CANNABIZ ENTREPRENEURS
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Taking it Easy at Easy Mountain
A small-town dispensary owner shares his perspective on cannabis legalization .
out , your employer found out , your landlord found out , your teachers found out or assumed — the list goes on and on . The people who “ rose above the influence ” were the most easily influenced and the largest majority . Those who took the risks and chose cannabis were social pariahs . But the counterculture was strong . We were together , and we wielded the wisdom from those that came before : Jerry , Willie , Bob , Jimi , Kurt , and thousands more who told us the truth and set us free . We learned the ways of illegal inspiration , prohibited prosperity , and criminal kindness . The etiquette of cannabis , puff-puff , pass , pitch in on a bowl , and don ’ t harsh the vibe were the only laws we needed . Now that it ’ s a legal enterprise , and the leaders are CEOs and mainstream celebrities , what will happen to the old ways that brought us here in the first place ?
Rest assured , the traditions that challenged the status quo so well are still kept very much alive in small mom-and-pop businesses like Easy Mountain . The laws are pieces of paper , and they all change over time . Dispensaries and grows are buildings and businesses that , too , will change in time . Cannabis and the people that use it are ALIVE ! It was never about plants or drugs or being cool ; it always has been and will always be about People and Life !
Cannabis preserves and improves life and the people that use it . By nature , and the laws of reciprocity , should be and often are its greatest champions .
This industry will thrive because there will always be people committed to creating and promoting the best quality cannabis products available , not just the products that generate the best profit margin or are trending the best in test groups . Educate the masses with kindness and passion , not just informing buying decisions and promoting sales , but really engaging with the human elements of this business . To openly include “ Everyone ” who wants to participate and can benefit from the healing power of cannabis , not just the demographics that look the best on a financial statement .
If you ’ ve felt concerned about what big changes will bring to the cannabis culture you ’ ve known and loved , you are not alone . Rest assured , there are many cannabis industry icons and institutions that will be trusted carriers of the torch of cannabis culture and tradition .
As consumers , seek out those places , products , and people that make your heart sing joyfully . You will know them by their smiles , their patience , and their kindness , and they will also probably smell like weed . At Easy Mountain , we ’ re here seven days a week , and we ’ d be thrilled to help guide you to relief through the healing power of cannabis . Visit anytime ; we ’ ll be here taking it Easy until you arrive .
For more about Easy Mountain Dispensary , visit www . easymtn . com .
Drew Beine is a father , musician , cannabis enthusiast , and co-owner of Easy Mountain dispensary in Republic , MO . He has written and published several articles pertaining to cannabis culture and history that can be found at www . easymtn . com .
Artwork and all photos courtesy Easy Mountain Cannabis .
62 February 2023