High Grade History 101: A Call To Action

Daniel Montero

With the non-stop frenzy that is the California cannabis industry, it is easy to forget and even completely gloss over the incredibly rich and globally recognized history of a staunch underground counterculture rooted in freedom and rebellion.

The historical significance is great. Similarly to when electricity was invented, the legalization of marijuana will continue to revolutionize our modern world. From hemp based insulation to finding cures for life threatening ailments, ganja is a life force sent from up above to help save us from ourselves. And like any well respected conquistador, it is the manifest destiny of those seated in power to monopolize our industry. Now the irony is that, and as we are seeing, nothing, not even history herself, could prepare new participants for the true nature of the marijuana industry.

This business was forged by rebels, hippies, outlaws and ex-soldiers. More telling is that the classic stereotype of stoners speaking and behaving as if they had half wits for brains is far from the truth. Some of the boldest, most intelligent free thinking souls from around the globe emigrated and continue to flock to the West Coast and the Emerald Triangle to pursue their passions with the Goddess.

That legendary Summer of Love in 1967. The culmination of an anti-war movement that also championed anti-consumerist values. The government did their best to eradicate the cultural phenomenon that is the hippie movement and instead instilled upon their intended victims the willpower and steadfastness to methodically rebel against the system. Even soldiers from wars like Vietnam realized there are better things in life than to be expendable on any given day.

What we learn when we look further into history is that a conqueror’s role was made easier by leaving cultural icons of an usurped society alone versus destroying them. Musicians, artists, storytellers, etc. The logic is that a conquered people are placated and at less risk for mass rebellion when cultural wealth is left intact. Greed, and the fascination of taking something from someone else, is so great here in California that the trend is to forget some of the basic lessons from the ancient art of war. So much money is being dispensed on either culturally misappropriated marketing that ignores historical precedent or the unabashed exploitation of our experienced growers, breeders and their prized genetics. For the record, sinsemilla is the most chemically complex plant in the botanical kingdom. Best of luck trying to genetically bottleneck and monopolize her.

This unprecedented attack on the marijuana community is an open invitation to remind ourselves that we come from a sovereign lineage of dedicated anti-war demonstrators, back to the land homesteaders and outlaws; men and women who defied the legal system here in the US and around the world to, inadvertently or not, heal themselves and their communities in the process. Do not forget that the same opposition our community faced during the Vietnam War, The War On Drugs, The Timber Wars (Redwood Summer 1990) etc, are the same antagonists that have rebranded themselves within the cannabis space.

This is a call to embrace and indulge in the stories of marijuana’s bravest men and women. Their legend will further cement and romanticize our relationship with farmers who have risked it all to make sure we have the privilege of enjoying the best medicine our hard earned money can buy.

This is also a call to action. Remember that to honor the Goddess is to honor yourself. Mother Nature awaits us all with her arms widespread, alive and well, offering values, experiences and lessons that money cannot buy.

Most of all thank you for supporting all independent craft marijuana operators. Our common thread is love and that’s exactly what makes the world go round.