Just in time for the holidays, we have a Budtender of the Month whose name gets you in the Christmas spirit: Jordan Santa. Jordan is a rockstar at Summit Wellness who is continuously improving the lives of the patients and adult-use customers in and around Catonsville. A perfect example of when working in the Cannabis industry goes right, Jordan feels blessed to be a part of the movement every single day.
So you like to game. What video games are you playing right now?
I like RPGs (role-playing video games) like Assasin’s Creed, Grand Theft Auto and the Fallout series. I’m really excited for the new GTA to come out – it’s been like 15 years we’ve been waiting for that. Lately I’ve been replaying games that I have on the newest Xbox console. The PC is too much of a jump and I can’t do a keyboard.
What comes first in the morning, Cannabis or coffee?
Both, double-fisting coffee and Cannabis at the same time.
What is it like going from patient to budtender?
I’m getting more insider knowledge about the industry from people around me. When we have people come in and do pop-ups, I get educated on new products being sold and soon to be launched. I didn’t expect to have the amount of knowledge that I have now, and it has been cool to see that process continue for me.
What do you like to watch on TV?
I’ve been rewatching old episodes of ‘South Park’ and I really enjoy that stupid-ass show on Netflix called ‘Big Mouth.’ It’s so inappropriate, but it’s also funny and relatable. If we can’t laugh at ourselves, then what are we doing?
What makes you stand out in the dispensary?
I try to figure out what brought people into the store. Obviously patients are looking to alleviate some type of ailment – may it be stress, anxiety, or lots of other things. Sometimes people just want a little break from their daily struggles, even if it’s only 45 minutes. I give people the best Cannabis education I possibly can, but I’m also open to learning things from patients and customers that come in.
How do you relate to patients?
I use Cannabis for anxiety, and increasing my appetite on days where I don’t have as big of one. A lot of patients and people have anxiety and daily stresses, so I relate to the need to calm down and focus on what needs to be done.
Did you ever think Maryland would be where it is today with Cannabis?
I did not. Growing up, I was not involved with weed at all and was taught it was a drug that I shouldn’t do. My friends all started smoking and one day after some convincing, I tried it at 18 and I’ve never been happier. It is crazy to come full circle and be working in an industry I never knew would exist here.
