put its customers first. Seed Supreme provides guidance and assistance for its buyers to ensure they get their money’s worth.
One thing this seed bank is well-known for is its free seeds and deals. Customers have praised the seed bank’s complimentary seed offers, discounts and promotions, as well as how they help them save.
Seed Supreme is the seed bank for you if you’re looking for high-quality cannabis seeds, affordable pricing, worldwide shipping and freebies. Its 100 percent germination guarantee is hassle-free, and Seed Supreme is very flexible to communicate with. As a cannabis grower, this seed bank has a total package of what would appeal to you.
Expect a 100 percent guarantee on seed germination
The seeds are high quality and contain CBD and THC
Growers will have access to helpful resources
The delivery is swift
Buy-one, get-one-free deals are available
Homegrown Cannabis Co. is another seed bank that is up there, and the reasons are not far-fetched. The seed bank prioritizes its customers’ needs and offers them nothing less than high-quality and healthy seeds.
Many customers have praised this company for its reliability, consistency and constant dedication to selling premium cannabis seeds.
You can find various cannabis seeds for sale on Homegrown Cannabis Co.’s website. Some of its bestsellers include Bruce Banner Autoflower, Strawberry Cough Feminized, White Widow Autoflower and Northern Dawn Feminized, among others.
Another thing you can expect with these hybrid seeds is quality genetics and potency since the seed bank sources its weed seeds from reputable breeders.
Homegrown Cannabis Co. prides itself on delivering excellent customer service. Its knowledgeable and responsive staff are available to assist customers with any questions or concerns, providing expert guidance and support throughout the purchasing process.
If you’re looking for a seed bank that frequently offers a buy-one, get-one free promo, then Homegrown Cannabis Co. is your sure bet. This seed bank constantly allows its customers to enjoy juicy deals that help them save on their purchases.
Homegrown Cannabis Co. is one of the seed banks cannabis enthusiasts trust to sell high-quality marijuana seeds, prioritize customers’ satisfaction and offer juicy, free BOGO deals.
Herbies Seeds—Best Seed Bank for Feminized Cannabis Seeds
User-friendly website
3,000-plus seeds
70 percent germination rate
Free seeds and gifts
Stealth shipping
Herbies offers autoflowering, cup-winning, quick-growing, feminized cannabis seeds, high-THC/CBD strains and photoperiods. In fact, as we’ll see below, it stocks more than 3,000 options from 100-plus breeders, as well as its own marijuana seeds.
Herbies manage to make this huge selection easy to browse through, thanks to handy search filters—including THC content, climate, yield, price and more.
Additionally, it stocks a dozen ultra-high THC (30 percent-plus) seeds, including Apple Betty, Mimosa Shot and Cafe Racer. Other popular strains include Mimosa x Orange Punch, Purple Lemonade, Grandmommy Purple and Runtz Muffin.
Herbies Seeds has a user-friendly website that will help beginners and advanced growers find what they need in just a few minutes. More importantly, it provides a 70 percent germination rate guarantee, which is almost as good as Crop King’s. It also provides phone support in the United States, Europe and the UK.
Every purchase from Herbies comes with a free seed, and for every $20 spent, you’ll get an additional seed at no cost. In addition, you receive nice freebies like pruning shears or a stash holder (it depends on how much you spend).
Royal Queen Seeds is another well-known seed bank that sells premium cannabis seeds. This seed bank has been around since 1994; it was founded in the Netherlands and has won several awards over the years. This seed bank has a huge range of award-winning strains, including feminized ones to grow female cannabis plants, autoflowering cannabis seeds and CBD-rich strains.
Users have praised the genetics and the good quality seeds sold by this seed bank. Some of its bestsellers are Northern Light, Shining Silver Haze, OG Kush, White Widow and Skunk #1, alongside new genetics like Gelato, Gorilla and Runtz.
Royal Queen Seeds thrives in how it treats its customers to make sure they are satisfied. Its customer service staff will answer any questions you have and help you through the entire process.
Royal Queen Seeds has to be one of the best seed vendors that offers freebies. It even has a freebie calculator on its website. You can calculate how many free seeds you are eligible for after making a purchase.
Overall, Royal Queen Seeds is an amazing seed bank that focuses on selling healthy organic seeds. It also gives free seeds on orders, and its customer care staff will guide you through your entire buying process.
