Ditch Weed to Dispensary

Cannabis has come from brick weed to brick and mortar. Medical marijuana is on a rise across the states and it’s followed shortly by recreational legality. States are benefitting from the legal pot and people are getting the help that they need without the use of pharmaceuticals. You can walk into a dispensary and get anything THC or CBD related, at any time, as long as they’re open. It’s magical.

In order to truly appreciate how far the cannabis world has come, we must first go back in time.

It’s 1996 and the sacks are cheap. You can pick up a quarter for $25, from some guy that lives downtown. There’s no texting, no emojis, no cell phones. You call your dude. You tell him that you’re swinging through and you’re wanting your usual order. You can’t mention words like sack, weed, quarter, because your dealer is afraid that the cops will start bugging your line. So, instead, you just ask, “you good?”

You get your tree and head home to roll up and blaze. First, you have to break it up. Seems pretty simple but that brick weed was some compressed stuff. You had to break off a chunk of the brick, then you broke those pieces down. Your fingertips would become tender. As you’re breaking the bud up, seeds fall. Not a lot but a few; 4, maybe 5, probably more. You have to “separate” the weed into two piles: One for the bud. One for the stems and seeds. Now, you toss the trash pile and rub the green pile around in between your fingers; attempting to “fluff” it up. You split the cigarillo and dump the guts. Piling the dark green cannabis into the, now ready, wrap; you twist and roll. Sealing it with a lick and setting the “glue” with a hot lighter, you are ready to smoke!

It’s time to blaze. It’s a little bit harsh. Why? Is the weed that bad? Nah. Well, maybe, it was grown outside, in a ditch, somewhere in Mexico, with no love. It wasn’t given nutrients or watered regularly. Nature grew it. The bud had seeds because no-one pulled the male plants to prevent pollenating. No-one cared for these. No-one cared until they were harvested. Even harvesting time was done lovelessly: Chop the plant, dry the plant, and press it into a brick. Repeat. Bricks are sold by weight and stems add weight. Then, it’s snuck across the border in a case of coffee or meat; maybe stuffed inside a tire or the seats.

I remember once getting gas weed. Not gas like amazing but gas like gasoline; as in, it was stored in the gas tank of a car and reeked of gasoline. Tasted like it too.

Anyways, by the time you receive your smoke sack, it’s far from the bud that it started as, but you didn’t give a damn and you smoked that blunt... coughing all the way.

Now, I welcome you back to 2021, the marijuana is grown with love and care. Greenhouses are used to maintain humidity and temperature. The lights are controlled and the plants are fed nutrients and minerals. This creates a much higher quality bud that is better for you. That’s why you can get a Medical Marijuana license in 36 of the 50 United States. Anything from anxiety to fibromyalgia can qualify you for a medical card. I know it sounds like a blanketed list of issues can get you a cannabis card but the fact is, THC and CBD can help so many disorders, disabilities, and diseases. Your body benefits best from the best buds and with a medical card, you can gain access to the dispensaries and that is where the world of weed can show its true evolution.

Each dispensary has its own vibe but they’re all basically the same. A receptionist takes your ID and medical card. Unless, you’re in a state that has recreational marijuana, then, it’s just your ID to prove that you are you. Once you’re confirmed, you get placed in the queue until it’s your turn. Usually, when your name is called, you go behind a locked safety door.

Walking into the “display” room for the first time is like that scene from Charlie & The Chocolate Factory. You know the one. They have buds and concentrates. There’s tinctures and balms. Vaporizers with pods. From candies to cookies; even drinks and lozenges. Bongs, pipes, grinders, papers, cones, and oh so much more. You can walk in and ask “what strains of cannabis do you recommend?” I know that sounded ridiculously formal but it was on purpose to lead into the...

*FLASHBACK*

20 years ago.

Unfortunately, you broke your pipe and you have to get a replacement. Off to the Headshop you go. The smell of incense whacks you in the senses as you enter what could best be described as a Hippie’s Flea Market. There’s large selection of sterling silver jewelry, including body jewelry. You can find trinkets and crystals, along with candles and posters. However, if you looked past the tie-dyed apparel and the peace sign tapestries, you can see the “hidden” glass display case that contains what you came for. A pipe. You can’t call it a pipe though, or ask for a bong. Oh no. You better not mention marijuana, cannabis, bud, or any word that means weed. You are there for a tobacco smoking device. This was, and still is, the code of conduct in a Headshop: DON’T MENTION WEED AND IT’S A TOBACCO SMOKING DEVICE. They bag your pi...smoking device very discreetly and you’re on your way home.

Snapback to now, where you’re in a dispensary. You’re grabbing a bong and half of an ounce of cannabis. While browsing the menu, green apple gummies catch your eye. So, add those to the order.

“So, that’s one small bell water pipe, half ounce of Cherry Deisel, and green apple gummies.”

You confirm your order and pay. Then you’re handed a boutique style bag with the dispensary’s name on it. Your weed just came with a name and a receipt. Now, you go on about your day, just like you finished any other errand like a trip to the Pharmacy.

If you remember the pot-smoking days of the 90s then you can truly appreciate the bud of today. I know spending anywhere from $10-$25 a gram seems a bit absurd when you remember spending $20 on a quarter but you’re paying for quality tree now. Not just quality but all the flower that dispensaries sell is locally grown and sourced. With the laws preventing inter-state marijuana trade, each state has to cultivate for itself. Since all the “manufacturing” is done within the state, the handling and processing is minimal. This maintains higher levels of THC and CBD, along with the trichomes and terpenes, creating a high-quality product. The rates are higher than street prices but it’s worth it to know that it’s safer for your body.

Over the years, cannabis has greatly evolved for the better and for all. There are so many benefits but that’s for another day.

Marijuana has came from ditch weed to dispensaries. Happy Smoking and Happy Healing.