I am one of the founders and CEO of one of the first state licensed medical marijuana businesses in Colorado. We have been approved for our "retail" (legal, non medical) licenses, and will be selling cannabis to anyone over 21 with a valid ID. I am also a cannabis business and regulatory consultant. I have been fortunate enough to put my 2 cents into how the law was shaped here in Colorado, both before and after legalization. I also love reddit and I'm using a throwaway for this. AMA.

Some proof, just got this last week. http://i.imgur.com/QWLPX2i.jpg

Doing this strictly for redditors entertainment/education not marketing my company (we already have more customers than we can serve) so avoiding social networks etc. happy to provide if asked though.

Edit: I appreciate the interest, but we are not hiring. & contextual clarification. A reoccurring theme is to question whether we are in the first set of "legal" cannabis stores in the world. Apparently some people feel this is a point of contention. To my knowledge no government in the modern era has licensed companies to sell "recreational" cannabis. Countries may tolerate it, but they have no legal framework to license and regulate it. That is the distinction I make between "legal" and "illegal".

tl:dr I own a weed store, starting today we can sell weed to anyone over 21

Day 2. More questions, why not? Just got home.

Comments: 839 • Responses: 104  • Date: 

steve76ers118 karma

Can anyone buy or do you have to fulfil certain criteria? I am from England so not looking to buy.

Angrybudtender178 karma

Anyone over 21 with a valid ID (includes a passport).

petrucci66646 karma

Does this include out-of-state IDs as well? Specifically, California ID.

(Sorry, I know nothing about these laws)

cessnapilotboy9 karma

Yes; as long as you are over 21. In staters are 1 ounce limit per day; out of staters are 1/4 ounce per day.

mikeno18 karma

Not quite, out of staters are allowed 1/4 ounce per visit. They can possess up to an ounce. Therefore if they make four trips in a single day they can have their ounce.

Angrybudtender10 karma

But they won't be able to shop in our store more than once a day.

k-uke0 karma

But you mention 'medical' in your post. There must be criteria on medical grounds?

Also how do you see the future? Will you be producing / supplying different types of canabis? For instance in Amsterdam - although it's sold for recreation - there are different brands, even cakes etc!

Angrybudtender12 karma

We have over 50 unique strains of cannabis on our shelves and hundreds of infused products including edibles, pills, drinks and topical preparations.

northlamar4 karma

Colorado was one of the states that previously allowed the sale of medical marijuana. OP owns a medical marijuana business. Colorado has since passed legislation making recreation marijuana use legal. OP has just received his license from the state to sell for recreational purposes to anyone over the age of 21 with a valid ID.

Angrybudtender7 karma

Thanks for that. Seems my post is somewhat confusing to those not familiar with cannabis laws.

EighthHorcrux82 karma

[deleted]

Angrybudtender122 karma

I have been a patient since before medical cannabis was legal here. I have been making my own cannabis medicine for about 15 years now. I had a professional career in a corporate environment that, while sometimes challenging, was not making me happy. I was also a professional photographer on the side. About 6 years ago I decided to quit my corporate gig and grow cannabis/take photos full time. It was a huge leap and everyone thought I was crazy (left an amazing job running a great and successful company). Then the cannabis caregiving just basically took over. The demand has always completely outstripped my ability to grow our company.

EighthHorcrux31 karma

[deleted]

Angrybudtender26 karma

Thanks for the question!

SeedyROM2275 karma

When did the devil's lettuce first entrap you in her smoky green web?

Angrybudtender80 karma

A friend of mine and I found his mom's pipe and we took it to school. That was 4th grade. We smoked a bowl with matches and everything in a ditch on the school grounds (remember it like it was yesterday). Didn't get high, or get busted somehow.

GastroPilgrim47 karma

How can I manipulate my diaphragm in order to boof rips?

Angrybudtender30 karma

Breathe from your stomach not your chest cavity. Just like an opera singer. Not sure what I mean? See this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGx9Cr6jPHU that is all.

nittywame29 karma

Video length: 4:20. COINCIDENCE?

