Budtender James was a part of the original Gold Leaf crew, and a huge help in the fundamental stages of opening the dispensary. Now he roams the shop surrounded by a team he knows and loves, as well as patients who specifically ask for his expertise in choosing their products. Shoutout to James and the whole team at Gold Leaf for giving patients an elevated and classy dispensary experience.
What steps did you take to help Gold Leaf open in Maryland?
From the beginning, we really worked hard with training the staff we had. For seven or eight months we would come in constantly for training meetings. I even helped with the structuring of the dispo, like putting up drywall. Every month for eight months leading up to opening, our license kept getting denied. I have also been a Cannabis user since I was pretty young – I have invested myself in the world of Cannabis and bring first-hand knowledge and realism to the table.
How do you go about procuring glass for the gallery up front?
We directly message American glass artists on Instagram, and they are attracted to the fact that we are placing their pieces in a dispensary, versus a glass gallery. Our GM, Owen Eoin Reilly, of the glass section has an unbelievable amount of knowledge. He can look at a rig and tell you the name of the glass color and artist right away. We have a solid range of glass from inexpensive bowls to cases filled with artistic creations.
Would you say that you’re more into concentrates than flower?
Yes, I’m definitely more passionate about concentrates. However, I still do use a lot of flower due to the medicinal and therapeutic values. It comes down to effects and efficiency for me; I don’t necessarily dab in order to get super high – I do it for the long-lasting medicinal effects in my body and mind. I am classified as a flavor chaser, and eight times out of 10 I let my nose do the deciding for me.
Do you believe that psychedelic substances such as psilocybin have a place in the medicinal world?
I believe 110% that psychedelics are important to look at when talking about medicine. Everybody is different, and we have conditioned ourselves to use a lot of Cannabis to help with our ailments – but what’s the point of stopping there? I’ve heard from people that it can help out with stress, anxiety and PTSD, so I think it has to be important for the medical market to consider.
What are your hobbies?
I collect glass and have been doing that since I was 16, including a bunch of expensive/artistic rigs and bongs. I love to meet glass artists and see it first-hand. My business is also my hobby, where I help to promote everything from visual artists to streetwear artists. I’m mostly doing music right now, but I am involved in a little bit of everything. Day-trading is also a hobby of mine – it’s a goal of mine to find financial freedom.
Web: goldleafmd.com | @goldleafmaryland
Address: 2029 West St, Annapolis, MD 21401
Hours: 10:00AM to 9:00PM Daily
