Roots Of Grass: True Tales from the Wild West of California's Cannibis Industry

Unconventional is an inspirational memoir by Jamie Andrea Garzot, one of California's legal cannabis industry pioneers. She went from a cannabis retail rookie to a successful entrepreneur, advocate, and industry pioneer, developing a wildly successful line of artisanal edibles and managing $12 million a year in all-cash sales. She also became an advocate for cannabis legislation at the state capitol. The book profiles her journey from a cannabis retail rookie navigating an unregulated market to a cannabis authority, and how thinking creatively, planning ahead, and forming connections in the most unlikely places contributed to her success.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 02 June 2022
Publisher: Girl Friday Productions

2022 Grand Prize Finalist for The Eric Hoffer Award
2022 NYC Big Book Award Distinguished Favorite
2022 Independent Press Award Distinguished Favorite
2022 First Horizon Award Finalist
2022 International Book Award Finalist: Nonfiction Cross-Genre




An inspirational story about taking a chance, following your vision, and thriving in one of the US's wildest emerging industries, 2022 Independent Press Award Distinguished Favorite Unconventional profiles Jamie Andrea Garzot's journey as one of California's legal cannabis industry pioneers.


Jamie Andrea Garzot was one of the least likely people to become a cannabis entrepreneur, advocate, and industry pioneer. She had no business background. She was not involved in politics. She had only a four-figure capital investment to start with. And, surprisingly, she had very limited experience with cannabis products. So how did Garzot find herself at the forefront of California's cannabis movement? In this inspirational memoir, Garzot describes her trajectory from a cannabis retail rookie navigating an unregulated market to a cannabis authority. During her time in the industry, she developed a wildly successful line of artisanal edibles, managed $12 million a year in all-cash sales, and became an advocate for cannabis legislation at the state capitol—all of which led to an eventual acquisition by High Times, one of the most recognized names in the industry. From office intrigues, personal crises, and shifting regulations to teamwork, innovation, and community leadership, Garzot, with good-natured humor, shares how thinking creatively, planning ahead, and forming connections in the most unlikely places contributed to her success in a continually shifting business landscape.


Unconventional is the story of an industry in its infancy, filled with risk, uncertainty, and opportunity. It is a story of pioneers who are shaping the future of a plant that has been misunderstood and stigmatized for decades. It is a story of entrepreneurs who are building businesses that are changing the lives of people around the world. And it is a story of the people who are passionate about this plant and the industry that it has created.


In this book, you will learn:

• The history of cannabis and its medicinal and recreational uses


• The challenges and opportunities of starting a cannabis business


• The different types of cannabis products and their potential benefits


• The legal and regulatory landscape of the cannabis industry


• The role of advocacy and activism in shaping the future of cannabis


• The stories of successful cannabis entrepreneurs and their businesses


• Tips and strategies for navigating the cannabis industry

Whether you are a cannabis enthusiast, a business professional, or someone who is simply curious about this rapidly growing industry, Unconventional is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the past, present, and future of cannabis.


Buy Unconventional: The Story of a Cannabis Pioneer and the Industry She Created