[panred]

This question is for dispensary owners. Why do you employ so many workers who are clueless about the product they are selling? I'm a long-time grower and patient and based on a series of questions I ask your employees, it's clear to me that about half of them know little about medical marijuana. I overhear a lot of conversations and advice in clubs, and the amount of misinformation I hear being thrown around blows my mind. I know more about the subject than most, and I don't expect everybody to know everything, but misinformation is dangerous and unfortunate. Covering the basics should be mandatory and if the worker doesn't know the basics, they should not be selling mmj.

[CannaConnoisseur]

I completely agree and think you hit the nail on the head. I find it particularly frustrating when dispensary employees are especially ignorant about the products they're selling.

[Green Gardner]

I agree that it's very frustrating to not have an informed staff when you go to do business somewhere. I heard that there is a new staffing agency that places experienced marijuana experts exclusively to clinics and dispensaries. Their goal is to have informed bud tenders that can answer any questions and feel confident they know what they're talking about. Also with all the new classes, courses and universities geared toward the medical marijuana field this problem may soon be a thing of the past.

[panred]

Green Gardner, on 07 March 2011 - 09:41 PM, said:

I agree that it's very frustrating to not have an informed staff when you go to do business somewhere. I heard that there is a new staffing agency that places experienced marijuana experts exclusively to clinics and dispensaries. Their goal is to have informed bud tenders that can answer any questions and feel confident they know what they're talking about. Also with all the new classes, courses and universities geared toward the medical marijuana field this problem may soon be a thing of the past.

That sounds like a great idea. I always get the impression that most employees of clubs are buddies or family and that they have scored their "dream job." Some clubs are better than others in this respect, but the notion that they are there to treat the ill seems foreign to many of them. I've applied for jobs at a few dispensaries, never discussed a salary, and got laughed out the door. I've been helping sick, low-income patients for five years. The attitude of some of these employees kills me because I'm certain I have more knowledge in the dirt under my nails than they have picked up flipping through last month's High Times.

[a420chick]

I agree that proper product knowledge is essential if a sales representative hopes to have any real success at what it is they are supposed to be doing, which is directly related to the future success of the business they are representing. Without that product knowledge, how does a sales rep hope to sell? They cant...
That being said, I think its important to keep in mind two things:
1) Its WEED!! Its not that complicated!
2) How MMJ dispensing collectives, dispensaries, and cooperatives are regulated both at the state and local level.
The people your speaking so critically of are not pharmacists or physicians and are not responsible for anything more then making the medication available to the patients who seek it in a manner consistent with the laws outlined in California's Proposition 215, Senate Bill 420 and the Attorney Generals guidelines.
I am curious as to what the "series of questions" is that you ask dispensary employees that makes it so clear to you that exactly 50% of them know little about medical marijuana. (your standard rate of knowledge is being measured by who and how?) What is it they are misinforming other patients about that would be considered "dangerous" ? I mean MMJ in itself isn't dangerous, that's the MAIN supporting argument for the reform of cannabis laws and acceptance of cannabis as a safe alternative to pharmaceutical narcotics.
I think there is one thing worse then misinformation and that would be thinking you know more then you actually do and ADVERTIZING YOUR IGNORANCE IN SUCH A PUBLIC FORUM DEDICATED TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA INFORMATION.

panred, on 05 March 2011 - 09:33 PM, said:

This question is for dispensary owners. Why do you employ so many workers who are clueless about the product they are selling? I'm a long-time grower and patient and based on a series of questions I ask your employees, it's clear to me that about half of them know little about medical marijuana. I overhear a lot of conversations and advice in clubs, and the amount of misinformation I hear being thrown around blows my mind. I know more about the subject than most, and I don't expect everybody to know everything, but misinformation is dangerous and unfortunate. Covering the basics should be mandatory and if the worker doesn't know the basics, they should not be selling mmj.

[a420chick]

