Priscilla Agoncillo, CEO and CoFounder of Original Breeders League – Interview Series

For nine eventful years, Priscilla Agoncillo has been serving as the Co-Founder and CEO of the Original Breeders League, an organization consisting of geneticists, breeders cultivators and other crucial roles in the cannabis industry that is dedicated to addressing and fixing the numerous issues that this industry regularly faces in cultivation. Simultaneously, Agoncillo serves as an Executive Board Member for the prestigious Oaksterdam University, the groundbreaking school that provides insightful classes into a catalog worth of subjects surrounding the constantly evolving industry.

How did you first begin working in cannabis, and how did you advocate for cannabis prior to founding the Original Breeders League?

My journey into the world of cannabis was a leap of faith, sparked by an unshakable conviction in the plant’s power to heal, transform, and disrupt. From the beginning, I understood that quiet support alone wouldn’t suffice. I threw myself into advocacy, fighting for patient rights and educating people on the benefits of medical cannabis back in 2008. By 2009, I found myself at Oaksterdam University, where I dove in wholeheartedly. In 2010, I served as Campaign Field Director for Proposition 19—the first initiative to tax and regulate cannabis in California. This campaign ignited the wave of legalization and the recreational cannabis industry we now see across the country. Throughout that time, and moving into the future, I found myself weaving together science, culture, politics, and business to push back against decades of stigma while operating, owning, and consulting for various cannabis businesses and industry initiatives. Before the Original Breeders League (OBL) ever came to life, I championed cannabis as a resource that could shape our future in ways we’d only begun to imagine. I have wholeheartedly believed that cannabis is the tipping point to humanity regaining its own power. I knew we couldn’t just wait for change; we had to be the ones to ignite it and I had to do my part.

With the subject of cannabis genetics in particular, what interested you about studying that subject?

It was cannabis genetics that truly captured my imagination. Here lay an entire universe within a plant, where each cultivar’s unique DNA could be tuned to meet so many human needs—whether for wellness, industry, or recreation. I was fascinated by the lifetime work of a cannabis breeder: some breeding for fiber, food, and oil; others developing cultivars for specific medical or psychoactive effects; and still others working on the physical properties of the plant to enhance yields or build resilience against pests and variable climates. This passion laid the blueprint for OBL, an organization founded to support breeders in doing this work, ultimately helping us uncover cannabis’ greatest gifts—gifts we can use to disrupt and revolutionize our world for the better. Our mission became clear: to unite a diverse community of breeders, cultivators, and scientists from all corners of the world to forge a new path, creating a collective impact that will correct course for generations to come.

What led to the creation of the Original Breeders League, and what are the primary objectives of the organization? How does OBL fulfill the mission statement to “collectively contribute ideas, practices, and proprietary genetics to provide effective, viable cannabis, hemp, and CBD solutions for today’s various and ever-evolving market needs”?

OBL is not just an organization; it’s a dynamic force in the cannabis world. We serve as the support system for the stewards of cannabis genetics, committed to fostering strains that are resilient, reliable, and rich with potential. We share a common purpose—pooling resources, knowledge, and each owns’ proprietary genetics to push boundaries and develop innovative cannabis solutions. OBL offers breeders a safe space for collaboration while ensuring they retain their intellectual property rights. Commercially, in a world where market needs are constantly evolving, we remain agile, ready to respond to market demands and provide genetics to pharmaceutical companies, retailers, cultivation operations, and other organizations. At the same time, we aim to raise the bar for cannabis genetics, setting high standards for quality and client support. Through this commitment, we help set trends for future market needs, keeping our clients relevant and ahead of the curve. OBL is shaping the future of the cannabis industry through breeding, guided by collaboration and a shared passion for the plant and its potential to make the world a better place.

How has OBL assisted breeders, specifically within cannabis cultivation and genetics, to achieve the most desirable yields and products?

