I was waiting in a dark room. Dark enough to make me wonder if a Vampire was going to jump out and eat me. Rightly so, this is the unruly bunch. Other groups like the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) and NORML consider the tactics used by the New England Craft Cannabis Alliance (NECCA) to be unconventional and creating some turbulence over the last couple of years. I mean… They use the “Join us or Die” banner as their logo and Joe has the tattoo to prove it. Joe even went down to DC in 2018 to lobby for the MORE act. I even heard that this guy hung a tapestry across the street from a selectman’s home, just to ring the door bell and ask why they were opposing a bill. Were they trouble makers? Rogue Squadron? Lost Boys maybe?
In walked Joseph Raymond turning on the lights and said “Sorry man, we live like god damn vampires around here. Wanna do a dab?”
”Okay” I replied.
After a few rounds and some light pleasant conversation we jumped right into it.
“So tell me… What is The New England Craft Cannabis Alliance?” I asked.
“When I first formed the group in 2017, I was advocating on a state level. The only other voices in the state at that time working on policy change was NORML and MPP. A few of the advocates as well as myself were beginning to become unruly by their standards. They had considered some of our lobbying tactics a little…”out of the box”. We would bombard reps with information on the ‘relationships’ they have with corporations. Along with their dealings. So, instead of going after policy work. We would question the interests that they have with those entities outside of politics. Being polite and using certain manners in the legislative office building is behavior that other groups generally prefer. If I was in the upper levels and saw a rep that had been avoiding me, I would call out to them.” He answered while we both chuckled.
“Anything to make them feel uneasy. I feel that many of our systems are very routine. Things are very predictable and people like to have a plan for their day. So, when you throw them off a little… It puts people in a state of vulnerability. This helps get stuff done. Plus, personally I’ve always thrived in a bit of chaos. When others are trying to get their footing, that’s always the best time to attack. I was just feeling that no one was taking an aggressive enough approach on policy change.” Joe concluded.
“What was it that got you to start advocating for cannabis? Something had to have happened to you directly, right?” I asked.
“In 2013 I was arrested for cultivation in CT and faced 62 years. There were no weapons in the house or anything… And the worst part about it was that I was setup by state law enforcement that had a few people in their division that I had attended school with and had issues with. So here are some new guys on the team, looking to make their mark. They knew me and I was an easy target. I was just low hanging fruit to these guys.
I never took any of the plea bargains either. By not taking it I was facing the full 62 year penalty. They offered a 2 year deal and even my attorney was begging me to take the deal. Going through trials are both long and very expensive. It’s a process. So what I did was fire my lawyer. It was almost impossible to even start that type of process with him. I then searched high and low to find an attorney that would possibly take on a case of this type and magnitude, for social justice, and see what’ll happen.
At the time I was thinking legalization was about 5 years out in CT and that no jury would convict me, even if it had gotten to that point. How could they put me in jail for 62 years with legal literally right around the corner? Maybe if they saw it as just cultivation they would nullify it.
Everything I had been reading at the time on a national level had said that on a social justice level one should challenge the state. See what they got. What are they going to do? Make them have to figure something out. There was no way they were going to throw me, an otherwise law abiding citizen in jail for 62 years. Especially with the fact that I had received the affidavit and it showed that the information for the warrant had been fabricated. So nothing could be proven. In addition there were the 2 guys that I had issues with in the past who were on the team. So as soon as I had this information, I knew what was going on.”
“And by the way, the most dangerous part about the war on drugs are those types of task forces. Let’s never forget that. They came into my house and one officer asked that I get a hold of my dog. As I got up to comply a different officer began to scream at me with his fire arm drawn and pointed it at me. Of course the dog is still going crazy… It was almost a bad day for the dog. I luckily got my hands on the dog to calm him down. But the confusion that they had caused amongst each other was definitely something that impacted me that day. It was crazy. There was all this confusion over nothing.
