His story starts in simpler times when Cannabis was still on the fringe, especially for this Austin, Texas, native. He described the scene to me: “In the 1980s, Austin was a big city with small-town living. You could walk around smoking joints openly, and cops didn’t mess with you unless you gave them a reason to.” Remember, this is the home stage for the epic film “Dazed and Confused.” The Captain had some great memories about the real hazing that went on there and laughed as he said, “That movie was definitely based on real events. I remember running my first mile around that track!”
The Captain’s early years had their curveballs, though; he spent ages 15 to 17 in juvenile detention. Shortly after being released, he moved up to the Seattle area to make new roots where his mother had relocated and his father lived. From here, he began his trail of recovery, which led to a lot of memorable times with a very supportive woman by the name of Sammie. Then back to Austin it was; unfortunately, due to relapse, their relationship only lasted 18 short months. The feeling wasn’t fleeting, though. Decades later, after what can seem like a lifetime, the couple reunited, thanks to an old mutual friend and MySpace. So let’s fast-forward.
We met The Captain and his wife and soulmate, Sammie Chambers, an expat from England, for the first time at the 2025 Natural Remedies Campout; they pulled out all the stops and provided a curated 20-by-40-foot installation. It included a dab lounge full of amazing glass options and a supply store with everything from chips, sodas, water and basic camping supplies to medical-grade rosin-infused hot cocoa and sweet delights. We also cannot forget their super fun Wheel of Weed, which attendees could spin for a challenge that, if beaten, resulted in some stoney prizes.
Sammie is the partner in this operation; her positivity and creative directions can be seen and tasted in the amazing edibles she creates, her original artwork that adorns their customized dab mats as well as the marketing work behind Scallywag Solventless.
A lengthy story can be told about the trials and tribulations that have formed this Cannabis enthusiast into a cornerstone of the Washington medical Cannabis community. Foremost, the constant theme that I see with The Captain and Sammie is their dedication to quality above all and being able to provide for their personal circle of friends and patients. Cannabis isn’t a vessel for financial success or bragging rights; for this couple, it is a way to responsibly medicate and to help others approach a state of homeostasis.
Intentions go a long way with all plants, but I do think that Cannabis is specifically influenced by its surroundings and the energy that goes into it. This makes for a medicine with intention, one that will certainly bring you more benefits than a commercially grown crop with nothing but a bottom line in mind. Through every up and down, every hurdle and each obstacle in life, this patient has always kept a smile on his face. As Wooderson would say, “You just gotta keep livin’, man. L-I-V-I-N.” And that is exactly what The Captain does.
