Potcast 234: The Craft and Culture of Farming in Canna Country

If you pay attention to cannabis news then you recently heard that Circle K convenience stores have partnered with Chicago-based corporate cannabis giant, Green Thumb Industries to bring cannabis to gas stations in Florida in 2023.

Now, you won’t be able to just walk into a Circle K and buy weed while you’re pumping gas, though that’s what one might think reading the headlines. Ten locations will be operated by GTI as independent medical dispensaries called RISE Express. There will be a separate entrance into the dispensary and customers must show their Florida medical cannabis card to enter. And Circle K is poised to roll this deal out in other states.

To me, this is foreshadowing for the massive takeover of sacred plant medicine by the corporate behemoths. Is it good to have cannabis in highly visible locations? Certainly! But it’s also imperative to preserve the history and culture of cannabis and to understand the ramifications of corporatizing cannabis and the trade off of quality for quantity. Deals like this undermine the small, legacy cannabis farms who’ve spent a lifetime growing the plant honorably in harmony with nature.

Some of you might think I sound alarmist, but we’re already watching history get whitewashed before our eyes. And I personally know many cannabis farmers unsure if they can afford to stay in the game another growing season. So today, we’re making a trip up the mountain to talk with a couple of cannabis farmers about the hard work, hardships, and ingenuity of staying relevant in an industry going off the rails.

I visited Teddy and Reggie of Canna Country Farms in Humboldt County, California, at the beginning of harvest season. We talk about the timing of harvesting flower and the affects that has on the high. We discuss cannabis genetics, energy use in cannabis cultivation, indoor vs. full-term sun grown, and other small factors that add up to a big difference. And because growing cannabis is only half of the process, we discuss drying and curing techniques for you home growers.

Alright, now let’s go to canna country and explore our favorite plant through the experience of farmers whose bond with cannabis and the land runs three generations deep. Not only do we discuss the farming and business of cannabis but also the tough conversations and family sacrifice involved in maintaining their way of life. So smoke ‘em if you got ‘em and settle in, It’s time to get casually baked.

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‘After the Show’ Notes

Ted and his two sons on the deck at Canna Country Farms overlooking Garden One growing Canna Country #26.

I hope this conversation inspires you to travel all the way to Northern California to purchase full-term flower from Canna Country and other small, family farms.

Cannabis tourism might be the only thing that keeps these legacy (and fully licensed) farms afloat.

So keep that in mind when you’re choosing your next vacation spot. And if you’re already planning some girls trip or celebration in wine country, level up the experience with a private tour of weed country. I’d love to be your host and cannabis lifestyle guide.