'Gonzo'-brand pot coming; writer's retreat and museum planned for Hunter S. Thompson's 'Owl Farm'

PITKIN COUNTY, Colo. – Hunter S. Thompson’s famed Owl Farm could be transformed into a museum and haven for writers, and Dr. Gonzo might have his own brand of cannabis if his widow, Anita, sees her plans come true.

Anita Thompson gave a rare interview to the Aspen Times, which was published Sunday, in which she unveiled some of the plans for Owl Farm, which she took over this summer in a deal with her late husband’s trust.

The 42-acre property outside of Aspen had been in the possession of the Gonzo Trust, a group of lawyers and other trustees of Thompson’s, since his suicide in 2005.

But Anita bought it in June in exchange for giving up her rights to future earnings from Hunter’s book sales. She will keep the rights the “Gonzo” logo and rights to Thompson’s likeness, according to The Times.

Anita told The Times she has saved six marijuana strains the late author enjoyed smoking and is working with a Colorado company to grow the strains and sell them under the “Gonzo” brand.

“If I put Hunter’s name on somebody else’s strain I can never go back and say, ‘No, this is the authentic one,’” she told The Times, adding she was “looking forward to being a drug lord,” with a chuckle.

Anita says she plans to use proceeds from the marijuana sales to renovate Owl Farm and turn it into a museum and place for writers following Thompson’s ethos to hone their craft.

Anita says she might take applications for the writer’s retreat, but may also only allow people to come by invitation. Visitors would likely have to make an appointment.

She said the museum may not end up being at Owl Farm, but rather somewhere in Woody Creek or Aspen.

A final plan, according to The Times, could be to preserve the forest around the property, where the “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” and “Rum Diary” author’s ashes were scattered after they were shot out of a cannon – Thompson’s final grand exit in a life full of them.