Here I am just sitting there watching some ESPN with cannabis drying in the living room, sure. But there is no way I was public enemy #1. I’m like “Buddy I’m not hurting anybody.” If anything I was helping. I was giving a lot of it away. You know what I mean? If you really need it, I’ll just give it to you. And that was the fire that was lit under me to try and change policy.” Joe concluded.
“Is there anything the group does outside of advocating for cannabis policy changes?” I asked.
“It’s all political advocacy 100%. But furthermore I look at it as a future incubator. It’s an incubator for small businesses to be able to have resources to lead them into legal markets from a gray market standpoint. Many are previous activists from the community, but that’s just it. It’s an actual community and not some corporate juggernaut. These are respected and loved people in their communities. They were here first and should all have first crack at licenses. That’s my dream for the NECCA.
I also hope that someday every cannabis shop you go into has the NECCA Snake on the door. That will say that the NECCA supports that business and that it’s a business that meets certain standards and has good business practices that the shop owners agree to. So not only is it an advocacy group but it will be a business alliance. I want to see/help as many brands get to the next level of being licensed and functioning in a legal market. There are a few that I’m working with currently to help them prepare for the lottery and licensing piece that they will all be faced with. I just want to see the right people get licensed and not just another corporate grab.
There’s a lot of snakes in the grass in this industry. But don’t get me wrong, I have met some amazing people in this industry as well. I’d like to see the licensing go to the right people. Plus I would love to see some more of these gray market events going mainstream. Because like I have mentioned earlier, these are all people already embedded into the cannabis community and are good people that are loved and respected by their peers.”
“Do you see yourself advocating for lounges moving forward?” I asked.
“Going forward I will be very active in advocating for lounges. Because, seriously the work isn’t done yet at the LOB (Legislative Office Building). We have to watch and make sure that the correct amendments are put forward and the correct additions are made on lounge licensing. I think this is something that will need a large push. I think that lounges are what will bring cannabis culture to the next level.” Joe answered.
“So, what would you say your list of goals are for the NECCA?” I asked.
“To start we want to get some lounge laws into place. Then, I want the NECCA to be able to help as many brands get to the next level of legitimacy. Get them going and have them do well in a legal market.
I have a few that I’m working with currently trying to help give them any kind of edge, as it’ll become very competitive to enter into the industry. Especially with this whole lottery thing. I mean lets face it, the many brands that will get licensing won’t be turn-key right out of the gate needing several months to get started. The ones that can turn-key right away will definitely have the advantage. Again, I really want to see the right people getting licensed and that’s going to be such a task in itself. But it is going to be a priority for the NECCA.
Also, back to the gray markets going mainstream. I want them to blow up. What’s the incubator to the industry? Is it just the old school black market? Some take risks by peddling their wares on social media. But what if a safe space was available to gather and gift with each other? I think it adds to the appreciation of the culture. I think that type of networking will make it so that the right people can get together and create great relationships and birth great brands. I’m very excited to be getting in on this so that great minds can collaborate. I’ve met people at some events with products that were by far better than anything coming out of the 4 producers in this state. These guys are as Cody Roberts (Co-Founder of The Bazaar) would say “Fire In, Fire Out” and they need a platform.” Joe explained.
“We’ve covered some long term goals for the NECCA. Now that cannabis is legal in the state of Connecticut is there anything immediate that the NECCA will be getting involved in?”
“So, we already have events going on. Whether we’re putting our name on the events or not we’ve been hosting events here on the grounds of the NECCA. I see us as a counter culture center. This entire parking area. The Space Ballroom, The Cellar… The fact that the owner was once the state director for NORML. The fact the you were once the state director and you’re here now writing about it all. I have a great foundation of people right here. I’ve been involved in a lot of work locally, politically. I’m involved in some police councils locally. So, when we are hosting events you can always find me out there making sure everyone is 21 and over. We make sure everyone is consuming responsibly and in designated areas only. I want this to be a center for east coast events. I want to see it bigger than HighTimes.