I think its important to not forget, that despite the passing of Prop 215 and the adoption of SB 420 in California and subsequent other states, that the cultivation, possession, consumption, and distribution of marijuana is 100% illegal. The charge is Federal Drug Trafficking of a Schedule 1 drug and the punishment for a first time offender in possession of 1 to 1000 plants is 5 years to LIFE in state prison and $250,000.00 to not more then $10 MILLION DOLLOARS in fines. All that doubles with a second offence. Sentencing doubles for those who are not simply individuals in violation but double if your anything other then an individual (such as a dispensary, or grow operation) Anyone with TRUE knowledge of the laws and risks associated with working for or in partnership with ANY MMJ Industry business would understand why only family and close friends would be willing to put their ass on the line like that. Most peoples idea of a "dream job" doesn't generally include a possible life sentence in prison as a benefit to their employment.
Also, let me point out that in NO WAY what so ever is a dispensary or its member-employees "there to TREAT the ILL"!! If you were as knowledgeable as you claim to be, you would be familiar with the content of Senate Bill 420 which outlines the rights of patients to come together in a cooperative manner to collectively grow their medicine and safely dispense it amongst the members of the cooperative in a manner that ensures the safety of patients and the none diversion of medication to none patients. These are nonprofit organizations and do not have "owners" but rather a board of trustees as required by the laws governing nonprofit organizations in California.
I think its great that you have been doing your part to help sick, low income patients for the last five years! What do you help them do? Sounds to me like you should organize a collective yourself in your area. Sounds like you have the members already...All you need now is some of that dirt you keep under your nails to lead the way! That sounds like a great idea. I always get the impression that most employees of clubs are buddies or family and that they have scored their "dream job." Some clubs are better than others in this respect, but the notion that they are there to treat the ill seems foreign to many of them. I've applied for jobs at a few dispensaries, never discussed a salary, and got laughed out the door. I've been helping sick, low-income patients for five years. The attitude of some of these employees kills me because I'm certain I have more knowledge in the dirt under my nails than they have picked up flipping through last month's High Times.
[/quote]

[a420chick]

Ive been a medical marijuana patient for many years and Ive been a member of at least a 100 different dispensaries from South Orange County all the way up to the most northern location in California and I can safely say I have yet to meet a fellow MMJ patient (which they ALL are) that spends that much time dedicated to marijuana and this industry (above personal use )that is truly "ignorant about the products they are selling" . Lets not reinvent the wheel here people...its weed...not rocket science! What kind of information are you expecting to receive when your choosing your medication? What do you think their "job" is? A Budtender job is NOT to educate anyone on medical marijuana strains or THC contents...They are not physicians responsible for your medical care...they are not pharmacists...they are not attorney's or even patient advocates. They are simply patients and club members like you and me...They are willing to risk their lives in order to make sure you have a safe place to pick up your meds. You could always do what Prop 215 dictates...Grow your own weed in the privacy of your own home and stop inflicting yourself on those who are currently doing it for you. I hope you realize your talking shit on people you don't know, who essentially are willing to take a HUGE fall for YOU and every other member of the collective. Id say be grateful you don't have to supply yourselves with your own medication...its not easy...its not basic knowledge...and the costs of time and money are extremely high. You could always do what I did...become an expert on the subject and become a professional Consultant and get paid to train these people rather then talk shit for free...

CannaConnoisseur, on 06 March 2011 - 02:13 AM, said:

I completely agree and think you hit the nail on the head. I find it particularly frustrating when dispensary employees are especially ignorant about the products they're selling.

[panred]

I stand corrected. You are the "expert" who gets "gets paid to train these people." I thought the attitude sounded familiar. I posed a question and got a response, so thank you.

[a420chick]

Your funny...I like your imaginative use of quotation marks. As if by surrounding a word or phrase with them suddenly gives your words merit. I especially like when you say, "Your the "expert" who gets "gets paid to train these people"" Your stating this in a manner that would indicate I'm in some way responsible for the ignorance you experienced when you visited what ever dispensaries you visited. What makes this even more interesting is that I never indicated I am paid to train bartenders or dispensary workers...Although you are on to something there...I would love to get paid to train dispense workers...If you know anyone who is looking for just that sort of consultant please let me know!
As for your comment "I thought the attitude sounded familiar"....What attitude are you referring to? Is it anything like the one expressed in your comment?
Look...we all need to put the hate aside and band together to create some much needed change. We ALL have a common bond that needs to be exploited so that new opportunities are not lost on us all...Peace, love, and Cannabis reform...

panred, on 10 March 2011 - 11:59 AM, said:

I stand corrected. You are the "expert" who gets "gets paid to train these people." I thought the attitude sounded familiar. I posed a question and got a response, so thank you.

[a420chick]

I see where the "gets paid to train these people" thing started...lol...Its hard to express verbal connotations when posting to these things...I was trying to suggest that you should put your knowledge of the product to good use by getting paid to train these people. I mean if your passionate about the quality of service patients receive then what better way to make a living then by spreading what you already know to others that SHOULD/want to know. I don't get paid to train anyone...but training has to be done by someone right? I'm an expert on the bureaucracy of Prop 215 and SB 420 as well as Federal and State employment laws...I can not say I'm an expert on growing cannabis or on the many crazy strains that are out there...

panred, on 10 March 2011 - 11:59 AM, said:

I stand corrected. You are the "expert" who gets "gets paid to train these people." I thought the attitude sounded familiar. I posed a question and got a response, so thank you.