OBL’s initiatives in R&D, cultivation, and a proprietary genetic portfolio form the foundation of our support for breeders. Jimmy “The Chef” Sadegi, Co-Founder of OBL, has been breeding cannabis for over 30 years and is at the heart of the organization. A Michelin-trained, 3-star chef from Spain, Jimmy fell in love with the farm-to-table movement, developed an obsession with plant breeding, and ultimately found his calling in cannabis. His unparalleled experience as a master cultivator spans large-scale, state-of-the-art indoor operations to massive outdoor footprints using regenerative farming practices. Between Jimmy The Chef’s expertise and my background in business, operations, and strategy, we offer a wealth of knowledge, deep relationships, and valuable resources for R&D initiatives, breeding project infrastructure, and commercialization opportunities for breeders. For our clients, we provide access to superior cannabis genetics and advisory services tailored to their goals and operations.

Through OBL, what types of research have been conducted on cannabis cultivation and genetics? Furthermore, what has that research discovered?

OBL empowers cultivators to push the boundaries of what’s possible, maximizing yields, enhancing pest resistance, and tuning each plant to reach its fullest potential. We have conducted R&D using CRISPR and AI technology, genome mapping, field studies, and decades-long breeding projects across the globe to understand how various microclimates affect cultivars. Our research delves deeply into cannabis breeding, focusing on boosting cannabinoid and terpene content without compromising yield—an essential balance for both therapeutic and agricultural success. What we’ve discovered is the power and secrets of genetic refinement, a practice reshaping the industry and enabling cultivators to achieve outcomes once thought unattainable and unscalable.

What types of cannabis research do you hope that OBL will conduct over the next several years?

At OBL, our vision for the future is even bolder. As we chart a path forward, we’re committed to pioneering research that explores cannabis’ full potential. We’re excited to bridge the gap between the pharmaceutical industry and cannabis. This does *not* mean merging the two; rather, we aim to forge a new pathway entirely—separate from pharma and recreational cannabis. This is a new lane for cannabinoid and plant medicine that adopts the best from both worlds and leaves behind aspects that don’t serve growth in this model. I am personally working on measures developing federal standardization, plant varietal protection laws, fostering collaboration between private companies and research organizations, and working tirelessly on policy and legislation domestically and internationally. I am also advocating for pilot programs using eco-conscious cultivation practices and advancing studies that will redefine the plant’s potential. Every project brings us closer to understanding the full spectrum of the cannabis plant and its benefits, empowering the industry to thrive.

What is your role with Oaksterdam University, and why are the classes that Oaksterdam offers valuable to consumers and cultivators alike?

As an alumna of Oaksterdam University, Professor of Cannabis Business, and Chairwoman of OU’s nonprofit for education, the ONE, I carry forward a torch that was lit when I was a student in one of Oaksterdam’s early cohorts—a torch that has guided my entire career path. Oaksterdam University offers empowerment through education. At OU, students learn from the best in the industry, instructors chosen not only for their accomplishments and experience but for their dedication to advocacy. This compass is essential in navigating uncharted waters, providing the resilience to persist through setbacks. As alumnae, we join a support network unparalleled in any other cannabis education program. These classes are more than just lessons; they’re the foundation of a movement, equipping individuals with the knowledge to become not just participants but successful leaders in the cannabis industry.

What are your views on federal rescheduling from Schedule I to Schedule III? How would such a sweeping measure change the roles that you hold with both Oaksterdam and OBL?

With the possibility of federal rescheduling from Schedule I to Schedule III, we stand at the precipice of a profound shift. Such a change would break down barriers that have restricted cannabis research for decades, opening doors for both OBL and Oaksterdam to engage in cutting-edge exploration and innovation. This isn’t merely a policy shift; it’s a moment of liberation for the plant and everyone who believes in its promise. Rescheduling would finally allow us to pursue federally supported studies, experiment, and create on a scale we’ve only dreamed of. For OBL, Oaksterdam, and beyond, this is a chance to reveal cannabis’ true potential, to light the path forward with discoveries that could transform industries, improve lives, and break new ground in ways that only this plant can.

Thank you for joining us Priscilla! To stay up to date on the class offering of Oaksterdam University, please follow it’s website.