From Humble Beginnings to Willie Nelson's Endorsement: The Forbidden Farms Story
In the picturesque landscapes near Shelton, Washington, a remarkable success story has unfolded since 2014. Forbidden Farms, founded by brothers Taylor and Garrett Balduff, has emerged as one of Washington state's premier cannabis producers, ranking as the #4 producer/processor in the state as of March 2025. Their journey from entrepreneurial dreamers to industry leaders exemplifies perseverance, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to quality.
The Origins: Brothers with a Vision
Taylor and Garrett Balduff grew up in Bonney Lake and Buckley, Washington. Before venturing into the cannabis industry, Taylor worked in property management while Garrett specialized in home remodeling. When Washington passed Initiative 502 in November 2012, legalizing recreational cannabis, the brothers recognized an opportunity to transform their passion into a legitimate business.
"When I saw 502 get voted in, nearing the time of the vote, I approached Garrett and said I thought we could do this," Taylor has recalled about their early planning stages. They began laying groundwork even before the initiative officially passed, contemplating crucial decisions about cultivation methods and facility design.
Early Challenges: A Rocky Start
The path to success wasn't smooth for the Balduff brothers. Their first attempt to establish their business in rural Lewis County ended in disappointment. After investing approximately $50,000 in infrastructure—including extending power lines a quarter mile to their property—they encountered regulatory roadblocks from the county.
"We could have grown in Lewis County if we had written consent from the federal government," Taylor explained. "They just told us to go away." Since cannabis remained federally illegal, this requirement was impossible to meet, forcing the brothers to abandon their initial investment and start over elsewhere.
This setback significantly depleted their resources, making their first year especially challenging. "That dramatically set us back on money we could have used to set this up," Taylor has said. "That made that first year extra hard."
A Fresh Start in Mason County
In 2014, the Balduffs found a more welcoming environment in Mason County. Unlike their experience in Lewis County, Mason County officials were receptive to their business plan. "When I said 'marijuana,' I didn't feel like I was cussing," Taylor noted about the different reception they received.
However, they soon faced resistance from neighbors when construction began in April 2014. Local residents distributed fliers warning that the farm would bring "24-hour floodlights, a prison-like atmosphere, toxic runoff, crime and other problems."
Rather than becoming defensive, the brothers kept their gates open and invited neighbors to visit. This transparency helped ease concerns. "They may have not been tickled that we were here, but they realized that we were going to run a nice, clean operation," Taylor explained. "It's very similar to any other kind of farming."
Building the Business: A Leap of Faith
Establishing Forbidden Farms required substantial financial commitment with no guarantees. The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board would not issue a license until their operation was fully constructed—a catch-22 that required significant upfront investment.
"You're buying all this equipment with just the hope that you'll get a license, and if you don't, well, that's it," Taylor recalled. The brothers faced moments of serious doubt: "There was a time when I only had a few dollars to my name and I wondered, 'What the hell did I get myself into?'"
With help from friends who provided labor, they completed the facility—a million-dollar-plus investment—and received their license in August 2014. By November of that year, they made their first sale, marking the official beginning of Forbidden Farms.
Cultivation Philosophy: Harnessing Natural Light
What sets Forbidden Farms apart is their cultivation approach. The Balduffs operate 40,000 square feet of growing space on a 5-acre leased property near Shelton, with 30,000 square feet dedicated to cannabis plants. Their operation includes both greenhouse and outdoor cultivation.
A key component of their success is their emphasis on natural light. "Even on a cloudy day here in Washington we're still getting awesome light," Garrett has explained. "There's no light out there that can duplicate what the sun can do." This approach impressed industry experts, including Willie Nelson's inspection team, who were "absolutely blown away" by the brothers' methods.
The Balduffs developed an innovative light deprivation system for their greenhouses, allowing them to control flowering cycles by manipulating light exposure. This technique tricks plants into flowering regardless of the season, optimizing production throughout the year.
The Willie Nelson Connection
In 2016, Forbidden Farms achieved a significant milestone when they became one of just three Washington growers selected to supply Willie's Reserve, the cannabis brand launched by country music legend and cannabis enthusiast Willie Nelson.
To earn this prestigious partnership, the farm underwent inspection by Nelson's team in early 2016. The team was particularly impressed by the brothers' ability to maintain premium quality while using natural light. The partnership was cemented when Taylor and Garrett smoked their Maui Wowie strain with Nelson backstage at his Marymoor Park concert on July 23, 2016.
"To get an endorsement from an American icon is pretty awesome," Taylor said of the experience. "He was a fan. He liked it most definitely."
