Matt worked for PBS for over a decade and loved it, but he reached a point where he wanted to try something different. Without a real plan, he pulled out of that job, became a patient, and saw an opportunity to enter the Cannabis industry. Growing up in Virginia where Cannabis was highly illegal, he still managed to become very familiar with the plant over the years – and in 2019 he finally applied at dispensaries all over the area. He got a call out of the blue from Maggie’s six months later and the rest is history.
If you don’t mind, tell me a little bit about your health complications…
I had a seizure while I was driving, which had never happened to me before. I went into oncoming traffic, totaled my car and someone else’s car. I was lucky enough to stay alive and escape with only being shell shocked. The whole day was erased in my mind – the last thing I remember is dropping people off at Pimlico for Preakness. The next thing I know I woke up at 6:00 p.m. in the emergency room. I’m lucky that the worst thing that happened to me was losing my car. The doctor’s never discovered what caused the seizure, but attributed it to a number of factors that could have been the reason. I was on a drug called Keppra for about a year, but the side effects were killing me from irritability to dizziness. I’ve been using Cannabis to medicate since then and have not had any seizures.
How have you seen the dispensary game change since beginning here in 2019?
During the pandemic obviously things changed – business basically doubled during that time. People were so worried that we we’re going to be closed that they would buy in bulk to make sure they were set. The biggest change has been the leveling of prices for patients. I used to have people coming in with a certain amount of money and making it work. Now they spend around one third or one half of what they used to for the same things.
Controversial question warning: Why Phish over The Disco Biscuits?
I spread it around – I like the Biscuits too, but the (Grateful) Dead are my first love. When I was 17 I fell in love with them and got to know Phish, String Cheese Incident, Moe, Umphreys, and the rest of the scene. I’m not a big fan of the newer music, but I still go see them whenever I can and have attended 67 Phish shows.
What is your favorite local band?
Man there are so many, and I’m friends with so many of the people in them. Square in the Circle is one I like, Litz, ELM isn’t a band anymore but I like them. I guess if I had to choose a favorite I’d go with the Cris Jacobs Band.
Do Cannabis and music go hand in hand?
100% they go hand in hand. Music is how I fell in love with Cannabis as a teenager. I feel like a lot of people go to concerts, may not know much about it, someone hands you a joint, and the experience is burned into your brain. You could sit at home, drink some coffee and smoke a joint, and that is pretty satisfying in itself. I have been playing guitar for about two-and-a-half years and I play every day, and Cannabis influences my playing creatively.
What is your favorite way to consume Cannabis?
I mix it up between flower and dabs. Dabs at night after work when I want to wind down and go to bed. Flower is nice for my days off – I like glass and bongs, but I do roll a few joints every now and then.
