It’s Marty Party Time!

Breaking The Stoner Stereotype...

Having been raised around weed, I’ve consciously chosen it over alcohol over the years due to its efficacy, harmlessness, and familiarity. Along with sharing snippets (stories of my childhood) from the book I’m currently writing, this blog will serve as a way for you to ride along with me in my discovery of the cannabis industry in California, particularly highlighting the smaller, boutique farmers with outdoor grows in the Emerald Triangle.

No doubt my passion for equal rights and justice will come through in my writing, it’s part of who I am. I think I can safely speak for the industry when I say: We’re done with the stigma and stereotypes.

I want to shine a spotlight on talented small farm “cannaculturalists” (growers), who compete against bigger, more industrial, farms selling in bulk. The big industrialized farms easily buy their way onto dispensary shelves (marketing/representation) and who can blame them?! That’s the name of the game of capitalism, right? Thankfully there is room for everyone in the industry… boutique and industrial, indoor and outdoor, street quality and top grade. My focus will always be boutique, outdoor, sungrown, highest grade.

Bringing small farmers of the finest grade cannabis closer to consumers who appreciate a first-hand experience is an enriching education for everyone. Boutique marijuana farmers usually want to know more about their end-users. And, much like a winemaker, consumers appreciate hearing directly from the creator.

 

Martyjuana Farms

In the spirit of that community, I’d like to thank Marty Clein of Martyjuana Farms for sharing some time, stories, and insights with me recently. Martyjuana Farms is a major league player in the game of outdoor, sun grown, boutique-style cannabis in the Emerald Triangle (representing from Mendocino County, CA).

Marty successfully protected his marijuana harvest
against fires in recent years using several methods,
including changing the way he waters his plants.

Marty is careful to play by the rules, keeping meticulous records and hiring a handful of experts to navigate every part of the compliance and regulation side of his business. For Marty, it’s the only way to go because compliance is not his passion. 

Growing is.

Lubricating The Brain 

The perfect example of people who are inadvertently breaking the stoner stereotype, Marty’s not trying to break it… he’s just being who he is, doing what he loves. Goals and vision are a big part of the way this CEO and long-time consumer keeps things tightly focused. Marty discovered at a young age that weed helps his ADHD and allows him to think more clearly and, as a result, be more productive. He calls it “lubricating the brain”.

Interesting perspective coming from such a high achiever. Marty Clein has always been the kind of guy who enjoys excelling at any task he willingly takes on (emphasis on the “willingly”).

Good intention is a part of Marty’s core character and it is in everything he touches, and in an inexplainable way, is very contagious! Maybe that’s why Marty is a founding member of the Round Valley Cannabis Co-op, a small growers association in the Emerald Triangle.

Organizing sooner than later makes sense since federal legalization may mean the end of tight restrictions imposed by Prop. 64 that have prevented farmers like Marty from reaching the end-user of their top shelf product. It would allow him to connect with his customers on a more personal level, which is in his nature and understandably extends into business life.

The Experience of Weeducation 

The (pre-Covid) social educational gatherings he affectionately calls “Marty Parties” are a glimpse into the community into which Marty (+ now myself!) and millions of others find themselves… craving camaraderie, connection with intellectual, like-minded peeps. Our tribe! Marty used these party forums (mostly in SoCal) to educate people about the differences between indoor and sun grown cannabis, answer their questions firsthand, get to know their needs and tastes. And, in a world that worships alcohol like a deity, interested party goers were suddenly surrounded by their own kind—those who love weed.

Finding a “safe place” for cannabis consumers to commune and share product, information, resources, etc. has been ruled by everything EXCEPT literal safety… geography (legal/illegal)… career choice… reputation (small towns, or local clubs where alcohol or a cigar is fine)… court/custody battles… parenting reputation (with school, other parents)…

The stigma and stereotype game is still strong.

People like Marty remind us to step into who we are. Let’s stop hiding in the basement! 

If gays are now empowered to come out of the closet (holla and love to the proud LGBTQ? peeps!), we cannabis lovers should feel empowered to come out of the proverbial basement where we’ve been hiding to smoke bowls, blunts, and bongs for the last 50 years.

 

HIGHLIGHTS:

Craft cannabis growers are an integral part of both agricultural and small business economies. Once tourism enjoys seasonality in the marijuana market legally the way it does in the wine industry, businesses like Martyjuana Farms will have opportunities to connect directly with consumers. Currently, Prop. 64 prevents these direct relationships between farms and consumers.

Yesterday’s stigmas are a sign of ignorance. 

Being a stoner does not make one lazy, stupid or irresponsible. Some people use weed to help them focus clearly. The freedom to be who an individual WANTS to be is directly related to the daily joy that person feels. That freedom is an inalienable right.

We’re here. We’re high. Get used to it. 

Follow me on IG @norcalweedgal to be part of my community!

Follow Marty on IG @martyjuanafarms to join the Marty Party!