Patrick moved to Baltimore five years ago from Los Angeles, where he was in culinary school. After working at a few restaurants and moving his way up the ladder, he became the Head Chef for Woodrow’s BBQ. But finding himself burned out on restaurant life, he made the switch from selling food to selling medical Cannabis – a career change he describes as “an easy transition.” Nowadays, he’s the resident expert at ReLeaf who’s tried practically every product his dispensary sells, making him the go-to guy for product knowledge.
You go by the Mayor of Bluntville, where does that name come from?
It comes from my favorite blunt wraps, which are Bluntvilles. One night I was watching Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, when Guy Fieri said he was the Mayor of Flavortown. I was kind of stoned and I said, ‘Well, I’m the Mayor of Bluntville.’ And also hanging out with my friends and just rolling blunts with them constantly.
You’re originally from California, how do you try to bring West Coast vibes to Maryland?
Growing up in LA is kind of like a nonstop party, so I try to bring that vibe everywhere I go. If people aren’t laughing and having a good time, then I’m not doing my job. I try to bring some of that Cali sunshine over here with me.
Did you ever catch any big waves out in California?
I have surfed once before, but I grew up boogie boarding on Laguna Beach. I could spend my life living on the beach, and I’ve been going to the ocean since before I could even remember. It is honestly my happy place. I use Cannabis to calm my anxiety, and if I spent every day on the beach, I may not even need it for that.
Now that you’ve been in both the culinary and Cannabis industries, where do you see yourself in five years?
I kind of want to mix the two. I would love to bring my expertise of being a chef, plus my knowledge of plant medicine together to go into the edible game. I make a ton of edibles at home – I’m talking unique edibles that aren’t just the typical brownies or cookies. For example, the other day I made medicated creme brulee, and in the past I’ve done Cannabis infused snow cones.
What advice would you give someone who is new to Cannabis?
I usually ask people what kind of effects they are looking for/what they are trying to treat. The first step is to find out if they’re looking for an inhalation or edible experience. I try to put myself in their shoes like when I first started working in the industry. My best advice I could give would be to talk to your budtender, ask questions and familiarize yourself with the strains you like, even if that means keeping a journal.
What is your favorite part about working at ReLeaf?
This is the second dispensary I have worked at, and I love this place. I would hang out with anyone I work with outside of work as well, and I do often. Everyone I work with at least has one thing in common – we use medical Cannabis and our crew is as friendly as it gets.
Web & Phone: releaf-shop.com | (410) 773-9054
Address: 1114 Cathedral St #5, Baltimore, MD 21201
