Cannabis has been legal in Arizona recreationally since January of 2021. Medically the program has been in place since 2010, so dispensaries are already in business and recreational sales were quick to follow after the prop was passed in November of 2020.
Now that it’s legal, we’re going to talk to long time Tempe, Arizona street supplier Roy “Al” Green. We’re going to try and learn a little bit about business after legalization and see if we can find some noticeable differences between street weed and shop cannabis in the process.
First off let’s learn a little bit about Roy “Al” Green.
How long have you been in the business and how much of an area do you cover?
How did it happen, did you fall into this line of work?…or was it more of like just friends asking? Or did you seek it out because you were aware of the kind of money it could make?
“20 years in the biz as a plug in the greater Phoenix Metro area. (Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale, Arizona State University, for those that aren’t familiar).
I’d say it started with not wanting to pay for bag prices…picking up in bulk was more cost effective. Of course filling the need for family, friends and co-workers helped to make that jump. In the beginning it was more about having the supply and meeting those needs for it.”
Was it ever a full time job? If so, how long?
“Being able to do it to pay bills and rent didn’t really cross my mind ’til much later. It was always a convenient way to fill in the gaps, but I’ve always held a job for various reasons. One of the big reasons is that you tend to blend in better when you have a job, routine and place to be.
Not until this damn pandemic in 2020 have I lived solely on profits made from my sales. It’s been over a year now. Do I regret working all those years….not one bit. Work keeps you grounded and connected to the people and streets like nothing else.”
In all of the years of your service, what would you say is/was your best year of sales? Can you expand on that a bit. (what could you afford ie: rent, groceries, car lease, whatever, etc.)
In 2010, Arizona passed the AMMA and Arizona’s medical cannabis program was created. Would you say that your sales increased or decreased immediately after? – did they slowly increase or decrease with time?
“When AZ started the medical marijuana program there was definitely a rollercoaster of sales and customers. Losing some while gaining others when people realized the higher prices at dispensaries. It was down then up. The black market had and still has the best quality without paying $50+ for an either of mid tier shelf quality buds.”
Did the onset of the COVID epidemic affect your business?
“Yeah at first it was an immediate boom I think with people trying to grapple with the whole idea of a pandemic and with more time on everyone’s hands. Then unemployment and money issues caught up with everyone during the holidays. Our so called government’s failed response to it all then didn’t help either.”
Just recently, Arizona passed Prop 207, becoming the 13th state to legalize recreational sales. We’re a few months into the year…have you been hit less, same or worse than when the medical program took place?
“There’s definitely been a decrease in sales unfortunately since Rec was legalized. It sucked because things had already slowed with more people filing for unemployment this past year. which is understandable. I know people are curious about dispensaries…I don’t blame them but some will be back after they see the mediocre quality and 16% tax on flower.”
It’s common knowledge that street cannabis can be poorly cared for and or laced with pesticides or other chemicals. Do your clients ever ask or seem to care about these kinds of details? Have you ever visited the site where you acquire your product?
“I’ve never had a customer ask me about that kind of stuff unless something seemed off…and never had a situation that couldn’t be righted. I’ve dropped sources before for inconsistent quality on product. In this business your word and name mean everything, so you have to be able to stand by your product.”
What are the main reasons that people still buy from street sellers instead of a dispensary?
“CONSISTENCY…on service and quality. It’s gotta be the same every time! It blows my mind that places with a license and storefront…are playing with words like “medical” and they can’t churn out the same quality or representation every time.”
Do you think the flower you offer is on par, below or above what you’ve seen in dispensaries?
“Oh for sure the quality I offer exceeds most dispensaries “top shelf”. Can’t beat my prices either. Dispensaries got me on variety though.”
Speaking of dispensaries, check out the photos below. Each thumbnail contains a mini gallery of a strain purchased at a dispensary in Mesa, Arizona.
- Memberberry (street) vs Headbanger (shop)
- Memberberry (street) vs Mendo Breath (shop)
You be the judge. You’ve seen three samples from a dispensary in the Phoenix Metro. One sativa, one indica and one 50/50. In your non-professional opinion…what do you think?
Now take a look at the Member Berry strain below. This was a $50 sack from Roy “Al” Green. Keep in mind that the others were in the $50 range as well…but on special and with a veteran discount…and with a medical card.
Do you think the flower you offer is on par, below or above what you’ve seen in dispensaries?
“Oh for sure the quality I offer exceeds most dispensaries “top shelf”. Can’t beat my prices either. Dispensaries got me on variety though.”
Below is a gallery of what I got from Roy “Al” Green, he said the strain was called ‘Member Berry’. A $50 sack closely matched in size (though I didn’t weigh any of them) to what I received at the dispensary in Mesa, Arizona.
Do you ever find yourself shopping at dispensaries, and why or why not?
“I actually do here and there. It’s a fuckin adult candy store…you gotta have self control. I try to limit myself to a $100 and only items I don’t have. (gummies, drinks, etc)”
Now that cannabis is recreationally legal in your state, will you continue to sell? Is it even worth it for you?
“As long as it pays my rent it’s worth it but I’m still on the lookout for a regular job too. I think I’m at the point now where I’m “Gonna do it till the wheels fall off.” I still have folks that depend on me. Also I don’t want to start paying retail prices for my smoke!”
Do you see enough of a difference in Maricopa County (Phoenix, Arizona) to buy from a dispensary over a street seller like Roy “Al” Green? Do you think the prices in a shop are on par with what you’d find on the street? How do these compare to where you’re at?
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