Product Lines and Innovation
Forbidden Farms' success stems from their diverse product offerings, each crafted with attention to quality and consumer preferences. Their product lineup includes:
Premium Flower
- Platinum Reserve: Hand-selected premium buds grown in their state-of-the-art environmentally controlled glass greenhouse
- Silver Series: High-quality smaller buds with a slightly looser trim, offering affordability without compromising quality
- Simply Blazed: Top-tier sun-grown buds "nurtured by the elements and naturally cultivated"
- Bitty Buds: Indoor-grown popcorn buds from their platinum line
Concentrates and Extracts
- Delectable Dabs: Popular BHO dabs using premium material
- Treats Wax: BHO dabs infused with botanical terpenes
- Diamonds: THCA crystalline products
- Kief: Meticulously refined trichomes processed through traditional dry sift
- Hash: Artisanal bubble bag washed hash, compactly pressed
Vape Products
- Thrills: Flavored vape cartridges and disposables with strain-specific terpenes, color-coded for easy identification (orange for sativas, green for hybrids, blue for indicas)
- Bussin' Bars: Discreet vapes featuring top-tier hardware and oil made with botanical terpenes and melted diamonds
- Treats Vapes: CCELL cartridges containing melted diamonds infused with terpenes
- Diamonds Vapes: Cartridges made with melted diamonds and flavored with live resin sauce
Pre-Rolls and Specialty Products
- Platinum Joints: Pre-rolls using their premium Platinum Reserve flower
- Diamond J's: Pre-rolls infused with THCA "Diamond Sprinkles"
- Treats Joints: Pre-rolls infused with BHO, kief, and botanical terpenes
- Candy Cones: Joints infused with hash oil and rolled in kief
- Bleezy: Blunts wrapped in palm leaf with corn husk filters
- Bleezy Treats: Palm-wrapped blunts infused with BHO, kief, and botanical terpenes
- Snowballz: Single Platinum buds soaked in melted diamonds and rolled in THCA powder
- Nugs of Gold: Small Platinum flower buds soaked in BHO and rolled in kief
Quality Control and Production Process
The Balduffs maintain rigorous quality standards throughout their production process. Their plants receive individual tracking tags once they reach 8 inches in height or width, ensuring complete traceability from cultivation to sale. "Tracking is pretty intense," Garrett has noted about their compliance with state regulations.
For plant nutrition, they use Indoor Garden's Blu Moon, a Tacoma-made fertilizer. While herbicides aren't needed in their operation, they occasionally apply state-approved insecticides to control spider mites and hemp russet mites that can damage crops.
Security is another priority, with nearly 50 cameras monitoring the property. "Just about anywhere you are on the farm is covered by at least two cameras," Taylor has explained, highlighting their commitment to preventing theft and ensuring compliance.
The brothers divide management responsibilities, with Taylor overseeing the processing operation on Tacoma's Tideflats and Garrett managing the farm. Their 4,600-square-foot processing facility, opened in mid-2015, handles drying, processing, and packaging.
After harvest, plants are hung in a controlled environment until properly dried. The buds then undergo trimming, inspection, and packaging in quantities ranging from 1 gram to the legal maximum of 1 ounce. Joint production involves a manual device that can hold 120 papers at once, allowing for efficient processing.
Growth and Future Vision
Since their first sale in November 2014, Forbidden Farms has experienced remarkable growth. By September 2016, they had already surpassed $1 million in sales for that year. The brothers recognize the challenges of sustaining such rapid growth in a maturing market. "At some point it's got to level out," Taylor acknowledged. "I don't know how it can sustain this growth. There are just so many consumers in Washington."
Despite these challenges, the Balduffs have continued to innovate and expand their product lines. By 2025, they've secured their position as the #4 producer/processor in Washington state, a testament to their quality, consistency, and business acumen.
The Brothers' Philosophy
At the heart of Forbidden Farms' success is the Balduff brothers' passion for quality and innovation. They cultivate approximately 75 different cannabis strains, each offering unique characteristics in terms of THC levels and flavor profiles. "Certain strains might have a fruity taste, others might have a more woodsy, piney taste," Garrett has explained.
The brothers view their business as "the new American Dream," as Garrett put it. "Working together, owning our own business. It's a new industry, and we were able to get our foot in the door."
Their story embodies the entrepreneurial spirit that has defined the legal cannabis industry in Washington state: overcoming regulatory hurdles, building community acceptance, investing in quality, and innovating constantly to meet consumer preferences. From struggling entrepreneurs to industry leaders whose products received Willie Nelson's personal approval, the Balduff brothers have transformed Forbidden Farms into a Washington cannabis success story.
Through persistence, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to quality, Taylor and Garrett Balduff have built more than just a business—they've created a legacy in Washington's cannabis industry that continues to thrive and evolve.
By Michael
Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB92tFWnIjA
https://www.forbidden-farms.com/
https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/business/article108062182.html
https://www.theolympian.com/news/business/article108063157.html
https://cindersmoke.com/forbidden-farms-who-they-are-what-theyre-about/
WA States Advertising Disclaimer. Just In Case.
- "This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming.";
- "cannabis can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug.";
- "There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product."; and
- "For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of the reach of children."
