Grazi, is the soil in that valley quite acidic?
The MTF-derived strain I've got my little paws on is the version being grown by oldtimers down the Kenai, gifted to me by Yeag. It certainly DOES seem to tolerate soil conditions under which the other plants in my garden suffer. It also has such short internodes that cloning it is a bit of a challenge, as it has to be coaxed a bit into stretching, but then roots quickly and takes off fast.
I'd like to add another locale to your list of 'places to watch'... Vermont's Connecticut river valley, with its rich fertile soil and beautiful summertime climate, and growers who are no slouches when it comes to producing stellar weed. And now with the new med laws...