Reflections ~
Remarkable Women of Missouri Cannabis
Whatever Karin Spinks Does, She Does It Passionately by Dolores Halbin, RN, BSN, contributing writer
North Dispensary was not exactly sure what it was in for when its three owners decided to sponsor events this past spring, summer, and fall. What they did know was that they wanted to stay committed to their mission statement, and that meant three things. As good stewards to the community, North Dispensary remains committed to community service, ensuring everyone involved in their events has fun, stays safe, finds joy in cannabis and community, and, of course, sells its products.
Showing how savvy three local young businessmen are, they hired the best event production manager in the state, and a woman I am privileged to call my friend, Karin Spinks, to organize their special events. Spinks knows the Missouri Cannabis Community inside and out, and yes, sometimes upside down and backwards.
North Dispensary was founded in 2019 and remains among a handful of locally owned and operated dispensaries in Missouri. Owners Zach Mangelsdorf, Leonard Volner, and Neil Volner are all local Jefferson County natives, with a passion for people and the cannabis plant, as well as the grit we have talked so much about, which is needed to stay in business. Leonard and Neil have skin in the game. They grew up with an absent father, incarcerated for cannabis. of Parvo. North reached out to help by organizing a fundraiser and a pet adoption day.
This event took place in late August, and it was very hot out. However, Spinks had a water slide for the dogs and a“ dunk the boss” station, where even she volunteered to get dunked.
It turned out that North hired me( an RN) for the medical tent, in case of over-consumption or dehydration. They take safety seriously. I wasn’ t expecting to get paid, but I certainly appreciated it when they handed me a check. I would have volunteered for such a worthy cause. I mostly got to pet a lot of dogs, and my dog, Butch, made some new friends.
Under the canopy with multiple misting fans keeping us and the pups cool, we were set up next to AMAZE, which was amazing. They had a couple of those crazy water bongs set up, keeping folks happy and medicated.
“ Karin is a lady warrior,” explained Terry Lotrrbauer, brand manager with AMAZE.“ She has one of the most difficult jobs in the industry, and makes it look easy.” A big shout-out to AMAZE for stepping up and showing that it shares the values of NORTH and a commitment to the community.
Their business model is rooted in Stewardship. North aims to challenge industry norms by focusing on community service, ongoing education for patients and budtenders, and prioritizing patients over profits. With Spinks’ help, they have done just that.
I first met the North crew when Spinks invited me to the North dog adoption and fundraiser event at its Hillsboro location. As a native of the area now, I get my local news from St. Louis NPR, and last summer, the woes of the local rescue shelter were front and center. The shelter was closed after an overcrowding incident led to an outbreak
Karin Spinks( left) and Dolores at the North dog adoption event.
With the help of the cannabis and entire community, the emergency animal shelter is back up and running.
Next, in August, North hosted its Canna Cup and North Night Out Music and Cannabis Festival. The Turner family attended. Along with being a judge in the competition, Coltyn Turner presented the awards on behalf of the Coltyn Turner Foundation.
“ My family and I have known Karin for years, and she has always been the most reliable person I have ever met in this industry,” explained 38 December 2025