Drawn by word of a new Joe in town with a spiritual mission, we made our way southbound on Interstate 5. Our destination was Rev 222, a Southern Oregon gem named after the biblical verse Revelation 22:2— “The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” Owned and operated by the spirited Joe Penovich, this farm is as much a sanctuary as it is a thriving Cannabis garden. Joe’s deep respect for the plant, coupled with his spiritual background and years of entrepreneurial success, has shaped Rev 222 into a unique space where Cannabis and faith converge.
Upon arrival, the energy of the land itself was welcoming. Joe greeted us with an infectious smile; his genuine warmth was contagious. The property reflects the meticulous care of a five-star restaurant chain, an ode to his entrepreneurial venture. “Godliness is cleanliness,” he said as he led us through rows of Cannabis glistening in the sun. “The principles that made our restaurants successful — attention to detail, cleanliness and care — apply here. But it’s more than appearance; it’s about nurturing life, soil, and spirit.”
Joe’s connection to the plant is divinely inspired. “I was a church-going Christian for years, but I wasn’t being led by the Spirit,” he reflects. “The Church serves its purpose, but I believe that Cannabis is a true gateway to God.”
Joe’s team of three works in harmony with him to cultivate this vision. “We believe in working with the earth, not against it,” says Rick Laform, director of operations. The farm operates on a philosophy of stewardship, caring for native soil enhanced with organic calcium, kelp and bone meal. “Our goal is to produce this medicine in the most natural way possible — it’s one of God’s creations,” Joe says.
At Rev 222, each Cannabis plant shines like brilliant jewels. The team integrates sustainable practices. “It’s about working with Nature,” Joe explains. “The sun is the ultimate healer … combined with living native soil and greenhouses, you maximize the gifts provided and create a reflection of God’s design.”
Among the garden’s unique gems are two wellness-leaning cultivars: Divina Obscura, a balanced 1:1 cross of Charlotte’s Web, and Miss Universe. With crisp, apple-green buds and a rose-like aroma, this strain nurtures body and spirit. Another revered treasure, Pennywise, offers a calming experience for those seeking relief from anxiety or physical discomfort.
The farm’s crown jewel, however, is the rare cut of Revelations OG, a sativa-dominant hybrid born from Mule Fuel. Joe calls this strain “prayer medicine,” meant to quiet the mind and connect users to a higher source. With a rich, ultra-gassy aroma touched by pine, Revelations OG delivers an uplifting experience that transcends the ordinary. “This strain taps you in, turning down the bombardment of the world so we can focus on that higher source,” Joe says.
Pheno hunting is a key practice at Rev 222, allowing Joe and his team to explore the diversity of the Cannabis plant. “Each strain has its own purpose,” says Shane Mulhern, director of cultivation. “We believe each cultivar holds unique healing properties. It’s our job to discover what these are.” Their focus is to unlock the full medicinal and spiritual potential of each plant.
For Joe, Cannabis is not recreational; it’s sacramental. His own spiritual journey with Cannabis began in 2018 with a 1:1 Charlotte’s Web tincture taken with morning tea and prayer. “When we combine this plant with prayer, we turn off the noise of the world — technology, distractions — and open ourselves to hear the voice of God. Cannabis helps us see the world through a higher vision,” Joe says. He believes that intentional prayer — often missing in modern church practices — alongside the sacred use of Cannabis can spark a spiritual revival, breaking stigma and transforming lives. “Cannabis is going to be a powerful tool in the faith community as the stigma fades.”
He points to the historical use of Cannabis and other plant medicines in early Christian rituals as evidence of its potential for a deeper connection with God. “This plant has been respected for centuries as prayer medicine,” he says.
As a final act of fellowship, Joe and his team invited us to a meal of homemade enchiladas, crafted with farm-fresh ingredients. Before breaking bread, he led us in prayer, summoning blessings upon the land, this meal, his crew and the Leaf team’s journey. The joyful gratitude experienced over that meal was a testament to Joe’s love for spiritual community, where faith and human connection converge.
Driving away, I felt a deep appreciation for the time spent with these friends of the Leaf. Joe and his team have created something truly purposeful. Rev 222 Farm is a sanctuary where spiritual healing is not only cultivated but shared — perhaps Cannabis is the biblical tree that awakens the healing of the nations after all.
Farm Facts
• 1 Tier one producer license
• 9 Acres of land
• 3 full-time employees
• 3,000 plants annually in the ground on average
• 6,000 plants during peak growing season
• 1,000 pounds max total harvest — small batches, big quality!
• 12 unique 2024 cultivars were curated with promising phenotypes of interesting crosses that will make up the Rev 222 private farm reserve, including genetics from StaeFli Farms and Archive Seed Bank.
• Exclusive cultivar: Revelations OG (developed by Cultivation Director Shane Mulhern) from a classified source is the rarest and most noteworthy strain in the garden, featuring a unique Mule Fuel phenotype.
•2024 team favorite cultivars: Tropicana Cherry and Amaretto Sour
