Peak cannabis is the newest flower offering from Elevate Cannabis—a nod to Elevate’s COO and grower behind it all, Ian Peak. 

Peak cannabis is the result of years of experience from Ian and a passionate team who live and breathe cannabis. Together, they’re crafting flower that’s about more than THC— it’s about new cannabis experiences. 

We sat down with Ian and the cultivation team to talk about the process behind Peak—everything from strain selection to small-batch cultivation and what makes this flower truly stand out.

What sparked your interest in cannabis cultivation?

It started when I was really young, back in Colorado. I got involved in harvesting—trimming for friends and people in the community. When I first saw the plant up close, I was intrigued. It really is such a gorgeous plant, and the different characteristics of phenotypes and strains really drew me in. 

Eventually, I got tired of just trimming flowers for other people and wanted to learn how to cultivate it myself. A friend’s mom had some unused space in her basement. That’s how I got started. I was 18 at the time, so this was back in 2009—that’s when I fell in love with it. 

What’s your growing philosophy?

The more time, care, and attention you give to the process, the better the results. That’s true whether you’re growing in a closet, a basement, or managing a 60,000-square-foot canopy. It’s all about the energy and intention you put into it. It really is the fruits of your labor—you look at the final product and think, “I helped create this.”

If you provide a good environment, the right nutrients, and proper light levels, and you pay attention, the plant will tell you what it needs. You just have to listen and adjust quickly to keep it in the best environment to maximize its genetic potential.

What inspired the creation of Peak as a premium flower brand?

A big part of what I want Peak to be, and I’m just being candid here, is about changing the way people think about cannabis. Right now, you go into a store, and the first thing people say is, “What’s the highest THC?”

But it’s not all about that. It’s about the effects that each specific strain, phenotype, and cultivar provides based on the terpene profile, lineage, and everything else.

Just because you see something in the store that’s 22% or 23% THC, it doesn’t mean it won’t hit as hard—or harder—than something with 30%. I’ve seen cannabis at 18% THC that will put people on the couch, two bags of chips deep, you know? It’s really about the combination of the terpene profile, the background of that cultivar, and how it all comes together to create the flavor, smell, and, ultimately, the experience.

What makes Peak different from other premium flower brands?

With Peak, I don’t want to base everything on THC numbers. I want it to be about unique, expressive genetics—things people can try for themselves without focusing on just the percentage. We want to offer a variety of strains that cater to different effects for different people. You know, creating something for everyone—whether you’re looking for relaxation, focus, or creativity, there’s a little bit of everything for everybody.

How does growing Peak flower in smaller batches impact the overall quality of the product?

Like I said before, it’s all about the time and energy you can dedicate. Growing in smaller batches means the team—and myself—can spend extra time with each plant. When you’re working with larger batches, things can sometimes get overlooked.

With Peak, the focus is on ensuring every plant, and every flower gets the attention it needs to produce the best possible end result. It’s that level of care and detail that sets us apart.

Do you have a favorite strain in the Peak lineup?

They’re all my favorites, but Buff Cherry is just so unique. It sneaks up on you, and it’s hands down the most beautiful flower I’ve ever grown. And I’ve grown thousands of different varieties – this one’s in my top five for its smell, look, and taste. It’s phenomenal.

What’s one thing you’re most proud of about how Peak is grown?

One of the things that I am proud of about how Peak is grown really is the team that we have. I’ll go back to it again—it’s the amount of time, caring, dedication and devotion to the plant that is going to get you the best end product. 

We have such an amazing team of cultivators who are so passionate, motivated, and really striving every day, day in and day out, to put out the best product, not just in the state but in the country. This team is so proud of what they do—they care about the cultivation process, so I am extremely proud of that.

The goal is to continue to build these strong teams and train them to be great cultivators so we can pass this knowledge and wisdom on. 

Can you think of a time when a team member’s idea or input helped shape something special about the product?

It happens every day. The team is so committed to creating the best product out there. They’re waking up in the middle of the night thinking of ideas. They’ll come to me, we’ll talk through it, and most of the time we give it a shot.

It’s a very collaborative approach. 

What’s the most satisfying part of the cultivation process for you and the team?

The harvest, specifically, the day before the harvest, before they chop them down. It’s always been my favorite—you’ve spent 80 to 90 days nurturing these plants from clones to full maturity. It’s the moment you see all your hard work come together.

The team always does a pre-harvest walkthrough, where we go over the strains, phenotypes, and how they ended up. We look at the job we did together, look at what worked, what we could improve, and all the effort that went into it.

What are the most important things when growing cannabis?

A team that truly cares, managing your environment and genetics, not changing more than 1 thing at a time, and last but definitely not least, patience.

Meet the Cultivation Team

Jake Pino, Director of Cultivation, MO
“My passion for cannabis sprouted back in high school. I fell in love with the community aspect of consumption with friends and the extra creativity that it inspired in me. The first time I ever grew from start to finish was my junior year in high school. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing and ended up growing some pretty decent flower at the time by total luck! This was my “light bulb” moment. Ever since then, I’ve been totally hooked on cultivation and have been laser focused on getting better at the craft. Each harvest cycle provides an opportunity to improve our production results compared to the previous batch. I love working alongside our incredible teammates to push the limits and meet that challenge. There’s nothing better than collaborating with our amazing team members to bring the complex organism that is a cultivation facility to life.”

Orion McComas, Head of Product and Cultivation Analytics
“The cannabis cultivation process is very intricate.  To produce high-quality products, the smallest details matter, and every single part of the process is just as important as the next. The Elevate cultivation team stands out because they take pride in making sure every part of the process is done to the best of their ability. The team members are constantly asking questions about what they don’t understand and providing ideas on how to improve the cultivation process. There are 10,000 ways to grow cannabis, but we are constantly trialing and evolving our process to produce the best cannabis. Our cultivation teams are committed to putting in the work it takes to lead the industry.”

Marcel (Paco) Dubois, Head of Cultivation, MO
“Acquiring new strains and pheno-hunting are my favorite aspects of cultivating cannabis. From observing and tracking their different growth characteristics to experiencing distinct aromas and flavor profiles, fresh genetics offers excitement and inspiration in the continuous hunt for excellence. My hope for customers is that they have a positive and enjoyable experience and end up feeling satisfied with the quality of these magnificent cultivars. I believe these special and unique varieties will fulfill your expectations and hopefully exceed them.”

Haley McAleer, Head of Cultivation, AZ
“What makes our cultivation team unique is our shared, deeply rooted-passion for the plant. Every day I’m fortunate to work alongside amazing people who bring the same love and enthusiasm for cannabis and what we do. At our core, we are farmers—it’s demanding, hands-on work. By the end of the day, we’re covered in dirt and sweat, but that’s what fuels us. Our team thrives on the hard work and dedication it takes to cultivate something truly exceptional.”

JD Clymore, Head of Cultivation, MO
“I hope that customers can experience the time and effort that our teams put into the Peak Strains, from the cultivation process to it being harvested and our harvest team putting more time into that flower, to the way we are curing it. Each Peak Strain has been picked over time to make sure we are using high-quality flowers! Our teams put forth so much effort and energy to ensure our process is done correctly way every time. Our teams have been through so much in the 3 almost 4 years that we have been doing this. Our team is truly one of a kind!”

Find the best selection of Peak at Key Cannabis Dispensaries.