Colorado Dispensaries: the good, the bad, and the ugly

[pikes peak 69]

I think a 1/2 oz a month is good. The law doesn't mention anything about giving meds away, and no disp that I know of has done that yet. Some claim to, but haven't seen it yet.
Good Job GreencardMeds,

pp69

 

[GreenCardMeds]

I think a 1/2 oz a month is good. The law doesn't mention anything about giving meds away, and no disp that I know of has done that yet. Some claim to, but haven't seen it yet.
Good Job GreencardMeds,

pp69

Thanks PP69, I'm new to this, so I don't know what others are offering, I thought a half O sounded fair. When it comes down to it, this is still a business, and 'coming out' so to speak isn't cheap. Taxes and other expenses eat up half of the money that comes in. I'd love to offer more, but until MMJ is accepted as a legitimate medicine I still have to pay sales taxes on it. As it is, free medicine accounts for 10% of my gross product, which I think is a reasonable number, when, after taxes and expenses that 10% becomes 20% of my net. How much do you give away Alpha, and do you pay income and sales tax on your gross?

 

[alphaguru]

I hope that it will all become smaller and more personal.


we are talking large numbers. I haven't come across anyone offering what I do to my patients, and I will still make a modest living. That is whats fair.



thats ridiculous. like I stated earlier, my patients get a QP a month for free and I ususally charge $300-400 a z after that because a QP a month equates to just over an eight a day and I don't know anyone smoking that much

from page 44


I personally feel that I can give away a decent amount given that I can grow enough on those same plants to pay for all the weed they smoke x 10

some people do care about caregiving
a hp a month to patient an hp to me leaves AT THE VERY LEAST another lb of a 12 plant grow.

I would like to pay sales tax but do not understand how one goes about doing so

 

[GreenCardMeds]

from page 44


I personally feel that I can give away a decent amount given that I can grow enough on those same plants to pay for all the weed the smoke x 10

some people do care about caregiving
a hp a month to patient an hp to me leaves AT THE VERY LEAST another lb of a 12 plant grow.

I would like to pay sales tax but do not understand how one goes about doing so

Alpha, I'd like to designate you as my caregiver, do you have any openings?

Let's use light wattage rather than plant count, it's like asking how many slices in a large pizza compared to a small, it's 8 all around. I grow 12 plants under 2000 Watts and get close to 3.5 lbs. (X 2, I grow perpetually)
it takes 2.5 months to grow that, at 4 patients (allowing 3 flowering for each) getting a QP a month, right there that is 3 lbs. You're left with a half LB, perhaps a full one if you're numbers are good. $4,000 profit every 2.5 months.

Power bill= $750
Nutrients, say $300
Rent=$2500
Trimmer payment=$300
Federal and local taxes=$1200

Your profit= -$750

Like you said, you don't pay sales tax, so you're breaking state law there, and federal twice.
I Have 8 patients. By your logic then, I should be paying out 2 lbs a month or I'm being greedy, yes it would leave me 1.5 lbs per month, but then what's the point if that still won't cover expenses? I might as well grow 3 plants for myself and forget about the rest.

 

[alphaguru]

in my case

higher plant numbers less patients

1000w tuned perfectly can yeild 2+ pounds. with higher plant number per patient I run 12 plants per person.

have't had a (on record legal) crop yet and seeing as that comes down next week I still have plenty of time to figure out the tax stuff.

I guess everyones situation is different and everyone will look at it differently

oh and by the way

if you make 4000 a month you make more than all school teachers! is that not fair enough

and your expenses are crazy. my patients want weed well then they are trimming for free
I pay half the rent you do and 1/4 of the power bill. haven't worked out taxes yet

 

[SweetBOG]

Alphaguru and GreenCardMeds: Finally CARE-givers coming out of the woodwork! Free buds is free buds, so thank you both for whatever amounts you give away to your patients. I bet there's plenty of interest here for services like that and I hear the PM's already droppin into your inbox. I'm more cautious about meeting unknown peeps, but these forums/PM's are great places to get to know folks better. Show them dispensaries a thing or two about care. If you and many others (quickly coming onto the scene) true care-givers overgrow the dispensaries, they'll have to compete not just amongst each other, but also with you. That will surely bring prices down.

 

[alphaguru]

thanks for the kind words
the fact is there is no competition untill a law such as the 5 patients per caregiver comes into effect. because I'm not trying to grow 50 lbs! and thats what the competition is up to
Me giving one patient decent meds does nothing for others. and as is dispensaries buy all excess meds for top dollar. theres nothing to be done as of yet.

