“Root health is impeccable; we can see the proof in the buckets.”

In the heart of Grand Rapids, Love Supreme Craft Cannabis stands out as a pioneer in the burgeoning craft cannabis scene. This microbusiness is one of only three such establishments in all of West Michigan. As a microbusiness, Love Supreme is restricted to selling its own products, cultivating a modest 150 plants at a time — a cap that advocates are working to expand, recognizing the potential of these smaller enterprises.

Upon entering Love Supreme, the atmosphere immediately sets it apart. The cozy counter area, adorned with vintage furniture and art, welcomes patrons with a blend of ’70s nostalgia and modern hipness. The name itself, Love Supreme, embodies a vibe that is both comfortable and trendy.

At the flower bar, reminiscent of a craft brewery, patrons engage with knowledgeable budtenders and explore the curated selection. The experience is personalized, with barstools, a chalkboard menu, and a team ready to guide customers through the offerings, among them unique smoking accessories and local art.

Love Supreme’s commitment to quality extends to its staff, all of whom spend time learning about the cultivation process. The budtenders, with backgrounds in the restaurant and bar industry, not only possess in-depth knowledge of cannabis strains but also excel in customer guidance, even detailing the specific terpenes in each strain according to the lab results.

The menu may be limited, featuring just six carefully chosen strains, but this is intentional. Love Supreme’s team meticulously narrows down the selection to offer only the best. The current shift to a hydroponics system by Hydra Unlimited reflects their dedication to craftsmanship.

Founded by individuals with roots in the restaurant and bar scene, including owner Skyelar Hoort and head grower Christopher Weimer, Love Supreme emerged from a desire to create a community-oriented cannabis space. The team, initially edged out by larger players, found their niche as a microbusiness, engaging with customers directly and fostering a sense of community.

Looking ahead, Love Supreme aims to maintain its commitment to quality while expanding its community presence through events like artisan markets. Plans for a potential consumption space and innovative edibles, such as THC-infused honey and chocolate bars, showcase the company’s vision for the future. In the words of Hoort, “We’re going to evolve as our city evolves,” making Love Supreme a unique and promising player in Grand Rapids’ cannabis landscape.

Proudly embracing a small and self-sustaining approach, Skyelar Hoort faced challenges after Love Supreme’s initial harvest failure. Undeterred, she and her team revamped the facility and opted for Hydra Unlimited’s HydraMax hydroponics system. This strategic shift proved transformative, alleviating significant concerns about the business.

Teaming up with Hydra Unlimited brought invaluable expertise and support to Love Supreme. The collaboration not only involved setting up hardware but extended to hands-on guidance throughout the cannabis growing and blooming phases. The Hydra Unlimited engineering team and scientists played a pivotal role, highlighting the crucial impact of vendor support in achieving optimal results.

In an interview, Skyelar Hoort expressed the game-changing results of the HydraMax system, stating, “The HydraMax system has produced phenomenal flower, and we now have zero threats of failing.” Chris Gioia from Hydra Unlimited, a growing expert master, emphasized the system’s unique capability to differentiate water from substrate, providing early warnings of potential issues and enabling effective mitigation through appropriate SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and protocols.

Hoort emphasized the impeccable health of the roots, noting their thriving and notably content state — a stark contrast to their experiences with soil cultivation. In summary, the collaboration with Hydra Unlimited and the implementation of the HydraMax system not only addressed past setbacks but also ushered in a new era of success for Love Supreme, demonstrating the pivotal role of vendor support in achieving excellence in cannabis cultivation.