3 Bros Santa Cruz: Surfing, Cannabis, and the Sky Surfer Strain

3 Bros grew out of Santa Cruz surf culture.

Founded in 2013 by lifelong friends and former professional surfers Taylor Smith, Mark Taylor, and Russell Smith, 3 Bros is a family-run cannabis cultivation brand shaped by the California coast, a shared appreciation for cannabis, and deep roots in the Santa Cruz community.

In 2021, Sana Packaging spoke with Michelle Wan, who was then the marketing manager at 3 Bros. At the time of the interview, the company had been working with Sana Packaging since 2019.

This article revisits that conversation while distinguishing the information shared in 2021 from current company details.

From Surfing to Cannabis Cultivation

The founders of 3 Bros grew up together in Santa Cruz and shared an early interest in cannabis.

They began as cultivators in California’s medical market before entering the recreational market and developing a vertically integrated business that included cultivation, branded products, distribution, and retail.

Their backgrounds in surfing, skating, and retail also influenced the brand.

As Michelle explained in 2021:

We wanted to build a brand that represents us as individuals and our hometown. Coming out of the surf and skate retail industry, we have a deep understanding of branding and brand identity and wanted to combine that with our cultivation experience.

That connection to Santa Cruz remains central to how 3 Bros presents itself today. The company describes itself as a California lifestyle cultivation brand rooted in the local cannabis and professional surf communities.

Setting Environmental Goals Without Overstating Progress

During our conversation, 3 Bros discussed its aspiration to move toward a carbon-neutral cultivation model.

The company was careful not to present that goal as something it had already achieved.

We don’t want to overstate our position. We aspire to become carbon neutral, but we are still far from achieving that objective.

At the time, 3 Bros identified several steps it had taken, including:

• Switching to LED lighting to lower energy demand
• Recapturing water from its HVAC system for reuse
• Selecting packaging made with recycled content or plant-based material
• Supporting local beach cleanups
• Looking for retail partners and product brands with environmental or community initiatives

These examples reflect practices and goals described during the 2021 interview. They should not be interpreted as a complete assessment of the company’s current environmental impact or progress toward carbon neutrality.

A Connection to the California Coast

For a brand founded by surfers, water and ocean health are personal issues.

The 3 Bros team described its connection to the coast as one reason it paid attention to packaging materials, water use, and local cleanup efforts.

The company had built a system to capture and reuse water generated by its HVAC equipment. Team members also participated in beach cleanups hosted by 3 Bros and other Santa Cruz businesses.

Packaging was another part of that conversation. At the time, 3 Bros used Sana Packaging products made from plant-based hemp plastic and reclaimed ocean-bound plastic.

Material choice is only one part of a packaging decision. Product compatibility, child-resistance requirements, labeling, local regulations, available recovery systems, and the complete container-and-closure configuration must also be considered.

Grease Monkey, Chocolatina, and Sky Surfer

When we asked about the products receiving the most attention in 2021, Michelle identified Grease Monkey as the company’s most popular strain.

Chocolatina was another frequently requested product, while the Sky Surfer strain was beginning to attract more interest.

Cannabis products, strain availability, and retailer inventories change frequently. Visit the 3 Bros website for up-to-date information about the company and where its products are available.

Supporting the Santa Cruz Community

Community involvement was another important part of the 3 Bros story.

In 2021, the company discussed Healing Session, a Santa Cruz community market created to support local artists, musicians, food vendors, and small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The team also described compassion programs for veterans, donation campaigns, fire-relief efforts, and support for organizations serving communities within and beyond the cannabis industry.

For 3 Bros, cannabis provided a way to bring people together while building a business connected to the place where its founders grew up.

Packaging Is Part of a Larger Relationship

Customer relationships often extend beyond containers, closures, artwork, and order quantities.

Our conversation with 3 Bros offered a closer look at the people behind the brand, their connection to Santa Cruz, and the environmental and community goals they were working toward in 2021.

If you are evaluating packaging for a cannabis product, contact Sana Packaging to discuss your product, intended market, quantity, timeline, and customization needs.

Last reviewed: August 31, 2026.

This article revisits an interview conducted in 2021. Products, strains, locations, personnel, programs, operating practices, and other company details may have changed. Visit the company’s official website for current information.