We have a rare thing occurring here in Connecticut right now. Where we were all put on the back burner for so long with lack of policy change and we had to band together. I talk to many of these guys a few times a day just naturally. Whether it’s a phone call, or one of our group chats, it’s 24/7. Even with the last bill in mind, at first they didn’t want to give us a thing… Nothing.
It took the state 9 years to give patients grow rights. They still had to be dragged through the coals. And I like to think of everyone who has fought for change over the last 20+ yrs. They deserve to see an end to the fight. We’ve all shared in the struggle in one way or another to try and change these aggressive policies. I want the NECCA to pay homage to all the people who threw their hat in the ring to stop this nonsense by letting them see first hand the end of the war on their plant.”
“Dab?”
“Hell yah. With some of your goals in mind where do you see it all in say 5 yrs from now keeping in mind it took 9yrs for patient grow rights? And thanks for the dab.”I replied.
“Honestly, I see many of us just going through the stratosphere with this. We’ve been involved with such good people, with good intent, and have good business practices. Some have better practices then what is “set in stone” in the current industry. Many have a connoisseurs nose for things. I find that many are already trusted in the community. I can see a small empire of cannabis culture on the horizon. But I see good cannabis practices that are in good cannabis businesses that have good intention and that are responsible.
I think for a retail consumer base there is definitely room for the craft cultivators and up until now it’s been pushed out by the existing 4 cultivators. I think many are already aware of the craft market that could become available in Connecticut… We’re very science based here in Connecticut with a great combination of hard work and intellect. We have some of best agriculture in the country and it will make for the best craft products in the country. If it’s done right, you’ll have people going out on a Saturday or Sunday to go and visit 3-6 little market places where they’ll be able to try different strains from different breeders. It’ll be beautiful, like tasting rooms in a micro brewery. And let’s face it, cannabis is the new alcohol and as time goes by you’ll find access to it every couple of blocks. Just like a liquor store or bar. But unfortunately there will always be those towns that don’t want it there, a dry town so to speak. But they’ll just be missing out on revenues that can better their communities.
I definitely have intention to have heavy involvement in the craft industry. I’m working with a few brands now that I think have great potential for the future of micro cultivation. To give you an example I’m working with a group that produces a low potency cookie dough. They’re 5mg each and come in these individually wrapped containers that you put in the microwave for like 10 seconds and presto, you have a warm cookie.
I think low THC products are important to be available at first. You want to gradually bring up the tolerance of the consumer base. In addition, even the state is going to require having minimum amounts of low THC products on hand and maintain those inventory levels. So we’re sort of sharing the same philosophy on this matter. Nobody wants anyone feeling uncomfortable… Dab?”
“Right on. What would you say is the hardest things you’re involved with right now with the NECCA?”
”Scheduling. I’ve been embedding myself within the subculture in so many different ways for so long, keeping track of everything becomes a little pressing at times. But I think that makes me blessed. I’m very fortunate to be working with many great people and I’m confident that this will all come to a head of greatness.” Joe concluded.
“I think that’s a good place to call it a wrap.” I replied.
”I agree, that’s totally ending on a high note.”
We called it quits after that and went and had a few “Mico-Cultivators” at The Cellar on Treadwell. The beverages flowed and we both chatted about activism and work that we had done in the past. The tapestry thing is true by the way. It was Matt Ritter, speaker of the house. 🤣 Too funny. We also spoke of possible futures we’d like to see come to life as well as some of harsh realities that accompany those great ideas. We really had some great conversations and I even hugged Pete the bar owner. It was fun, we were all in good company and I was glad that there were no Vampires.
Authors Note:
If you don’t know what a “Micro-Cultivator” is go to the Cellar on Treadwell and order it.
WARNING!: Not intended for those with a bland pallet.
