Praying mantis searches for aphids on a cannabis plant. | Photo by Freddy Brewster

The future of Humboldt County is dope

Cannabis advocates discuss marketing ideas and the future of weed in Humboldt
Translate

Cannabis advocates discuss marketing ideas and the future of weed in Humboldt

The future for Humboldt county is dope and those in the cannabis industry got together to brainstorm ways to market what some consider “the dopest dope you’ll ever smoke.”

A panel of cannabis professionals held a discussion on the future of the industry March 28 at the Humboldt Patient Resource Center’s Connection studio in Eureka. One of the panelists was Siobhan Danger Darwish, owner of Blessed Coast Farms and the first person in the state to receive a growing permit.

“We need to capitalize on the name Humboldt and the fact that we have been doing this for generations.”

Siobhan Danger Darwish

“Who has a better story line than Humboldt county? No one, use that guys,” Darwish said. “We need to capitalize on the name Humboldt and the fact that we have been doing this for generations. We need to educate on sun-grown cannabis.”

Darwish stressed the importance of social media and its potential to reach a wide audience. She runs Instagram and YouTube accounts called Grow Sisters where she provides tutorials on how to “grow your own” and other cannabis-related DIY projects.

IMG_0025.jpg
Dr. Whitney Ogle of HSU kinesioolgy, Brian Willkomm of HPRC, Rachel Moore of Humco Office of Economic Development, Siobhan Danger Darwish of Blessed Coast Farms and Terra Carver of Humco Growers Alliance answer questions from moderator Jess Columbo during a cannabis public education forum in Eureka on Thursday March 28. | Photo by T.WIlliam Wallin

Darwish is “a second-generation, black-market cannabis farmer” and decided to come to the legal side of the cannabis world in 2016. Darwish stressed that the future for Humboldt county cannabis farmers is collaboration.

“Let me come to your farm, I will smoke your product,” Darwish said. “I will tell my 65,000 followers what your product tastes like.”

IMG_0019.jpg
HPRC held a public forum on cannabis education that included members of the cannabis industry on March 28. | Photo by T.William Wallin

Darwish went on to stress the importance of educating the public about sun-grown cannabis and how businesses and dispensaries should sponsor small farmers. Bryan Willkomm represented HPRC at the panelist table and has said that HPRC has been working closely with farmers since their beginning in 1999. Willkomm said that the future of cannabis in Humboldt county is “bright and beautiful,” but those in power have to step up.

“For a future regulations standpoint, we need a tasting room,” Willkomm said. “I can’t have you sample something without buying $40 of it. So, allowing farmers to have some sort of tasting or events, will really help bring more exposure to our farms and community.”

IMG_0031.jpg
Mariellen Jurkovich became manager of HPRC in the late 90s and since 2004 the acting director. | Photo by T.William Wallin

Willkomm said he believes the future of cannabis is linked with ecotourism for Humboldt county and that cannabis can be used as an amplifier for those experiences. He went on to say that the county administrators need to focus on transportation access, with an emphasis on airport and road infrastructure to help alleviate the isolation of Humboldt county. Rachel Moore represented the Humboldt County Office Economic Development at the panelist table and stressed the importance of Project Trellis in Humboldt’s cannabis future.

“The main way to help out in terms of legislation is to vote. We need to let people know that yes, your vote does matter.”

Jaleel Abdul-Ali

Project Trellis was implemented on March 12 as way for the county to help farmers negatively impacted by prior marijuana laws. Project Trellis will allow $340,000 in micro grants for farmers as well as $1.19 million in funds for a Humboldt county cannabis marketing scheme with a focus on markets in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.

“Part of Project Trellis is to listen and engage in dialog, so we can help inform the process,” Moore said. “The supervisors are interested in protecting the Humboldt brand. That is an important piece. We are here to be a part of the conversation.”

IMG_9948.CR2.jpg
Professor Whitney Ogle of HSU kinesiology and Brian Willkomm of HPRC discuss marketing and research cannabis in Humboldt County with moderator Jess Columbo during a cannabis public education forum in Eureka on Thursday March 28. | Photo by T.WIlliam Wallin

Jaleel Abdul-Ali, an HSU student majoring in kinesiology, attended the event to offer insight as a patient and consumer.

“The consumer can help out in terms of advocating for the whole industry,” Abdul-Ali said. “The main way to help out in terms of legislation is to vote. We need to let people know that yes, your vote does matter.”

Share This Post

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on email
Share on reddit

More Stories

Weathering situationships, the right way

by Valen Lambert Gen Z has been turning tradition on its head. Gender? That is so last season. Sexual preferences? All of it. Partners? Four and we’re all best friends. We’re holding the reins of a cultural revolution that’s redefining

Good vibes at Good Relations

by Alana Hackman Nestled away in Old Town Eureka on 2nd and D street is Good Relations, Humboldt County’s very own independent lingerie and sex store. Founder Linda Meyers began the company in 1983 while attending Humboldt State University for

2 Comments

  1. Henchman Of Justice Henchman Of Justice Wednesday, April 3, 2019

    Disagree, policy is the downfall…only needed decriminalization and about a ten year reprieve prior to “legalization under policy”…HOJ was only person who ran for public office to see the forest through the trees on undope policy for mj…stupid is as stupid does, and pot policy is stupid…and before college groupies get all whiny, think for once, critically…never needed legalization to enforce environmental laws…this scam is gonna bite people in the ass, already has…gubbamint knew that a negative would be a huge influx of growers dumping way too much weed onto the market…so have fun praising that which destroys profits but sure as hell provides revenue in the form of fees, fines, taxes to gubbamint…

    And these pot consultants are not needed, suffice to say, they are scammers too!

  2. Henchman Of Justice Henchman Of Justice Wednesday, April 3, 2019

    Banning hemp, typical asshats in Humboldt want people to be high as fuck, because it allows abuse upon those “high as fuck”…

    Hemp is wayyyyyy more an economic boost than recreational highness…plane as stupid stuff by entrenched family clan scammers tied to their moles in gubbamint…keep people doped up in order to passify the community abuses…

Leave a Reply

%d bloggers like this: