The idea to legalize marijuana is finally starting to take. Unfortunately, only a handful of lucky states in our great nation have gotten on board with the idea to allow citizens to toke freely. With the infamous 4/20 right around the corner I thought what better than to check in with my best friend and Bud-Tender of Top Shelf Alternatives, Morgan Embleton, to see what’s cookin’ in medical marijuana and get an inside look at a dispensary in Boulder, Colorado. Check out the full interview after the jump
Q: What made you and your family decide to open a medical marijuana dispensary?
A: I think it has a lot to do with offering patients an alternative to pharmaceuticals and providing people with effective ways to manage pain.
Q: What is your role at the dispensary?
A: I am the general manager so I do everything from bud tending to inventory to advertising.
Q: Where do you see your career going as a ‘Budtender’?
A: Well actually my Bud-Tending skills have earned me the position of general manager but otherwise I’m not sure maybe I’ll combine it with my future law degree and get involved in MMJ law.
Q: Are there any levels higher you hope to achieve like Bud-Master?
A: Oh yeah I’m hoping to become the Yoda of Bud-Tending. No really it’s just Bud-Tender no masters here to my knowledge but I could be wrong.
Q: Do you think you would ever try to create your own blends or eatables?
A: Yeah. Edibles wouldn’t be too hard but people have thought of everything from brownies to things like humus, salsa, and even toothpaste.
Q: What is the philosophy behind Top Shelf Alternatives?
A: Top Shelf Alternatives strives to provide patients with a comfortable and professional atmosphere where they can purchase alternative medicine that best suits their medical needs.
Q: What do you think Top Shelf brings to the table that other dispensaries lack?
A: I think we have some of the best medicine with tons of options for pain management at the most affordable prices. Plus, the staff is knowledgeable and the store is comfortable – not shady like some others around town.
Q: How many different blends does Top Shelf offer?
A: Well we offer sativa, indica, and hybrids that can be either sativa dominant or indica dominate. As for strains we offer usually 30+ strains – we even have strains grown in organic soil because after all it’s Boulder!
Q: Does Top Shelf have any specials for the 4/20 holiday?
A: On 4/20, we do specials on joints and everyday we do specials on 1/8ths, 1/4s, 1/2s, and Oz.
Q: What is the most popular strain at Top Shelf?
A: Sour Diesel
Q: What is the most popular eatable?
A: Cheeba Chews
Q: What about you? What are your favorites?
A: I am torn between two- Lavender that is a sativa dominant hybrid strain and Black Tooth Grin, which is a straight sativa. Black Tooth provides pain relief plus a little bit of an energy boost while lavender is good for a smooth smoke, pain relief and taking it easy! And Cheeba Chews are definitely my favorite eatable. They are hash oil infused chocolate taffies and they just won the 2011 High Times Cannabis Cup for Best Edible! (www.cheebachews.com)
Q: Do you have a favorite piece you like to smoke with?
A: My incredibowl- it’s amazing!
Q: If you could smoke with anyone dead or alive who would it be and why?
A: Hmmm tough. It’d probably have to be Bradley Nowell – I’ve loved sublime for as long as I can remember but he’d have to bring Lou dog too!
Q: What is the craziest experience you have had while you were high?
A: Nothing too out there. I have been super high making breakfast at like ten at night and some Rasta guys totally came to my house and just kind of kicked it with us then it was followed by the police showing up and one of my friends tried to convince them to stay for breakfast… We didn’t get any tickets!
Q: What are your plans for 4/20?
A: Probably posting up at the shop- CU goes big on 4/20 so we will be busy.
Q: Do you get any crazy characters at the store?
A: Oh yeah all the time. One guy is a street performer who puts him self in a box but he isn’t always the chillest.
Q: What is the craziest thing a customer has done in your facility?
A: Peed in the elevator… Then I had to confront him about it the next time he came in 🙁
Q: Do you think marijuana should be legalized nationwide?
A: I do. I think that the benefits of alternative medicine are astounding and overlooked. This type of medicine has the potential to really help people who use it for pain management, especially patients with Cancer, HIV/AIDS, and Lupus.
Head to www.topshelfalternatives.com for more information or hit up the store on Spruce Street if you’re in the Boulder, Colorado area! Happy 4/20 everyone!
