A force of nature
In an industry full of eclectic personalities, Black Dog Acres owner and founder Toni Reita is one of a kind
Interview by Greg James
Photos by Gary Delp
One of the benefits of writing about marijuana businesses is meeting and interviewing a wide variety of people. From lawyers who are cultivating cannabis as a side project, to pure investors, to long-time growers who see it as vindication and the ability to practice what they love, the cultivation industry is overflowing with fascinating people. Many have interesting histories of traveling down a meandering path that ended up in the middle of a large patch of thriving, legally-grown cannabis.
Toni Reita, the owner and founder of Black Dog Acres, would rank high on anyone’s list of “fascinating people,” if for no other reason than how much she’s done in her life. She’s truly taken a zig-zag course punctuated with many diverse life experiences, professions and practices. Along with owning a Tier 2 commercially-licensed marijuana farm, she’s also the founder and owner of a Rottweiler rescue facility. She’s also a practicing Reiki master, who is trained in naturopathy, feng shui and herbology. And that’s just for starters!
In addition, Toni enjoys growing fine marijuana flowers, and gets a real kick out of combining her love of nature and gardening with her long-time attraction to the medicinal properties of cannabis. To say that Toni is a happy camper in this business would be an understatement. She positively loves doing what she is now legally allowed to do.
My interview with Toni was both fun and enlightening.
Marijuana Venture: Why did you decide to get into commercial marijuana cultivation?
Toni Reita: Who could resist the temptation of being a pioneer and knowing that we’re honored with making history? Wow, that alone is staggering! I took it one step at a time, and vowed that as long as the doors kept opening I would continue through them, and if they slammed shut, I’d adjust my direction.
MV: How long did it take for you to get your license?
TR: Within one hour of the opening bell on Nov. 18, 2013, I had my hand on the phone. My goal was to get approved as quickly and cleanly as possible before ‘they’ changed their minds. I had many questions. Over the years I’ve started many businesses, including a pony/cart rental service when I was 8 years old. Other endeavors/professions included starting a travel agency, remodeling homes, log home construction, real estate broker, naturopathy and my Rottweiler rescue sanctuary. I was born with an entrepreneurial spirit, and I hoped it would help with the process. Little did I realize that this business would be so different from any other I’ve been involved in. For example, when a simple word was changed on my 80-page DocuSign application from ‘untouched’ to ‘undisturbed,’ it required that the application be completely redone, and then took several weeks to be reviewed by my examiner. The lack of control was grueling, and the whole process seemed so inefficient. As much as I liked the people who worked for the state in the licensing process, they were not business people themselves, and what could have taken one hour dragged on for seven months.
MV: Do you think being a woman in this business has helped or hurt you?
TR: As an only child, my female gender has been the only one with which I’m familiar. I grew up on a farm with horses and other large animals, so today I might facetiously claim to be trans-species! Seriously though, I was lucky enough to escape the self-imposed boundaries of which genders may or may not excel at specific things. To me, ‘traditional homemaker’ meant building log homes, not making cookies. A fellow home builder once said to me, ‘Toni, just how many blonde female log home builders who drive Mercedes do you think there are?’ Being a woman often helped in the home construction industry because I had a woman’s sense of how best to organize space for a female. And, as any builder knows, it’s usually the wife who makes the final decision in a home purchase.
To be honest, until I looked, I was unaware of how male-dominated the cannabis industry was. Not that it matters. I’ve never given a moment’s thought to whether a female or male might do better in the business. I just play the cards I’m dealt, treat everyone equally and firmly believe in karma.
MV: Are you a regular user of marijuana, and has it helped you?
TR: Why do people ask if we ‘use?’ Do I use chocolate or coconut water? Do I use food? Of course. Cannabis — in many forms — is part of my daily requirement. It’s also a daily part of some of my animals’ lives. It’s a wonderful, natural plant, and a gift from our creator. My personal belief, which I’m convinced will eventually be proven, is that all our disorders are born from cannabinoid deficiencies. All mammals have cannabinoid receptors in all their organs.
The same players who took it from us 75 years ago and made it the ‘devil’s weed’ are the same ones who made huge profits from it being illegal. At some time in the near future, I predict cannabis will regain its rightful place in American culture, and enjoy the same respect as when presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were in office. When that happens, we’ll all be allowed to enjoy it in a manner similar to how alcohol is now consumed.
MV: What tips do you have for outdoor growers?
TR: If they’ve grown before, they probably have information they can share with others. If not, don’t be shy about reaching out and asking questions. Do your research. Different strains like different environments. Personally, my plants are tough girls. This year’s crop (2015) easily handled highs in the 100s during the summer, and mid-30s at night late in the fall. They’re pest-free, and grew up strong and healthy. I have my own personal blend of nutrients, soils and a couple of other tricks up my sleeve. Next season my energies will be going into perfecting outdoor light-deprivation techniques.
MV: How has the local community reacted to your business?
TR: This is a small rural community with on-again, off-again moratoriums. I had zero problems with local officials because I avoided anything requiring their attention. That said, sometimes when I mention I grow cannabis, I get a stare that translates to, ‘but you look so normal,’ and other times pillars of the community will admit their own personal fondness for the plant.
My belief is that we shouldn’t hesitate to disclose our legal business interests. Plus, I’ve known the local sheriff for about 15 years, and he knows I’d never do anything illegal. Ever.
MV: What strains did you grow, and how much are you going to harvest?
TR: I started with about 100, but whittled it down to around 60. Some of my more popular ones are Blue Dream, Green Crack, Vanilla Kush, Cantaloupe Kush, Raspberry and Las Vegas Purple. I’d love to find Acapulco Gold to go with my Maui Wowie to create a blast from the past! On total harvest, my guess is that it will come down to about 1,500 pounds, which I think is pretty darn good for a Tier 2 grow.
When asked for a parting comment or thought, Toni recited her favorite poem:
God is perfect, man is not.
Man made whiskey, God made pot!
Amen.