Montgomery Ball—widely known by the pseudonym Subcool—emerged as one of the most influential cannabis breeders of his generation. His journey from underground grower to celebrated cultivator is marked by innovation, resilience, and an unwavering passion for elevating cannabis genetics.
Early Underground Roots
Subcool began cultivating cannabis in the 1970s in a climate of prohibition. He faced legal consequences repeatedly, yet these arrests only strengthened his resolve to participate in the movement toward changing cannabis laws.
Seed Exploration and Breeding Breakthroughs
In the 1990s, Subcool immersed himself in early online grower forums. There, he connected with fellow breeder “Skoosk,” who passed on seeds containing genetics like Lamb’s Bread, Purple Haze, Northern Lights, and a Pluton line from Nevil Schoenmakers. Subcool’s meticulous year‑long breeding of these seeds yielded the original Jack’s Cleaner.
He founded Team Green Avenger (TGA Subcool Seeds), with collaborator MzJill, focusing on strains prized for potency, flavor, resin, and therapeutic effect. Notable creations included Jack the Ripper, Space Queen (in variants Space Jill and Space Bomb), Dairy Queen, Querkle, Vortex, and more.
Industry Recognition and Media Presence
Subcool’s genetics gained official acclaim when Vortex won top sativa honors at the 2010 High Times San Francisco Medical Cannabis Cup. He was inducted into the High Times Seed Bank Hall of Fame in 2009 and later honored with the High Times Dr. Lester Grinspoon Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017 for his enduring impact.
Beyond breeding, Subcool expanded his influence through authorship and media. He published Dank: The Quest for the Very Best Marijuana and Dank 2.0, chronicling his passion and craftsmanship. He also hosted the Weed Nerd YouTube channel, where he candidly showcased cultivation techniques, his supersoil formula, and insights on running both indoor and outdoor grows.
A fan recollected of Weed Nerd:
“Subcool was a cannabis king … at a time when only a few people were on YouTube showing massive marijuana gardens, and the only person revealing the inner details of the marijuana seeds industry.”
Adversity, Reinvention, and Legacy
In 2013, Subcool relocated from Oregon to California to further pursue his breeding programs. His life took a devastating turn in October 2017, when the Tubbs Fire (then California’s most destructive wildfire) ravaged his home and destroyed nearly four million seeds, breeding plants, and equipment. The trauma precipitated his divorce from MzJill; she retained the TGA Genetics name while Subcool regrouped to launch The Dank seed line and Subcool Seeds Corp, partnering with breeders to preserve and resurrect signature strains such as Jack the Ripper, Vortex, and Querkle.
Despite battling a rare and progressive lung condition—Alpha‑1 antitrypsin deficiency—Subcool continued to contribute to the cannabis community until his passing in early 2020.
Why Subcool Resonated
Subcool stood out for his bold experimentation and transparency. From his fruity “lemon, grape, cherry, orange, chocolate” flavor profiles to his supersoil technique, he invited both novice and seasoned growers into the craft. His work underscored a blend of scientific curiosity, community-building, and artistry: he made cultivation feel accessible, thrilling, and deeply personal.