We were greeted at Pine Tree Glass by their head budtender and manager, Joey D. Joe’s been passionate about Cannabis for most of his life, so it’s easy to see him smiling, even behind his facemask when greeting new customers. Joey is clearly doing what he loves for a living – eating, sleeping and breathing Cannabis and glass art! After overstaying our welcome, we really got to the bottom of what keeps Joe’s clock stuck on 4:20 every day.
How long have you been working for Pine Tree Glass Art?
For around two and a half years. We’re located in the beautiful mountain town of Bethel, Maine. The area is home to Sunday River Ski Resort, countless hiking trails, swimming holes, and a world-famous gem museum.
Pine Tree started as a glass gallery. What artists do you carry at the shop and who has been the most popular?
We carry many famous New England glass artists, including Chemdog Glass, Jerry Kelly, Coyle Condenser, KGB and Digger Glass. Our most popular featured artist is David Colton. Colton is a close friend of our owner, and we have a vast selection of his pipes for sale. He also recently made history when the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York, acquired one of his functional Cannabis pieces. This piece was recently selected to be put on display at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC.
What is your background in the industry?
I’ve been consuming Cannabis for over 20 years now, and I’ve gained a passion and respect for all aspects of the plant. I moved to Maine three years ago to pursue my lifelong dream of working in the medical Cannabis industry. At present, I’ve done everything from cloning and transplanting to harvesting and extraction. Having experience in so many different aspects of the industry helps me be a better budtender, and my love and passion for the plant shine through when working with patients. I feel very fortunate to work with such amazing people and growers in the industry.
You’re also a lead solventless extractor for Pine Tree. Can you give us some background information on the process and strains that you get to work with?
We focus on small batch, single source, solventless, full spectrum live rosin. We have the privilege of running our own flower, which makes us really focus on the best producing strains. So far, the strains we have been working with are Chemdog D, Chemdog 91, Chem Sister, Snowdog, and Las Vegas Purple Kush. The most popular strains for our patients so far have definitely been Chemdog D and Chemdog 91.
How do you help patients figure out what they need?
With most of our strains being from the Chemdog Family, each strain is amazing at doing what it’s supposed to do … for example, if you’re looking for an uplifting sativa that you can smoke all day, we have Chem Sister and Snowdog. If you’re looking to fall asleep or sink into the couch with an indica, we have Las Vegas Purple Kush and Scott’s OG X Cherry Pie. And then if you’re looking for something right in the middle of indica and sativa, we have Chemdog D and Chemdog ‘91. No matter what the patient is looking for, we have the strain for them.
What is your favorite strain and favorite way to consume Cannabis?
My favorite strain by far is Chemdog D. It is the right mix of a body high and mental stimulation that works every time without fail. My favorite way to consume Chemdog D and all Cannabis is through low temperate dabbing. I like to keep the temperatures low, so I can fully experience my medicine. Give me a David Colton rig, a Joel Halen round bottom banger and a One Trick Pony spinner cap, and I’m a very happy guy.
