Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura Launches His Own Cannabis Brand, Fulfilling A ‘Lifelong Dream’

Minnesota’s former governor Jesse Ventura launching his own cannabis brand, fulfilling a “lifelong dream” by unveiling a line of hemp products.

The retired professional wrestler first previewed plans to enter the cannabis space with products featuring his likeness last August, several months after Minnesota enacted adult-use marijuana legalization.

Now he’s achieved that goal with Jesse Ventura Farms, a hemp brand that’s being sold in partnership with the cannabis company Retro Bakery.

“I can’t tell you how truly amazing this feels,” Ventura said in a blog post. “To finally be able to LEGALLY share with you, products from a plant that has had such an amazing impact on my life. Not to mention the historical significance of being the first U.S. governor to officially put his name on a cannabis brand.”

“Each step brings us closer to finally ending this tragic and dangerous war on drugs,” he said.

The former governor has long championed cannabis reform, and he was invited to the ceremonial bill signing when current Gov. Tim Walz (D) gave final approval to a much-anticipated legalization bill last May.

In a promotional video announcing the brand launch, Ventura said he’s a “huge supporter of the cannabis industry” and that marijuana “saved my family’s life.”

A registered Minnesota medical cannabis patient himself, Ventura said last year that he typically vapes marijuana, which he uses to treat non-specific neuropathy in the feet, a condition that causes numbness and an uncomfortable tingling sensation, as well as post-traumatic stress. He said that marijuana helps him sleep through that discomfort.

But his passion for reform came to the fore decades ago, when his wife developed a serious seizure disorder that was not responding to traditional pharmaceuticals that she was being prescribed. He has spoken publicly about how he decided to break the law, taking his wife to Colorado at a time before Minnesota even had a legal medical program and obtaining cannabis oil from a friend.

He said that after the former first lady started taking cannabis, she never experienced another seizure.

The former governor previously shared the story of his wife’s cannabis treatment last year in impassioned testimony during a Senate committee hearing on the legalization bill that’s now being implemented.

Meanwhile, Ventura isn’t the only former Minnesota elected official eyeing entry into the legal cannabis business. Former House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (D) announced last year that he plans to launch a line of THC-infused beverages.

While Ventura is sticking with federally legal hemp products, at least for the time being, Minnesota is gearing up to launch its adult-use marijuana market, though lawmakers have recently floated a variety of amendments to the law that’s being implemented.