 

[SweetBOG]

One more thing friends... be wary not to rush out to a new dispensary just because some newb mentions in a few phrases it's great. Some forums don't allow dispensary/care-giver/coop reviews because they're not blind to the fact that dispensary owners sign up as members only to promote their shop and at times bash others' shops. I encourage you to take these kinds of opinions with a spoonful of salt; or wait until there are more reviews of the shops.

So.... Legalmeduser, you keep promoting stone mountain in half of your 8 posts, three of which pepper this thread with website links. We get it, yer the dude from there, but it's underhanded to come in like this. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[GreenCardMeds]

in my case

higher plant numbers less patients

1000w tuned perfectly can yeild 2+ pounds. with higher plant number per patient I run 12 plants per person.

have't had a (on record legal) crop yet and seeing as that comes down next week I still have plenty of time to figure out the tax stuff.

I guess everyones situation is different and everyone will look at it differently

oh and by the way

if you make 4000 a month you make more than all school teachers! is that not fair enough

and your expenses are crazy. my patients want weed well then they are trimming for free
I pay half the rent you do and 1/4 of the power bill. haven't worked out taxes yet

Your points are duly noted, but that's the thing, you have 4X the legal allowed number of plants per patient, I'd be careful advertising that on any forum or media outlet easily viewed by the masses.
As far as the $4,000/month, that's fine, but from what I've seen, the medical marijuana industry needs reformation, and I'm sorry my friend, but unless Daddy's padding your pockets, I'm not gonna get anywhere for $4,000/month. My goal, is 6 months from now to open a dispensary, and unfortunately doing this with a Robin Hood mentality isn't going to cut it. I'm figuring around $60,000 to get my warehouse op going, and I can't very well do that with a teachers salary- I'm thinking of the bigger picture my friend, if we're going to do what's right in this business we need to challenge the big dogs head on, and that means opening a full scale business, selling for less than anyone out there, and giving reasonable free medication to those that need it. I admire what you're doing, and it's much needed, but I want to get out of the cellar before the next millenium and do something that helps thousands of patients with lower prices, rather than a few patients with a free QP a month.

As far as having patients trim for me, well, that's a great idea, but honestly, I like the anonymity of my location. I live here, my girlfriend lives here, and I would like to put her mind at ease as much as possible. No-one comes to my house, except us, and once a month, 2 close friends to help me out.

I dont have anything against you man, just different ideals and goals, and I 100% agree with you- I guess everyones situation is different and everyone will look at it differently.

BTW Teachers get benefits, summers and holidays off, oh and their paychecks are issued by the government, not siezed by it.

 

[SNIPER420]

I went to Green Mountain tonight, got there at 7:15pm (thanks to whoever canceled!) and left about 9pm. Besides the wait, I can't say enough good things about the place as far as getting the license goes. While the approval process and crew were great, the prices were very high, even for members. They gave some samples for mentioning icmag, sounds like they're getting alot of business from this site.

The process was easy, I didn't get my medical records until the drive there, so I couldn't print them. They were cool with that though. The crew there was really chill, some just hang out in the lobby, even the dude w/ the teardrop. To whoever said it was shady, no one there was intimidating or even short or rude, everyone was very cool and insisted that we eat some free Jimmy Johns and sodas. I got approved for $175. Didn't get to meet Mike, but thanks to Mike for letting us know about this place.

I think I'll be traveling to Nederland this week to check out some more strains. Any recommendations up there for strains/dispensaries? I'll probably check out One Brown Mouse and another.

 

[alphaguru]

haha word up well all is noted on this end aswell

and no I don't have 4x the legal amount. its medically necessary and I have doctors recs for those plant numbers. do some reading in the other CO threads the law is grey.

anyways, I wish you luck with your larger endeavors but thats just not for me. thats all.
I've had the offer to run a larger op with many patients and many plants and I have declined for these reasons.

but I'm still very young! its all good. you are awesome in my book

 

[GreenMtnCare]

Thanks for the kind words...The only complaint I ever usually get is the wait on nights when a certain Dr. is at our shop (along with too high of prices) puts everything behind and creates a back-up, because he is usually late. Last Friday the Dr showed up un-announced with 15 patients, and really jammed up my shop with a holiday weekend ahead of us (sorry Tripstick..stop in and I will fix you up bro) After tonight we have fired this person, and have replaced with a way more reliable, and professional Med Staff (the same ones who do my Saturdays).
We are also working with several Drs in the area and will have a networt with several locations around the Metro area. Watch here or at my website for more info.
Mike

I went to Green Mountain tonight, got there at 7:15pm (thanks to whoever canceled!) and left about 9pm. Besides the wait, I can't say enough good things about the place as far as getting the license goes. While the approval process and crew were great, the prices were very high, even for members. They gave some samples for mentioning icmag, sounds like they're getting alot of business from this site.