If ILGM doesn’t have the strain you’re looking for, then Seedsman most probably does. The reputable seed bank stocks over 4,400 strains, including autoflowering seeds, fast-growing seeds, female seeds, high-THC/CBD seeds, regular seeds and cup winners.
Additionally, the company has a few good promotions, which we’ll see below. As mentioned above, Seedsman stocks 4,400-plus strains from famous breeders, including Barney’s Farm, Dutch Passion, Nirvana Seeds and more.
Some of its bestsellers are Black Sugar (up to 28-ounce yields), Strawberry Cheesecake, Runtz Muffin and Blue Dream, among others. Besides high-quality marijuana seeds, the seed bank also sells organic rolling papers and T-shirts for true fans.
Besides email support, Seedsman has phone numbers in the United States and in Europe, which is better than ILGM.
However, it’s not as good as ILGM when it comes to germination guarantees since it doesn’t provide any. Instead, it judges each situation on a case-by-case basis, and according to most reviews, it will send free replacements if you get more than 20 percent of duds.
Speaking about reviews, the seed bank has received 55,000-plus of them, which shows that people are generally quite happy with the seeds Seedsman sells.
If you check out the site, you’ll see that Seedsman’s prices are already lower than most seed vendors. Additionally, it also offers six free seeds on $60-plus orders, and it runs a few BOGO deals on select breeders (often including the aforementioned Barney’s Farm and Dutch Passion).
Want to save even more? Then consider paying with Bitcoin. You’ll get 10 percent off, and you’ll be able to place an order anonymously.
Founded in 2012 with the sole purpose of providing helpful guides to beginner growers, I Love Growing Marijuana (ILGM) has grown to be the world’s best seed bank. Today, it offers a wide variety of strains, including auto-flowering cannabis seeds, beginner, fast-growing, high-THC, high-CBD and female seeds.
ILGM stocks only a hundred weed strains, which is much less than other seed banks with thousands of seeds. However, the good news is that this reputable seed bank stocks all the most popular strains, including White Widow, Super Skunk, Gorilla Glue, etc.
More importantly, each and every one of those weed strains has hundreds or thousands of reviews on the product page itself, which helps you see what kind of results other growers managed to get.
As you probably know, ILGM is famous for its free shipping deal on every order (no minimum value). The seed bank is also known for its 100 percent germination guarantee, which is hard to beat in the industry.
But when it comes to customer service, users’ ILGM reviews have revealed that a few other things stand out.
The active forum is a great place to get advice from experienced growers on topics such as pruning, topping, low-stress training and more. You’ll also find hundreds of detailed guides on the website, and the famous Grow Bible is worth a read as well.
You can also contact ILGM’s customer support team via email. Phone support would be better, but at least what’s available is pretty helpful and knowledgeable.
Besides the shipping deal mentioned above, ILGM is also known for its “Buy 10 Get 10” promotions on a dozen of popular strains, including White Widow, Super Skunk and Super Silver Haze.
However, these deals change often, so the strains on sale might be different when you read this article.
Founded in Canada in 2005, Crop King Seeds has made a name for itself for its stable genetics and reasonable prices. Besides classic strains like White Widow and Trainwreck autoflower seeds, it also releases new strains all the time, so be sure to check that section if you want to try something exotic.
While Crop King has many fewer strains than Seedsman, it still has a pretty good selection of 500-plus autoflowering, regular and feminized cannabis plants. Of course, these include Sativa seeds, Indica seeds and Ruderalis strains, but also fast-version seeds for short seasons and high-CBD seeds for medical purposes.
Here are some good cannabis seeds to try: Green Crack, Blue Cookies, Northern Lights and Amnesia Haze. Alternatively, you could also get an “assorted seed pack” that includes a few popular strains.
Like ILGM, Crop King provides a germination guarantee, even though the rate is slightly lower (but still pretty good) at 80 percent. It offers free shipping as well, but only if you spend $200 or more.
Most importantly, Crop King has the best customer support of any seed bank. You can use the 24/7 live chat or call the toll-free number to speak to a knowledgeable agent.
Truth be told, Crop King isn’t the king of discounts … sure, you get 10 free seeds if you spend more than $420, but there are not many deals apart from that. To be fair, its prices are quite good already, and you can’t argue with their great seed quality.
High CBD seeds are specially bred to produce plants rich in cannabidiol (CBD) while keeping THC levels low.
