A SK A STONER BY HERBERT FUEGO Dear Stoner: Should I clean out my weed jars? If so, how often? Scrubs Dear Scrubs: Pat yourself on the back for using a jar, which is the fi rst step in proper cannabis storage. Assuming you’re using a glass Mason jar and not blazing through ounces on the reg, treat nug jugs like refi llable water bottles or coffeepots. You don’t have to clean them out after every use, but you probably should wash them more often. The more fl ower it holds, the more frequently a jar should be cleaned. Leftover plant matter will mold eventu- ally no matter how tight the storage, and even if your toking habit doesn’t allow herb to survive that long, trichomes still cake up jars over time. We don’t recommend using a dishwasher or dish soap, because that resin is sticky and can ruin kitchenware. Make it easy on yourself, and clean out nug jugs while cleaning your smoking utensils. They both require the same ingredients — isopropyl alcohol and epsom salt — and benefi t from soaking for a few minutes. Dear Stoner: How are dispensaries closing in Denver? Give me one of those licenses. Weed sells itself. Ed Dear Ed: Opening a dispensary and achiev- ing success isn’t impossible, but it’s not as easy as it seems. With just over 200 different dispensaries and most of the state’s growing operations, Denver has always been one of the country’s most competitive markets, but now it’s oversaturated. Medical marijuana sales in 2022 are down more than 43 percent from last year, according to the state Department of Revenue, while overall pot sales are down over 20 percent. Wholesale fl ower prices have plunged, too, falling more than 46 percent on average from January 2021 to April of this year. Recent infl ation has limited customer spending money, but cannabis has never been cheaper in Colorado, where the plant is no longer a novelty now that nearly twenty states have legalized recreational pot and even more allow medical marijuana sales. Add in licensing compliance and fees, a business tax rate upwards of 70 percent on revenue thanks to federal prohibition, and continued competition from other states and the gray market, and you’ve got one slim profi t margin, Ed. Dispensaries need to sell a lot of weed to stay open, and the tourist dollars just ain’t what they used to be. 30 Send questions to [email protected]. JUNE 23-29, 2022 WESTWORD | REAL ESTATE | RENTALS | HEALTH WELLNESS | SERVICES | EMPLOYMENT | ADULT | MUSIC | CLASSIFIED | westword.com
