Finding Founders

Cartel Deals. Helicopter Surveillance. Weed Homesteaders. Artists. Outlaws. It all started with growing weed in Humboldt. Tommy’s relationship with cannabis began at 15 years old. He would plant seeds along bridges and places like the Museum of Modern Art. Eventually, the 60s would lead to a time where Tommy would receive a “life in prison” sentence for smoking a joint. Luckily, the sentence was reduced to 90 days, which encouraged him to ignore the system and instead follow his interests. Eventually, Karen and Tommy would relocate to California after a brief stint in Mexico, allowing them the opportunity to live self-sufficiently while also allowing Tommy the ability to develop as an artist. A Native American would teach them to live off the land, eventually allowing the Hesslers to build their own house and grow their own food. Eventually, their interest would expand to growing cannabis, earning them the title of “original outlaw growers” as well as helping to found the cannabis culture in California. https