by Kayla Johnson
One of the most common ways that people describe how cannabis has helped them is something along the lines of ‘It’s given me a whole new life.’ This sentiment is almost a core value of the Oklahoma cannabis industry, with businesses across the state breathing new, much needed economic life into some of the communities that needed it most. Buildings that have sat empty for years, even decades, are being cleaned up, used, and taken care of again, giving a home to dispensaries, processors and growers. One such building, an old motel in Park Hill, is in the final stages of construction and remodeling, destined to be the home of Tenkiller Trees, owned by 26 year old Kelsey Gibson.
A native of Tahlequah, Gibson has always had a passion for the agricultural industry. “I’ve always wanted to be working in agriculture of some kind. As of now, I have quite a few animals, so it’s mostly been animal agriculture.” In addition to the animals she keeps, she’s always been a passionate gardener. “I’ve always kept a garden, and for the last two years, I’ve organized a seedling nursery in the spring.” That love of plants and all things agriculture played a big role in the new direction she took once 788 passed the vote. “When medical legalization hit Oklahoma, I knew I had a huge chance to do something I love that could actually contribute to the health and happiness of others, not to mention the chance to play with plants all day and actually make money doing it.” After a friend of hers offered her support, Gibson said she took the chance. “One of my long-time friends, another native Oklahoma woman, offered to back me in this endeavor, and I jumped at the opportunity.”
That leap of faith led her to purchase a run down, abandoned motel in Park Hill, not far from Tahlequah. “It’s been empty for a long time, at least a decade or more. “ The motel was built in the fifties, and while it was in run-down condition, Gibson said it did have one major perk working for it. “It has a freshwater spring that we will be using for all of our water needs as well, I’m very excited about that.” Construction at the former motel will be finished by October of this year, and will house a processing building and greenhouse. The processing building will be home to the trimming, drying, curing, and office portions of the business, and Gibson said they have plans to continue to grow. “Within the first two years of operation, we expect to start making our own edibles and concentrates to be available for sale.” Besides simply offering medicine to patients throughout Oklahoma, Gibson expanded on her plans for the former motel. “We also plan to host small, private dinners outside in the gardens surrounding the greenhouses, when the weather permits. Our gardens will feature a variety of herbs and flowers, and we’re also looking at a free flow bee hive as well.” Her passion for the industry extends far beyond just what cannabis can do for us as medicine. “I’m very excited about industrial hemp, in the future, I’m interested in producing hemp for bioplastics and even grain free livestock feed.”
Gibson says her goals are not just for herself and her business, however. “I want to help bring Oklahoma, Green Country specifically, into the light as a powerhouse of high quality cannabis production. We will have a breeding program at Tenkiller Trees that has the goal of breeding stable strains right here in Oklahoma that rival those grown where they’ve had a significant head start to their industry.” That desire to see Oklahoma succeed and flourish extends to her fellow growers and cannabis business owners. “It’s important to me for everyone in the industry and the state of Oklahoma to succeed in and benefit from cannabis cultivation.”
Like far too many of us, Gibson knows too well the impact that the opioid crisis is having, both here in Oklahoma and across the entire country, but she can also see the impact cannabis can have on that problem. “There are very few people I know that haven’t been affected themselves, or lost a family member to, addiction to prescription pain medication. Cannabis keeps some people from needing to rely on opiates for pain management, and that in itself is good enough for me.” The relief cannabis provides covers a wide range of some of the patients who need it most, and Gibson states that that’s what moves her the most. “The elation in patients that I’ve seen talking about how their pain or their illness is much more manageable is almost enough to make you tear up. They’re so grateful to have an alternative, and even more grateful to be able to have that in their home without fear of legal repercussions.”
As a twenty-six year old woman, Gibson admits that she’s not what most would expect a ‘typical’ business owner to be, but praised the industry around her. “So far, I’ve received nothing but tremendous support from the cannabis community here in Oklahoma. I’m sure I will have those that doubt me for one reason or another, but that doesn’t intimidate me. If anything, the only way to make me work harder is to tell me there’s no possible way I’ll be able to do what I’m doing.” The community, Gibson says, helped whenever she asked. “Through the whole process of obtaining my license and getting things started, other people in the industry helped me every time I needed it. The owner of the Lifted Spirits here in Tahlequah took all of my calls and questions without a second thought, and so many local growers have offered their help and knowledge. I’ve really made some wonderful, and hopefully lifelong, friends.”
In addition to the outpouring of support and knowledge from her fellow growers and business owners, Gibson pointed out that the cannabis industry has been more welcoming to women entrepreneurs than many others in the past. “Women bring important perspectives to the table that they may not have an outlet or opportunity to express yet. Women also represent a huge economic power, seeing as most of consumer purchases, roughly 70%-80%, are made by women! We know what customers are needing and wanting because we are a good portion of those customers ourselves.” As a woman who started with just an idea, and took a leap of faith, Gibson’s advice for women (and anyone, really) who wish to take the plunge into the cannabis industry is actually quite simple: “Do not hesitate! Talk to other women in the industry. We want and need you here.”
