Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Nearly a century after cannabis was criminalized by the United States, most Americans live in a place where local police no longer arrest all marijuana users. Weed has become so abundant in places like metro Phoenix that you have to wonder how it’s even grown. Reefer Growing Madness from KJZZ’s Hear Arizona podcast unit tracks the roughly four-month journey of marijuana plants from tiny clones to ashes and smoke. KJZZ's Matt Casey reports.
Transcripts, photos and video
Reefer Growing Madness episode transcript: How marijuana went from ghastly menace to legalization
A reefer is a marijuana cigarette. Reefer Madness is a 1936 propaganda film that labels pot as a ghastly menace. This prologue for Reefer Growing Madness explores marijuana’s foothold in the U.S. — from cultural expression to anti-racial propaganda, then outlawed substance to eventual legalization in certain states.
Reefer Growing Madness episode transcript: Indica, sativa and more weed terms you need to know
Get set for a crash course on marijuana terminology you'll hear in this podcast. We’ll also go over the genetic makeup of the plants I watched grow.
Reefer Growing Madness episode transcript: No seeds — meet the clones that will grow into a new strain
At least some legit weed companies in what prohibitionists might call this Brave New Arizona don’t plant seeds. Meet and greet the freshly cut clones that Matt Casey aims to follow until they’re ashes.
Reefer Growing Madness episode transcript: While the plants enjoy a summer, we meet the lead farmer
The six tiny Zpectrum plants grew roots by the end of the last episode, but still had a couple days to survive before they could go into their own pots. The lead farmer had to move cross-country for a chance to scratch and claw his way into the marijuana industry.
Reefer Growing Madness episode transcript: Founder of Alien Labs says he’s still an outsider
KJZZ has a new podcast tracking the life of marijuana plants from tiny clones to smoke and ashes. This week on Reefer Growing Madness, the brand founder defines connoisseur-level weed.
Reefer Growing Madness episode transcript: Harvest time brings relief — and a strong odor
A pot farm as big as Alien Labs produces an enormous amount of odor, which is still taboo even though weed is legal. The perfume plants release during harvest is unavoidable, and perhaps the most pungent.
Reefer Growing Madness episode transcript: Special smoke session to sample new marijuana strain
About 2 ounces of marijuana harvested from four Zpectrum plants were of buds large and pretty enough to be packaged in Alien Labs premium jars.
Listen to the Reefer Growing Madness podcast
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Join senior field correspondent Matt Casey for a series of episodes based on exclusive visits to a huge indoor pot farm, learn about the growing stages, and get to know some of the people involved. The first episode of Reefer Growing Madness debuts Wednesday, Feb. 19, wherever you get your podcasts. -
Episode 1: A reefer is a marijuana cigarette. "Reefer Madness" is a 1936 propaganda film that labels pot as a ghastly menace. This prologue for Reefer Growing Madness explores marijuana’s foothold in the U.S. — from cultural expression to anti-racial propaganda, then outlawed substance to eventual legalization in certain states. -
Episode 2: Get set for a crash course on marijuana-specific terminology used in this podcast series. We’ll also explain the genetic makeup of the plants we’ll be following. -
Episode 3: At least some legit weed companies in what prohibitionists might call this Brave New Arizona don’t plant seeds. Meet and greet the freshly cut clones that Matt Casey aims to follow until they’re ashes. -
Epsiode 4: The six tiny Zpectrum plants grew roots by the end of the last episode, but still had a couple days to survive before they could go into their own pots. The lead farmer had to move cross-country for a chance to scratch and claw his way into the marijuana industry. -
Episode 5: Only five Zpectrum plants remained by the end of the last spisode. And they still had a couple of days left in the vegetative room before moving to the longest phase of the grow-process. The founder of Alien Labs talks about growing as a professional to better deliver his passionate message on quality. -
Epsiode 6: Time to chop down the Zpectrum plants. Then launch a curing process to dry, trim and package the yield. A pot farm this big produces an enormous amount of odor, which is still taboo, even though weed is legal. The perfume plants release during harvest is unavoidable, and perhaps the most pungent. -
Epsiode 7: About 2 ounces of marijuana harvested from four Zpectrum plants were of buds large and pretty enough to be packaged in Alien Labs premium jars. The brand founder and his top local farmers visit a dispensary, pick up a few and then hold a special smoke session. Plus, a third-party weed connoisseur samples the strain.
