NJCS 03: From Felon to Founder: The Rise of the Growfather, George Martorano

“And that’s where I met Pablo Escobar. Pablo was sending loads [of weed] so big, he said, ‘That’s it.’ He went to planes and cocaine. And then I went to Jamaica and started doing my own thing. They had weed and nobody to sell it to. That’s the worst thing you could tell me. Because now I want you going after me.”

So begins the jaw-dropping life of George Martorano, the Growfather—a man whose journey took him from teenage weed runs in a ’52 Chevy, to the jungles of Colombia with Escobar, to surviving five years in solitary fighting off rats and Somali pirates. 

In this episode, George and the founders of Little Leaf Labs share tales of smuggling, family secrets, and how a legacy forged in South Philly’s immigrant grit became a legal cannabis empire in New Jersey. 

From near-mythic family legends—like the time his grandfather killed a priest and fled Sicily—to the launch of the Growfather brand, this is the story of redemption, resilience, and reinvention in America’s cannabis industry.

Key Topics Covered

00:00 - Episode Teaser: From Medellín, Colombia to Surviving Life Without Parole

• George’s early smuggling days starting at age 15, first trip to Colombia, and meeting Pablo Escobar
• Undercover agents, red dots, and facing a 32-year sentence
• Five years in solitary confinement, fighting rats, and Somali pirates--the psychological toll and survival tactics

01:27 - Show Open & Introductions

• Welcome to the NJ Content Studio Show with hosts John Bertino and Steven Picanza
• Meet the Growfather and Little Leaf Labs team: George Martorano, Michael Folietta, Chris Capurso

03:28 - George's Early Cannabis Ventures

• How George got started in the cannabis business
• Early entrepreneurial lessons from street hustling and building connections in the underground market

04:54 - Family History and The Grandfather's Legacy

• Martorano family’s immigrant journey from Sicily to South Philly
• The legendary escape involving the Vatican
• Family ties to the invention of root beer & 7UP
• Lessons in resilience & entrepreneurship passed down through generations

14:15 - Smuggling Stories, Meeting Pablo Escobar, and Other Dangerous Encounters

• Detailed stories of smuggling runs and risky deals
• Encounters with international criminal figures
• Navigating danger and law enforcement close calls

26:44 - Getting Pinched: Arrested with 6 passports & $20,000, plus the Aftermath (in 1983)

• The sting operation that led to George’s arrest
• How he managed multiple identities and large sums of cash
• The immediate fallout and legal consequences

31:05 - Facing Life Without Parole

• The gravity of a life sentence in the federal system
• Coming to terms with the reality of never seeing freedom again
• The emotional impact on George and his family

31:25 - The Unprecedented Courtroom Drama

• Shocking moments and legal twists during the trial
• How the prosecution and defense battled over George’s fate
• The media frenzy and public reaction

34:29 - Life in Solitary Confinement

• The harsh realities of five years in “the hole”
• Daily routines and struggles in isolation
• Stories of survival & mental endurance

36:28 - Coping Mechanisms and Mental Resilience

• How George maintained hope & sanity
• Developing routines, writing, and creative outlets
• The role of meditation, exercise, and self-education

39:06 - The Reentry Program Initiative

• George’s efforts to help fellow inmates prepare for life after prison
• Founding and running reentry programs from behind bars
• The impact on the prison community and beyond

41:24 - Real Life Con Air: Transport Plane Hijacking Incident

• The dramatic story of a hijacking involving Somali pirates
• How George and others managed the crisis
• Lessons learned from high-stakes situations

48:53 - Creating a Website from Prison

• How George leveraged technology and creativity while incarcerated
• Building a personal brand and sharing his story with the outside world
• The challenges and triumphs of digital entrepreneurship behind bars

52:58 - The Path to Release (with a Presidential Twist!)

• The legal and advocacy efforts that led to George’s release
• The role of presidential clemency and public support
• Emotions and reflections on finally gaining freedom

01:02:40 - Adjusting to Life After Prison

• The challenges of reentering society after decades away
• Rebuilding relationships and finding new purpose
• Launching the Growfather brand and legacy projects

01:04:31 - Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser

• Final thoughts from the hosts and guests
• A sneak peek at what’s coming in the next episode

Part 2 of our conversation with George, Michael, and Chris coming soon!