Meet Marley Natural, the First Big-Brand Marijuana Invading Oregon

Marley Natural logo, designed by Heckler Associates
By AARON MESH

This week's edition of WW takes a look back at the most popular stories of 2014. Our roundup also includes a glimpse about what's coming next year: big-brand marijuana.

Unlike other states with legal weed, Oregon allows out-of-state investment in its pot market, and tobacco companies are said to be eying the opportunity.

But the biggest player in the coming year likely to be a Seattle equity firm called Privateer Holdings, which The Wall Street Journal reports has raised $50 million.

It also has Bob Marley.

In November, Privateer announced the "first global cannabis brand," called Marley Natural. The family of the late reggae singer has endorsed the brand, and Privateer says it will use Jamaican strains and sell Marley Natural pot around the world.

Seattle Weekly took a closer look at Privateer's gambit late last month. The story contains indications of what's in store for Oregon. Hint: Bob Marley weed lotion.

WWeek 2015

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