The cannabis legalization movement in Texas had been heating up over the summer as temperatures soared. Walks to raise awareness were in full swing. A gathering called CannaFest went off with minimal issues. All thing FreeTheWeed looked promising as the momentum increased. But then things started to fall apart from the inside. Rumors of internal mishandling of funds started to be voiced. With that said, people started to openly talk about more of the issues plaguing the organization all stemming from one of the leaders who acted like a dictator. As confirmation became public of him secretly trying to sell the groups identity, name and rights for big money a vote quickly ensued.
Kory Watkins
Before all that a man named Kory Watkins, the target of hate and blame for so much corruption in the gun movement and the Libertarian Party of Texas found himself out of steam in North Texas. His failed attempt to build a community called The Freedom Grounds was a disaster as his rhetoric of assistance to people moving there became empty promises as he lost any credit he formally had. His attempt at slumlord with a rental house left him constantly evicting “friends” anytime they complained of the rampant black mold and other major house issues he refused to fix. It became commonplace for people he stole money from to regularly called him out on social media. Everyone in the Liberty Movement knew about all his dirty skeletons and started to shun him. A former tenant of Kory’s, Chris Dodson who had started the #FreeTheWeed Canabis Open Carry Walk (COCW) page and group was his latest victim.
Kory slipped in as leader eventually taking over after kicking Chris to the curb conveniently around the time he fell behind a week on the rent. Seemed personally motivated to the others in the group but people looked the other way. Chris Dodson told us “There’s nothing to trust about him, he’s a manipulator, a swindler, a liar and a thief in my opinion.” Shortly after losing his poor attempt at governor in the Texas Libertarian Party, Kory’s demeanor changed. He left his wife and kids who had stayed by his side throughout for another woman who was possibly unaware of his failures and scams. He moved away from his tainted past and started his operations in Houston, TX. People there were not familiar with his theft and abuses in North Texas. They were fresh faces and in his eyes a new batch of suckers. He quickly focused all his energies into #FreeTheWeed pushing for the legalization of cannabis as a new source of revenue. Now surrounded by people unfamiliar with his stained past he began his latest scheme to siphon off funds for himself.
Two days ago the close to 25 organizers active within the COCW became painfully aware of who Kory really is. They discovered his secret plan to sell off the organization to BudTraders behind everyone’s back. He was set to profit 25 thousand dollars. All the hard work of each volunteer would have been thrown into the wind as Kory would have strolled away with a nice payoff. On numerous occasions Kory lied to the group about funds. After some time of internal issues being squashed by Kory as he claimed dictatorship status the others became frustrated. He was now hurting the movement instead of helping it by sacrificing the organizations effectiveness for his own personal gain. Kory wouldn’t tell the others any details of their merchandise sales. The amount of t-shirts sold was a secret and the funds never reached the groups treasurer or bank account. Ryan from anti-establishment tshirts who fronted Kory shirts to sell at the events was never reimbursed as money was disappearing literally into Kory’s pocket left and right. Something had to be done and done quickly.
Yesterday an admin meeting was called and voting ensued. As of late last night Kory Watkins had been removed from his position and will no longer be allowed to participate in the Cannabis Open Carry Walk events. Rena McCain, a COCW organizer said “He is not who I want to be associated with, at all. What a scam artist.”. Early this morning a live video sought to clear up rumors. They made it known through spokesperson Jody Ladd that “Kory can not be trusted.” It seems the groups demand for transparency has left his true motives exposed and without justification. A spokesperson for COCW told a DontComply reporter that BudTrader is in talks to make things right. Kory has continued to further embarrass himself by blasting out on social media his greedy nature as he demanded that all the organizers that spent endless hours making this movement happen give up all rights to the name, logo and money. No copyright or trademark paperwork was ever filed by Kory making these empty threats. Most likey Kory will move on down the road finding another place where he is unknown and can covertly steal from other good hearted people in our community. As it sits today, the COCW’s good reputation holds firm and will be saved from any more damage done by this out of control tyrant. Everyone associated with Cannabis Open Carry Walks can happily march forward in this important fight with confidence and respect to legalize cannabis here in the Lone Star State. #FreeTheWeed