Angrybudtender21 karma

no way. serendipity achieved.

burstBBQ45 karma

How many people do you guys bust that are under 21? do you think more underage kids go for alcohol or weed?

Angrybudtender64 karma

Before today we sold to legal patients under 21. Things are changing though

Malizulu28 karma

Will medical patients under 21 still have access to cannabis from your venue?

Angrybudtender118 karma

Great question. This is one of the reasons we decided not to open today for retail sales. Lets just say we are working very hard at great personal expense to be able to serve patients under 21(due to regulations that require changes to the building etc). Some of our sickest patients are under 21 and we feel a responsibility to them.

Malizulu40 karma

I am glad you are taking that approach.

Best of luck to you. You're forging the paths of history. I'm proud to have been able to converse with you.

Angrybudtender52 karma

Thank you for saying that. It makes me feel good to know people actually care, because we really take it seriously.

burstBBQ2 karma

well, do you think more kids will try to buy booze or weed? just looking for a personal opinion.

Angrybudtender12 karma

I think kids have always bought cannabis and booze. I think this reform will lead to more informed decisions and education for both parents and children. Honestly, I am more concerned with negligent parents giving children access to drugs of all types. We however are very strict and follow the letter of the law, always.

TheTamrielTerror-41 karma

If you're not going to answer his question, why respond?

Angrybudtender27 karma

That is my answer. If you don't like it, sorry.

uh_no_36 karma

big difference between world's first and US's first.....

Angrybudtender75 karma

Yes there is, and we are the first group of legal state sanctioned stores anywhere, are we not?

MEAT_INCINERATOR-32 karma

Ask Amsterdam.

Angrybudtender30 karma

It's not legal in Amsterdam, just tolerated.

JustTrying2BAwesome7 karma

Not legal in Amsterdam. Just tolerated. It's like jaywalking

Angrybudtender19 karma

Call it what you will, its simply not legal there. The Dutch government has never told a business they can grow 3600-10,000 plants, like Colorado has told license holders here. All tracked with gov issued tags etc. It is not simply semantics.

eigenwert33 karma

Where do you get the marijuana from?

Angrybudtender66 karma

We grow it ourselves. We also have a licensed grow facility.

TheRealChizz22 karma

We grow it ourselves. We also have a licensed grow facility.

Is it difficult to grow marijuana?

Angrybudtender59 karma

To grow it, no. To grow a lot of it well, yes.

Evanescent_contrail14 karma

No.it is easy. Provided you have the right climate, it grows like a weed.

Angrybudtender25 karma

says the guy not growing weed professionally.

common_s3nse32 karma

Is there a real threat of you getting busted by the federal government??
Has any of the state laws or discussions for store owners addressed the federal government issue?

Angrybudtender58 karma

There is a threat if you don't follow one of the 8 major concerns the feds said they have regarding our little experiment. If you are interested, you can read the DOJ memo here http://www.docstoc.com/docs/160507622/DAGMemo8-29-13

The feds decided not to sue the states to stop legalization and instead are taking a hands off approach as long as we follow some logical (mostly) rules.

YoYoDingDongYo15 karma

What will you do if in 2016 someone gets elected president who says they'll prosecute?

Angrybudtender70 karma

I will make a judgement at that time based on the political environment and the potential outcomes. In other words if I can, I will fight it. I doubt any politician is willing to go up against one of the only issues in this country with bi-partisan agreement.

common_s3nse8 karma

Thanks for that link. I guess it can still be scary that at any time the federal government could start making examples and put legit business owners in jail for a long time.

I am surprised the state laws did not specifically contradict the federal government by protecting people in colorado from the federal government forcing a federal court and maybe even a supreme court challenge in the future.

Angrybudtender17 karma

The law actually did somewhat. The state acted in concert with the feds to determine in advance that they wouldn't arrest compliant business owners. Also the law required the state to petition the feds to reschedule cannabis. There are other protection mechanisms also, the feds once threatened our state regulators that they were conspiring to sell the weed, we have come a long way.

