Willie's Reserve and Margo Price Present: "All American Made"

Margo Price has teamed up with farmer Tina Gordon of Moon Made Farms and Willie’s Reserve to produce her own collection of cannabis under the same title as her most recent album: “All American Made”. Listen to Tina’s description of the strain and find “All American Made” at any of the California dispensaries listed below.

WHERE TO FIND “ALL AMERICAN MADE”:

• A Therapeutic Alternative - Sacramento, CA @atherapeuticalternative

• Airfield Supply Co. - Santa Clara, CA @airfieldsupply

• Buds & Roses - Los Angeles, CA  @budsandroses_la

• CCA California Alternative Caregivers - Los Angeles, CA @cca.la

• Circle Of Hope - Northridge, CA @circleofhopealliance

• D & M COMPASSION CENTER - Clearlake, CA @dm_compassion_center

• DCC - Los Angeles, CA

• Green Goddess Collective - Venice, CA

• One Love Beach Club - Long Beach, CA @onelove.beachclub

• Organic Solutions of the Desert - Palm Springs, CA

• Perennial - Studio City, CA @Perennialholistic

• Redwood Herbal Alliance - Santa Rosa, CA  @redwoodherbalalliance

• Revolution Emporium - Ukiah, CA

• SCF - Torrance, CA

• The Westwood Farmacy - Los Angeles, CA

• Sespe Creek Collective - Ojai, CA @originalsespe

• Palm Springs Safe Access - Palm Springs, CA @Palmspringsaccess

• Smart Collective Corporation - Los Angeles, CA

• Torrey Holistics - San Diego, CA @torrey.holistics.sd

• VALLEY PURE  - Woodlake, CA@valleypurehigh

• Vapor Room - San Francisco, CA  @vaporroom_sf
  

Willie's Guide to Weed: Moon Made Farms

"From the inside out I feel like it’s possible for people to change, for cultures to change, for communities to change, and for consciousness to shift." - Tina Gordon

Tina Gordon’s energy is infectious. She is calm and collected, but so full of life that it seems like the air around her is buzzing with possibility. I’m sure this charisma is part of what drew her into music. Tina is a drummer, formerly playing with bands in varying genres from punk, to rock, to metal. She was an integral part of the San Francisco DIY scene and traveled across the country living a life much different from her present situation. Tucked into the mountains of Southern Humboldt County California, Tina is almost off the grid. Her home is a refuge, passed down from one generation of incredible women to another for the purpose of cultivating what feels like sacred ground. Really, I swear you can feel the presence of something special when you step onto the soil of Moon Made Farms. My body felt it. The road to Moon Made is an hour directly up a mountain with nothing but twists and turns and waving fields of grass below. By the time we made it there, I thought I was definitely going to vomit from motion sickness. But five minutes after stepping onto the rich soil and breathing in the air so sweet it’s almost saccharine, my nausea disappeared and my equilibrium recovered.

Tina’s life journey brought her to Moon Made through the indelible Joani Hannan. Hannan was a vanguard female jazz drummer who traveled the world in the United Service Organization before eventually landing on California’s Southern coast. After years in Los Angeles where she not only acted in movies alongside the likes of Marilyn Monroe, but also started one of the premiere underground LGBT clubs of the time, Joani headed North to Serendipity Collective, the land that would eventually be Moon Made Farms. Joani and her partner Marion lived on the land for years, often hosting friends and acquaintances who had driven up from the city to visit. One of those visitors in particular was Tina.

photos of Joani and Tina via Joani Presents - Georgia (Joan) Hannah

“I came to this property and met a woman named Joani Hannan. After I met her I decided I needed to make a documentary about her. She was such an incredible character. So through a course of events I ended up relocating to this area, making a documentary about Joani, and during that first year up here I started working with cannabis.” Tina’s creative vision not only resulted in a critically-acclaimed short film on Joani’s impressive life, but a relationship with Joani and Marion that led to the creation of  Moon Made Farms. “Over the course of the time when I was making a documentary about Joani we became dear friends. I became dear friends with both she and her partner Marion. They were both at the time in their seventies. One day about a year into living here they called me up and Marion said, ‘Tina, I never want to pick up a bag of chicken shit again. You wanna buy the place or what?’ So I figured out how to make that happen.”

