It’s the Holidays: Get happy
WE HAD A CHALLENGING
writing assignment this month; We had to try flower and edibles at local dispensaries to see what we liked, and report back on Holiday specials. Since 2014 with our Television show, “The Marijuana Show” on Amazon Prime, we have been blessed to be judges and testers of the finest samples our country has to offer, and happy to tell you we experienced some high quality here in Taos.
On the flip side, after visiting most of the dispensaries, there was a lack of customer service, huge differences in prices, specials, and lack of inventory and training for budtenders. Few stores had gummies or variety in edibles and CBD pain balms.
Remember some specials may be gone or new ones can be added.
We love the vibe of Rocky Mountain Cannabis started in 2009. They have 17 stores in Colorado and New Mexico. It is clean and the budtenders are trained, unlike some other dispensaries. There is an ATM on site, wheel chair accessible and there is a veteran’s discount. The best special was $99 ounces. Now that is a great deal!
At the other extreme of our research was a dispensary where the World Cup game was being watched by one of the owners. We asked to interview him and he said, “Come back later. The game is on”… We left realizing we would never return to this place.
What blew us away the most, as marketing experts, was not one store had any clue about their Holiday specials with only two weeks till Christmas.
Another good dispensary is Oso Cannabis Company. They had awesome customer service, knew their strains, were helpful and had the most generous weekly and new patient discounts. They had great educational information and are Native Americanowned and operated. When we visited, an elderly man was walking with oxygen and a walker to get up the one flight of stairs. Now that’s commitment! And get this, a new patient gets 20 percent off their first order, so load up! While they didn’t have chocolate or gummies in stock, we appreciated weekly specials including a haze hour from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. where you get 15 percent off your purchase, and Wednesdays they have three pre-rolls for $18 which is an excellent deal.
Southwest Cannabis and Taos Cannabis are owned by the same company. We loved their special on Bhang chocolate bars, two for $20! Usually Bhang bars are $20 to $25 per bar. Bhang was started by a Taos chocolatier who use to hang out with Dennis Hopper. They have a loyalty program where you get one point for every dollar spent. They also had a special on a strain called
Flipper for $8 a gram at 27.43 percent THC. That is a high percentage. Mondays you get 10 percent off edibles. Tuesday you get a dollar off of joints. Wednesday you get to spin a wheel for discounts or prizes. Thursday you get 10 percent off concentrates. Sundays you get topicals at a discount. Buy four pre-rolls and get one for a penny.
Dreamz is the only dispensary that had gummies and caramels. There is a discount for first time customers. They have good prices on topicals too. We like their website because it shows ratings, THC and CBD potency. You can also select what feeling or activities you want to stimulate to know what to buy.
We couldn’t find Sierra Madre and they didn’t answer the phone so we don’t know about specials but they do have twenty eight, 5 star reviews. Reviews said that the budtenders are friendly, well trained, great pricing and good inventory. So we are excited to check them out.
Let’s review strains: Indica means in da couch. Trouble sleeping or relaxing? Then, Indica is your girl. Need to clean the house before guests arrive? Enjoy sativa strains. Now watch out because sativa strains can make you anxious; that is why we love hybrids because you get the energy, and sense of well being without the panic. Remember to ask if the products are organic, have certificates of analysis, no pesticides, and ask your butender to walk you though strains based on the experience you want.
Remember: weed is not what is was in the 70s or 80s. It is sooooo much more potent, and there are many varieties. Simply start slow with a hit instead of smoking the whole joint. Make sure to start with 5 to 10 milligrams on an edible bar.
If you eat to much you will feel like you are dying, shortness of breath, and possible panic so just don’t do it. You can thank us later. :)
Enjoy your high holidaze, take it slow and enjoy the deals in Taos!
HIGH TIMES IN THE HIGH DESERT By Wendy Robbins and Karen Paull