This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
On Wednesday, February 20, Medicine Man Dispensary, located at
500 E Rogers Rd., will be the third of the four dispensaries approved by the City of Longmont to open this year.
Sally Vander Veer, CEO
The business began in 2009 when Vander Veer's brother began a small startup marijuana business. After seeing the success he was having, Vander Veer's second brother suggested that the family get involved and grow the business.
In 2010, the family business had grown enough to open its first dispensary in Denver. They also owned one of the first recreational licenses issued in 2014.
Having grown up in towns surrounding Longmont, Vander Veer and her family spent a lot of time here. "The Longmont opportunity was really exciting. We worked really really hard to get the competitive license," states Vander Veer.
One of the challenges the dispensary faced when choosing a location in Longmont was finding a place with the proper zoning and one that met their idea of perfect.
"We were looking for a discreet place," says Vander Veer. Medicine Man wanted a location that allowed people the freedom to maintain their privacy should they feel that was important.
The building itself used to be a man-cave for a local car enthusiast. Because the man-cave was decorated with all things car, Medicine Man decided to draw its own decorating inspiration from that and now offers an
The new decor is not only inspired by this Longmont local but he also donated several pieces for the shop to incorporate into the theme.
The automotive theme is perfect for the shop, according to Vander Veer because it is located in the same area as several dealerships. Additionally, Vander Veer feels like it represents the working class and that is who her family identifies themselves as being and in turn is their primary target customers.
"Our goal is to educate the customer, whether it is their first experience or their 1,000th. There is no such thing as a dumb question. We really want people to come in and feel comfortable here," says Vander Veer.
Upon moving into Longmont, Medicine Man Dispensary has found a home and a community that has welcomed them with open arms. They have found other businesses to help store supplies, a city who worked with them to gain the proper permits and a community of people who remember them from visits months ago.
"It's nothing we have ever experienced before when opening a dispensary," says Vander Veer.
The welcome made such an impression that Medicine Man has made a strain of cannabis called The Longmonster. The proceeds from purchases of The Longmonster will go to the Medicine Man Family Foundation, which is a nonprofit that funds charities in the community where Medicine Man has a dispensary.
Medicine Man has identified Stand Up Colorado as the local charity they wish to support through their foundation. Stand Up Colorado is a "statewide, collaborative, multi-year project that goes beyond raising awareness to alter behaviors and affect long-term social change," according to the Stand Up Colorado website, whose efforts are focused in Northern Colorado.
Because family is one of the most important things to the Medicine Man team, they feel strongly about supporting efforts that help families live better lives.
Additionally, the dispensary offers its employees the opportunity to get paid to volunteer in the community. Medicine Man is currently looking for local volunteer opportunities to recommend to their staff.
"We are committed to making sure that our customers have a safe and the type of experience that they want," says Vander Veer. "We have pride in what we do and we take this very seriously. Our reputation is on the line and we hope to bring everything that we have learned to the Longmont area."