Since then, Tina has transformed Serendipity Collective into Moon Made Farms. Continuing in the spirit of revolutionary Joani, Tina works every day under the creed: “The free thinking of one age is the common sense of the next”. The quote by 19th century poet Matthew Arnold was emblazoned across the back of Tina’s shirt (get yours here) the day we spoke with her and it soon became apparent that those words are etched into each movement Tina makes. She led us across the 40 acre farm introducing us to each garden - each plant near half way through their growth - explaining how different strains offered so much more than different highs: the fragrances released from the terpenes of the plant, the taste once it meets the palate, and the ratio of CBD to THC (Tina sent me home with a healthy sample of a strain with an equal ratio of THC to CBD offering a less intense high alongside the calming effects of CBD). Every part of Tina’s farm is dedicated to encouraging the ancient land to flourish in all the ways it can. Everything comes from the land from Tina’s self-sustained living soil made thanks to a nest of rabbits and Tina’ and company’s own compost, to the flower beds made from rocks and fallen limbs from the property.

“Moving from the city up here, it really was this awakening to the natural world and the natural forces. It wasn’t until I started cultivating cannabis that I started tuning in to what it means to have fresh air and clean water. Plants respond to the attention you give them and the intention.” Tina’s intention with Moon Made Farms extends beyond the grounds itself; she is a board member of the International Cannabis Farmers Association and is active in furthering cannabis legalization and education (she even signs off on texts and emails with a hopeful and determined “Onward!”). Tina’s positive outlook and motivation can also be linked back to her experiences as a musician: “When I was playing music, I saw a lot of people who were destroying themselves; who had really hard habits with alcohol and with drugs that were not benefiting them. There are a lot of people who play music who are terribly shy, who are introverted, who have something that they want to share with the world but its really hard for them to get out in front of people. Part of what I think cannabis has the potential of doing is helping people in these situations so they can access their creativity and understand and get a better sense and a better grip on how to be good to themselves, and how to balance themselves so that they have the access and the ability to share the gifts that they have.”

Through her work with Willie’s Reserve and Flow Kana, Tina takes a step closer towards her goals every day. Find her strain “Pineapple Wonder” at a dispensary near you and stay tuned for more from Tina and Willie’s Reserve from the Emerald Cup in Santa Rosa, California this weekend where Tina will be a featured speaker.

Willie's Guide to Weed: Huckleberry Hill Farms

“It’s really my goal when people come to my farm….I want them to leave this farm as different people.” - Johnny Casali

With the action of famed West Coast cities constantly in the media, it is easy to forget that the majority of California is country. This is farmland; there are trucks and ball caps and Carhartt jackets everywhere. Everywhere that is, when you are in town. Huckleberry Hill Farms is just up from Garbersville, also known as the entrance to the Avenue of the Giants; a road known for the impressive Redwood trees and it’s popularity among family roadtrippers. The road to Huckleberry Hill is remote and winding. Though it’s been said many times, the Redwoods are breathtaking. The sun trickles through the branches as we pull up to an unassuming gravel drive and pull up next to the house.

Johnny has lived on this piece of land tucked up in the hills of California’s Emerald Triangle (the largest cannabis-producing region in the United States) for decades. “This is my family home. I’ve been here for 45 years. Really since I was ten years old I was following my mom around, not only taking care of the vegetable garden that included tomatoes and zucchinis, but that also included taking care of the cannabis plants,” Johnny says as we make our way up the gravel path to the voluminous cannabis plants just up the hill. “Certain people believe that certain things are harmful, and I wasn’t brought up that way,” he added, “I realized that [cannabis] had a lot of medicinal value to it from way back when.”

