BUDTENDER Q&A

Daniel Ramirez

ORIGINALLY FROM NEW MEXICO, he arrived in Alaska in 2013 with two daughters, three pieces of luggage and a box of frozen green chiles. He loves to fish, hunt and hike when he’s not serving up the smiles, and has been growing flower for over 10 years.

“IT TAKES A SOFT HAND IN THE WOOD SHOP, AND IT TAKES A SOFT HAND AT THE COUNTER." ALASKA LEAF BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH

AK JOINT

7801 SCHOON ST, ANCHORAGE AKJOINT.COM 10AM-10PM M-SATURDAY CLOSED SUNDAYS (907) 522-5222

CONGRATS ON BEING OUR BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH. NOW YOU’RE ENSHRINED FOR LIFE. That’s awesome! Is that for all the pot shops in town?

NO, THIS IS FOR THE ENTIRE STATE OF ALASKA. Oh, the entire state? That’s amazing!

HOW DO YOU KEEP YOURSELF BUSY DURING THE WINTER? I’m usually working in my woodshop making backs for taxidermy. I’ve also got an operation that I started making t-shirts, decals and stuff. It’s called Cricket and it’s spreading by word of mouth.

HAS YOUR WOOD CARVING TAKEN YOU INTO ANY OTHER CREATIVE REALMS? Absolutely, I usually have a lot of fun making cutting boards and other charcuterie items.

DOES CANNABIS AID IN THAT WORK AND WHAT’S THE STONIEST ITEM YOU’VE MADE SO FAR? No question about it, 100% – Cannabis fuels my creativity. It doesn’t take much to make a pipe with a drill press. I’ve got some exotic woods that I’ve used to make some pieces for friends, but I mostly use walnut.

YOU SHOULD SELL YOUR GOODS AT THE SHOP! That’s not a bad idea, I’ve never thought about it. They sell pieces from other companies, but I think we’re running low – so there might be an open door for an opportunity.

HOW DOES WHITTLING WOOD MAKE YOU A BETTER BUDTENDER? Having patience makes me a better budtender. It takes a soft hand in the wood shop, and it takes a soft hand at the counter.