Welcome to the Arizona Stoner blog, where we peel back the curtain on our journey, sharing our wild ride from makeshift heat press prints to becoming a recognizable name in Arizona’s cannabis lifestyle scene. It’s been an adventure full of long nights, big wins, and one very necessary work desk relocation. Let’s dive into our roots, our hustle, and where we’re headed.
The Humble Start: Just a Heat Press and a Dream
It all began with a single piece of equipment—a humble heat press that turned out to be a powerhouse for launching our brand. Back then, we didn’t have a screen print machine or a conveyor dryer. Nope, we had a garage, a heat press, and enough ambition to fill the Grand Canyon.
One of our proudest early moments came when we collaborated with Arizona Organix for their anniversary party. And it wasn’t just any anniversary—it featured the legendary Tommy Chong and the iconic Afroman, bringing the kind of energy only they could. We pulled out all the stops, setting up a 360 photo booth with a double pad for epic snapshots, dropping couches for guests to chill, and yes, even rolling my work desk out there to keep things running smoothly. The cherry on top? UFC Fighter "The Maniac" Marcus McGhee was there, signing limited edition posters and hyping up the crowd.
Making Moves: From Heat Press to Full-Blown Screen Printing
By mid-2024, our journey took a significant leap forward as we began transforming our garage into a fully operational screen printing shop. The “Screen Print Horse” (our beloved 6-color Chaparral machine) found its new home, and High Koala Tee started evolving from small runs to bigger, custom projects for local brands and cannabis events. The transition wasn’t just a move—it was a statement that Arizona Stoner was here to stay and grow.
My own path took an unexpected turn at the end of 2023. An injury on my last day of work for the year was a major setback, but it also pushed me to commit full-time to Arizona Stoner and High Koala Tee. What might have been a breaking point turned into a breakthrough: a chance to put everything we had into building this business, with Coco stepping in as the backbone of operations and our son, Dude, adding his own chaotic brand of encouragement.
Events That Keep Us Rolling (Literally)
We’ve hit the pavement and popped up at events that span Arizona, from Tucson to Flagstaff. Our 4 The Joint Sesh event series was a smash hit, featuring rolling competitions that packed in participants and reached 98% capacity. It wasn’t just about showing up—it was about creating an experience. We’ve laid down roots at places like Metrogrow and made appearances at major happenings like Errl Cup and Puff n Paint, turning our vision of streetwear and community into something tangible.
The Future Is Lit (and Still Printing)
Today, Arizona Stoner isn’t just a brand—it’s a movement supported by High Koala Tee, our custom screen printing operation that helps others turn their ideas into wearable art. From printing tees for local businesses to supplying merch for seshes and parties, we’re dedicated to making every piece a product of passion and precision.
As we look to the future, we’re more than ready to keep grinding, collaborating, and showing Arizona that we’re more than just another cannabis-inspired brand. We’re a family, a business, and a community-driven force with big dreams and even bigger plans.
Thanks for rolling with us on this journey. Stay tuned for more stories, more laughs, and more ink-stained victories as Arizona Stoner continues to grow, hustle, and rep the 602 and beyond.
Stay lifted, Mikey, Coco, and Dude (our tiny quality control manager)
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