American musician Willie Nelson has been an active member for the legalization of weeds in the US. Now, he has decided to take it a step further by planning to open the first-of-its kind branded chain of marijuana shops known as "Willie's Reserve".
The chain will start selling marijuana by next year.
"Willie has spent a lifetime in support of cannabis, both the industrial hemp side and the marijuana side. He wants it to be something that's reflective of his passion", said veteran hemp and pot lobbyist Michael Bowman, speaking on behalf of Willie's Reserve, in an interview with "The Daily Beast".
The shops will include signature strains as well as others' strains that are grown to meet quality standards. He added that growers who meet Nelson's standards for quality will have the chance to sell their wares next to Willie's Reserve. The shops will be started in states such as Colorado, Washington, Alaska, where voters have legalized marijuana.
In an interview with NBC, Nelson was asked whether he ever thought of giving up smoking all for good. He replied: "Not really, because I haven't seen any side effects that really are harmful to me. I mean am 80 years old, check me out."
Nelson, who has also authored the book, "Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die" was arrested many times for possessing marijuana. When he was arrested in 2012, he paid the fine and reportedly created the TeaPot Party, and authored the group's motto — "Tax it, regulate it and legalize it."
At a time when legalized marijuana is already a $2.2 billion business, Nelson isn't the first star to lend a name to the marijuana brand. Last year, the family of the legendary Bob Marley announced that they plan to create a line of pot products, including "heirloom Jamaican cannabis."
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