i went to the deep green cannabis festival this weekend, and they had a booth for the original haze poster project, i kept missing the guy, but judging by his claims, the haze may be lifting, and the mystery may be solved..
check out this info from the site..
This promotional poster was designed in 1975 by R.L. and some of his associates in the first known successful attempt to introduce four connoisseur developed strains of Haze cannabis: Gold, Magenta, Silver, and Blue. This ambitious campaign actually created both brand identity and consumer loyalty while advertising the Haze production in the Santa Cruz hills in the 1970s.
It is interesting to remember in 1975-76 as the entire country was preparing to celebrate the Bicentennial Anniversary, Jerry Brown Jr. was running for his first term as governor, and there was a state referendum on the ballot to legalize marijuana.
In the fall of 1976, retail marijuana in “lids” was $15-$25/oz., and top shelf “connoisseur” cannabis $50-$60/oz. When the haze strains were introduced at $200+/oz., consumers scoffed at such a price. The sticker shock soon disappeared in the “haze” after being sampled. To many, the Haze strains were soon considered the “best in the world.” Consumers were given the cannabis, poster, and in some cases, a small rosewood box. All the posters distributed at that time were passed by hand by Bear a local contact (we’ll call him Bear to confuse no one), who distributed 98% of the original crop. The entire harvest was distributed in 90 days, thus the myth of the haze begins, growing far beyond the range of cannabis itself, and continues still…
Investigating the participants with reliable first hand knowledge of cannabis cultivation and distribution in Santa Cruz 1965-1978 would be a near impossible challenge to the best of historians. Fortunately here at OHPP, we have some truly remarkably positioned industry elders to call upon. Suffice it to say, that Grand Daddy Mike has secured true provenance and possession of the remaining (never distributed) posters from the original run of 1000.
Grand Daddy Mike knows R.M., an ex-Santa Cruz distributor during the mid-1970s, who obtained various strains of the Haze, poster and rosewood box from Bear. Bear was the contact and distributor in the Santa Cruz/Boulder Creek area during that era. R.L., the marketing visionary, lived in the area.
Grand Daddy Mike made contact with R.M., and R.M. loaned his original poster and rosewood box to Grand Daddy Mike for use by the Original Haze Poster Project (OHPP). R.M. then contacted Bear and secured the undistributed artifacts which he passes to Grand Daddy Mike. Bear also passed current contact information for the “Queen of the Haze” and some of his 1970s associates. R.M. and Grand Daddy Mike recently met the Queen of the Haze, visited the old farm site and are patiently reuniting the old Haze tribe, and sniffing the Haze trail for more old friends and associates.
Owners of The Original Haze posters, with provenance, may be nominated to become members of the OHPP working group.
The posters are beautiful in both inspiration and execution. Detailed graphics and informative text accurately portray the essential spirit, values, and attitudes prevalent within the marijuana subculture at the time of this historic marketing event.
Strain Brand Identity
The very top center of the poster has a small graphic representation of a cannabis flower blossom and in a white border the word “Trademark.” This graphic is the trademark of the Original Haze strains, listed in the order developed over the lightning bolts, “Magenta, Gold, Silver, and Blue.”
Patriotism
Timed to coincide with the Bicentennial Anniversary -“Spirit of ‘76” at bottom of text- the release of this poster was the patriotic declaration of independence for the State of Haze Consciousness and the marijuana industry, evidenced by the rampant eagle on a red, white, and blue national shield, “Americana” and “1976” on the golden edge of the shield.
Pride
The eagle holds a ribbon banner “Connoisseur’s Choice Cultivated California Cannabis” which shows both pride in an exceptional product and community region, both considered “cultivated.”
Ecology
The shield border and the bottom of the text repeat “In Nature We Trust,” and the poster contains ecological endorsements “No Chemicals,” and “Organically Grown Acclimatized”. Acclimatized meant inbred for yield and potency to flourish in greenhouses of the Santa Cruz region of California.
Defiance
The declaration - “Warning: In some states cannabis is still illegal!” - refers to the referendum to legalize marijuana on the California ballot for a vote in 1976. This attitude of regional independence expressed the poster author’s belief that the bill would pass, which proved to be unfounded.
Astrology
Representations of the twelve Zodiac signs border both sides of the graphic, six on each side entwined in cannabis leaves and flowers. Multiple references to seasonal dates in the text portion are stated in astrological terms.
Ethical Practices
One of the prime values of the cannabis subculture, epitomized by the Haze distribution practice, is represented with the “Honest Weight” text on both sides of the triple beam balance scale at the bottom central of the graphic.
Playfulness
The small banner “In Joy” celebrates the spirit of the cannabis cultivator at his work, and in his Haze. “The Cosmic Boogie” was an acknowledgement of the universal dance of life that unites us all.
Do not take literally the specific soil and nutrient formulae, the pH ranges, or the suggested cultivation dates.
All these “clues” were meant to give direction, while deliberately misleading imitators.
Actual growers may have been given a decoding card which perhaps said, “Reduce first two soil ingredients by half. Eliminate kelp, double compost and dolomite as organic nutrients. Shift pH range .70 down. Use 1967 Ephemeris to decode astrological dates.” Maybe not.
come on
