With a whole world of medical dispensaries opening up in Toronto and recreational legalization nearing the corner, Jeff Donaldson of Bellwoods Dispensary rarely has a boring day. The rules of their universe are constantly evolving, but the business remains fun and lucrative, especially when you’re flush with some of the most premium strains in all of Toronto. A bold statement, to be sure, but one my friends, peers, associates, and I can all agree on, and one which the folks behind Bellwoods are not too shy to confirm.
We sat down with Jeff to learn how an ex big wig at a huge pharma company and a trained chef found their true passion and calling in Toronto’s quickly evolving cannabis industry
Tell me a little bit about your background. How did you first get into the cannabis scene and what made you eventually open up your dispensary?
I’m actually a trained chef by trade. I’ve been fortunate enough to work at some of the best restaurants in Vancouver and Toronto, like Cioppino’s and the Chateau Laurier Hotel… but this was my true call to happiness. I started getting involved with marijuana in high school, illegally of course—but I got involved out of a true love for it. I was passionate about pot, and wanted to make a career of it. There were so many shitty dispensaries that existed in the beginning. Here they were shitty, out west they were shitty… from the bags to the customer service, everything was terrible. A good friend of mine here in Toronto has been my best connect since 2000, but he wanted no part in opening up a dispensary, so I was on my own. And so the business pretty much just started out with me and my buddy Mark, who I met after University on a softball team. Mark is my business partner and co-owner of Bellwoods Dispensary and was a forecaster and analyst for one of the largest pharma companies in the world. Mark is definitely more the business end, while I’m better at dealing with the customers. It’s a good balance.
When was the first time you smoked marijuana? And was it for pure recreation or medicinal purposes?
It was in the 10th grade. I’m not afraid to say that for myself it’s pretty recreational. But it has helped a bunch of guys in my own life who suffer from depression. People are afraid to try stuff until someone tells them it’s okay. Otherwise, they let the government do the thinking for them. My dad is a retired cop and he’s all for legalization. He loves the idea because, as a cop, he thinks people who consume cannabis are easy to deal with. People just need to break the taboos around this plant and realize it’s really not so bad after all.
What’s your motto on “customer service”? You have a consciously boisterous, friendly presence in the store. I feel like I’m shopping for the best organic produce at a farmer’s market. It’s a lot more of a comfortable and artisanal feeling than the other cannabis clinics and dispensaries I’ve been to which take on such a “fast retail” vibe.
We just want to normalize cannabis as much as possible and make people feel less scared and uncomfortable walking through our doors. By being a normal, non-sketchy storefront with big, clear windows, people are more inclined to follow their curiosity, since we look like a respectable and professional building. In a lot of the clinics around here, the windows are blacked out and have a suspicious, shady look. A 60-year old grandma who’s looking for some infused arthritis balm probably won’t feel comfortable walking into that sort of shop, but she’ll easily walk into ours and have a more comfortable experience, and be less afraid to ask questions.
What do you think it is that sets you apart from the other clinics, besides this open, cavalier attitude?
It really just comes down to fun and quality. We’re all about having a fun and lighthearted experience, while satisfying people’s needs. There’s kind of a weird, almost accusatory vibe in some of the dispensaries, and you have a distant and bizarre iPad meeting with an in-house doctor (some guy in his living room on Skype). With us, you go see your own doctor and deal with it in a less pressing way.
What are some of your favorite strains you guys carry, and have any strains won awards or been featured anywhere recently?
Killer Pink and Platinum OG are my current favorites. Platinum clocks in at 27 percent THC and has already been written up by a few popular review sites.
Can you talk a little a bit about how you find your growers and how you source your product and suppliers?
A lot of the time, they actually find us. We opened our doors and people with premium product started coming in. I have some friends in the snowboarding industry back home, a network that I find vital for the cannabis industry, and between that, meeting growers, and getting connects in places like Whistler, we’ve never really been in a panic for top-notch product. We hire a “bud broker” of sorts to ship it to us, but most of the super reliable strains I get are from guys I’ve known for years. It’s more about building trust than anything else, which is maybe why other clinics here find it hard to get product as premium as ours.
And what about you? How much do you personally smoke?
Pretty much on a daily basis, although usually always after work. I actually only smoke shatter, though.
Do you guys ever have work retreats or any fun after-work rituals? It seems like relationships and bonds between employees grow closer in an environment like this, where you don’t have to hide your affinity for something society finds so taboo.
I don’t know about work retreats—we’re all pretty busy, but regularly we take everyone from the office out to this awesome fancy Italian restaurant down the street call Campagnolo—it’s some of the best Italian food in Toronto.
What about industry events? Do you guys ever attend any of those?
We didn’t have an official booth, but we were just at the Karma Cup this year, as were some of our suppliers. That’s always a great event and one we really enjoy.
Obviously a lot of people, I’m sure yourself included, find this industry and any job in it to be that sort of elusive “dream job” that so many people chase. Are there any parts of it you’d rather not be dealing with?
The vague and ever-changing laws around the industry— I could definitely do without those. We’re trying to normalize it, but it’s still all very hazy. There’s a very vague recollection of laws surrounding marijuana, and trying to thrive as a legit business within those parameters can often be a murky and sometimes really stressful part of my job.
And what about some of your favorite parts? Or anything you do here at Bellwoods that makes you proud of the shop and the industry you’re in?
Well a lot of things, but one of the great things about being a successful local small business is that we’re able to help out those less fortunate. A lot of people think that because we’re in the cannabis industry we don’t care about the community and the people living in it, and that couldn’t be any further from the truth. We’re really proud to be a part of this community and where we come from and are always trying to give back to it. We contribute to a lot of different local charities and do a lot of work places like the Women’s Own Withdrawal Management Centre, which is part of the University health system and located right down the block. We always send our people over with donations.
What’s in store for the future? Will you guys be looking to expand at all or open up other shops? Or will this remain the flagship?
Business is booming, but with the state of the cannabis industry in Toronto still on slightly shaky ground, we’re approaching it cautiously. We’d like to expand uptown, where spots like Canna Clinic are doing really well and making insane profits, but we’re a bit reluctant in the current climate. Getting bigger also means putting yourself out there on the map more, and we work with a lot of great people who have no interest in being on the grid or monitored in any capacity. Of course we’re doing everything by the book and have nothing to worry about, but sometimes more attention can just mean more headaches, and that’s the last thing we’re looking for right now.
Mo’ money mo’ problems, huh?
Exactly.
By Naima Karp
To learn more about Bellwoods Dispensary, visit their website at bellwoodsdispensary.com
