Music legend Nelson to roll out own brand of marijuana

    Willie Nelson performs at the Heartbreaker Banquet on Thursday, March 19, 2015, in Spicewood, TX. (Photo by Rich Fury/Invision/AP)

    Willie Nelson performs at the Heartbreaker Banquet on Thursday, March 19, 2015, in Spicewood, TX. (Photo by Rich Fury/Invision/AP)

    Music legend Willie Nelson is jumping into the movement to commercialize marijuana and plans to roll out his own brand of cannabis that he intends to make “the best on the market.”

    The singer-songwriter announced in a statement Monday that Willie’s Reserve will be grown and sold in Colorado and Washington, two states where recreational use of the drug is legal.

    A release explaining Willie’s Reserve says it reflects Nelson’s appreciation for “the many varieties and range of the plant’s qualities.”

    The release says the 81-year-old Nelson will collaborate with master growers to define standards for the strain.

    • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

    Nelson is a longtime supporter of marijuana for personal use and has spoken of its benefits for hemp production.

    He’s also pushed for the end of laws criminalizing use of the drug.

    WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

    Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

    Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal