Current Release: April 28th, 2009 | Vol. XXX Iss. 10

Mary Jane Goods

By Giacomo biscotti

gebiscotti@vwc.edu

In 2008, Darrin Grandmason, founder of the concept abstract portraits of the genetic code, started creating abstract genetic fingerprint portraits from all walks of life. Everything from cooking spices to iguanas was in his repertoire for this new art form.

According to the MaryJane Goods Web site,  Early success prompted him to try to extract the DNA fingerprint of the Cannabis Sativa plant, more commonly known as marijuana, or by its street name, Mary Jane. The canvas print was a hit with clients, so Grandmason decided to launch a full range of products available online at www.maryjanegoods.com.

The Web site was launched in December 2008. It provides users with an easy way of navigating with links providing news, retailers and even social networking sites that MaryJane Goods is connected to, like Facebook, Myspace and Twitter. It also showcases MJG products and a feature called MaryWannaKnow, which is a news site for bloggers and site visitors who can read news about Cannabis from around the world.

Bloggers can also comment and contribute their own content and a free downloadable 4:20 world clock widget that shows anywhere in the world where it s 4:20   a time for rest and relaxation.

The site also features products ranging from canvas art to high-end quality T-shirts. The most popular shirt featured on the site is the original C. Sativa, better known as marijuana, genetic fingerprint image. Other shirts feature symbols related to the theme, including a shirt with all 652 street names that the DEA recognizes for marijuana. All of the shirts are made with 70 percent hemp and 30 percent organic cotton.

 The eco-friendly position we take actually started right at the shirt design, said Grandmason.  Hemp is the most green of renewable resources used in textile plants today.

The MaryJane Goods products use the most environmentally friendly goods, which is a big reason for its success. Hemp requires no pesticides and no excessive irrigation.

The company also belongs to a carbon fund where they actually purchase back their carbon units from shipping and handling.

 We donate 4.20 percent to students for a sensible drug policy, said Grandmason.  Or primarily their interests in fighting drug abuse in the communities where they re based where we have 175 chapters.

Grandmason chose 4.20 percent because he recognizes that it is an important number to marijuana and its culture. He says the number actually carries over into several different genres around the world.

The date 4/20 is recognized as a day in which people gather and celebrate by smoking cannabis (marijuana). The origin stems from a story about a group of teenagers at San Rafael High School in California in 1971. The teens would meet after school at 4:20 p.m. to smoke marijuana at the Louis Pasteur statue.

As an extra effect to sell the products, all of the items available are shipped in Ziploc bags. This signifies the purchase of marijuana, which keeps the items original, said one of the models of the products.

So what s next for MaryJane Goods?

 Wow, actually we have so many different directions to take the product line in and of course we re expanding the shirts and art, said Grandmason.  But we re also expanding on the novelty items, whether it is mouse pads, coffee mugs, or notepads. It just rolls on and on, and we actually have over 110 skews planned.

A retail program will be started by the company in 2009 and a list of stores where the products will be carried will be listed on the Web site. Many retailers have shown a great deal of interest in the product line.

The products are unique because MaryJane Goods creates original and intelligent pieces of art. It is also the first company to create custom genetic portraits of C. Sativa.

MaryJane Goods prides itself with a company motto:  High Science. High Art.