About this episode
History of the Bay Podcast Ep. 21: Champelli is a San Francisco legend who created the beloved "champagne" strain in the 90s, decades ahead of the booming legal cannabis industry that exists today. He talks about how his roots in this culture intersected with clothing design, skateboarding, graffiti, and hip-hop music. While growing and hustling his own product, Champelli also entered the music industry. One of his biggest supporters was Mac Dre, who shouted out Champelli on many of his projects. Champelli also produced "The Mighty Quinn" for San Quinn and put out his own compilations. Although cannabis is now legal for recreational use in California, Champelli ended up facing federal RICO charges. This experience inspired him to advocate for others who have been incarcerated for cannabis and he now promotes his brand legally.