BUDTENDER THOMAS RICHARD

Thomas Richard OREGON LEAF BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH

TREEHOUSE COLLECTIVE is not just one of the oldest dispensaries in Portland - existing well before legalization took hold - it is one of the most tried-and-true places for Cannabis connoisseurs looking for the best quality products currently available. This is one of the few shops left in Portland that truly curates (a verb used too often these days to describe purchasing) their selection. Customers can feel safe purchasing brands they’ve never tried before, knowing that the people behind the counter and in the office are experienced and consume the products. They can also feel safe that they’re getting the right recommendations, as Treehouse employs some of the best budtenders in the biz - case-in-point, this month’s profile. HOW DID YOU FIRST EXPERIENCE CANNABIS? My first experience was when I was around 13-14 years old. Some might feel that is too young, I know, but I had an amazing experience. I instantly fell in love with this plant and its amazing possibilities. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A BUDTENDER? WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB? I’ve only been in the industry for about a year. I do this because I love people! I also love to be able to help people with something that I’m so passionate about. It is a dream come true. FAVORITE METHOD FOR CONSUMING CANNABIS? You know, I’m a fan of every method! But, if I had to choose it would definitely be dabbing some solventless hash rosin - with an edible chaser of SDK cookies. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE STRAINS, EFFECTS AND TERPENE PROFILES? Some of my favorites include Platinum GSC and Dogwalker. These are two of my top alltime strains because of their heavy, sedative effects. I also love the more energetic and creative strains - things that are perfect for a hike or trip to the gym. When it comes to terpene profiles, I prefer myrcene and limonene. HOW DO YOU FIND THE RIGHT STRAINS FOR A CUSTOMER? For me, it’s all about using your nose. As my favorite extractor BNK (Bo’s Nose Knows) says, “The nose knows.” So, I typically open a few jars to smell - this is something that we still do at Treehouse - and try to get a feel for what the customer likes, and then steer them in that direction. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE CURRENT TESTING REQUIREMENTS BY THE OLCC? DO YOU PUT MUCH FAITH IN THC OR CBD PERCENTAGES TO CONVEY A STRAIN’S EFFECTS? While it’s definitely necessary, I’m not sure how strenuous or regulated the OLCC testing really is. I find that high testing flower - something that tests over 28% - tends to be really harsh and not all that enjoyable. Contrast that with something in the high teens or low twenties, which seems to get me just as high if not higher than high percentage flower. So, for me it always comes back to the nose! WHAT MAKES YOUR SHOP’S APPROACH TO CUSTOMER SERVICE DIFFERENT? Here at Treehouse Collective we always have a ratio of one budtender per customer/ group. That way, we can ensure a one-on-one and more intimate experience for each of our customers. I think this comes through in our ability to serve people well. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES/INTERESTS OUTSIDE THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY? If there’s a chance to explore or travel - I’m gone! I love music festivals and following Phish on tour. Really, anything that helps me grow and push my boundaries - I’m all in. Life is too short to stay stagnant. “I ALSO LOVE THE MORE ENERGETIC AND CREATIVE STRAINS - THINGS THAT ARE PERFECT FOR A HIKE OR TRIP TO THE GYM.”

TREEHOUSE COLLECTIVE / 2419 NE SANDY BLVD, PORTLAND (503) 894-8774 / PDXTREEHOUSE.COM @THC.PDX

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