I'm 55 and was a recreational user fanatic for decades in my youth. But I'm also a recovering alcoholic so I studiously avoided MMJ out of fear of relapse. I was in an impossibly hostile work environment and the stress was literally destroying me. Out of desperation I turned to MMJ for support. I qualified because of back pain, but I also HAVE to medicate for PTSD and anxiety due to past trauma crap.
Tried the nearest dispensary to me - wasn't impressed. I walked into The Farm last July. The staff should be nominated for sainthood!!! They have worked studiously and enthusiastically with me for the last several months to bring me up to speed on MMJ. So what's the big deal? THIS:
I am still sober!!! I no longer worry about relapse ANY LONGER!!!! Only a recovering alcoholic can understand how freeing that is. Don't get me wrong - I was born an alcoholic and sadly I will die an alcoholic - nothing I can do about that. But to KNOW those demons are well chained is nothing short of a miracle. I watch my sobriety like a hawk and the turn around in my "internal dialogue" is astounding.
I've also lost 26 pounds and started exercising. So what? Well, I used to weigh 400 pounds and went through gastric bypass surgery to lose over 100 pounds. Because of very serious childhood trauma issues I developed severe body issues and stopped exercising, because when I was physically attractive (in my mind) I was very vulnerable. What started the turn around? A hug and a smile from a Farm staff member. Thanks, B!!! Literally that simple. But it was followed by hundreds of hugs and smiles. Free haircuts. Free massages. Lots of friendly advice. And genuine, SINCERE caring for my well being. I know most of the staff by name and they GET me and truly CARE about ME.
With such great high tolerance strains as Ghost Train Wreck and Headband, I finally have the ENERGY to MOVE!!!!! Thanks to their spectacular manager, Justin, I've learned about Gumbi and get out of the bed in the morning WITHOUT being stiff and can walk like a normal person. They've helped me integrate MMJ into my personal life - for instance, recommending medibles when "odor" is an issue.
Every time I see a middle-aged woman at the check in counter at The Farm, for the first time nervously accompanied by her husband who's protectively scanning the store, I want to say, "You're in great hands. The staff will meet you where you are. The more you tell them, the more they can help. They're not here just to run a business. Everyone here CARES."
The over whelming majority of reviews are about lab results, concentrates, how MMJ spreads through the body with various strains. And The Farm plays at that level. BIG TIME! But I wanted to let the Nervous Nellies know you're not alone. I was one too. Forget the stigma and the PR and the government hype. Marijuana is many, many things. I am very excited to be living in the time when the technology and science exist to finally do the research that is so NEEDED to see what else this little miracle can do.
You are in gentle, well educated, professional hands at The Farm whether it's in Holly's miracle massage chair for free deep tissue massage. Don't think because it's free, haircuts at The Farm are wham bam. Lucy has years of experience and is fantastic! (Oh, yeah - another cool thing about The Farm. Lucy worked with me - for free - to redesign my 3 foot long hair into a more professional, appropriate look for my age. Then she had the receptionist print out the donation form for Locks of Love so I could donate my hair to charity.)
The Farm staff are more than my bud buddies - they have become friends.