B efore the interview, Willie Nelson’s publicist warns me that there’s only one thing the 93-year-old country music legend doesn’t like to discuss: the past. Which rules out talking about the 150-plus albums he’s made; the Highwaymen, the supergroup he formed with Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings; writing On the Road Again on an aeroplane sick bag. It also rules out talking about paying off a $32m tax bill with a double album called The IRS Tapes; co-founding Farm Aid with Neil Young and John Mellencamp; taking $40,000 off Woody Harrelson in a single poker session; or breaking up a massive brawl in a parking lot with two Colt 45s before signing autographs for cops.

No, the publicist says, it’s all about the future for Willie. And what does that primarily consist of, I ask. Gigging and his cannabis business, Willie’s Reserve, she explains. After an extensive vetting process, the publicist tells me my chat with Willie will be one of my life’s highlights.…