FACES IN THE FIELD
Faces in the Field: East & Eye
B Y K AT I E W E I T M A N P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y T R I C H R O M E V I S UA L S & M AT T H E W B O U R G E O I S
A M A C R O P H O T O G R A P H O F E A S T & E Y E ’ S W E E K E N D AT B E R N I E S
The medical cannabis industry in Maine is taking off, and it’s doing it on the backs of a small community of very capable cultivators. They’re not big business — yet — but they’re passionate and driven, paving the way for a cannabisfriendly future. These mad scientists of the marijuana market are barreling ahead at full steam, continuously creating new products and production methods. Masters of their craft, these cannabis farmers are positioning Maine as a major East Coast hub for an industry that is on the cusp of federal recognition. Maine-born Ryan Henderson at East & Eye is one such cultivator who is bringing some West Coast experience to our humble East Coast market. Ryan has a background in organic farming and permaculture, which has helped him become one of the top cannabis growers in the state. We sat down with him to talk about his experiences, methods, and grow philosophy, and he gave us some great insights into what the
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daily grind is like and where he thinks the future of cannabis is headed. “I’m excited about where we’re at as a community and an industry,” he told us. Now, Ryan heads a modest team of cultivators at East & Eye. Ryan and his investor co-founded East & Eye in 2018. Their mission ever since has been to provide a locally grown craft cannabis product by hyper-focusing on the details of the growing process from seed to harvest. Their EYE for the plant kingdom and a commitment to a healthy planet keep them working toward a higher standard in cannabis cultivation so that their consumers know that they’re purchasing pure and effective cannabis. In a field full of unconventional knowledge, experience is key. East & Eye is not Ryan’s first venture into cannabis cultivation, and he told us he has gained invaluable knowledge from each and every one of his endeavors. After years of smaller
