Wood River’s Cannaisseur Dispensary discusses medical cannabis services and community outreach
WOOD RIVER - The Cannaisseur Dispensary is now licensed to sell medical cannabis.
Get The Latest News!
Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.
Located at 40 E. Ferguson Avenue in Wood River, The Cannaisseur sells a variety of cannabis products for recreational and, now, medicinal uses. Nick Campbell with The Cannaisseur noted that the dispensary can help people navigate the steps to get a medical card, and they’re eager to help community members find the products that will work best for them.
“For any questions or anything like that, any of the medical patients can stop in and talk to us,” Campbell said. “We have a pretty decent staff of knowledgeable people who can really help with some of the ailments that people deal with. I’ve been in this industry for 10 years and I started in medical, so I’m pretty well-versed, as are the majority of the other employees who have been in the industry for a while.”
The Cannaisseur is partnered with Medical Cannabis Outreach, which also helps patients obtain their medical cards. Campbell offered to help people fill out the applications right in the dispensary.
He emphasized that the dispensary is happy to answer any questions that people might have. He believes there’s still a stigma surrounding cannabis, and he’s eager to engage with folks who want to understand more.
“This plant has been shunned for a long time,” he said. “The stigma, I think, needs to be erased. There are still people that are against cannabis, and we encourage them to come in and see our facility and talk to us. There’s no consumption on site or anything like that. There’s no risk of smelling anything that you don’t want to smell. There’s no risk of being pressured into buying. We love talking about this plant. People that have questions, those are the ones that we want to come in the most because we can educate them.”
The employees, called “budtenders,” can also help customers find the products that are best for them. Campbell encourages people to simply come in and ask.
He noted that the dispensary in Wood River is bright, with untinted windows that make it look similar to an office. The goal is to build a welcoming environment that allows people to enjoy a “retail experience.”
“It doesn’t feel like you’re doing anything shady, because you’re not,” he said. “You’re purchasing a legal product that the state allows you to purchase. It’s no different than going into a liquor store or something like that, except it’s a little bit more strict on how things are processed and how we have to check IDs and the product and stuff like that.”
Campbell added that people from all demographics consume cannabis for different reasons. He personally has transitioned away from drinking alcohol because he feels that cannabis is a safer alternative. Many community members use it medicinally to manage different diagnoses. People have various reasons, but they connect over cannabis.
“This plant brings people together from all walks of life and every demographic. We see so many different people come into the dispensary,” he said.
The Cannaisseur is dedicated to giving back, and they hold fundraisers throughout the year for different causes. They will participate in Wood River’s Downtown Trick-or-Treat and other local events because they want to be a part of the community. Campbell encourages people who are 21 or older to stop by and check out what they have to offer.
For more information about The Cannaisseur Dispensary, visit their official website.
This featured article is sponsored by The Cannaisseur. To get your business or organization featured on www.RiverBender.com, contact us at sales@riverbender.com.
