Moving Forward with a ‘Farming First’ Approach

As someone who grew up intimately familiar with the ins and outs of farming, Martin said that the quality and integrity of the farming process, from seed making and germination to harvest, is “paramount.” He recalled the Sun-Maid raisins days, delivering the final product to the factory and receiving a grade at thescale, and even at a young age, he consistently strived for perfection, for the highest grade. He knew the farm depended on it.

“I can remember very vividly samples being taken from the bins on the truck and my dad’s pleasure in receiving a high grade for the crop. I can also remember the terror of delivering crops that were passable, but not to our standard,” Martin said. “The farmer develops a close relationship to each crop cycle. The best farmers want to touch and see the daily results. The process is addictive to those who are in it. Luckily, we have some pretty addictive farmers on the team!”

Raw Garden is also committed to being the single source for cannabis consumers, meaning that the cannabis you consume is from them, grown, extracted and refined by them. Martin said that most of the team are heavy cannabis consumers, and it’s important to them that they share products that are something they themselves are proud of and enjoy.

“Our grading standards are strong, whether it be aroma and taste, or the color of the dab or vape oil,” Martin said. “We are kind of snooty when it comes to what a perfect raisin or dab should look like. Last I checked, my dad still has a few ziplocks in the freezer of his favorite crops from over 20 years ago — raisins store well, especially when frozen. And so do dabs. I’ve hoarded samples from my favorite batches dating back almost a decade now.”

Aromas are also a primary focus in Raw Garden crops; Martin said they are “what set varieties and experiences apart.”

While Raw Garden’s breeding program is focused on traits to make the farmer’s life easier, like flowering time, flower structure and disease resistance, he said, “The variety of aromas and how those affect experience — to which little is truly understood — are what make the cannabis plant such a joy to work with. Walking the fields ahead of harvest is possibly some of the most invigorating aromatherapy you can experience.”

Through it all, he said accessibility and normalization are most important looking ahead in the industry, as both depend on free markets between states without limited licensing.

Competition is limited by the government, so the consumer pays the price, generally a higher one, usually at a lower quality. Accessibility, Martin said, comes down to the best farmers and manufacturers being allowed to scale, without being limited by untenable tax situations or constraints of local government.

“Once unfettered, the best producer will compete for quality, the consumer will win, and the ignorant attitude that cannabis is a harmful gateway drug will die,” Martin said. “Unfortunately, the only way to keep your hopes up for this is if you think in decades… we will get there, it is just going to take time.”

In terms of his company, Martin said Raw Garden intends to stay focused on continuing to innovate and enhance its current products around the desires and needs of consumers. With a team who is “infatuated” with the product just as much as their customers, Martin is eager for the day that he can spread Raw Garden across the country straight from the Golden State.

“Maybe California leads in this way, maybe it does not. Either way, we are going to fight for it!” Martin said. “We are California farmers doing what California does best: feeding the country specialty crops!”

Available Strains

INDICA

GRAPE APE

BLACKBER RY KUSH

PURPLE PUNCH

GELA TO

SATIVA SOUR TANGIE STRA W BER RY COUGH

MAUI WOWIE

JACK HERER

HYBRID WATERMELON Z DO-SI-DOS

PINEAPPLE EXPRESS FORBIDDEN FRUIT

Extracted from natural botanical sources for a consistent flavor every time.

Water-Clear high potency, pure THC oil from a trusted brand that provides a smooth and potent vaping experience.

Standard 510 threaded cart allows you to use any standard battery.