Gamernomics7 karma

Do you have insurance covering the criminal risk? Can you PM me the agency if so? I'd love to learn more about the underwriting environment.

If you don't have insurance on this, I'd recommend trying to get it. You may also want an opinion letter from a well positioned law firm to fall back on.

I'm finding the whole interplay between state and federal laws fascinating. What is the procedure if the status of your license is challenged (suspended/revoked) with respect to the cannabis in inventory that you possess?

Angrybudtender24 karma

There is no policy that covers criminal liability that I am aware of. By It's very nature, I assume such a policy would be illegal. Such a policy would conspire to remunerate someone in the event they were prosecuted and it is generally illegal to profit from your conviction. I assume we are tested regularly by federal agencies for compliance. If I was the DEA, I would just try to purchase illegally from us, and I'm sure they do. It is no accident that we are still open, I am a serious stickler for the rules.
If one's license is revoked, the inventory is destroyed, by the agency doing the revoking.

atechnicnate4 karma

This is much the same approach that was taken in Montana. However, they did raid a number of legally operating dispensaries and seize all their equipment and funds. Do you think there is anything place to prevent that from happening in Colorado?

Angrybudtender12 karma

Yes, Montana law was a complete POS. That is why that happened. Colorado law is specifically tailored around fed concerns.

thecoloriswhite29 karma

Do you think there is any potential for marijuana dispensaries to grow into larger, public companies or do you think they will continue to stay small, local stores?

Angrybudtender47 karma

There is absolutely that potential and we have felt the pressure of big money for a while in the industry. It will get even harder for small operators to survive now.

DIRTY_CRAPPED_BRIEFS29 karma

How's business been today?

Angrybudtender128 karma

I was waiting for this one. We actually decided not to start selling yet. This is a very complicated issue, but in short we didn't want to screw our medical patients so we are building the back end first, that way the patients who really need it will continue to have the meds they need.

bodiez22 karma

This is great. Best of luck to you. Keep doing what you're doing so people see the good side of this industry.

Angrybudtender16 karma

thanks!

diavloguero25 karma

What are the requirements to get your license? And what qualifies you to be a consultant?

Angrybudtender54 karma

The requirements are very extensive, in the hundreds of pages. Just too much to go into here. If you are interested, check out http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/Rev-MMJ/CBON/1251592984795 This is a start, but not all our regs. What qualifies me is also a large question. In short, I am a professional cannabis horticulturalist, familiar with all cultivation methods. I build solutions for any technique (soil, soil-less,hydroponic,aeroponic etc). I build closed loop hydrocarbon extraction equipment myself and have extensive experience (15+ years) making water and solvent based extractions. I have created and developed over 30 unique cannabis infused products. I have a mastery of cannabis law and cannabis specific regulation that I have gained through navigating one of the first cannabis businesses, through to legalization. There is more, but I'm not trying to brag.

iaccidentlytheworld26 karma

What's your favorite method of getting high?

Angrybudtender94 karma

Such a good question. I love to drink medicated hot tea. I make all kinds of tea blends with medicated sugar. I would be happy to tell you how to make it later if you want.

grassologist10 karma

that sounds amazing. I wish there was a cannabis recipe site / book. How to make different edibles using weed.

Angrybudtender14 karma

there is.

saraken25 karma

Colorado here - what were your start up costs? How long until you were in the black? Are you happy with your decision to leave your corporate job and would you do it again?

Angrybudtender69 karma

Hi Colorado, Wow, that is a large question. The "start up" is still happening over 4 years later. The industry is fluid and extremely expensive. My wife and I started the business with less than $75k (everything we owned at the time, and a bit more in the form of friends and family loans). Since, we have put basically everything back in. We didn't really get on payroll officially until about this time last year. I'm sure we have put over a million in by now (don't have actual figures with me at the moment and I try not to think about it to be honest lol). I am generally happy but there is a little joke in the industry that goes something like, "friends don't let friends buy/start a dispensary". It is the most highly regulated and taxed industry in the world. It is highly brain damaging. I could go on all day about the endless facets of compliance and how we get screwed at every turn. I also get to help a lot of people improve their quality of life, and when I see a patient walking after being wheelchair bound (among countless other similar stories) because I helped them feel better, it makes everything worth while.