Ideal for users seeking therapeutic benefits without the high, these seeds are perfect for managing stress, anxiety, pain and inflammation. High CBD strains offer a relaxing, clear-headed experience.
Photoperiod Seeds
Photoperiod seeds require specific light cycles to transition from the vegetative stage to flowering. These seeds are a favorite among experienced growers due to their versatility and potential for high yields.
Photoperiod plants need 12 hours of darkness to initiate flowering, making them suitable for growers who can control lighting conditions.
High THC Seeds
High THC seeds are bred to produce plants with elevated levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound responsible for the “high” associated with cannabis.
These seeds are ideal for those looking for potent psychoactive effects, often favored by recreational users. High THC strains come in various flavors and effects, from energetic to deeply relaxing.
High Yielding Seeds
High yielding seeds are designed to produce larger harvests, making them a practical choice for growers aiming for maximum output. These strains are optimized to generate more buds per plant, providing a rewarding experience for cultivators focused on productivity.
High-yield seeds are available in a variety of THC and CBD levels, appealing to both recreational and medicinal users.
Fast Version Seeds
Fast version seeds are created for growers who want a quick successful harvest. These strains have shorter flowering times, often reaching maturity in a few weeks. Ideal for cannabis cultivators with limited time or those in climates with shorter growing seasons, fast version seeds allow for faster cycles without sacrificing quality.
How to Buy Cannabis Seeds Online
Here are a few things to know before buying marijuana seeds online from online seed banks.
Weed Seed Bank Reputation
Male and female seeds may be purchased from any of a potentially endless number of online seed vendors; however, not all of these sources are legitimate. Learn more about how satisfied customers are with their services by reading reviews on independent websites like Trustpilot or Reddit.
Germination and Shipping Guarantees
You won’t have to pay for duds if you get too many seeds that don’t sprout. With a germination guarantee, you will be protected. Likewise, guaranteed shipping protects you against seeds being lost or seized by customs, which does happen occasionally.
Indica or Sativa Seeds
Some online seed banks sell only female plants in different types and strains. Sativas are typically taller with longer leaves, resulting in a “hippie” high. Contrarily, Indica strains are shorter and more calming than Sativa strains
Recreational vs. Medical (CBD) Strains
If you’re looking for the therapeutic benefits of weed, purchase high-CBD marijuana seeds. However, if you want to experience a psychoactive effect, go for high-THC marijuana seeds.
Yield vs. Growing Ease
The easiest seeds to grow usually give the lowest yields.
As you become more experienced, you should seek out more difficult-to-grow female plants and employ low-stress training techniques in order to achieve maximum yields of up to 1000 grams per plant.
Yes, it’s legal to buy marijuana seeds online if you live in a state that allows weed growing. That said, things have been a bit blurry since the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized hemp seeds—to the point that marijuana seeds are seldom confiscated anymore.
To be safe, we recommend checking your local laws before you buy cannabis seeds online.
Is Seed Supreme a Good Seed Bank?
Seed Supreme is one of the best weed seed banks courtesy of its germination guarantee, free U.S. delivery, and regular sales and discounts.
What Is the Best Weed Seed for Sale?
The best weed seed for sale is Godfather OG, in our opinion. With a high THC content of up to 30 percent, this strain is particularly recommended for experienced smokers looking for a strong kick.
What Weed Strain Should I Buy?
You should buy the Jack Herer weed strain if you want a super easy cannabis plant that can grow indoors or outdoors. It gives pretty good yields and
How to Store Cannabis Seeds?
You should store marijuana seeds in a cool, dark area (like a fridge, for instance). If you don’t plan to use your seeds within a year, we recommend placing them in the freezer.
Should I Buy Regular, Autoflowering or Feminized Seeds?
You should buy autoflowering seeds if you’re a novice or feminized weed seeds if you have a bit of experience. Only true pros should consider regular seeds, though, as you have to be very careful with the male plants to avoid accidental pollination.
Who Has the Best Autoflowering Seeds?
Seed Supreme’s autoflowering seeds are top-tier, offering hassle-free cannabis cultivation and impressive yields. With its superior genetics and reliable performance, Seed Supreme stands out as the go-to choice for the best autoflowering seeds.
How Many Cannabis Seeds Should I Buy? Will They All Survive?
