The rising popularity of cannabis and how to support small businesses in Denver!
While marijuana has been stigmatized in the past, it's becoming more socially acceptable and legal in many states. Colorado was the first U.S. state to legalize recreational marijuana, and here in Denver, it feels like there's a dispensary around every corner. Many of these dispensaries are bigger chains, but Denver is also home to many independent local spots. There's something really special about shopping with small businesses.
During the height of the lockdown (are you tired of hearing about it yet?), I started to get really into supporting small businesses such as Etsy shops. They always seem to have a certain element that bigger corporations lack. So, why not apply that same sentiment to your cannabis shopping? Today, we will look at a few local dispensaries to show how you can enjoy shopping small! Let's get into it!
Callie's Cannabis Shoppe Denver
You may have seen those stickers with "Our Mom Sells Your Mom Weed" written on them. I know I've seen them before on places like ski lifts. That's Callie's. Callie's is family owned and independently operated. They have three locations: Callie's Denver, Callie's Northglenn, and Callie's RiNo, and they love serving the local community. If you're looking for that friendly, family feel while doing your cannabis shopping, Callie's is an awesome spot to find it. Beyond that, Callie's offers their own grow from Callie's Garden. With a dedication to sourcing high-quality products and an eye for aesthetics, Callie's really shines.
Simply Pure Denver
Think you know cannabis? Think again! Head over to Simply Pure for "An Unexpected Cannabis Experience." Simply Pure has been working to erase the stigma around marijuana and shows kindness and education to community members. People who are interested in but have yet to dive into the cannabis world may feel intimidated by going to a dispensary for the first time, but that doesn't have to be the case. Simply Pure, which started off as an edible company, provides customers with a safe and comfortable experience so that shopping for marijuana is fun, not scary! Whether you're a newbie or a regular customer, you'll learn a lot and enjoy your visits to Simply Pure. They're also open pretty late (11:50 p.m. Thursday–Saturday, 10 p.m. Sunday–Wednesday), so if you're craving that late-night preroll, they got you!
Colorado Harvest Company
Colorado Harvest Company has three locations, the first of which opened in January 2014, making it one of the first rec dispensaries to open in 2014. This initial location is at the start of The Green Mile, which refers to a stretch of South Broadway that has over 16 medical and recreational dispensaries. Their second location opened in Ruby Hill, and their third and largest location is located in Aurora. Check out Colorado Harvest Company for top-notch brands and exclusive product drops.
The Giving Tree of Denver
If you're looking for a wide variety of tasty treats, head over to The Giving Tree of Denver. Their site states they have Denver's largest edible selection. You can even buy 3 and get the 4th for $1 of any edible, on any day. We love a good deal! While they service both med and rec customers, they're medically focused, and the owner often works with cancer and AIDS/HIV patients. The Giving Tree is currently also accepting EPC patients at low prices. If you aren't familiar, EPC refers to extended plant count, meaning certain medical patients can grow or purchase a larger amount of marijuana, as compared to recreational consumers, and it typically applies to people with more serious medical conditions.
Greenfields Cannabis Co
Greenfields operates two family-owned dispensaries for rec and med in the Denver area. They serve top-tier products at lower prices and provide great customer service because they care about conducting business properly. Greenfields has a genuine excitement that those of us in Colorado are able to partake in legal cannabis, whether for medical purposes or pure enjoyment.
Kind Love
Unsurprisingly, Kind Love puts love and care into every step of the process of sourcing cannabis. They work hard to produce and sell products that will improve the lives of their customers. Kind Love states that their core values are cultivating excellence, continuous improvement, consistency, love, loyalty, and mindfulness. They're also open until 11:45 every night at their Alameda Ave location.
Medicine Man Dispensary
Medicine Man is a family-owned dispensary that was founded in 2009 as a medical dispensary, which then opened for recreational customers in 2014. They offer a wide variety of strains and operate locations in Denver, Aurora, Thornton, and Longmont. One thing that sets them apart is that they only sell their own bud, meaning they feel extra confident and connected to their product. "The Medicine Man family grows it, so we know it!" they say. The team at Medicine Man works to provide customers with an enjoyable experience, as they believe it's a privilege to sell cannabis in Colorado. These guys are also night owls; their Denver and Thornton locations are open until midnight!
Green Cross of Cherry Creek
Green Cross recently started serving rec customers in addition to their med consumers. They are family-operated and call themselves a marijuana boutique, which I think is really cute. I do love boutique shopping! They also use their own flower, adding that special unique touch. From helping you get a medical license to offering a wide selection of products, Green Cross is an awesome dispensary to visit.
Oasis Cannabis Superstore
Oasis partners with top local growers to bring customers a wide range of high-quality strains (over 200). It makes sense they're called a superstore! They were even named Best Selection at a Dispensary by Westword. Oasis has two locations, Oasis South and Oasis Northwest. Oasis South offers med and rec, while Oasis Northwest sells solely recreational cannabis. In addition to high-quality products, Oasis also sells cannabis accessories. Hit them up for all of your weed needs.
The Pig 'N Whistle
The staff at Pig 'N Whistle prides themselves on being very kind and knowledgeable. Previously a motel (which even hosted celebrities), this landmark has become a dispensary that services medical patients 18+ and recreational users 21+. The P'N'W really excels in their wide assortment of affordable extracts, but they also carry flower, edibles, and topicals. Their website notes, "Our friendly staff has the industry training to ensure a pleasantly lawful and educational adventure." If you're looking to add some adventure to your life, P'N'W is here to help you find just what you need!
Are you on the hunt for a new dispo to check out? Try one (or all) of these ten great spots! By shopping at local dispensaries, you're not just getting great marijuana - you're also supporting small businesses in Denver. It's important to remember that cannabis dispensaries are more than just places to shop—they're also important sources of employment in the local community. So next time you're searching for a dispensary, think about supporting your local economy by visiting one of Denver's many cannabis stores.