Volpius21 karma

What are some of the more ridiculous regulatory and taxation issues you have to deal with?

Angrybudtender64 karma

I don't even know where to start on this one. We can't write off expenses like other businesses do. Up to this point, we pay 30% on gross sales. We have to put a tamper proof tracking tag on a package to take it from one room in our facility to another, then put a different one on when it gets there (all on camera). The regulations for handling heroin is far less stringent for that of cannabis. I could literally go on all day on this one, but it hurts my brain, so i'll stop now.

Volpius14 karma

Wow that's ridiculous. All that for something you're selling for recreational use??? Hopefully that will change when the novelty wears off.

Angrybudtender34 karma

Actually that was all for medical. It appears that the IRS is going to allow a few more deductions ironically for recreational (and medical moving forward). One more thing I forgot to mention is that we can't have a bank account. That is also expected to change very soon.

saraken35 karma

You better buy a bigger mattress.

Angrybudtender23 karma

I hope so. So far we have chosen to employ more people and pay ourselves only slightly more than our highest paid employees. We would like to keep it that way, so for me personally, it might take a while to get there.

entlemansuitor8 karma

You say you dont have a bank. Does your store accept cash only or do you take debit/credit card payments as well? Did all your start up money come out of pocket or was/is a loan possible?

Angrybudtender12 karma

Cash only. We have a cashless ATM. Startup was mostly out of pocket and was everything we owned (plus some family only loans)

Angrybudtender13 karma

sweet. (fires up)

CapAnson17 karma

I've heard there's some limits placed on how much you can get.. and depending on whether you live out of state or not.. do you think those limits will disappear once the tax money starts rolling in?

Angrybudtender20 karma

Not for quite a while. The surrounding states would really need to legalize for that to change.

drunk9816 karma

Who made the better law in your opinion, WA. or CO. & why?

Angrybudtender23 karma

They are similar in many ways (which makes sense because in large part they were drafted by the same people). There are aspects of Colorado law that I prefer, for example it addresses more details of medical marijuana regulation along side retail regs. There are other things I prefer with WA. One might seem counter intuitive to some and piss some people off, that WA doesn't allow home grows. I think recreational home grows lead to diversion and will cause problems with the feds. There is a reason bootlegging is illegal, we have been down that road before.

Floundercakes16 karma

How come I freak out when I smoke?

Angrybudtender36 karma

How old are you? Be honest, this will help me answer the question.

Floundercakes14 karma

21 but I only smoked a few times. I just get like dizzy and paranoid and like I guess hallucinate a bit.

Angrybudtender36 karma

If you are over 21 it is likely just a bit too much, or is the wrong cannabinoid profile for your brain chemistry. Try taking one hit only (i know it's hard) and make it indica. I think you will have a better experience.

NickBurnsCCG11 karma

Same thing here. 32 y.o. Smoked like crazy before but now I get panic attacks. I know your not a doc but only Harlequin doesn't give me panic attacks. Would love your input as you seem to be an extremely intelligent person.

Angrybudtender7 karma

How often do you ingest cannabis and does that only happen when you smoke it?

HellaFella42014 karma

How stringent is the "seed to user" paperwork? I understand that CO is interested in tracking production so they are able to levy taxes on all the Recreational sales and prevent "black market diversion." Is there any legal framework for the distribution/marketing of imported (out of state produced) marijuana? We, here in Humboldt are very closely watching your social experiment as it unfolds... there are some strong proponents here for a Humboldt "branding" (think of Napa Valley as for wine..) of our product for market exposure/penetration. How do you envision that playing out for the overall future of retail sales. And in that same thought, what do we need to do to have "AOC's" enacted for some of our "heritage" production areas?

