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Stoney Sanders’ Application to Teach at the University of California’s Haas School of Business (Ready to Roll, Post-legalization)
by Roland Goity
Aaron Sanders
P.O. Box 420
Garberville, CA 95442-420
Ernest V. Whitecollar, Ph.D.
Haas School of Business
2112 Peabody Avenue
University of California at Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720-2112
Dear Dean Whitecollar,
As a leading proponent of “higher”education, I am pleased to submit my application for the full-time, tenure-track position of graduate business instructor (entrepreneurship) beginning next fall at the Haas School of Business. My experience in newly hatched operations includes marketing and distribution, product cycle development, financial management, and most especially, legal issues. While my role in the business world has often been viewed as eccentric and occasionally seen as unethical, with the recent legalization of our state’s biggest cash crop—marijuana—I’ve arrived from the economic underground to tout my credentials.
Mine is the classic success story of the self-made man. The son of hippies and raised on a commune, I was homegrownschooled and involved early on in community farming, planting, cultivating, trimming and harvesting. It provided my career foundation, and it’s why my strains of cannabis indica win awards in jury shows all over the globe, from Vancouver to Amsterdam to Tangier.
My teaching philosophy has been influenced by many great minds under the influence. Likewise, I’ve passed the torched joint of knowledge to the next generation of Northern California growers, who—already wildly successful prior to legalization—are poised to make the Fortune 500 for years to come. If given the opportunity to represent the Haas School of Business, I promise to relay these same values to Cal’s business students. Although my business experience isn’t a traditional one, I believe the forward-thinking administration, faculty and students of Berkeley, a campus and city already renowned for independence and innovative thought, will appreciate my background and insightful ideas and benefit greatly from the wisdom only I can proffer.
Along with this letter, I have included my curriculum vitae for your review. Additionally, I will send my completed application form, supplemental essay, and teaching sample handout. My “official” transcripts have been requested, as have the three letters of recommendation. More information is available online at my Web site (www.thc420.com). Please let me know if you require additional information or would like to schedule an interview. I can be reached by postal mail at the address above (or by pager upon written request).
Best Regards,
Aaron “Stoney” Sanders
(Enclosure)
CURRICULUM VITAE
Aaron L. Sanders
Instructor, Lecturer, Educator, Businessman, Entrepreneur, SeerPostal Address/Contact Information:
P.O. Box 420 Phone: Upon written request
Garberville, CA 95442-420 Cell: Upon special circumstances
Email: killerbud@thc420.com Web: www.thc420.comEducation
Humboldt A & M (unaccredited), Among the redwoods on the Northern California coast.
M.S. in Horticulture (cannabis cultivation) 1972. 3.98 GPA (Phi Kappa Phi invitee). Study abroad (Amsterdam, Netherlands [1970]; Montego Bay, Jamaica [1971])
Thesis: Developing Psychotic Strains through Hybridization.
Professional Business Experience
Chief Executive Officer, Purple Hair Industries
2000-present. Garberville, CA. Oversee multimillion dollar marijuana farming operation with global distribution. Responsible for all business development, security, marketing and communication aspects, from seed to pipe. Executive guidance has enabled company to become universally recognized as industry leader.T-Shirt Designer, California Dept. of Corrections
1995-2000, Atascadero CA.
Led inmate team involved in silkscreen operation on a job outsourcing program underwritten by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Earned early release (sentence reduced by 19 months) due to exemplary diligence in the workplace (and good behavior).Partner, Sanders/Rifkin/Petrocelli Joint Ventures
1988-1995, Arcata, CA.
Collaborated with colleagues to develop and market hemp-based products called “special cigars.” Implemented successful mail-order business through alternative lifestyle magazine advertising, while providing products wholesale to qualified distributors.Consultant, Humboldt Growers Association Co-op
1972-1988. Greater Humboldt Country and Emerald Triangle area.
Supported Humboldt County farmers in a variety of roles from field-hand work to delivery to public relations. Apprenticed under industry icons which enabled own successful business enterprises later in career.
Publications
National Publications—
“Lessons of the Trade.” (As “Farmer Buzz”) High Times. (monthly; June, 2002-present)
"Understanding the Benefits of Marijuana." The New Yorker (October, 2009)
“So You Want to Open a Cannabis Club.” Modern Health (Spring 2003)Trade Magazines—
“Grower’s Corner.” Outlaw Horticulture (numerous, 1992-1995, 2000-2009)
“Hide and Seek: Securing your crop so the DEA is DOA.” Smokeout. (Volume 2, 2008)
“Effective Drying.” Autumn Harvest (October, 2003)
“Brainstorming Behind Bars: Don’t let incarceration muddle your big ideas.” Green Grower Today (March, 2001)
“Maximizing Profits in the Era of CAMP” Autumn Harvest (July, 1994)Opinion Pieces—
“Legalize It, Don’t Criticize It.” Garberville Gossip (May 4, 2007)
“Elect Wavy Gravy to Whatever He’s Running For.” Arcata Times (September 30, 1993)
“Paraquat Sucks!” CSU Humboldt Student Daily (Sometime in 1977)
Awards
Man of the Year. Emerald Triangle Growers Awards. 2002-2004; 2006-2009
Notable Figure selection. Global Drug Culture Network. 2007; 2009
Grand Prize Winner, Jamaican Spotlight International Growers Fest, 2008
Third Place, Amsterdam Taste & Effect Awards, 2006
Runner-Up. World Frisbee-Golf Championships (member of Humboldt Resinators), 1975
Presentations
“Expectations of Legalization.” To California State Assembly. (November, 16, 2009)
“Budding Prospects.” To Emerald Triangle Growers Assn. (Monthly, 2002-2009)
“Learning My Lesson.” To California Dept. of Corrections Parole Board. (April, 2000)
Teaching Interests
Entrepreneurship. Marketing. Horticulture. Green Business Practices.
END
Roland Goity lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, and edits fiction for the online journal LITnIMAGE (www.litnimage.com). His stories appear in dozens of literary publications, including Fiction International, Underground Voices, Bryant Literary Review, Talking River, decomP, Eclectica, and Scrivener Creative Review.
