Q&A with Citi-Med employee Billy Rogers

Q: How does Amendment 64 impact your future business plan?
A: Overall it’s had a very positive impact. The market is expanding which leaves room for new laws and new shops. We’re having trouble keeping products in stock because the demand is so high.

Q: Is there potential for dispensaries to grow into larger, public companies?
A: Yes; edible companies specifically have the room to grow. They’ll most likely be marketed similar to chewing tobacco. There will be a lot of opportunities for large corporations to come in.

Q: How long did it take to become licensed and what did it entail?
A: It took me personally three months to become licensed. When I got mine it was a lottery system where thousands of people would enter their information and it would be randomly picked. Since Jan. 1, it’s similar to the DMV where you go to the medical marijuana offices, wait in line and choose an interview time at a different date. The new system is much more effective and prolific.

Q: What percentage of sales comes from the herbs, the edibles and the concentrates?
A: The herbs easily have the highest demand and we sell the most of them. The edibles we get the most calls and questions about because people are interested in learning how that works. The concentrates are next and following them is our vaporizer and glass selection.

Q: Is there any real threat of the federal government coming and shutting down all operations?
A: It’s hard to tell because marijuana is still a Class 1 drug but so far there haven’t been any worries.
 
Q: How did you personally get into the medicinal marijuana industry?
A: It was a career path I had a passion for and I wanted to do something that I felt would be good for me. So far it has worked out very well.

Q: What is the price model for the stores? How much are grams, eighths, and ounces specifically?
A: Grams are $25, eighths are $65, quarters are $120, half-ounces are $220 and ounces are $380.

Q: Have there been any protestors or police involvement?
A: Occasionally we get a foul call of people accusing us of being drug dealers but overall everyone is very excited and happy to be in the store.

Q: How many out-of-state residents have come in compared to Colorado residents?
A: I’d say it’s ten-fold in favor of out-of-state. I’ll come into our waiting room and ask the 15-20 people waiting where everyone is from and usually every single person is from a different state.

Citi-Med is a medical and recreational marijuana dispensary located on East Evans Avenue and South Gilpin Street.