Angrybudtender19 karma

Wow, great question. I love that you are thinking about an AOC for Humboldt and any self respecting cannabis grower should be proud of the contribution tri county has made to cannabis development and anxiously await that AOC designation to preserve those contributions. I would say it is the Mecca of cannabis, but my loyalty to my state will not allow it. Unfortunately it will be a while for those dreams to become a reality. There is an enormous legal framework to be built before that is possible. First, CA needs to legalize recreational use. Everything that follows would take me a few hours to write. I would love to expand on this question. Maybe I'll come back to this one.

RagingNerdaholic14 karma

I read an article a little while ago about how Washington's legalization laws included provisions for extremely restrictive and unscientific thresholds of THC to constitute a DUI (ie: levels could exceed the limit many hours after any effects would have worn off). Medical users were pissed because because it effectively relegates them to be in constant pain or in constant fear of being charged with a bullshit DUI. How does law in Colorado compare?

Angrybudtender23 karma

Similar. There is a 5ng limit and an individual is subject to a forced blood draw to determine that threshold. It is unscientific and an affront to the constitution. On the other side of the coin, I don't personally know anyone who has been prosecuted for that (and basically everyone I know ingests cannabis, including my mom).

3AlarmLampscooter13 karma

A few questions:

  1. How exactly do you verify IDs? Will you be recording customer info off of them and turning that over to some agency?

  2. How will labeling/testing go as far as THC content... CBD content, etc?

  3. Will you be selling bottles of Advil at the register?

Angrybudtender19 karma

1.We will verify IDs the same way a liquor store does. We will likely use a scanning device and will record the information for tracking purposes internally through an encrypted and secure server (HIPAA compliant secure server), That information is used to prevent a person from purchasing beyond the daily limit and to provide proof to any law enforcement agency that all sales were legal. There is no list tracking your purchases though that any agency has access to.
2. The state is also licensing testing agencies and we will be required to test or slap a statement that says its not tested on the product. 3. I am aware of the story and no. It is interesting, however we make no specific medical claims and have no interest in advancing any specific treatment agenda without further study.

3AlarmLampscooter7 karma

Good answers!

And I'll throw my personal recommendation behind Advil+Weed, having tested it... very scientifically ;-D

Angrybudtender8 karma

nice!

the_brains12 karma

In your personal opinion, do you feel that marijuana is a gateway drug ?

Angrybudtender69 karma

No I do not. Spinning in a circle when you are 2-3 and you become aware that your consciousnesses can be altered, that is the gateway to drugs. Everything else is just a drug and cannabis is one of the safest, most productive drugs.

maxcatmoki11 karma

How much, if any, concentrate can an out of state person purchase? Vwax or oil ECT..

Angrybudtender14 karma

7 grams.

ThatGymRat10 karma

Is your shop name a witty pun?

Angrybudtender14 karma

hehe no. It is actually a pretty tame and non descriptive throw back to a time when we didn't want to stand out and wanted to be respectful. We are actually in the process of re-branding (still not a witty pun, just a more dynamic name)

diavloguero10 karma

So how do you procure your product? Can anyone get a license to grow and become your supplier or do you also have a license to grow it?

Angrybudtender11 karma

Anyone with an existing medical cannabis business can apply for a licensed grow facility. We do have our own and grow most of our own product. We will purchase infused products, topicals etc, to sell to give our customers options.

iaccidentlytheworld5 karma

Do you soil grow or are you strictly hydroponic?

Angrybudtender8 karma

We are mostly "soilless" at this point (we mix our own soil blend). Its a proprietary mix that includes peat coco and some other stuff.

syqkli9 karma

Do you sell only buds/flowers or do you sell concentrates, wax, pipes/bongs, edibles, etc?

Angrybudtender12 karma

All of the above.

Mhblair279 karma

Do you think we will see a change in federal policy concerning mj before the end of the Obama presidency?

Angrybudtender17 karma

The policy has changed, which is why we are being allowed to operate. More specifically, the scheduling of cannabis is a much more complicated matter. The policy has changed several times depending on what detail you are referring to, but I do expect even more change yes.

JayVells9 karma

What was the most difficult step in making this happen?

Angrybudtender17 karma

Trying not to work too much. There have been too many 20+ hour days and 100+ hour weeks to count in the last 4-5 years.

