Washington state has a unique set of people who work in the industry and for the most part, the people of legal cannabis are there to be your all-knowing connect for quality weed. With that said, RMR encourages you to learn more about one of our favorite local budtenders in the interview below. Jade is an outstanding liaison for the cannabis community and one of the more knowledgeable people you could connect with across the greater Seattle area. When you’re visiting Bothell and looking for marijuana, Respect My Region recommends calling up Have a Heart – Bothell and asking for Jade.
THE PEOPLE OF LEGAL CANNABIS: JADE NOWAKOSKI – MEDICAL MARIJUANA CONSULTANT AT HAVE A HEART – BOTHELL
Q: Share some info on who you are and what shop(s) you currently work or have worked at. How long have you been working in the medical or rec industry, or both?
A: I’m Jade! 26. I’ve been with Have a Heart CC for four amazing years! I started in medical, first as a fill-in receptionist, then a budtender, and on to management. I currently work at Have a Heart Bothell, and couldn’t be happier to be the local “connect,” in a city I’ve lived in for most of my life!
Q: What have been some of your favorite moments working within the cannabis industry thus far?
A: I could write a novel on my favorite moments working in this industry! From the days where we would all have our own unique set of chopsticks for serving up buds out of big, glamorous, glass jars! To the time Snoop Dogg came to my shop, and we spent some quality time getting to know each other over a blunt with his name woven into it. Honestly though, nothing beats the days when sick patients would come back with smiles on their faces, and color in their cheeks, telling us that they haven’t felt this good in years. Those were the days that made all of the craziness of this job 1000% worth it.
Q: What made you get into the cannabis industry? Were there any particular moments where you realized this was what you really wanted to get into?
A: Oh man, if you ask Ryan [the owner of Have a Heart CC], he would say trying to get me to make the move into this industry was like pulling teeth! Hehe! After years of consistency, however, he convinced me and my heart told me it was time! Before Have a Heart CC, I worked for the one and only Piece of Mind! Talk about a great industry to be a part of prior to the heart of the cannabis industry! I couldn’t feel more blessed career wise! I got to know an incredible group of leaders and inspirational people at a young age starting at Piece of Mind, and transitioned into a position of quick change and growth under the wing of three very strong, ballsy, and determined men; all of whom I consider family for life.
Q: Time to get into some of the juicy details. Are you team sativa, indica, or hybrid? Or do you prefer eating, drinking, and other non-traditional forms of using cannabis over smoking?
A: Hybrid! Hybrid! 50/50, 60/40! Something like that, around there! I’m simply a flower girl. Nothing quite like the plant in its natural form!
Q: Can you really break down and describe that perfect cannabis experience for you?
A: A dreamy, giggly euphoria with an ever so slight tingling throughout the body! Extra points if it makes me forget I have only one stomach!
Q: What aspect of marijuana brings out the passion in you? Why?
A: There is honestly something about every aspect that I love. From the cultivation to the processing, and sale of the product, there is ingenuity stemming from every angle, and it’s beautiful to watch emerge!
Q: How important is properly educating the consumer to you and the shop you work at? Do you feel that consumers are receptive to the information you provide?
A: Education is one of the most important things anyone in our industry can provide to others. Whether it is the producer educating the budtenders or the budtenders educating the guests; knowledge is power! Knowing general information like the differences between indica, sativa, and hybrid, to detailed information like what gardens are organic, or what edible products are gluten or sugar-free, are important when making recommendations and maintaining a good rapport with guests! One of the best compliments I’ve ever received was, “You really know what you’re talking about!”
Q: What are some of the most important things you look for when purchasing cannabis that you feel most consumers are overlooking?
A: Terpenes. Oh how I wish more companies had the ability list their terpenes! If you come across one that does however, look at the numbers! Terpenes can give a big clue as to how that batch is going to make someone, “feel.” Harvest Date: while a lot more people are becoming savvy on this one, many still overlook how long the product has been around, or when it was produced. Now, I’m not saying older harvest dates are bad, but it is important to make sure you are getting the cannabinoid profile, and consistency of product you like, which can be affected by harvest date!
Q: What cannabis brands do you trust the most and why? (1 each for concentrates, prerolls, flower, edibles/drinkables and which resource you go to for trusted information.)
A: This is a hard one for me, and I feel it would be almost unfair to choose only one. I like a few different companies for different reasons. So for this, I’ll pass on the concentrates, prerolls, and edibles since I don’t partake in those as much. Two of my top tried and true favorites are Gold Leaf Gardens and Washington Bud Company. Call me biased, but these players are true ballers! Stemming from deep roots in medical, both of these companies have always kept it 100, and consistently continue to do so with the highest quality flower, highest quality people, and highest quality values! Now I can’t leave out a very deserving Clandestine Gardens, either! Wow. Talk about a company who has hitter after hitter after hitter, none ever failing to please! And can we talk about the art on those bags?! Win, Win, Win!
Q: Are there any misconceptions about cannabis that you would like to see changed or communicated differently?
A: Hey Jeff Sessions: Good People DO Smoke Marijuana.
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