Green Goddess Remedies; Oregon Dispensary Highlight

Green Goddess Remedies

5435 SW Taylors Ferry Road, Portland, 97219

greengoddesspdx.com

(503) 764-9000

How and when did your dispensary start up?

Green Goddess began at the beginning of legalized medical marijuana dispensaries in 2014! I can still remember sitting at my computer, March 3, at 8:30 am, ready to hit the send button to submit my application! The Goddess was the off shoot of my medical grow, as things developed and it was possible to get an actual license to open a dispensary, it seemed natural to expand and open a shop.

What’s the story behind the name of your dispensary?

The name Green Goddess Remedies for me was the embodiment of what I thought I wanted to represent: Green, the flower, Goddess the female element, because I’m a woman owner and operator, and Remedies because of cannabis’s medicinal value.

What does you dispensary offer customers that they can’t find anywhere else?

The Goddess is special, I think, because of our staff! I feel so blessed to have been able to put together a terrific team of educated, enthusiastic cannabis connoisseurs who are friendly and helpful. If you read our reviews, you’ll see the main comment is how helpful and friendly our staff is.

What are the biggest challenges you face in this industry as a dispensary? Or the biggest joys?

That’s a hard question! As an access point in 2014, I think it was pretty straight forward and relatively easy to open a dispensary under the OHA. Now, I’m not so sure. The past year the whole industry has endured so many regulatory changes coupled with massive amounts of new reporting requirements it’s been overwhelming. Daily, I have multiple emails from a variety of agencies with new rules and compliancy issues! Take that, combined with the new licensing with the OLCC and the Office of Neighborhood Involvement (if you operate in Multnomah County) with the newly created Marijuana Policy Program and you have a second full time job. Honestly, if I were only beginning today, I might be too overwhelmed to proceed. On the flip side, it’s thrilling to be at the forefront of an exciting industry that’s only just begun. It’s a blast watching things explode and being a part of it. I have to laugh when I think of my parents (who are both deceased) when I was busted smoking pot in high school. They said I’d never amount to anything if I kept smoking pot. If they could only see me now!

What’s the one thing you want your clients to know about your dispensary?

Two words: We care! Before I opened the Goddess I had a medical grow, I needed another job to keep myself afloat. I was accepted to graduate school for Applied Theology Master of Divinity, I wanted to work as a chaplain in a hospital. At the last minute I was nervous about pursuing a three year degree and decided to shift gears try to open a business. It seemed like a no brainer at the time. I felt like it was still helping people by being able to provide something I believed in. It’s so gratifying to see patients get off heavy narcotics and watch their lives improve. In that vein, I’ve been exploring ideas as we venture into the retail market to continue to be helpful to those in need. Recently, I have been exploring ideas for non-profit for hospice or cancer patients to have access to the meds they need to for comfort and end of life. It is only at the brain storm stage, but I want to continue to serve patients as much as possible even as we transition into the recreational market.

If someone wanted to open a dispensary and get their feet into the industry, what advice or counsel would you give them?

Honestly, I was afraid of the regulations and greed that could be a natural outcome, resulting in, potentially a “Budweiser” kinda thing. Two years ago, I would have said if you have a small stash of cash, a good idea, were a hard worker and had an honest heart you could succeed. Today, I would say you need investors, business plans, lawyers, consultants and someone to hold your hand and wipe your brow.

What is the most important thing you hope to accomplish while in the MJ/MMJ community?

It’s my goal to serve the community with top-shelf flower for every need, recreational and medical.

Closer to home, as a business owner, my biggest dream is for everyone in the Goddess family to prosper.

With the farm and dispensary combined, I have a lot of people and families that count on me for their lively hood. I take a Ben and Jerry’s kind of approach when it comes to money and salary. I want everyone at the Goddess dispensary and farm to be happy and prosper with me as we grow.

I truly believe that when everyone is happy, their needs are met or even better, exceeded there’s no limit to what we can do!