Sanity_in_Moderation59 karma

Typical pothead. Always working way too hard and focusing only on the job at hand.

Angrybudtender32 karma

Story of my life. They said I would never amount to anything and asked, "where is smoking weed all day gonna get you?".

slimdoggie28 karma

How much money is in the legal pot-farming business?

Angrybudtender11 karma

It is a multi billion dollar industry.

JangoCrutch8 karma

Are you a smoker yourself?

Angrybudtender85 karma

i am an ent

LaszloSzalinski8 karma

Any idea how much per gram?

Angrybudtender16 karma

Just depends on what store. Basically in the $10-25 range at the moment

dk11238 karma

If I wanted to start a low cost of entry business in the industry, what would you recommend?

Angrybudtender57 karma

I would recommend starting a satellite business that does not involve actual cannabis. Possibly, a nutrient, organic pesticide formulation, or maybe concentrate accessories. Sell the miners the shovels.

enferex7 karma

When somebody buys from your establishment. What details are retained and or sent to the local or federal governments?

Angrybudtender13 karma

Only the amount they purchased, along with all the other purchases, to track the weight. No personal info

saraken7 karma

I think Angrybudtender is a little busy right now.....

Angrybudtender9 karma

lol, yea

RichardCrapper7 karma

Do you worry that there might be a "green rush" in the state which will saturate the market for a while until the supply and demand curves settle into equilibrium?

I have some friends (all college educated) who are seriously considering starting up a commercial cannabis production facility in Colorado (after October 2014 as you need a retail store until then). I assume many people are thinking the same thing. I'd love to get involved in the cannabis market as you have, but I fear market saturation well make it very hard to produce profit.

Angrybudtender18 karma

That has already occurred to some extend and retracted. Only about 40% of all cannabis business that have opened still operate because of market forces and attrition. At the moment we can't get close to keeping up with demand and also, it is much more difficult than people think. It will take new people years to get where we are. I am hoping to take a step back and focus on other things by the time those issues really effect us.

Acanthas7 karma

Are you aware that the Feds hold a patent on the use of cannabinoids?
US Patent #6630507

Kannalife has been granted a piece of this patent as detailed here: Cannabinoid Patent Exclusivity Only Applies To One Condition http://www.tokeofthetown.com/2011/12/cannabinoid_patent_exclusivity_only_applies_to_one.php

There are over 20 patents related to Cannabis. A site that had a list has been removed, and right now I can't find another, but they do exist and I have a copy (can post if interested). Do you think these patents will prevent regular people from using Cannabinoids for health purposes?

Angrybudtender7 karma

I am aware of that and I'm not concerned at the moment. The more entrenched our industry gets, the harder it will be to exercise those patents.

Pres10Reddit6 karma

What advice do you have for someone looking to get a job or career in legal marijuana?

Angrybudtender5 karma

Make an impression on the company you want to work for. Don't be just another resume in the pile, unless your specific set of qualifications is outstanding (which is rare and subjective). Don't be unrealistic about what you will earn. Most of us are just trying to survive and are not making much money.

lice_in_hair6 karma

Can the Feds come in at any given time to take all your bud, money, supplies and shut down your store? Have you ever seen the Feds watching you?

Angrybudtender11 karma

Technically they could, yes. I don't pay attention, I just follow the law and make sure my employees do too.

bertz19876 karma

How much do you blaze up?

Angrybudtender6 karma

a lot.

kevlarbomb5 karma

Do you think it's safe from a personal safety standpoint for your employees or owners to work the retail aspect of the business?

What kind of security safeguards are in place like working behind plexiglass, having a locked storeroom and having cameras everywhere?

Angrybudtender7 karma

There is some risk, as with any high profile retail, but we take every precaution we can. All of our employees are very aware of the possible risks. There are cameras everywhere and everyone that comes into the building goes though an intake process. There is a reinforced barrier with a bullet resistant bank teller style window to pass documents into before being let in the door, among many other things.

brennanx15 karma

How do you deal with people buying marijuana for people under the age of 21?

