Inside Hush Puppies: The Science Behind Odorless Smokable Cannabis
For decades, the unmistakable aroma of cannabis has been both its signature and its stigma. Even with legalization, the smell still limits where and how it can be used. Dr. Vincent Lombardi, President and CEO of High Sierra Technologies, believes science has a solution. He holds a PhD in Biochemistry and serves as a Professor of Immunology in Reno, Nevada.
In March 2024, High Sierra Technologies officially launched their Hush Puppies cannabis products, now recognized as one of the leading brands in low-odor flower. LOUD Magazine got an exclusive interview with Dr. Lombardi to discuss the success of this newest line of odorless marijuana and the science behind it.
Lombardi is a scientist and educator whose work bridges cannabis innovation and medical research. Under his leadership, High Sierra Technologies applies rigorous scientific methods to cannabis development, prioritizing safety, functionality, and patient-focused outcomes.
LOUD Magazine spoke with Lombardi about the unlikely origins of Hush Puppies and how a technical anomaly became a cultural solution.
The concept began unexpectedly. A friend contacted Lombardi after meeting a dispensary owner experimenting with early cannabis vaporization technology. The team was developing e-cigarette products but kept encountering a problem: during extraction, the plant’s aroma disappeared. Rather than enhancing the experience, the process stripped cannabis of its defining scent.
Photo by High Sierra Technologies
They asked Lombardi if it was possible to extract cannabinoids while preserving aroma. His response flipped the problem on its head. “You extract what makes marijuana aromatic first,” Lombardi explains. “Then you remove the THC, and afterward, you recombine the two.” The approach worked, leading to a partnership—but it also sparked a new idea.
While examining the flower after odor extraction and before THC was extracted, Lombardi noticed something unexpected. “There was almost no smell that resembled marijuana,” he recalls. “I thought, there could be a market for this. If you could walk into a meeting after smoking a joint and no one would know, that could be a good thing.” That insight became the foundation for Hush Puppies’ odorless smokable flower.
Product development at High Sierra Technologies is rooted in organic, chemical-free processes. Lombardi emphasizes that nothing synthetic is added to the plant. Instead, the process selectively targets the sulfur containing compounds and the smaller, highly volatile terpenes—natural compounds that shape both flavor and effects. Some terpenes provide medicinal benefits, while others are largely responsible for cannabis’s pungent smell.
Photo by High Sierra Technologies
By removing only the lighter, scent-forward terpenes and preserving heavier ones linked to therapeutic effects, High Sierra reduces odor without eliminating medical potential or THC content. From Lombardi’s perspective as an immunologist, this balance is crucial. Cannabis’s anti-inflammatory properties, he explains, are among its most promising benefits and remain intact in Hush Puppies.
Early consumer response reflects that intention. Product Reviewer Brittnee Campanella, who reviewed Hush Puppies, immediately noticed the discretion the product provides. “Before lighting, the odor is very mild,” she says. “You really have to bring it close to your nose to smell anything, and once the case is closed, there’s no detectable scent at all.” Even when opened, the case’s aroma remains subtle and nonintrusive.
Packaging reinforces that understated approach. Campanella describes the design as clean, minimal, and elegant, relying on black-and-white tones rather than loud branding. The pre-rolled flower is evenly packed and housed in a sturdy case with secure clasps. “It feels high quality,” she notes. “I personally love the design.”
Performance is equally important. Campanella calls the smoking experience smooth and comfortable, with no harshness or bitterness. “The taste is very mild and clean,” she says. “There’s no burnt flavor, and the wrap makes it easy to inhale without irritation.” She adds that the gentle taste and smooth inhale make Hush Puppies accessible even to users sensitive to strong smoke or flavors.
Photo by Brittnee Campanella | Contagion Media
Currently, Hush Puppies are available in select dispensaries across California. Because cannabis remains federally illegal, High Sierra Technologies licenses its process state by state, producing locally rather than transporting products across state lines. Lombardi believes this decentralized model positions the brand to scale rapidly once nationwide legalization occurs.
Ultimately, Hush Puppies address one of cannabis’s most persistent barriers: social stigma tied to smell. By eliminating odor, the product allows users to move through public and private spaces with confidence and discretion. Lombardi emphasizes this: “It’s about freedom and comfort.” He also points out that Hush Puppies appeal beyond typical users: “Even people who don’t smoke are buying it for friends and family.”
Campanella agrees. “Overall, it’s a solid product,” she concludes. “Low odor, easy to carry, thoughtfully designed, and genuinely enjoyable.” In a market often defined by excess, Hush Puppies represent a quieter evolution of cannabis culture—driven by science, accessibility, and intentional design rather than spectacle.
For more information on High Sierra Technologies and the Hush Puppies odorless flower line, visit www.high-sierra.com.
Edited by Natalie Wheeler on January 27, 2026