Derry Brett’s journey through the cannabis world is legendary—spanning from the rugged mountains of India to the cannabis capital, Amsterdam. As the founder of Barney's Farm, Brett played a crucial role in shaping cannabis culture in Europe and beyond. Recently, we caught up with him ahead of his trip to New York for the 420 festivities.
Barney's Goes Big with an enormous Times Square billboard on 420 celebrating partnerships with Doja, Backpack Boyz and more.
Derry’s early cannabis experiences were nothing short of adventurous. In the Himalayas, he and his friends experimented with charas (hashish-making), discovering how hash varied from valley to valley. “It was all about experimentation back then,” Derry recalls. “We realized we could start chasing genetics—seeing what we could find, cross, and grow.”
Derry and Ice -T at the Medicine Woman NJ Grand Opening
He and his group traveled through India, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Burma, smuggling genetics back to India. “We were hunting for genetics for our clients,” he explains, adding that it wasn’t just about personal use but about finding plants that produced exceptional hash or weed. At that time, cannabis was recognized more by its region—such as “Malana Valley Charas” or “Manali Hash”—rather than flashy names or complex terpene profiles. Derry chuckles at how different the cannabis world was back then. “There were no 'Lemon Cherry Gelatos' or whatever people call them now,” he said.
After years of traveling, he arrived in Amsterdam at a time when cannabis was transitioning into a more recognized industry. “Amsterdam in the early days was a hashish city. There were no coffee shops, just cafés selling hash,” he recalls. At a café called Barney’s, owned by a friend named Nick, Derry began sharing the genetics he’d collected from Asia. “Nick started getting a lot of attention, especially from American tourists who were blown away by the quality,” Derry said. “We started offering five or six strains, which was unheard of at the time.”
Derry’s rise in the cannabis world wasn’t typical. Raised in Ireland, he was drawn to the rebellious underground culture. "I never really saw myself as a 'hippie,'" he said. “I was more into punk, but I always gravitated towards the Bohemian lifestyle. That’s what drew me to cannabis.” His interest in cannabis wasn’t just as a consumer but also a cultivator. Growing up with plants, thanks to his father’s work with crossbreeding fruit trees, gave Derry the foundation to work with cannabis genetics.
Honeysuckle x Barney's Issue 21 420 Pop Up with Juan Quesada at The Flowery, SOHO
Today, Derry stands as a key figure in the global cannabis industry, having helped establish some of the most respected genetics in the game. As cannabis continues to evolve, Derry remains optimistic but cautious about the future. “The game’s changing,” he reflects. “The market’s maturing, but there’s still a lot of unpredictability. The legal landscape is a mess, but as more places come online, the future looks bright.” As we wrapped up the interview, Derry added with a laugh: “Whether it was the Himalayas or Amsterdam, I’ve always been looking for something different, something new. That’s the beauty of cannabis—it’s never the same.”
Derry and Juan from Backpack Boyz and daughter Sharon Gil in front of Times Square Billboard, 420, 2025 NYC
Barney's Farm has been synonymous with quality cannabis genetics for decades. Founded in the late '80s, it grew from a small operation into a global powerhouse, helping shape the modern cannabis landscape. Derry, who began working with Nick in 1980 and took over the shop in 1992, helped steer the brand to success. “We started in 1980 as a hobby,” Derry recalls. “By the '90s, it became a full-time passion project. We focused on stabilizing our strains and perfecting our genetics.” Barney’s Farm also revolutionized marketing by distributing tens of thousands of seed packs globally, establishing itself in key markets like California and Europe. By 2000, the brand began making waves in the High Times Cannabis Cup, winning 60% of the cups from 2000 to 2017, thanks to its focus on terpene profiles and high THC content.
Now, Barney’s Farm is expanding into the U.S. market, building on its long-standing reputation. Derry is excited about new collaborations, and also working with other creators like Doja and Juan Quesada from the BackPackBoyz, whose fresh perspectives complement the brand’s legacy.
Barney’s Farm’s dedication to genetics and innovation is at the heart of its success. “It’s not just about picking a fire strain,” Derry explains. “You have to stabilize the plant and ensure it maintains key characteristics, whether it’s terps, potency, or flowering time.” His favorite strain, Dr. Grinspoon, epitomizes this effort. “It’s a nightmare to grow, but it’s the most euphoric sativa I’ve ever encountered,” he said, recalling the close calls with border patrols when sourcing its genetics from Laos in the '80s. That close call involved you’re-not-welcome-here bullets. Other stories remain off the record!
As Barney’s Farm continues to expand globally, Derry remains focused on sharing their best genetics with the world. “We’ve spent over 30 years perfecting our craft, and now we want to share that with the world,” he said. “We’re always evolving, always on the move. The American market is just the next chapter.” With partnerships with global icons and a dedication to innovation, Barney’s Farm’s future is bright, continuing to set the standard in the evolution of cannabis.
Find Derry's full article online in our 420 print editions. Buy here!
