Josh McDonald introduced himself with a warmth we could feel over the phone. Like many of the Leaf’s Budtender of the Month honorees, his passion lies with the plant, of course, but first, with its people.
For over six years, he’s been a budtender at Douglas County’s first-ever legal dispensary, dating back to 2014, Roseburg’s 420 Club. But his connection with the shop goes beyond a paycheck.
“It doesn’t just feel like working for family; it feels like home,” he said.
Before budding into budtenderhood, McDonald said he was a “jack-of-all-trades,” working as a bartender, barista, food manager and more. His experiences built a tangible troupe of talents in care and customer service long before tending Cannabis.
At a barista job, he was recruited to be a budtender by a friend and shop manager, Jennifer Morse. Inspired by the shop’s connection to the community and team support, McDonald found his calling and has been building his community there ever since.
“It’s more than just a job. My boss, Jim, has helped me out so much on a personal level that he’s like a father … The customers are like family, too,” he said. “I’ve been invited to weddings, barbecues and everything.”
But McDonald isn’t a fair-weather friend, as he often offers support that goes far beyond standard customer service.
“I have a customer that I’ve been waiting on for years. About four years ago, she shared that her son was diagnosed with cancer,” he said. “We’ve hugged, we’ve cried. We’re at the point where we tell each other, ‘I love you.'”
In what he feels was a “full-circle moment,” McDonald shared that their bond was strengthened when they were cast together in a local movie production called “Killer Roommates,” where he played a henchman and she played his mother.
The horror henchman role is another glimpse into McDonald’s brimming creative cup. Whether he’s experimenting with liquid latex to conjure otherworldly transformations or buzzing from the energy of a live music crowd (preferably Lady Gaga), he approaches life like a stage: always ready to perform and create connection.
His love of makeup, practical effects and theatrical flair really comes alive each October, when the 420 Club team creates an open-to-the-public haunted house. It’s no surprise that he won Best in Show (Costume) by popular crowd vote at the 2025 Oregon Leaf Halloweird party. His tight take on Chris Tucker’s Ruby Rhod from “The Fifth Element” was a delightful display!
Despite his scary skills, McDonald hopes to keep growing his career at the dispensary, eventually moving into management, while blending his creativity with the community he cherishes. His enthusiasm, after all of these years, is a reminder that passion isn’t just something you show — it’s something you share.
