TRAVIS DUDA

High, Hell How Are You ?

I’m Travis, and I’m going to be writing this here column for a little bit. A little background on my cannabis authority – I have no formal training in the science or business of marijuana. What I lack in traditional training, I make up with over a decade of daily use of the devil’s lettuce. I enjoy learning about the bleeding edge of bud science, but at the end of the day, I really just enjoy smoking it, and don’t want to get too in the weeds on the minutiae. So, you can expect a more casual column about local cannabis. One mixed with opinions on our scene, bits of interesting news and information on the data of dope, and updates on the local culture surrounding our favorite herb.

So, with that out of the way…

It’s Good to Have Buds

After a long stint of purchasing weed off the street, it’s wonderful to have so many options for legal procurement here in Worcester and within Worcester County. 

With so many options, I can’t help but consider how these companies will differentiate themselves and more importantly, create a unique experience for the customer. Obviously the pandemic has prevented many from heading into their local dispensary, by opting for the curbside pick up route. Those willing enough to don a mask and step inside, have been welcomed with a wide array of experiences and atmospheres. Currently we have a smattering of options to fit your personality type, all with subtle differences that make them unique. 

The most notable for me has been Bud’s Goods & Provisions on West Boylston Street. They are one of the few, non-vertically integrated dispensaries around. Normally as a consumer, I’d be slightly weary of this, assuming them to be a more expensive middle man. However, the team at Bud’s has done their homework and focused heavily on the customer experience. They cater a collection of the best available strains, with more available brands than their competitors. They’ve also managed to develop a private label brand called “Little Buds” which offers customers an eighth of small, quality nugs at the closest I’ve seen to street pricing. And with a rotating stock of options, there are plenty of Little Buds to try. Lastly, the thought and care that went into building their brand aesthetic and interior design makes for an inviting shopping experience that rewards observant customers with plenty of fun eye candy. 

Not Everyone Is Happy

A move that was meant to even the financial playing field for Massachusetts-based cannabis companies has caused a group of companies to file a lawsuit against the CCC. The new rules allow only a certain group of disenfranchised retailers to apply for a recreational delivery license in the first three years. The lawsuit claims that this new rule violates existing laws by not letting retailers with pre-existing licenses apply until three years from now and that the CCC has overstepped their authority. 

There have been many social equity advocates touting this move by the CCC, but with so much money being invested in our scene, it’s no wonder some of the bigger players are crying foul play. What this means for the consumers is that we probably have to wait even longer before recreational delivery is an option for us. While they argue the legality of the new rules, the whole process will continue to be delayed, and the recreational users will just have to keep trekking to their shop of choice. 

Thanks for reading, and happy trails!

-Travis