On our recent trip to Hall of Flowers, we saw an emerging trend of companies bringing classic strains out of retirement and into their 2025/2026 rotation.
One of the most impressive offerings was a Grand Daddy Purp from the gardens at Connected Cannabis Co. The Leaf spoke with Connected brand manager Malique Parish, who revealed that this cut was actually sourced by Ted Lidie of Alien Labs. Lidie said he’s keeping the origins of this score deep in the vacuum of space.
According to Parish, Connected ran the strain for about a year before they felt comfortable releasing it onto the recreational market. They wanted to make sure they had a stellar crop ready to put up against the waves of candy flavors on shelves.
Even though Parish said that “this was a risk to put out,” he was quick to note that “it was received really well.”
Arguably one of the most important pieces of purple weed’s explosion in popularity, there are a few versions of GDP out there. The most recognized GDP is attributed to Cannabis breeder and community legend Ken Estes. In interviews, like the one he had with Jimi Devine in 2023, Estes revealed that the cut he’s become famous for originally came as a gift for an act of kindness to friends who were part of the local Native American tribes. Known then as “Purple Medicine,” other versions available today tend to list their genetics as a cross between Purple Urkle and Big Bud.
Parish and Lidie both said Connected’s new cut isn’t Este’s version but is still the real deal. “Ken’s wasn’t around when I was smoking GDP,” Lidie said, “but the cut I have is the real cut.” Parish added, “It has a robust grape and lavender incense smell.”
While the flower might have a hidden history, Connected’s GDP is a prime example of what put purple weed on the map.
Popping the jar open, you’ll find those royal purple hues running throughout the buds and a taste/scent profile that we’ve all come to instantly recognize as purple. Deeply fruity and almost caramelized instead of overly sweet, there’s an earthy quality that does make it smell a bit like incense. Ground up, there’s a sweet blueberry perfume that returns to that musty, deep berry on the dry pull, and ignition turns this up to full volume.
Parish said this GDP is part of Connected’s plan to revamp classic strains while targeting gaps they’ve seen in their own stable, as well as the larger California Cannabis scene. They’re looking out for cultivars that enrich or complement their established collection of flavors, he said, regardless of what the market or industry says about a particular strain. Seems to me, the Connected team is looking into the past to predict their future rather than the future, a wise move in today’s market.
connectedcannabisco.com/ | @connected.california
This article was originally published in the November 2025 issue of California Leaf.
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