The process was easy, I didn't get my medical records until the drive there, so I couldn't print them. They were cool with that though. The crew there was really chill, some just hang out in the lobby, even the dude w/ the teardrop. To whoever said it was shady, no one there was intimidating or even short or rude, everyone was very cool and insisted that we eat some free Jimmy Johns and sodas. I got approved for $175. Didn't get to meet Mike, but thanks to Mike for letting us know about this place.

I think I'll be traveling to Nederland this week to check out some more strains. Any recommendations up there for strains/dispensaries? I'll probably check out One Brown Mouse and another.

 

[SNIPER420]

Mike, are you referring to the doctor I saw that got fired? will I be all good to send everything in for approval?

And, despite the prices, I will be back. Good vibes, good conversation and some great product is worth it for me. I read here that there could be a decent wait. So while it was an anxious wait, I expected it.

 

[GreenMtnCare]

It's all good. The Dr is still a MD, he just isn't in my shop anymore.
Thanks again for all.
Mike

Mike, are you referring to the doctor I saw that got fired? will I be all good to send everything in for approval?

And, despite the prices, I will be back. Good vibes, good conversation and some great product is worth it for me. I read here that there could be a decent wait. So while it was an anxious wait, I expected it.

 

[Marshmello]

A lot of it is trusting your instinct. I only meet in public places, and only bring what the person asks for, I don't carry cash and excess weed. If i were a scammer, I could put a website up in 5 minutes to make you feel better, perhaps have you come to my house, and stuff you in my basement! If you're dealing with a caregiver on CL ask questions, test them. Ask about their opinions nutrients and grams per watt, if they seem to know specifics in these areas, there's a good chance they're legit. Be smarter than the glock-toters!

I do feel better about your business because it has a website and I would think I'm not alone in this sentiment.
Call me naive or whatever you choose, it's all good.
I'm not trying to dog you out in anyway shape or form.
I wish you the best in your operation.

 

[still2big]

Your points are duly noted, but that's the thing, you have 4X the legal allowed number of plants per patient, I'd be careful advertising that on any forum or media outlet easily viewed by the masses.
As far as the $4,000/month, that's fine, but from what I've seen, the medical marijuana industry needs reformation, and I'm sorry my friend, but unless Daddy's padding your pockets, I'm not gonna get anywhere for $4,000/month. My goal, is 6 months from now to open a dispensary, and unfortunately doing this with a Robin Hood mentality isn't going to cut it. I'm figuring around $60,000 to get my warehouse op going, and I can't very well do that with a teachers salary- I'm thinking of the bigger picture my friend, if we're going to do what's right in this business we need to challenge the big dogs head on, and that means opening a full scale business, selling for less than anyone out there, and giving reasonable free medication to those that need it. I admire what you're doing, and it's much needed, but I want to get out of the cellar before the next millenium and do something that helps thousands of patients with lower prices, rather than a few patients with a free QP a month.

As far as having patients trim for me, well, that's a great idea, but honestly, I like the anonymity of my location. I live here, my girlfriend lives here, and I would like to put her mind at ease as much as possible. No-one comes to my house, except us, and once a month, 2 close friends to help me out.

I dont have anything against you man, just different ideals and goals, and I 100% agree with you- I guess everyones situation is different and everyone will look at it differently.

BTW Teachers get benefits, summers and holidays off, oh and their paychecks are issued by the government, not siezed by it.

well said!

 

[alphaguru]

can some one explain how I go about charging for meds and taxing it?

 

[still2big]

paying the state sales tax and what not i can see, its just the Federal Income Tax i wonder about.

 

[SELFHEMPLOYED]

As far as I know you do exactly that. Pay city and state sales tax and federal income tax. There are not other taxes to pay.
I went to a seminar called "Dispensary 101" hosted by Brian Vicente and Shawn Mcallister and they say some people are even set up to tax for the "service they provide" not the medicine. They get paid to be your consultant and then the medicine is free. This method avoids sales tax altogether. Set up your LLC to be taxed as an Scorp was the recommendation given to me.

I highly recommend these seminars. Cost was $500 split between my partner adn I and included a two hour seminar and ALL of the forms you need to open/run a dispensary

 

[Legalmeduser]

I went over to Botanic labs this morn. Picked up Jacky White, AK and P3. I really like the bottles better than plastic bags. Owner is very cool.

Sorry for promoting StoneMtn. My caregiver is one of the people who helped get that place started. He isnt an owner just provides meds. I dont work for them either, but Id do anything to let people know they are good folks. Dont get so uptight for somepne putting in a good word.

SourBog, Im pretty sure I was asked for contact info. Their website has all the info. Whats wrong with that. lighten up, not everyone is up to no good. smoke a spliff and chill.

Was up in Ned this past week. The shining star cafe is changing into a dispensary. Its getting crazy up there. One on each street corner.