[panred]

I agree and many years of higher ed have taught me the correct use of quotation marks. I typicallly use them to "quote" the words of another. Quotation marks used in the manner you described is a common grammatical error. Anyhu, I do know a few things about growing--dead plants are a great indicator of what not to do. It sounds as though you are well versed regarding mmj law so let's "band together" because I have no "hate to put aside."

[a420chick]

I agree! With your knowledge and experience in cultivation and my knowledge and experience with MMJ law and compliance we could essentially create a niche that I have not seen explored...YET. Id at least like your opinion regarding this genius idea of mine...I have not had an opportunity to share my idea with someone possessing a relevant skill set, knowledge base and shared interest.

panred, on 11 March 2011 - 11:33 AM, said:

I agree and many years of higher ed have taught me the correct use of quotation marks. I typicallly use them to "quote" the words of another. Quotation marks used in the manner you described is a common grammatical error. Anyhu, I do know a few things about growing--dead plants are a great indicator of what not to do. It sounds as though you are well versed regarding mmj law so let's "band together" because I have no "hate to put aside."

[panred]

Your idea is genius but I'm going to go ahead and take the credit for the concept of creating a co-op or dispensary that truly understands all aspects of mmj. I came up with the idea about eight years ago. I don't remember the exact date but I'm fairly certain it came to me the day I walked into my first dispensary, or perhaps it was the day after that--the day I started growing. I thought about it eight years ago, but since then, as dispensaries have popped up on every other Sacramento street corner, the concept and notion has transformed due to my occasional dealings with many of these dispensaries. Whether it was the purchasing of particular clones or a fancy new strain, or negotiating prices of my harvest, it became abundantly clear to me that many of the folks I was dealing with had little interest in anything other than making money. Today, there are a lot of Sacramento clubs offering an array of services to their clients, but....oh forget it, let's just open our club and do what the folks back in '96 had in mind.

[a420chick]

lol...That wasn't the idea I was re-furring to silly...(but I do have idea's where that is concerned as well) My idea (which I will give more details on in a private message so that no one steals my idea) would facilitate high quality medications in house, eliminating the need to go to the dispensaries at all. Again I'm purposely being vague...I will send you a private message...with more details...

panred, on 11 March 2011 - 01:40 PM, said:

Your idea is genius but I'm going to go ahead and take the credit for the concept of creating a co-op or dispensary that truly understands all aspects of mmj. I came up with the idea about eight years ago. I don't remember the exact date but I'm fairly certain it came to me the day I walked into my first dispensary, or perhaps it was the day after that--the day I started growing. I thought about it eight years ago, but since then, as dispensaries have popped up on every other Sacramento street corner, the concept and notion has transformed due to my occasional dealings with many of these dispensaries. Whether it was the purchasing of particular clones or a fancy new strain, or negotiating prices of my harvest, it became abundantly clear to me that many of the folks I was dealing with had little interest in anything other than making money. Today, there are a lot of Sacramento clubs offering an array of services to their clients, but....oh forget it, let's just open our club and do what the folks back in '96 had in mind.

[PhilosopherOG]

I have experienced this disparity. It resulted in me getting the completely wrong type of flower which made me sleepy and groggy. I had requested something without a serious narcotic effect but they gave me something completely overwhelming nonetheless.

[panred]

PhilosopherOG, on 11 March 2011 - 07:05 PM, said:

I have experienced this disparity. It resulted in me getting the completely wrong type of flower which made me sleepy and groggy. I had requested something without a serious narcotic effect but they gave me something completely overwhelming nonetheless.

If I was truly looking for something that didn't make me tired, I would ask them for a pure Sativa, I would inspect it, then look up the sample in a book to verify it's what they said it was. I've purchased strains labeled one thing and found out by smoking it, looking it up, and showing it to others that there was no way it was what they said it was. I've also been told at a dispensary that all Kush's are Sativas, and that trichomes are tichomes. No matter how many times I corrected him, he insisted they were tichomes. But I've been told, as you might see above, that those discussing tichomes are taking a huge risk for me (sorry Kirsten, couldn't help myself) Bottom line-read some reviews or go by word of mouth and find a club you feel good about

[a420chick]

Now, now...lets not confuse my meaning...I was offering a theory on why perhaps the attendants working in dispensaries were maybe not the "cream of the crop" so to speak. The more knowledgeable they are about this industry the less ignorant they can be regarding the risks associated with openly violating Federal Drug Laws. I mean...you cant possibly disagree with me regarding the direct threat of Federal DEA agents as well as possible local law enforcement raids. I can direct reference several recent busts if you need me too...and like I said in a previous post, the penalties double when your NOT simply an individual. I mean, I would rather make my mark in this industry as untouchable as a ghost.

