interview
W H O ’ S Y O U R FAV O R I T E B U D T E N D E R ? T E L L U S W H Y ! E M A I L N O M I N A T I O N S T O R I C K E R @ L E A F M A G A Z I N E S . C O M
Carmen Graves ALASKA LEAF BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH
"I DO WELL WITH THE BEGINNERS, OR PEOPLE WHO HAVEN’T USED IN YEARS, BECAUSE I PREFER LOWER PERCENTAGES."
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THE HERBAL CACHE 158 HOLMGREN PL, GIRDWOOD, AK GIRDWEED.COM @THEHERBALCACHEAK (907) 783-0420 OPEN 10A-10P
A GIRDWOOD NATIVE who loves getting out of Alaska to see the world, Carmen has traveled to Costa Rica, Southeast Asia and Mexico, and has even tried weed in South Africa (it wasn’t legal, btw). Having grown up with Brent Carse who owns the shop, she doesn’t mind helping her buddy out and being the newcomer behind the counter. Follow her on Instagram @carmengraves HOW DID YOU VENTURE INTO THE CANNABIZ? YOU’RE A SELF-PROCLAIMED OCCASIONAL USER OF CANNABIS, BUT YOUR PARENTS ARE LONGTIME STONERS, RIGHT? It’s kind of funny, I’m not that
great at reviewing products when we get samples at the store. So, I take them to my parents for help, and together we get the right descriptions. Talk about family bonding! IF YOU’RE NOT A BIG STONER, HOW DOES THAT AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO ADVISE ON CANNABIS WHEN BUDTENDING? Most people that come
in just want the highest percentage of THC and to just get as high as possible – that’s not my sweet spot. I do well with the beginners, or people who haven’t used in years, because I prefer lower percentages. I mean, I eat about 2.5mg of an edible and I’m good – total lightweight. But I think a lot of people are, too, and I can relate. Everyone is different. HOW DOES CANNABIS AFFECT YOU WHEN YOU’RE IN YOUR SWEET SPOT? It’s
when I still have control of my thoughts. And as a budtender it’s important to be aware that many people are looking to us for information, and there needs to be trust that we’re not going to advise them to try something that will make them uncomfortable – so I’m hyperdiligent about that.
LEAFMAGAZINES.COM
IT REALLY IS ALL ABOUT GETTING PEOPLE THE RIGHT DOSAGE, OR THE RIGHT STRAIN, ISN’T IT? Yep,
experimenting is important for people to find where they are most comfortable. SO, YOU AND THE OWNER OF THE SHOP GREW UP TOGETHER. DID YOU KICK HIS ASS IN DODGEBALL? No (laughs),
we’re both really passive people, we’re not the kind that are going to kick anybody’s ass. We’re both pushovers. I found some old footage the other day of my fourth birthday at Chuck E. Cheese and he was there, so it goes way back.
JUN. 2021
by MIKE RICKER @RICKERDJ | PHOTO by O'HARA SHIPE @SHIPESHOTS/ALASKA LEAF