What about fake IDs?

Thank you.

Angrybudtender14 karma

We just refuse to serve them. We have confiscated a few, but that is pretty rare. People are somewhat more afraid to perpetrate that fraud with cannabis than they are with booze apparently.

IrishMerica4 karma

How long do you give it before somebody decides to create a name brand grow company and sell pre-packaged joints (much like cigarettes) on a large scale?

Angrybudtender12 karma

Its not possible with the current regulations.

CafeNervosa4 karma

What are the laws regarding smoking in public? I suppose there aren't really tests they can run like a breathalyzer for alcohol. Will there be designated areas to use marijuana like bars?

Angrybudtender9 karma

Smoking in public is not allowed and is subject to fines and civil penalties. Public is defined as public property, I can smoke a joint on my front lawn. Private clubs can allow smoking for private but not pubic access parties.

Tomek14 karma

How long is the line outside your store today?

Angrybudtender8 karma

Surprisingly few people have addressed this. We actually opted not to start selling yet. It is a complicated issue, but we would have to take inventory from our medical patients to serve the general public. We are just not willing to do that. So while it is extremely disappointing and anti-climactic, it is best for our patients and our business long term.

rustjungle4 karma

How do you feel about concentrates? Specifically BHO wax? What percentage of your sales consist of wax or shatter, assuming you carry it? Has it driven down traditional sales?

Angrybudtender12 karma

I was very hesitant to accept BHO, mostly out of ignorance. Well made BHO is a great and safe product and I love it. Concentrates represent about 10% of sales (additional sales, not replacement sales). I have made water hash for 15 years and love it, but I now have a great appreciation for other methods and in more recent years have become a solvent based hash maker as well. I actually manufacture BHO manufacturing equipment also and I'm working with regulators to create one of the first fully sanctioned closed loop extractors.

rustjungle5 karma

I hope your products take off, and that the rest of country follows Colorado's lead. That's more of a noble effort than you may think. I don't live in a progressive state so very rarely is BHO well made. When it is, it's great, but the market consists mainly of bathtub gin style wax and I worry about what people are putting in their bodies. Thanks for doing this AMA by the way.

Angrybudtender6 karma

Thanks for the genuine interest and concern. People like you are what will ensure that safe products do become more available both by being a demanding consumer and by having knowledge to drive progress and improvement (or by being the person that makes it).

John_waters_son4 karma

In your opinion, what does the timeline look like to have retail marijuana on a larger scale than just Co and Wa? Who will be next to adopt, and will it ever be nationally legalized?

Angrybudtender10 karma

Good question. Several states are working on legalization language currently and I would expect at least one or two to follow suit in the next two election cycles. Each state that implements successfully will grease the wheels for the low hanging fruit. We already wrote the basis for nation wide best practices and regs here, everything after will be a version of ours (good or bad). Nationally, it will likely become rescheduled and left up to states to regulate. I don't think it will be subject to FDA regs, but will be subject to federal licensing. They want another piece.

eamantite4 karma

Are you at a [69420] right now?

Angrybudtender12 karma

LMFAO! Actually about a 3. Stress. (literally lights a joint) And without this AMA to distract me I would be up to my eyeballs in work.

grungebitch3 karma

What is the best strain in your shop?

Congrats, by the way!

Angrybudtender8 karma

Thanks! It is so hard to say. Each one is like my child and has it's own attributes that make it unique. I really want to answer with one, I. Just. Can't. I'll say AK48 (Pre-2000), Indica dominant, very medicinal, appitite stimulating and the first strain I ever grew commercially so it holds a special place in my heart. Hanis, Bred by a friend of mine and one of the best growers/breeders/people I know "Tierra Rojo", and probably Golden Goat, our cut is just so good, chunky and terpene rich, I love it.

brotherjonathan3 karma

What is the scene now with "too many customers"?.

Angrybudtender6 karma

I just mean our biggest problem is untapped demand.

bishopazrael3 karma

Do you guys sell seeds as well?

