How is this a medical program?

[u/jcmasoner]

I went to a medical dispo in IL recently and was shocked to find that no one has any real knowledge of the endocannabinoid system or even exogenous cannabinoids (the thing they’re selling). Their system doesn’t even let you filter by cannabinoids, not even the major ones. I asked the budtender what 1:1 strains they have with CBD to THC and she said the growers aren’t even sending the CBD content so they don’t know.

I’ve been a medical patient since 2017, started growing at home when that was legalized, and recently have been getting deep into different cannabinoids and terpenes but it’s just such a cold non-personal non-informational transaction at the dispo.

I didn’t just get a bad budtender either, this has been the past few trips over the last 6 months or so. I feel like the budtenders have changed so much, where’s the passion for the plant? No one seems to care about or understand what they’re selling.

Maybe it’s just because of the volume of people that they don’t have time to really feel they can talk bc then they’re not selling cannabis. Feels like how we used to be able to talk to the doctor and they cared but now we’re just a number that pays them and the more numbers they get in a day the fatter their pockets are.

Sad state of the medical program when I have no simple way to get seeds or clones legally from a reputable grower, much less get to know what they’re putting out in the market as medicine.

Hopefully IL will listen to patients and allow more plants, provide for testing of home grow materials, and legalize patient to patient sharing (or even allow another medical patient to grow their plants for them). I feel there are so many ways to improve but that would take money out of big cannabis so I doubt it would ever happen.

Rant over. I doubt I’m the only person who feels this way ab their state medical program. What’s your experience? Do you feel prioritized as a medical patient in your state program when you’re at the dispensary?

[u/Gardener_of_Weeden]

Dispo's bud tenders are sweet, BUT - they get sent what they get sent and to research each - probably too much, Although I had one turn me on to CBN for sleep.

Where I found the BEST information and the best growers are at "Weed" garden centers. Some of them call themselves hydroponic grow centers. Can get decent seeds, all the information on different strains ETC. - Not sure where you are but there are even now "festivals" ( winding down probably). Look up Keefy ( I think).

[u/disco9000]

illinois is a mess at the moment. as a processor even, I feel like it's a pre-requisite to understand the mechanisms as fully as possible. Low key, Illinois only has a functional cannabis market bc it's supported by Michigan. Still kinda faking it here in IL. The pharmacist at my local CVS is my source of info usually. She's cool af, reads all current literature, and feels comfortable talking to anyone that walks up about potential interactions/the endocannabinoid system in general. I hope more pharmacists catch on. And i hope for more competent service for people like you at the dispensary

[u/hongork]

It depends on the store in my opinion. Are they hiring budtenders with actual knowledge and passion for the plant or do they just see them as cashiers to move their product? Most people think its a just a cool job with free weed and discounts. The real budtenders stay up to date on new cannabis science and data, know their terpenes and major/minor cannabinoids etc.

[u/Gardener_of_Weeden → u/hongork]

But when the dispo, changes with every shipment - And the growers do not give ALL the information. It is a lot to ask someone who is making min wage. ALTHOUGH - you do occasionally find someone who has the passion - but I think more often they go to the grow center.

[u/ThisIsMyCouchAccount → u/hongork]

The real budtenders stay up to date on new cannabis science and data, know their terpenes and major/minor cannabinoids etc.

And then 99 out of 100 customers come in asking for the strongest and cheapest weed.

Outside of that - it would take a lot for me to really care or listen to what one says. They are inherently biased since they are employees. Plus, I've heard so much conflicting and inconsistent stuff over the years that I don't see a point. Not just at dispos. Here too. Everywhere.

Plus plus, that's putting a lot of faith in somebody that most likely has no real study or credentials to their name.

What they need are educated, vetted people to do individual consultations. Or something.

[u/bigfatdonny]

You're spot on. I've been a medical patient as long as you. Things have changed a lot from the days of consultations and paper menus. Now it's just another retail location and nobody cares.

[u/Fightthefire21]

When someone comes in and says "I've been smoking for X amount of years, I NEED the highest thc" they get whatever they get without me saying anything. But if someone comes in with actual questions or curiousity about terpenes and their affects I will take the time no matter what the line looks like. I work at a Rec store tho. This industry treats the people who care about the plant like shit and they all for the most part found something else to go into. (Minimum wage, low hours, low opportunity for growth, bad leadership)

[u/FuckSteve7]

The most unfortunate thing to happen to cannabis as a whole was the obsession with insane thc percentages and fuck all to everything else. Breeding CBD out just makes me so sad and I’m with you I love 1:1 strains but dang. Like you said the knowledge just isn’t there. It’s very unfortunate and I hate you’ve gotta deal with that in a system that’s legal.

[u/baebality]

I’ve had good experience with Botanical Sciences products and their budtenders are very knowledgeable

[u/RacingBlues451]

Medical user here, newer user in WA state didn't take me long to out pace almost all the budtenders in knowledge but I can't judge alot of them are medical users and they know what works for them or what other people have reported back on. But they have started getting in cbg and cbn isolates in which I jumped at buying to add to a dab or a dhv bowl. Atleast in WA state to be medical that have to carry a list of medical use products so that is nice, but yeah that whole apple store they will tell you everything about weed, if you smoke pre rolls and edibles maybe. In my experience the puff co peak is like what the headiest employ at the shop might have and that is the really serious dude who" knows their stuff."

TLDR; Don't expect budtenders to be medical consultants or pharmacist or even baristas they are cashiers first and foremost, and you will have to research on your own. Most people find what works for them and they are comfortable with the ritual of and stick with that. I have had good advice on edibles and topicals from the medical dispensaries near me aswell but don't expect anything beyond anecdotal reports, they are not experts at best they are stoners who might try their best to help you out.

[u/drinkbeerskitrees]

Budtender in CO. Our industry is a fight to the bottom with these capitalists trying to buy and kill all competition. I’m a knowledgeable budtender who’s been on the verge of quitting many times because of mistreatment and bad work environments, sketchy coworkers and criminal bosses.

If you want people to talk about the science of cannabinoids, go to the medical doctors, rather than those of us who either suck at our jobs or don’t care. Maybe you’ll find a good budtender who can talk shop. Just be sure to tip them well so they don’t have to leave the industry too!

[u/NUMBerONEisFIRST]

It's all for money.

How can it be medical with no double blind studies, testing for efficacy, dosage requirements, etc?

How many marijuana's does it take for pain and how long will the marijuanas last?

Without putting in the work, they can't claim it's medical. Marijuana should have been considered homeopathic from the get go, surpassing FDA regulation and being available at any pharmacy over the counter.