Sunshine Pharms
In the heart of Albuquerque’s North Valley, Sunshine Pharm is where nostalgia meets innovation. It’s a story of two cousins, inspired by their grandmother’s flower farm, and fueled by a passion for cannabis cultivation. What started as a hobby and a dream, has evolved into a boutique operation that’s as much about honoring a family legacy as it is about pushing the boundaries of quality in New Mexico’s cannabis scene.
Sunshine Pharm’s name is an homage to their Families landmark flower store. This subtle branding choice reflects the cousins’ respect for tradition while setting their business apart in a crowded market. With strains like Black Cherry Gelato, Violet Fog, Dosido, Sour Thanos, and Mac Daddy, they are growing something a little more potent than grandma was.
Within the first hour of opening, a steady stream of customers rolled through, regulars and new. Each time the Black Cherry Gelato jar popped open, it was like an aromatic siren call, hitting the air with that sweet, deep funk. It’s the kind of scent that makes you want to interrupt strangers mid-purchase and ask “what is that?”; Sometimes, the nose just knows.
The facility, once a storage space for equipment, has been transformed into a cultivation haven. Inside, it’s “speakeasy meets Willy Wonka,” with meticulous attention to detail in every corner. With backgrounds in bodywork and engineering, the craftsmanship shows in every corner.
Shrouded in purple light behind double glass doors, the main attraction can be seen in all its glory, even appearing on a live feed in the retail lobby. Growing in a mix of living cultures, supplemented with CO2, and watered by hand over custom fabricated beds; tightly controlled environmental conditions ensure each strain develops rich terpene profiles, and attitudes; as the grower points out “...i can tell when they’re being all dramatic..”.
Big Moves with Wu-Tang
Sunshine Pharm’s dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. Soon, they’ll handle genetics for the Protect Ya Neck Cannabis Collection, a nod to the legendary Wu-Tang Clan. Strains like Dante’s Inferno—a creamy, aromatic indica hybrid—and GMO Kushmints have begun to propagate in New York’s market, the line up for New Mexico has yet to be announced.
These types of collaborations do not come lightly; the red tape of SLA’s, contracts, and quality control is a mess for the un-initiated, which this team clearly is not. Sunshine Pharm remains a local treasure, but with partnerships like this, and a lounge for events in the works, their star is on the rise.
