interview
ALASKA LEAF BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH
DJ RUMFELT
IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE WHO WALKS THROUGH THIS DOOR KNOWS YOU PERSONALLY… Yeah, I’ve always been kind of loud – my whole family is like that (laughs). I definitely make it hard for people to not talk to me. I FEEL LIKE PART OF THE REASON NEW PEOPLE FEEL COMFORTABLE AROUND YOU IS BECAUSE YOU EXUDE GOOD VIBES. Well, my favorite part of the budtending is meeting people and witnessing their transformation through using Cannabis. DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC TRANSFORMATIONS THAT STAND OUT? There's this one big scary guy from jujitsu. And he was always really gruff because he’s not a people person. He would come in, get his canna caps and maybe a few joints or whatever was on sale, and run out. He couldn't be in a crowd, and you would see this big guy just shrivel up around people. So, I used to have him wait in his car “MY FAVORITE until the store was PART OF empty, so he’d be more comfortable. BUDTENDING IS Now, with the help MEETING PEOPLE of Cannabis, he's AND WITNESSING actually opened up THEIR to where he can be in a line with two TRANSFORMATION or three people. THROUGH USING It’s been really cool CANNABIS.” to see.
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LEAFMAGAZINES.COM
THAT’S AWESOME! DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN YOU FIRST FELL IN LOVE WITH CANNABIS? I've kind of always been a pot smoker. I have ADHD and I used to trade my hyper medicine for weed back in junior high. I was a lot happier feeling, mellow, and content than drugged up and outside of myself. Cannabis doesn’t work for everybody, but it definitely helped me a lot. GROWING UP IN A CONSERVATIVE CITY LIKE EAGLE RIVER, I AM SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT IT WAS SO EASY TO SCORE CANNABIS AS A KID. Eagle River is a little weird. Like, you can get every other drug easily, but you can’t get marijuana legally, yet. It’s kind of a shame, really. I just think about how much easier it would be for the retired community that lives there if they could get their plant medicine in town. I think it would really improve the quality of life for a lot of people.
M
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU’RE TOKING ON THESE DAYS THAT YOU’D RECOMMEND TRYING? Five Star Flower has an Apple Sherbert that smells absolutely phenomenal! But I think right now, my favorite is our Snow Angel OG. It’s a really sweet, flavorful indica and perfect for sleeping. For my wake-and-bake, I’m a big fan of Red Run’s Hashade. I love a good edible!
ost budtenders have a few regulars that they have developed a special rapport with over time. But Denali Dispensaries’ DJ Rumfelt doesn’t believe in going slow. His jovial personality, delightful wit, and passion for helping customers get the most out of their purchases make even first-time buyers feel like they’ve been shopping with him for years. Follow him on Instagram @djrumfelt
JULY 2022
DENALI DISPENSARIES
225 E 5TH AVE, ANCHORAGE, AK DENALIDISPENSARIES.COM @DENALIDISPENSARYAK (907) 646-4200 | 8AM-11PM DAILY
STORY by ALASKA LEAF STAFF @AKLEAFMAG | PHOTO by O’HARA SHIPE @SHIPESHOTS
