Darren is a familiar face to many in the industry. From his personal connections to his working world, he’s made friends with various industry insiders while keeping his passion for Cannabis alive and thriving. When he isn’t spending time tending to his prized orchid varieties, he’s running the show at Kings of Canna, a notorious dispensary in the Northeast District of Portland known for its wide array of quality products and competitive price points. Since its conception, Darren has been on the frontlines of recreational Cannabis, opening the store, meeting with vendors, budtending and even checking IDs without batting an eye. He isn’t the type of manager who hides behind a desk in an office removed from the floor – instead, he’s the type to speak with customers about their needs and how he can improve their experience with Cannabis.
Kings of Canna had a line out the door and to the street when I had the chance to stop by, proving how essential and appreciated they are in their local neighborhood. Darren said it best himself, he’s just “a kindhearted guy who loves all things Cannabis.”
How long have you been involved with Cannabis and how is the legal market different now then when recreational sales first began?
I’ve been involved with Cannabis for most my life. I have worked in the Oregon Cannabis world for about 13 years now. In the beginning, it was a little wilder. Nowadays, the recreational Cannabis industry is more structured, and forever growing and evolving.
What’s the toughest thing about your career?
Honestly, the toughest thing about doing what I do is determining which beautiful flower to put into the shop, from which grower, and what genetics we want to feature.
What do you enjoy the most in your career, essentially running Kings of Canna?
I always enjoy educating and learning from others, as well as providing top shelf, quality, Oregon-grown Cannabis for an affordable price. I’m always striving to do my best, while taking the Cannabis experience to a higher level.