In this area of the world, Johnny’s story might not seem alarming. There are many folks throughout Humboldt, Mendocino, and Trinity counties who have seen their loved ones, neighbors, or even themselves put through incredible hardships because of their cannabis-reliant livelihoods.

At 19, Johnny took over the family farm after his mother left to travel the world and pursue her dream of commercial fishing. “To take care of the property, to maintain the roads, to maintain the house, and also to take care of the cannabis” he explains, putting into practice the craft his mother so carefully taught him. As he walks us through the plants, he recounts tales that seem otherworldly to those of us who didn’t grow up with knowledge of the cannabis world: constant helicopters hovering on the search for farms, federal agents descending from the sky, and varied techniques for farming in secret. A few years and an accumulation of 1,500 cannabis plants later, Johnny awoke to 30 federal agents at his door, guns at the ready. “When I was 22 my best friend and I got turned in by a neighbor [in them] trying to make a point that they were going to put a stop to growing cannabis,” he reveals. After four years in and out of court, Johnny went on to serve 8 years out of his 10 year sentence. While he was away, his mother passed and the farm stayed empty. “Really that was one of the toughest things I had to deal with then,” he continues, “When I ended up getting out of jail and this permitting process opened, I was able to do something that I grew up doing and that I had this passion and love for. It was just like this blessing. I knew my path forward.” When Johnny returned to the farm after so many years away, many members of the Southern Humboldt community gathered to greet him as he arrived ready to work and put Huckleberry back together.

You can tell Johnny carries the weight of his experiences with him, but, with his determination and support from his community, his spirit has survived. As he walks us around the farm explaining that every single step in the process is done by him, alone, you can feel his energy and excitedness to finally share his life’s dedication. “The minute I walked into jail,” he reflects, “I saw so many bitter people and angry people. I refused at that point that that’s how I would come out because then that would be a life sentence. I’ve always been a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, whether or not at the time we know what it is. I just made the best of that situation.” Now, Johnny’s life has fully returned to his home of Huckleberry Hill. Every morning and night he is there to tend to his plants. He has no hired farm hands or helpers; it’s just him. His touch is present in each aspect of the calm and beautiful grounds. Flowers surround the house and some of the outdoor cannabis plants; he’s placed small Buddhas and mementos around, some signifying specific plants he intends to donate to different organizations, one in particular to a local veterans association. I mention the bountiful bees buzzing around and he casually mentions he has his own hive with fresh honey as well.

As for the cannabis, Johnny is one of many independent farmers growing strains for Willie’s Reserve and their partners Flow Kana. “The strains that I grow here on my property are always going to be in honor of my mother,” he explains. Johnny still grows his mother’s “Fruit Loopz” strain, and each of his own strains are crossed with it as an homage to her memory. You can find Johnny’s “Huckleberries” strain - a sativa leaning cross of Fruit Loopz and Zkittlez with an intense fruity aroma, offering a mellow high according to Willie’s Reserve -  at a dispensary near you. Johnny will also be joining the Willie’s Reserve team and Willie himself at the Emerald Cup (one of the largest organic cannabis competitions worldwide) on December 15th and 16th in Santa Rosa, California. For more on the Emerald Cup and tickets to the event visit: https://theemeraldcup.com.

Willie's Guide to Weed: Weed 101

Willie has always been a straight shooter. His approach with Willie’s Reserve is no different. Built on the principles of sustainability, quality product, and sharing your stash, the brand brings full transparency to the table when it comes to toking up.

Cannabis culture has long played an integral role in inspiration and community within the creative industry. Weed has fueled much of the songwriting process for numerous artists; been a trusted companion for late nights spent rambling highways; and taken an edge off on the harder days in life’s journey. It’s not just for outlaws anymore: it is an everyman remedy for a variety of ailments, both physical and spiritual. From the tour bus to the living room, weed cultivates camaraderie and turns strangers into friends.

