BUDTENDER Q&A

MARYLAND LEAF BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH ADISA GIDDENS-SMITH

ADISA GIDDENS-SMITH has been one of the top budtenders at CULTA from day one, where he goes out of his way to make sure things are running smoothly and keeps the good vibes coming with the high value he places on teamwork. Always providing impeccable service to his patients, the CULTA team truly wouldn’t be what it is today without Adisa.

“I ENJOY WORKING AT A PLACE WHERE I’M ABLE TO HELP ASSIST PATIENTS IN AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF HEALING.”

COMING FROM PG COUNTY, DID YOU EVER SEE CANNABIS BEING LEGALIZED IN MARYLAND? Honestly, no – especially with how bad of a negative stigma Cannabis had. For so long, I was taught in school and from everyone that Cannabis was a drug and not medicine. So for it to be at the point that it is now – legit – is mind-blowing.

DOES YOUR FAMILY USE CANNABIS? WHAT ABOUT YOUR BROTHERS? My father is the only person in my family who does not use Cannabis. My mother and my younger brother, who are MMCC patients, like to medicate using Cannabis. Also, my older brother who lives in Colorado with his newborn baby likes to medicate.

HOW DOES CANNABIS INFLUENCE THE WAY YOU LOOK AT ART? Cannabis influences the way that I look at art by changing my perspective and my emotions. When you medicate, terpenes create something that is called an entourage effect – which causes a different chemical reaction in your body every time. Forcing your emotions to change whether you want to or not. So, the main way I can say Cannabis influences the way I look at art is by changing my emotions and ultimately giving me a new mindset on whatever topic I’m invested in. For that reason, I always try to change up what strains I’m medicating with.

WHAT IS IT LIKE WORKING AT CULTA? Working at CULTA is pretty dope. I enjoy working at a place where I’m able to help assist patients in an alternative method of healing. I’m a big fan of walking into work and it smells like Cannabis. It’s a very fastpaced working environment with things changing every day. You must always stay sharp and well-composed, because you never know the situations that may arise.

WHAT ARE YOUR LONG-TERM GOALS IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY? To one day get on the cultivation side of things – I first would like to learn how to grow, so I can better understand the plant that I am consuming. Then after I get some more time and understanding, I would like to have my own grow where I produce small batch premium flower for Maryland patients. Yes, we have a good selection today, but I know it can be better. I know I have a unique set of ideas and knowledge to add to the Maryland market.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES AND HOW DOES CANNABIS ENHANCE THEM? Some of my hobbies are playing basketball, working out, painting and listening to music. Cannabis enhances those activities for me by putting me in an optimal state for each one. Allowing for me to be able to perform at my fullest potential each time.

CULTA BALTIMORE

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