Angrybudtender10 karma

Not at the moment, but we do breed our own strains. I have discussed it with the Dept. of Ag and When we are ready, we will.

charliebrowntown3 karma

What is your take on marijuana vending machines? http://www.autospense.com/ I am currently invested in the company that provides that machine (Endexx Corp.) and it seems like a good way to increase sales considering transaction times will be decreased significantly. What is your opinion on them? Do you think they will be worth the investment for a dispensary (3,000 a month to lease)?

Angrybudtender16 karma

Sorry to tell you this, but I think they are a joke. They are waaaay too expensive. On another note, I am proud to employ people and for $3k a month, I could support at least one if not two employees and their families. The vending machine mentality is destroying society and devaluing human interaction.

pogiepelton2 karma

What is going to happen once all this pioneering and development of the industry makes its way to big tobbacco companies? I am sure they have a plan in the works to grow and sell marijuana themselves, just like their cigarettes, but lace it with addictive chemicals and carcinogens.

Angrybudtender14 karma

That is just a myth. That will never happen.

pogiepelton-1 karma

With no loss of respect, I disagree. Drug dealers are known to lace different drugs into their marijuana, charge more and people buy it. I think if we look at the situation in 5 years we will see this trend. It's a shame but where there is money to be made Capitalism takes control, by then you will be a billionaire so I wouldn't worry too much, but I think the future of the industry lies in the same path as big tobacco. Happy New Year! And great success in your endeavor!

Angrybudtender8 karma

I respect your opinion, but this industry isn't that new. There could have already been these things happening but they are not. Cannabis customers are not like other customers. There is an inherent mistrust of pharma and tobacco associated with purchasing cannabis and it shows every day in basically every transaction we have. There is plenty of money to be made with unadulterated cannabis. I could see big tobacco getting into it because they already have the infrastructure for industrial scale cannabis production, but not adding adulterants. The testing protocol required by our regulations is evidence of that. We have to list everything used in the production of our weed on every label. This is nothing like tobacco

cicalino2 karma

[deleted]

Angrybudtender3 karma

Yes many products exist for exactly those type of pain issues. Discuss what your syptoms are with the person behind the counter and they will be able to point you in the right direction.

Limehouse612 karma

I'm curious, is there formal and scientific documentation on the study of cannabis farming/agriculture? Or is that knowledge transferred orally?

Angrybudtender3 karma

Orally, scientific and pseudo scientific (icmag.com etc).

DIRTYASS_PANTS_MEAT2 karma

Do you think the price per ounce will eventually be reduced through competition?

How long does an ounce last the average person?

Also Sativa or Indica?

Angrybudtender4 karma

Eventually yes. About a month. Indica.

s_grimey2 karma

You hiring?

Angrybudtender4 karma

:) as mentioned before, yes, however we often get a couple hundred applicants for each position, so are you good?

I_Eat_Face2 karma

Will I be able to go into medical marijuana stores that have already been open to purchase marijuana if I'm 21 but don't have a medical card?

Angrybudtender2 karma

No, only the businesses that have been granted an additional "retail" license. So far there are about 180 applicants and 80-90 completed licenses.

dfio38902 karma

Do you label your marijuana with the ratio of THC and CBD? If so, is your store going to sell any high CBD ratio strains?

Angrybudtender4 karma

We do not label them, but are aware of the cannabinoid profiles of each strain. There are no testing standards here yet, so we will wait until we feel confident that we are giving our patients/customers good data. We also breed our own strains and trade extensively with other growers. We do and will continue to sell high CBD strains.

GISP1 karma

Im sure you meen US first?

Angrybudtender1 karma

No, I mean first. See previous answers.

Santaclause1440 karma

Are you hiring? :-P

Angrybudtender1 karma

Yes, but we sometimes get hundreds of applications for a single position.

thecanadianswede-2 karma

Colorado is the world now? World first eh

Angrybudtender2 karma

lol, yes. Look around. See any other weed stores with a law enforcement agency's seal required on each weed package?

Rockery-13 karma

le cringe. lel.

Angrybudtender3 karma

le wha?