Willie’s Reserve simplifies the process so smokers can sit back and enjoy all the best parts of partaking in cannabis, worry-free.

With the help of our friends at Willie’s Reserve, we are kicking off Willie’s Guide to Weed with the basics, but stay tuned as we dive deeper into cannabis culture with profiles on independent farmers, tips and tricks from your favorite artists and more.

Legality

While cannabis is still stigmatized and considered illegal by the federal government, there are different laws for marijuana in each individual state. Recreational use is legal in Washington, California, Oregon, Colorado, Nevada, Massachusetts, Washington D.C., This means anyone over the age of 21 can purchase weed from dispensaries or grow a certain number of plants in their home for personal use, though laws vary state to state. Thirty different states allow medicinal use for weed. Over a dozen states have enacted some form of decriminalization for weed, which reduces criminal penalties and allows users to carry up to a certain amount while only being fined if caught. Both California and Washington state have legislation initiatives to expunge records of citizens with cannabis charges. As a result of the recent midterm elections, Michigan became the 10th state in the US to approve recreational cannabis. Also, our neighbors in Canada became the first G7 nation to make recreational cannabis consumption legal nationally as of mid-October. Congrats all!

Sativa v. Indica and Strains

all illustrations by Destiny DeStefano

Sativa and indica are the two subspecies of the cannabis plant. Understanding the difference can be critical to choosing the right strains for your individual needs. Many users probably already know the basics of each: sativa results in a head high, it’s more stimulating and mood-uplifting, while indica gives a body high and is used more often for sleep, relaxation and pain relief. But it’s best to look at these two types within the context of a spectrum as the two have been cross-bred extensively. It is almost impossible to find a completely pure indica or sativa, so it’s best to chat with the professionals at your dispensary to find what will be the best fit for you.

Strains are specific breeds of the cannabis plant. While there are many strains of each that naturally land on either end of the dominance spectrum, modern breeding techniques have created strains an abundance of hybrid strains that fall this spectrum. These can cause a combination of effects from both sativa and indica. Often plants are bred for specific medical uses and different desired effects. For example, Durban Poison is a traditional energy inducing sativa. We recommend this strain with a good jam session or bike ride.

Another component in choosing a weed strain is flavor. An often overlooked fact is that the coveted portion of the cannabis plant we all know, love, and smoke is actually a flower.  Each crop of bud, or flowers, is different thanks their cannabinoid make up and terpenes variety.

Terpenes are a gene in the cannabis plant that produce aromatic oils. There are over 100 terpenes that can be found in any cannabis plant; many producing three or four different terpenes that combine to create unique flavors and effects. For example, the terpenes limonene gives off a citrusy smell and taste, while a-pinene smells woodsy and earthy. Not only do terpenes affect the flavor and odor of cannabis, terpenes also have a big effect on your cannabis consumption experience. The combined effect of cannabinoids and terpenes is called the entourage effect. Recently, research has discovered that the same terpenes naturally found in our fruits, vegetables, and plants, also occur naturally in cannabis.

How to Tell Good Weed from Bad

Quality is of the utmost importance to the cannabis connoisseur. High quality cannabis creates a high quality experience. Anyone who smokes knows good weed makes all the difference. Buds should be fluffy, dense, sticky, colorful and strong-smelling. Just like any plant, the fresher, the better. It’s pretty easy to tell when weed is poor quality. Here's what to look out for: hay like smells, non-conical shapes, overly dry or overly damp, sun bleached, moldy or powdery mildew (flat white in color), or a moldy smell are all signs of low quality product.  

Conversely, high quality product could smell a variety of different ways depending on the plant's genetic make. Look out for skunk like, fresh, fruity, sweet, cheesy or funky smells. These are good. Visually, properly cultivated cannabis has a conical shape; which means that the flower is dense, wider towards the bottom and then the come to a point at the top. The colors can also variety however, bright and dark green tones, red hairs and sometime purple are all normal. You may also notice trichomes, or the tiny plant appendages that look like small sparkly crystals.
The trichome, which is Greek for hair, is the producer of both cannabinoids and terpenes that create the flavors we love.

