Opinion-editorial ByBrit Smith, host of Blunt Talk
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) -- After two decades of tearing up his body in the boxing ring, the former heavyweight champ says he used cannabis to help himself heal from two serious surgeries.
Tyson then traded in his gloves for ganja in 2016 by setting up Tyson Holistic Holdings, which sells an array of strains, edibles, and marijuana-related merchandise.
And by October 2017, in the Southern California desert near Palm Springs, the development of Tyson Ranch was officially underway.
It’s currently still under construction, but when it’s complete, Tyson’s cannabis camp will offer guests a full luxury hotel with retail stores inside, a pool, 200 ‘glamping units,’ and what will eventually be the longest Lazy River in the world. (It’ll take an hour to float.)
The plans also include a 24,000 square foot outdoor performance stage, where they’ll put on an annual marijuana music festival. In fact, Tyson already used the partially developed site to host the first Kind Music Festival this past February.
Although it failed to get the necessary permission for on-site consumption of marijuana, Tyson believes the event will get the go-ahead to involve bud in the future.
But the ranch won’t just be a place to holiday while high. Tyson also plans to have a research lab on site, and an edibles processing facility as well.
Plus, guests will be able to visit “Tyson University,” where they can learn about the plant science, how to grow, and the healing benefits of marijuana.
Right now, there are no plans to sell cannabis on the ground of Tyson Ranch. Consumption will be allowed almost anywhere, but guests will be encouraged to BYOB (Bring Your Own Bud.)
Tyson’s business partner, movie producer Rob Hickman, says if they do decide to sell weed at the ranch, they’ll partner with a big pot company the same way casinos rent spaces to restaurants.
Tyson Ranch was originally slated to open later this year, but so far there are no confirmed dates for when guests can begin making reservations for a weed-filled weekend away.
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Blunt Talk is a podcast about cannabis hosted by Brit Smith every Monday. You can listen to all previous podcasts on iHeartRadio.