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GrassrootsPodcast

Grass Roots oral history project artwork

Preserving the untold histories of Southeast Ohio.

Grassroots Podcast is an oral documentation project we created to preserve the untold histories and stories of Southeast Ohio’s legacy cash crop — Cannabis.

Archives of these interviews may be found below.

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Archives.

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Weed Patch & Red

February 17, 2026

Weed Patch (age 81 at time of interview) and Red (age 70 at the time of the interview), two Appalachian Ohioans, discuss their experiences with cannabis. They recount their life long experience with cannabis from growing and selling to their personal use of the plant. Their interview illustrates the emerging era of the renowned cannabis growing in SEOH and the evolution and techniques used in cultivation. Weed Patch and Red share insight of the cultural effects the industry had on the region and impacts it had on their local community.

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Claudia

January 8, 2026

Born in 1955 (age 71 at time of interview), Claudia moved to Athens County in 1976 to raise her family. In her interview she shares her experiences growing cannabis to supplement her income. Claudia details her methods of cultivation with gorilla growing, efforts to develop mold-resistant strains and recounts her home being raided by law enforcement and subsequently being arrested. She shares her views on the cultural impact of cannabis in Athens, challenges of legalization and the economic changes post-legalization. She emphasized the physical and emotional toll of growing cannabis and the community's support during her involvement.

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Cliff 1

October 7, 2025

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Cliff, born in 1950 (age 75 at time of interview), moved to Vinton County Ohio in 1969. He started growing cannabis in 1971, using seeds from Mexican and Colombian cannabis. Cliff's interview discusses his focused intent to create “red pot” by cross-pollinating these seeds. Like many growers of the times, Cliff faced challenges from thieves and law enforcement. Cliff notes the shift from outdoor to indoor growing and the impact of legalization on the local economy.

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Cliff 2

October 7, 2025

Cliff’s second interview focuses on his involvement with NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. He was inspired to join NORML in the early 1980s, when his place of employment introduced drug testing. Cliff and others established a NORML chapter in Southeast Ohio, advocating for marijuana law reform. He also worked with other groups like Fully Informed Juries. Cliff’s interview reflects on the evolution of marijuana laws and the impact of the region’s activism in regards to marijuanna laws.

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Carol

December 8, 2025

Carol, born in 1954 (age 70 at time of interview), shares her experiences growing up in Tennessee and northeastern Ohio, learning homesteading skills from her family and why she made Southeast Ohio her home. She discusses her early exposure to cannabis in the 1960s, and her subsequent cultivation of cannabis for supplemental income. Her interview details cultivation methods including seed sourcing, growing techniques, and the importance of maintaining secrecy. This interview also touches on the impact of legalization, her use of cannabis for medical purposes and the cultural dynamics of the cannabis trade in the region.

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Carol

February 19, 2026

This second interview repeats most of the same information as in Carol’s first interview 2025.12.08 but with the absence of her dog Rosie for less interrupted sound.

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Charlie

February 16, 2025

Born in 1934, (age 71 at time of interview), Charlie shares his experiences with cannabis cultivation. Charlie grew up poor with 10 siblings, in Deep Holler, a small community in Athens County Ohio. He started growing 10-15 plants annually, when he was about 40 years old, to supplement his income. He shares his challenges with groundhogs and other animals, his opinions on Ohio’s taxation on cannabis and the community's reliance on cannabis for economic survival.

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Anna

November 4, 2025

Anna, born in 1948 (age 77 at time of interview), discusses her involvement in growing and selling cannabis in the 1980s. She shares her family background, her cultivation process, dealing with theft and the FBI raid in 1986 that led to the seizure of her property. Anna emphasizes the economic impact of cannabis on her community.

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Jack and Dianne

February 16, 2025

Jack and Diane, both age 76 at the time of the interview, share their experiences moving to Southeast Ohio. Jack, from Brooklyn, NY, moved to the area in 1973 to be part of an intentional community. Diane, from Cleveland, OH, moved to the area in 1977. They discussed their urban middle-class backgrounds and transition to rural life. Jack recounts his early cannabis use in college, starting in 1968, and his involvement in growing and selling cannabis in the 1970s. They highlight the economic impact of cannabis cultivation in Appalachia, the challenges of law enforcement, and the cultural and economic changes post-legalization.

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Using this material.

All rights to the podcast are reserved. These archives are made available for educational purposes only.

If you are interested in being interviewed or using any of Grassroots’ material for other projects, please contact GrassrootsOralHistory@proton.me.

Special thanks to everyone who has graciously contributed to this project.

This project is made possible by Mid Atlantic Arts Central Appalachia Living Traditions Program, and is crafted in partnership with the Cannabis Museum.

Mid Atlantic ArtsCentral Appalachia Living Traditions

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