Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
On Dec. 15 it became legal for individuals to grow a small number of marijuana plants in Massachusetts. On that same date, Aaron Voog stopped having to advise cannabis-curious customers on how to grow "tomatoes."
"Now we're able to talk about things like adults in here," said Voog.
Voog has owned and operated Harvest Moon Hydroponics, a hydroponic gardening store on Route 1, for 11 years. Ever since the passage of Question 4, which sought to legalize recreational marijuana in Massachusetts, his business has been on the rise.
"We saw an uptick starting the morning after the election," said Voog. "The uptick was pretty specific and explicitly stated."
As might be expected, those interested in growing marijuana bought product's from Voog's store prior to legalization. However, Voog had to walk a very careful line prior to the passage of Question 4.
"It was tough," Voog said.
He noted that when people had come into his store and asked about growing marijuana, he had informed them that what they were seeking to do was illegal. However, he would then say that he could advise them on how to grow legal crops, such as peppers and tomatoes.
Most of these customers would then change the stated purpose of their shopping. However, not everybody would take the hint.
"We'd have to ask the occasional person to leave," he said.
Voog also said that the store had had a number of people come in who he suspected had been federal agents or state police checking in on his business.
Still, while the change in the law has been a financial boon, Voog said that he doesn't want to alienate his non-marijuana growing customers either.
"I do lots of work with school systems," said Voog, noting that he's taught classes at the elementary, high school and college level. "I've had a pretty good reputation horticulturally."
In the era before the passage of Question 4, Voog said he had stopped doing home consultations for growers because he was afraid of stumbling upon something illegal. Now, Voog's business will be expanding to include both home and Skype consultations for gardeners, whether they are growing marijuana, orchids, vegetables or some other plants.
Harvest Moon will also begin offering classes, for both marijuana cultivation and the cultivation of other plants, in January.
"I think it'll benefit everybody," said Voog.
Voog says he's still having a hard time wrapping his head around the new reality he is operating in. However, marijuana still remains illegal under federal law, and Voog said that he has concerns about the incoming Trump administration.
He specifically noted Jeff Sessions, the Alabama United States Senator whom Trump has tapped to become attorney general.
"He is a big drug warrior," said Voog.
Indeed, Voog characterized the federal situation as both a wildcard and worrisome.
"We all cast an eye towards Washington to see what the hell might happen," he said.
One customer of Voog's who is taking advantage of the current situation is Michael Tierney of Walpole. Tierney says that he has been growing marijuana plants since the 1960s.
"It's a hobby, it's a recreation," said Tierney. "Like a bonsai tree, and it makes your room smell good."
He also grows vegetables as well, including cucumbers, tomatoes and hot peppers.
Prior to the passage of Question 6, Tierney had to use euphemisms when buying products for his marijuana cultivation hobby. This meant that he couldn't ask questions directly about the process, meaning he wasn't able to learn how to keep an older plant viable for another year. With the end of prohibition in Massachusetts, he was able to learn this with a simple conversation.
"(I'm) just glad to see this day come," he said.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Legal Marijuana - His Business Is Growing
Author: Bera Dunau
Contact: 508-543-4851
Photo Credit: Chris Roussakis
Website: The Foxboro Reporter
"Now we're able to talk about things like adults in here," said Voog.
Voog has owned and operated Harvest Moon Hydroponics, a hydroponic gardening store on Route 1, for 11 years. Ever since the passage of Question 4, which sought to legalize recreational marijuana in Massachusetts, his business has been on the rise.
"We saw an uptick starting the morning after the election," said Voog. "The uptick was pretty specific and explicitly stated."
As might be expected, those interested in growing marijuana bought product's from Voog's store prior to legalization. However, Voog had to walk a very careful line prior to the passage of Question 4.
"It was tough," Voog said.
He noted that when people had come into his store and asked about growing marijuana, he had informed them that what they were seeking to do was illegal. However, he would then say that he could advise them on how to grow legal crops, such as peppers and tomatoes.
Most of these customers would then change the stated purpose of their shopping. However, not everybody would take the hint.
"We'd have to ask the occasional person to leave," he said.
Voog also said that the store had had a number of people come in who he suspected had been federal agents or state police checking in on his business.
Still, while the change in the law has been a financial boon, Voog said that he doesn't want to alienate his non-marijuana growing customers either.
"I do lots of work with school systems," said Voog, noting that he's taught classes at the elementary, high school and college level. "I've had a pretty good reputation horticulturally."
In the era before the passage of Question 4, Voog said he had stopped doing home consultations for growers because he was afraid of stumbling upon something illegal. Now, Voog's business will be expanding to include both home and Skype consultations for gardeners, whether they are growing marijuana, orchids, vegetables or some other plants.
Harvest Moon will also begin offering classes, for both marijuana cultivation and the cultivation of other plants, in January.
"I think it'll benefit everybody," said Voog.
Voog says he's still having a hard time wrapping his head around the new reality he is operating in. However, marijuana still remains illegal under federal law, and Voog said that he has concerns about the incoming Trump administration.
He specifically noted Jeff Sessions, the Alabama United States Senator whom Trump has tapped to become attorney general.
"He is a big drug warrior," said Voog.
Indeed, Voog characterized the federal situation as both a wildcard and worrisome.
"We all cast an eye towards Washington to see what the hell might happen," he said.
One customer of Voog's who is taking advantage of the current situation is Michael Tierney of Walpole. Tierney says that he has been growing marijuana plants since the 1960s.
"It's a hobby, it's a recreation," said Tierney. "Like a bonsai tree, and it makes your room smell good."
He also grows vegetables as well, including cucumbers, tomatoes and hot peppers.
Prior to the passage of Question 6, Tierney had to use euphemisms when buying products for his marijuana cultivation hobby. This meant that he couldn't ask questions directly about the process, meaning he wasn't able to learn how to keep an older plant viable for another year. With the end of prohibition in Massachusetts, he was able to learn this with a simple conversation.
"(I'm) just glad to see this day come," he said.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Legal Marijuana - His Business Is Growing
Author: Bera Dunau
Contact: 508-543-4851
Photo Credit: Chris Roussakis
Website: The Foxboro Reporter
