Willie Nelson-Branded Marijuana Products & Stores Coming
It was only a matter of time before marijuana started to become big business with states like Colorado, Alaska, Oregon and Washington moving towards full legalization, and apparently Willie Nelson is trying to beat the bigger companies to the punch by developing a signature marijuana brand that is scheduled to include storefronts, products such as bongs and vaporizers, and specific strains and blends of marijuana to sell in the states that make possession of the plant legal.
The news comes from marijuana lobbyist Michael Bowman who is acting as the current PR rep for the product line which is still be in its fledgling stages. According to Bowman, the brand, currently named Willie’s Reserve, will encompass Willie Nelson’s thoughts and ideals about marijuana, but what actual involvement Willie Nelson will have personally seems to be more in spirit as opposed to overseeing day to day operations. Willie’s Reserve appears to be born more of Michael Bowman and Willie Nelson’s family, specifically his current wife Annie, who worked with Bowman on the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance in 2005.
“Willie has spent a lifetime in support of cannabis, both the industrial hemp side and the marijuana side,” Michael Bowman explains to The Daily Beast. “He wants it to be something that’s reflective of his passion. Ultimately, it’s his. But it was developed by his family, and their focus on environmental and social issues, and in particular this crazy war on drugs, and trying to be a bright light amongst this trail as we’re trying to extract ourselves from the goo of prohibition. Really he wants it, at the end of the day, to envelop what his personal morals and convictions are. So from the store itself to how they’ll work with suppliers and how things are operated, it’s going to be very reflective of Willie’s life.”
Right now there’s no specific plans to open stores in any specific locations, but Michael Bowman says that’s all coming in the next calendar year, especially to states that have already passed legalization. “It will be like when you walk into a Whole Foods store,” Michael says about the selections of marijuana the stores will include. “Whole Foods has their 365 brand, or you can buy Stony Brook, or you can buy Horizon”¦ It’ll all fall under that umbrella of ‘here’s our core beliefs, and here’s our mission statement,’ and they will be a part of that, to be a part of us.”
READ: Let’s Remember Willie Nelson for More Than Marijuana
Willie also recently announced a new album with Merle Haggard called Django and Jimmie, with the initial single called “It’s All Going to Pot” to be released on 4/20.
Bear
March 26, 2015 @ 11:08 am
Well, I think he solidified his status as a punchline.
GregN
March 26, 2015 @ 3:31 pm
High there!
Next you’ll be telling me there’s a George Jones bourbon.
Joshua R.
March 26, 2015 @ 4:50 pm
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/george-jones-white-lightning-moonshine-raises-questions
Applejack
March 26, 2015 @ 4:15 pm
Groan.
Dear Willie (I assume you read you SCM):
Come on man, why not just be known for your music?
A lot of people smoke pot and advocate for pot-smoking, but NONE of them can sing, write songs, or play the guitar quite like you. Your music is what makes you original, and you put a lifetime of effort into building a musical legacy.
Let Snoop Dogg, Woody Harrelson, Lil Wayne, or some other celebrity stooge plaster their face all over the pot paraphernalia.
Cool Lester Smooth
March 27, 2015 @ 1:32 am
First off, listen to Doggystyle, and watch Cheers and True Detective. Snoop and Woody are talented as hell.
Second off, Willie’s put a lot of time, and money, into normalizing marijuana laws. Of course he’s ecstatic that several states have decided to get a lot more tax money while lowering both violent crime and arrests (of disproportionately men and women of color) for non-violent offenses, and wants to have his own brand.
A major part of his life’s work is coming to fruition right now.
Applejack
March 27, 2015 @ 11:49 pm
Cool Lester Smooth,
I honestly wasn’t intending to disrespect those people, though I can see how my use of the phrase “celebrity stooge” would seem to indicate otherwise. I was merely trying to think of celebrities who are famous for smoking dope. Also, you have to understand that I hold Willie Nelson in such high esteem that compared to him, I consider nearly all celebrities, and indeed, basically everyone on the planet, to be a stooge. And that’s including myself.
I don’t really object to Willie’s advocacy for marijuana legalization. Honestly, it’s not a subject that I have particularly strong feelings about one way or another. What I object to is Willie allowing his identity as a pot-smoker and marijuana advocate to eclipse his musical and songwriting legacy, which in my opinion is much more unique, and vastly more valuable. Depending on the success of this venture, I think it’s likely that whole generations of young people are going to grow up knowing “Willie Nelson” solely as the smiling pitchman on the logo of their pot paraphernalia, and I think that’s a damn shame.
Hell, maybe one day “Willie Nelson” will become to legal weed what “Aunt Jemima” is to watered-down, flavored corn syrup.
Cool Lester Smooth
March 28, 2015 @ 5:33 am
Hah! Entirely fair. I definitely have people (Amy Acker!) who I love beyond all rhyme and reason.
I do think that it’s far more likely that stoners will discover Willie, and love him, through weed than that his legacy will be completely destroyed by his weed advocacy, though.
The music really does stand for itself.
Banner
March 26, 2015 @ 7:35 pm
It actually makes more sense to me than say Paul Newman making salad dressing, but look how successful Newmans Own brand is.
CAH
March 27, 2015 @ 12:04 pm
Now you can put a name and a face on why your child is still in his or her year of undergraduate.
I think that pot has a lot of use in the medical arena (for appetite enhancement and pain reduction) and I am pro-legalization of it and a good many other recreational drugs.
I don’t do any of this or even drink, but I am not against it if someone else wants to get or stay blown away – that’s their call until they get in an automobile or want my tax dollars to subsidize their choices.
But I think the glorification of drugs and alcohol is a little silly in view of the many societal problems they have facilitated or increased.
CAH
March 27, 2015 @ 12:27 pm
Meant to say 7th year of undergrad.
scottinnj
March 27, 2015 @ 12:28 pm
I have no problem with what people want to do in their spare time. I also think that drugs have ‘won’ the Drug War and we need to recognize it’s time to move on.
That said I really really really have a problem with the ‘glamorization’ of drug use and that this is signalling that the marketing geniuses such as worked in the tobacco and junk food industries are heading here. People shouldn’t go to jail for peddling the stuff but I don’t think that means we want pot marketed like sugared water, fried chicken or burgers.
Kinda disappointing.
Cool Lester Smooth
March 27, 2015 @ 3:57 pm
I mean, pot is a hell of a lot healthier than booze or McDonalds.
And pot isn’t particularly healthy.
scottinnj
March 28, 2015 @ 5:31 am
You’re right, but I don’t know that we need the best of Don Draper/Madison Avenue working for The Greek.
Cool Lester Smooth
March 28, 2015 @ 5:40 am
Hahaha, I really do think that legalization will force The Greek into other products, if only because he won’t be able to add a black market mark-up any longer.
DimM
March 28, 2015 @ 12:13 am
Nice artwork!
Woogeroo
April 7, 2015 @ 2:42 am
Willie is 81, almost 82… how will they make money off of him when he’s dead?
They make him a brand, like Elvis, like Hank Williams or Dale Earnhardt… it’s just easier while he’s still alive.
just my thoughts.
But hey, this is America, if Willie wants to make some green on some green, then go for it, I say.
-W