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).
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| 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!
