Golden State Banana Goes Global: Nick Bryan on Cultivating Excellence and Spreading the Legacy

For Nick Bryan, founder of Golden State Banana (GSB), the love for cannabis is more than a profession—it’s a bond. Known for his signature strain Golden State Banana, a rare banana-forward cultivar with elite bag appeal and a loyal following, Bryan has carved a name for himself as one of the plant world’s quiet powerhouses. Now, with his California roots firmly established, he’s ready to take GSB global.

“That's what my mission is now,” Bryan says. “Now that I've evolved out of that grow and out of California, I just want to literally work with the best cultivators in the world.”

And he means it. With access to exclusive, time-tested genetics—many of which remain tightly held within his vault—Bryan is forming partnerships that reach far beyond the U.S. He’s in active talks with cultivators in Thailand, Spain, and South Africa, and has already launched collaborations in Michigan, New York, and Arizona. At each step, his goal is clear: maintain quality and integrity by growing his genetics only with cultivators who meet the highest standards.

“I have my genetics. I have the relationship with the plant also,” he explains. “So I can always walk in—real quality control, real discussions with growers about what's going on and how to grow it or what we want to do.”

Among the standout cultivars in his portfolio are:

  • Golden State Banana – the flagship, known for its unmistakable tropical nose and long-lasting euphoric high
  • Banana Pudding – a creamy, dessert-like cross that's winning fans in new markets
  • GSB Glue – a hybrid of his classic strain with Gorilla Glue, bred for power and punch

Bryan treats each project like a partnership, not a transaction. Whether working with boutique cultivators or large-scale producers, he insists on education, hands-on support, and full transparency in the process. In many cases, he’s not just licensing genetics—he’s teaching teams how to grow them to his exact standards.

“If your name’s on it, it has to be fire,” he says. “I’d rather go small with the right people than big with the wrong ones.”

With Germany and Australia next on the radar—and more emerging markets opening each quarter—Bryan is thinking long-term. His model is about legacy, not hype.

“I want to have my genetics grown by the best growers all over the world—not just the country, the world,” he says.

Golden State Banana may have started as a local favorite, but under Bryan’s guidance, it’s evolving into a global symbol of excellence. For him, the path forward is simple: trust the plant, honor the craft, and keep the genetics in good hands.