Ways to Consume

A grinder is a simple staple that makes weed last longer and easier to use, though not 100% necessary. Your fingers will do the trick just fine too. Grinders are made of three parts: the top compartment which contains sharp teeth to grind the herb, a middle chamber in which the bottom is a fine mesh where the herb collects and a bottom section that collects kief, or the fine, dust-like remnants of the ground weed which contain a high percentage of THC. Grinding aerates the weed and breaks it into even pieces that make it easier to burn.

Once your weed is ground, you’re ready to roll. Tried and true, the joint is the most classic way to smoke for a reason. It burns slow, allows for a full flavor profile and is made for passing around. Pre-rolled joints can be purchased at dispensaries, but it’s always safe to know how to roll your own.

Take a paper and lay it down on a flat surface, the side with a strip of glue facing up. Sprinkle weed in the folded center. With the thumb and index finger on each end, twist the paper down to the bottom then roll upwards, keeping it tight and even. Once you have a solid cylinder, lick the glue strip, seal and twist the end. You can also add a filter at the end for more structural stability.

Another classic apparatus is the tried-and-true bong. Bongs can be made out of many different materials from different types of wood to glass to ceramics. Made up of the base, tube, stem, bowl, carburetor, and percolator, the bong allows the smoke to be cooled and filtered as it is drawn up through the water and the percolator making for an often smoother hit than a joint or pipe. It’s not uncommon for the bong to be an honored piece in a smoker’s collection and donned with a proper name and we’ve heard some pretty good ones. (James Bong, George W. Kush, or Johnny Cashed anyone?)

The pipe is another common form of consumption and can be used for both marijuana and tobacco. Pipes, like bongs, can be made from many different materials - including a fruit or vegetable you might have lying around. An apple pipe is certainly a rite of passage and a go-to in a pinch for many cannabis consumers. Pipes offer a more portable vessel than a bong and come in varying shapes and sizes from slim cylindrical one-hitters meant for single servings to elaborate blown glass with bowls meant to share.

Edibles are an increasingly popular form of consuming marijuana. It’s easy to see why; they eliminate the odor completely and last longer in the body. Products go beyond the pot brownies and consumers can now choose from chocolate bars, gummies, cookies and other treats where it’s legal Annie Nelson’s Infused Chocolates and Lozenges from Willie’s Reserve. It’s best to take it slow with edibles. They can take anywhere from 90 minutes to a few hours to fully kick in. Different products have different dosages of THC. Those with higher tolerance can take more, but understanding dosage is essential to a good experience. It’s recommended to start with two-five milligrams of THC as a dose and work your way up. THC in edible form affects each personal differently. Weight, size, gender, metabolism, and mood can all affect the way in which your body metabolize and digests THC. We recommend to never consumer THC on an empty stomach, especially when it comes to edibles.

Vaporizers come in many shapes and forms. The most common is the vape pen, which is handheld, inconspicuous and easily transportable. Depending on the specific brand and model, these can be filled with herb, THC oil or wax, which is a concentrated form of THC crystals made from the plant. Vape pens require a small battery, often rechargeable. All you do is press a button and hold for a few seconds while inhaling or just inhale depending on the technology of the vape. Vaporizing weed significantly reduces the smell, gives a thinner smoke that is kinder on your lungs and can provide a milder fast acting high. These days Willie prefers a vape before the show to keep his voice in top singing condition

Willie’s Reserve products are made with sharing in mind for consumers of all experience levels, straight from the godfather of weed. From local American farmers to joints rolled with care, all flower never trim. High quality products are the number one priority for Willie's team.

Stay tuned for more as we dive into cannabis culture across the creative industry with our continuing Willie’s Guide to Weed campaign.