You should buy at least five marijuana seeds, as not all of them will survive, especially if this is your first time. That said, it could also be a good idea to buy 10 or 20 seeds at once to take advantage of a deal, such as ILGM’s BOGO deals.
Which Outdoor Seeds Are the Best?
The “best” seed depends on your goals. For high potency, High THC seeds are ideal; for therapeutic benefits, go with High CBD seeds. High yielding seeds maximize harvests, while Fast version seeds are perfect for a quicker turnaround.
Which Seed Is the Best Seed?
For cannabis, Girl Scout Cookies or Blue Dream are top picks for potency and yield.
Which Seed Is 100 percent Pure?
Landrace strains like Afghani or Durban Poison are considered 100 percent pure.
Wrapping Up
If you want to grow healthy weed plants, you need to get your seeds from a reliable seed bank. Seed Supreme is a highly recommended seed bank if you want healthy seeds, discounts and a germination guarantee.
Homegrown Cannabis Co. is also worth considering, alongside the other seed vendors we have reviewed in this article. Just one thing—before you begin growing weed plants, please check your state’s laws and regulations. Better be safe than sorry.
The decade-long twists and turns of the battle over a proposed Oakland coal terminal are not over yet.
In March, 86 organizations and nearly 1,000 individuals sent an “open letter” to Los Angeles hedge fund owner Jon Brooks, urging him to make an “irrevocable commitment” not to build an Oakland coal terminal. Four years ago, Brooks’ hedge fund loaned $7.1...
One of the most essential services that alternative weeklies like the East Bay Express provide is the ability for reflection and analysis in hindsight. This is certainly the case for Oakland staffer Leigh Hanson and a note she scribbled during a meeting leading up to the Oakland recalls of Mayor Sheng Thao and DA Pamela Price.
On April 7, Eli...
As a woman whose earliest childhood memories include being incarcerated at a Japanese internment camp with her parents and grandparents, 85-year-old Nobuko Miyamoto has a lifetime of experience with “gaman,” or endurance. She finds it painful to see the same Alien Act of 1798 that imprisoned Japanese Americans during her childhood years be used against immigrants today.
Instead of quietly...
Though named after the King of the Cowboys, guitarist Roy Rogers isn’t a country and western yodeler. The Bay Area resident and Redding native is an acclaimed Delta blues musician and producer. His extensive credits include work with a diverse array of celebrated figures including John Lee Hooker, Norton Buffalo, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and Ray Manzarek. But Rogers’ body...
The lead character in Min Kyu-dong’s gratuitously violent Pagwa (The Old Woman with the Knife) doesn’t operate the same way as most other action figures.
First and foremost she’s female and, as advertised, she’s a genuine senior rather than a mere over-the-hill ingénue. Also, true to her billing the South Korean hit-woman known as Hornclaw—played as an adult by 63-year-old...
THURSDAY, MAY 22
REGGAE
STEEL PULSE
For five decades, the members of Steel Pulse have fought the good fight the best way they know how: with a flood of reggae. The legendary band is on its 50th Anniversary Tour, celebrating its Grammy-nominated 12th studio album, Mass Manipulation. Ever aware of the forces that pit people against each other, lead guitarist David Hinds...
Bollinger Canyon Road is lined with miles of white rose bushes. This month they’re in bloom. There’s something funereal about them, as if they indicate the way to a mausoleum entrance rather than mark the perimeter of Chevron’s San Ramon campus. Wearily, the roses compete with the onrush of cars racing off the freeway towards Renzo Piano’s refined vision...
The Giants won 1-0 against the Athletics in San Francisco at a sold-out Oracle Park on Saturday, May 17, 2025. See a few photos and highlight reel below.
All photos by Giovanni Castaneda.
https://youtu.be/6IbhNDrzHsQ?si=93aDJR9wCCvBpDqz
ARIES (March 21-April 19): I think you’re ready to establish new ways of nourishing and protecting what’s valuable to you. Your natural assertiveness will be useful in setting boundaries and securing resources. Your flourishing intuition will guide you to implement adjustments that safeguard your interests while remaining flexible enough to permit legitimate access. Be extra alert, Aries, for when...
Published in cooperation between Hempuffs and the East Bay Express
Looking to buy cannabis seeds in 2025? With countless seed vendors flooding the market, it can be challenging to decide which ones are worth your time, trust and money. Whether you're a seasoned grower or just starting out, finding a reliable seed bank that delivers high-quality seeds, fast shipping and...
