Respect for Revolutionary Educator and Hashmaker: Frenchy Cannoli is dead

Beloved hashish and cannabis concentrate teacher, consultant, craftsman, and activist Frenchy Cannoli passed away on July 18th, according to a heartfelt post on Instagram by his wife, Kimberly. Cannoli died of complications from surgery – which, according to his family, was unexpected.

Cannoli was known for his “unmatched” hashish, and most of the people close to him described his character as utterly unique. He was more or less the authority on cannabis concentrate history – and highly regarded for these very specific skills.

“It is with deep, heartbreaking sadness that I share with you over the complications of an operation that Frenchy left on Sunday,” wrote Kimberly. “⁠I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you personally. That seemed like the best way to let you know directly from me. “

Cannoli never failed to share its secrets with generations of would-be Hashishins.

This bespoke agitator washer separates resin heads from cannabis with ice water / Mme cannoli

Kimberly reflected on the time her late husband spent in and around Nice, France, but also on his travels east where he learned the secrets of incredible hash. Kimberly’s mail contained a 1980 photo of Frenchy taken in India.

“Frenchy often shared that there were three main periods in his life – first, the 18 years since he left his home in the south of France to travel, wander the world and fall in love with new cultures.” [and] Experiences, then the period of fatherhood in his mid-30s to early 50s, and finally the time he became a teacher when he came to the States in the 2000s, “she continued. “I cannot express how much meaning and joy his interactions with you all brought him. He really appreciated this unexpected development in the latter part of his life. “

Cannoli’s family was apparently not ready for the tragic news, which left them shocked and speechless.

“His death was unexpected and leaves a gaping feeling hole in his family where his smile and energy used to fill us so completely,” she wrote. “I think what we all appreciated so much about Frenchy was his authenticity and passion. I would be very comforted to see his face shine with a smile now. “

Frenchy Cannoli, the man

Growing up in Nice, France, Cannoli was naturally drawn to the imported hashish that was common in the area in the late 1960s. He was born on December 13, 1956. He lived as a nomad for over 20 years, often staying with traditional hashish producers and learning techniques that were passed down through the generations.

His travels took him from Morocco to Mexico, where he eventually came to Nepal, Pakistan and finally India, where he spent eight growing seasons in caves and harvested cannabis resin with Parvati Valley growers.

But eventually Cannoli slowed down and settled his family in California, where medical cannabis came into focus and he could make concentrates – legally.

Frenchy’s full melt hash / Mme cannoli

Cannoli’s “Lost Art of the Hashishin” seminars provided hands-on training for aspiring hashmakers, and the artist posted his same techniques on YouTube – eventually gaining over 174,000 Instagram followers.

Cannoli continued to promote post-legalization public education – developing hashish assessment standards and supporting regional cultivation certifications for cannabis production, inspired by the rules of the “Appellation d’origine contrôlée” which, according to its website, protect the integrity of Bordeaux wines.

Cannoli also developed a documentary series, Frenchy Dreams of Hashish, with Collabo NYC’s documentary filmmaker Jake Remington, which highlights the challenges legalization has posed for small California farms. Frenchy Dreams of Hashish is a seven-part documentary series that was filmed over three years during the transition from Proposition 215 to Proposition 64.

Follow Madame Cannoli or Kimberly, Frenchy’s wife, on their Instagram page and offer your condolences.

Learn more about French cannoli and its skilled hash-making in this exclusive 2019 interview with High Times.