Method Man On The Weed Biz: ‘The American Dream… From Getting Locked Up To Being A Proprietor’
“Weed does that, it makes you rationalize,” begins Clifford Smith, Jr., best known for his stage name, Method Man, and his participation in the legendary rap group Wu-Tang Clan. The artist is ready to provide a gateway into his memories, beliefs and aspirations, as he prepares to discuss his relationship with the herb and the history of his cannabis brand, TICAL — an acronym for Taking Into Consideration All Lives. His story, drenched in the intricate layers of urban culture, music, cannabis and societal evolution, is a poignant testament to both personal and collective transformation.
The Origin Story
The aroma of cannabis wasn’t a clandestine whisper in the corners of Method Man’s childhood; it was an outspoken truth. “I don’t know what draws people, or rather urban poor areas, to marijuana smoke,” he says. “But I’ve been around it all my life. My mother smoked, my father smoked, their friends smoked, my uncles smoked.” This familiarity, far from being a taboo, was an accepted, even cherished constant in his life.
His personal tryst with the herb was a natural progression: “I just fell in love with it when I felt that high for the first time,” he fondly reminisces. “There’s just something about it, you know? And I’ve tried other things since, and it just didn’t hit me the same.” Today, the changing legal landscape around cannabis vindicates his early perceptions. “Now with the laws we have today, it’s proven that I wasn’t doing anything bad,” he remarks.
As he reflects on the evolution of cannabis culture, he adds, “Over the years, what I’ve seen is that the strains have gotten way more complex. Some people are just doing way too much in these laboratories, you know what I mean? Remember when we called it grass? It’s like, ‘I want some pot.’ But with so many choices now, it’s like going into a smoke shop that sells your favorite cigar. Some strains have come out that I’m still searching for. Northern lights, I’m looking at you. But again, this is the beauty of the business because it’s ever-changing and improving.”
In his personal and evolving relationship with cannabis, Method Man saw an opportunity to make a mark in the industry. Thus, TICAL was born. And it’s quickly evident that TICAL isn’t a solitary endeavor. Nathanial “Nutta” Vereen, co-founder of TICAL Cannabis, articulates this collective vision. “TICAL is so much more than just a cannabis brand, it’s a movement. It’s a group of guys dedicated to doing right by a loyal friend in Method Man, while also helping people have access to the medicine they need in states that it’s allowed to be legally sold in,” he says.