panred, on 11 March 2011 - 07:50 PM, said:

If I was truly looking for something that didn't make me tired, I would ask them for a pure Sativa, I would inspect it, then look up the sample in a book to verify it's what they said it was. I've purchased strains labeled one thing and found out by smoking it, looking it up, and showing it to others that there was no way it was what they said it was. I've also been told at a dispensary that all Kush's are Sativas, and that trichomes are tichomes. No matter how many times I corrected him, he insisted they were tichomes. But I've been told, as you might see above, that those discussing tichomes are taking a huge risk for me (sorry Kirsten, couldn't help myself) Bottom line-read some reviews or go by word of mouth and find a club you feel good about

[panred]

a420chick, on 12 March 2011 - 02:39 AM, said:

Now, now...lets not confuse my meaning...I was offering a theory on why perhaps the attendants working in dispensaries were maybe not the "cream of the crop" so to speak. The more knowledgeable they are about this industry the less ignorant they can be regarding the risks associated with openly violating Federal Drug Laws. I mean...you cant possibly disagree with me regarding the direct threat of Federal DEA agents as well as possible local law enforcement raids. I can direct reference several recent busts if you need me too...and like I said in a previous post, the penalties double when your NOT simply an individual. I mean, I would rather make my mark in this industry as untouchable as a ghost.

I suppose my compass of empathy is off balance because I've had to deal with law enforcement numerous times because I can't help that my plants grow taller than fences and that come harvest, my 'hood smells like the inside of my nug jar. I'm well aware of recent raids. In Sac, a few weeks back some clubs got raided and shut down because of their book keeping methods. I know the law comes down on these people all the time. Here's what I know for a fact. Those who operate outside the law, and there are a lot of them, deserve what they get. Back in the day, I could have 6 plants. The thought of more sounded great, but I knew that six were enough for me and that more would only cause me trouble. Friends I have in prison always pushed the envelope, not for patients but for money. My seventh plant would have been for money. I'm currently not dealing with a grow which I sunk a lot of money in, because I'm no longer confident in the legality of it. At this point, we should be advocating for the early warriors who are rotting in prison because they simply had the nuts to grow for the sick. There are some straight up shady players in this game who want to disapear a rich ghost.

[a420chick]

That's so awesome! somewhere on this site (or it could have been another one...I forget lol) I was just talking bout this...crooked companies all over not just medical marijuana etc etc. and if ANY business felt they were above the laws the rest of us try to follow then fuck um! I have a blog on California's Underground Economy...this is another topic I'm very passionate about...mostly cuz I like strippers and they suffer horribly at the hands of the club owners. Don't get me started! lol. There are greedy people in business...Medical marijuana is still a business...$40 billion dollar a year industry...Pretty damn good business. I know I want my chunk...nothing wrong with that. Its called the American Dream...I aim to have it, but not at the cost of my morals or my freedoms. If we all did this the right way (yes it can be a struggle) the road we paved would be much smoother for those traveling behind us...Every time some dip shit decides they don't have to obied by a law or regulation they make it easier for the haters out there to shut down legitimate medical cannabis operations that ARE for the patients...not the pockets of the owners.
That's why I think my idea has relevance!! We need to get active in the solution!!

panred, on 12 March 2011 - 01:12 PM, said:

I suppose my compass of empathy is off balance because I've had to deal with law enforcement numerous times because I can't help that my plants grow taller than fences and that come harvest, my 'hood smells like the inside of my nug jar. I'm well aware of recent raids. In Sac, a few weeks back some clubs got raided and shut down because of their book keeping methods. I know the law comes down on these people all the time. Here's what I know for a fact. Those who operate outside the law, and there are a lot of them, deserve what they get. Back in the day, I could have 6 plants. The thought of more sounded great, but I knew that six were enough for me and that more would only cause me trouble. Friends I have in prison always pushed the envelope, not for patients but for money. My seventh plant would have been for money. I'm currently not dealing with a grow which I sunk a lot of money in, because I'm no longer confident in the legality of it. At this point, we should be advocating for the early warriors who are rotting in prison because they simply had the nuts to grow for the sick. There are some straight up shady players in this game who want to disapear a rich ghost.

[lindzzz]

I do think it is odd when I go to a place and someone can't recommend something for me. I worked at a dispensary, and personally I always made it a point to know something about everything we had, in order to be able to better inform fellow patients about what kind of medicine they were getting. I think it would be nice if more dispensary operators and dedicated workers took this mindset as well.