Pubdate: Thu, 16 Jul 2015
Source: Westword (Denver, CO)
Copyright: 2015 Village Voice Media
Contact: http://www.westword.com/feedback/EmailAnEmployee?department=letters
Website: http://www.westword.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1616
Author: Herbert Fuego

WHY DO SOME DISPENSARIES ACCEPT CREDIT OR DEBIT CARDS?

Dear Stoner: I've noticed a few random dispensaries accept credit or 
debit cards as payment. I thought that stores were all cash-only 
because banks wouldn't work with them. Travis

Dear Travis: Even with all of the business conferences in which 
white-collar investors line up to get involved with cannabis-related 
companies, many parts of the industry remain stuck in the wild, wild 
West. Although the Obama administration and the Department of Justice 
have said they won't go after banks that handle pot money in states 
where it is legal, few banks will take the chance - and that can 
leave businesses suddenly scrambling. More than a hundred Colorado 
dispensaries had cashless ATMs from South Dakota-based MetaBank until 
last October, when MetaBank discovered that the machines were being 
used by marijuana businesses and shut them down.

Still, while it's true that banks don't want to handle pot money and 
run afoul of the feds, a few companies have found some creative ways 
around that. Here's the word from the manager of a Colorado 
dispensary chain who would like to remain anonymous: "Some owners 
will start another business with a different name, kind of like a 
holding company that owns the dispensary, and then register with the 
bank under it so the dispensaries remain unknown. If the name of the 
company owning the dispensary was 'Alternative Health Creations,' 
then 'Denver Pot Shop' won't come up on the transaction. But once the 
banks find out, it usually means it's time for a new bank."

Moral of the story: Always bring cash, just in case, and don't expect 
to see dispensaries taking plastic until legalization comes at the 
federal level.

Dear Stoner: How can I make my blunts last longer? They smoke way too fast.

Twisty Jones

Dear Twisty: A properly rolled blunt can smoke for at least thirty 
minutes if you shove enough herb into it, but if you're looking for 
some steroids, keep a small amount of hash oil around, and carefully 
apply it to the inside or outside of your blunt. Not only will the 
joint burn longer, but it will also hit you with a ridiculously 
strong fade. Put a glob on a paper clip or dab-piece with a flame 
under it until it begins to melt (not too close, or it'll burn), and 
then start applying. Some people put real honey on their blunts to 
prolong the smoke and add flavor - but there's little research on 
what that can do to your lungs. No one says you can't experiment, but 
always proceed with caution.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom