RQS joins forces with Tyson 2.0

This partnership marks the fusion of one of the biggest seed banks in the world with one of the most prominent celebrities within the cannabis industry. The companies have signed a three-year deal that will see the release of eighteen new strains, six of which are already available.

So far, consumers in the United States have had access to some of Tyson 2.0’s strains in the form of pre-rolled joints, edibles, drinks, and concentrates. However, until this collaboration, growers never had access to the company’s genetics. Now, cultivators all over the world will have the opportunity to grow the cultivars created by Mike Tyson and his team of breeders.

Commenting on the partnership, president of Royal Queen Seeds, Shai Ramasahi, said: “Since launching Royal Queen Seeds in the US more than a year ago, we have been on the search for a partner who meets and exceeds our expectations in bringing exceptional cannabis products to market, and Tyson 2.0 has consistently delivered”. Ramasahi went on to add: “RQS believes that it is everyone’s right to be able to grow cannabis at home, and the seeds we’re launching with Tyson 2.0 create top-rate stunners—truly beautiful plants in terms of looks, flavour, and effects”.

The team behind Royal Queen Seeds have spent decades breeding and distributing some of the best genetics currently available, and Mike Tyson has full confidence in the company’s ability to deliver his creations to a wide audience. As the co-founder and chief brand officer of Tyson 2.0, Tyson himself commented: “Growing my own cannabis has been very important to me. It has been a fundamental principle in my journey to deepen my relationship with the plant”.

Confirming his confidence in RQS, Tyson added: “Growing cannabis at home is an amazing way to slow life down and find enrichment—and the pros with Royal Queen Seeds really know what they’re doing. These first six strains are a perfect taste of what’s to come”. In an interview with Forbes, Tyson continued to sing the praises of RQS. “It’s a no-brainer to collaborate with them”, said Tyson, adding: “If you’re the best in the world at what you do, most likely, we’re going to be partners”.

A look at Tyson 2.0

Throughout his boxing career, Mike Tyson gained the reputation of a fierce and aggressive opponent willing to do anything to emerge victorious. Tyson’s transition into the world of weed seems like a big contrast to his previous life, but the boxer has had an affinity for cannabis all along: “Cannabis has always played an important role in my life. Cannabis has changed me for the good both mentally and physically, and I want to share that gift with others…”.

In an effort to help others access the herb, he founded Tyson 2.0—a premier cannabis company with a mission to produce a range of products that prioritise purity and precision. The company has established itself, and gained a dedicated customer base, through its range of edibles, consumables, and cannabis flowers. Many of these products feature strains that Tyson himself helped to design. Although the world of boxing seems distant from that of cannabis breeding and cultivation, many of the skills that Tyson picked up in his former career apply surprisingly well. For example, Tyson’s strains prioritise effects that are ideal both before getting an active day started and for winding down following intense hours of work. Many of his famous traits as a boxer are also found within his strains, including speed, agility, and resilience.

Tyson 2.0 has taken the next step in their business venture by releasing their genetics in seed form. To achieve this, they’ve touched gloves with Royal Queen Seeds to make sure the project goes as seamlessly as possible.

About Royal Queen Seeds

Royal Queen Seeds is an award-winning seed bank that started creating its own strains way back in 2007. Based in the cannabis hub of Barcelona, the company has evolved from a small group of growers into a massive international business driven solely by their passion for cannabis. RQS offers a massive library of genetics, from speedy autoflowers to large photoperiod varieties. On top of this, they have developed popular lines of growing products, nutrients, smoking accessories, and merch.

In recent years, the company became the first to create true F1 hybrids. The end result of a vigorous breeding process that involves creating highly pure inbred lines, these genetics caught the attention of the entire cannabis industry. The company has also recently set up a large dispensary and smoking lounge in Bangkok, Thailand and a headquarters in Oregon in the United States. To add even more fuel to their fire, they won the award for Seed Bank of the Year 2023 at the EMJAYS, a prestigious international cannabis awards ceremony.

Their long, successful history and recent breakthroughs made teaming up with RQS a “no-brainer” for Tyson and his crew. On top of its huge strain library, Royal Queen Seeds will serve as the only seed bank in the world to offer Tyson 2.0 strains.

RQS x Tyson 2.0: A look at the first strains

• Gelato 44: As a phenotype of the original Gelato, this strain descends from Sunset Sherbet and Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies. It possesses a THC content of 22% and stoning terpenes, and delivers a long-lasting physical high. Indoor plants maintain a height of 80–120cm and produce up to 450g/m², whereas their outdoor counterparts peak at 180cm and offer up to 600g/plant.

• Dynamite Diesel: Sharing a semblance of Tyson’s fighting nickname, this hybrid inherited high levels of THC and a complex terpene profile from parent cultivars Sour Diesel and Skywalker OG. Her buds soothe the body and sharpen the mind, leaving flavours of earthiness, pepper, fruit, and pine on the tongue. She maintains a height of just 100cm when trained, yet churns out up to 550g/m² indoors.

• NYC Sour D Auto: Breeders drew inspiration from Tyson’s quick and agile boxing style when creating this strain. Using parents NY Diesel and Sour Diesel Auto, they captured a progeny that reaches harvest in just 11–13 weeks after sprouts emerge. A THC content of 21% and flavours of diesel and lime ensure that these tasty buds are worth the (short) wait.

• GOAT’lato Auto: The debate over the title of Greatest of All Time continues to rage in the boxing community. However, Tyson stands above the rest in the eyes of many. GOAT’lato Auto serves as a tribute not only to Tyson’s legendary status but also to his speed and power. The progeny of Gelato 44 and Cookies Auto, this indica-dominant strain darts from shoot to harvest in just 10–11 weeks. A blissful, stoning high and notes of cookies make this strain a good choice after a hard training session.

• Punch Pie: Tyson 2.0 currently features their Cherry Punch Pie in their edible range. However, breeders at RQS helped the company tweak their cultivar to produce more consistent seeds. Packed with fruity terpenes and a THC content of 22%, Cherry Pie delivers a soothing high alongside potent hits of blueberry, candy, and earthiness.

• Corkscrew Auto: Named after an element of Tyson’s famous and ferocious “peek-a-boo” boxing style, this strain comes at users hard and fast. Derived from Cherry Pie Auto and Tangie, she delivers a pleasant head high that spurs motivation and creative thinking. Prepare to harvest up to 500g/m² indoors and 175g/plant outdoors around 12 weeks after shoots emerge from the soil.

A collaboration destined for success

Royal Queen Seeds and Tyson 2.0 have launched potentially the largest collaboration in the history of the cannabis industry. Tyson’s celebrity appeal and massive following, paired with RQS’ streak of ground-breaking accomplishments and large distribution network, have set the duo up for inevitable success. The strains listed above represent just six of eighteen cultivars set for release over the three-year partnership. Past the excitement of new genetics, this collaborative effort has raised a question among many growers all over the world: what other celebrity collaborations do we have to look forward to?