Tell us a little about the Hemp House, your job as a manager at the Hemp House, and any other employment related to marijuana.
The Hemp House is licensed to sell hemp derived products and has been around for four years. We do not sell smokable products or vaporizers, just edibles and beverages. There are three locations: Uptown (27th and Lyndale) where I work as shift lead, down town Minneapolis (only for curbside and pickup), and in South Minneapolis close to the border with Richfield. I have worked at the Hemp House for the last year and a half and prior to that I worked for a medical marijuana dispensary. I made the transition to the Hemp House because I wanted to work at a dispensary that was more accessible. It is important to us at Hemp House to find products that meet the customer’s needs, such as issues with sleeping or pain or just wanting to relax. We strive to be approachable, and no question is too dumb.
What is the difference between hemp and cannabis?
Hemp and cannabis are cannabis plants, although hemp has much less THC than cannabis. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the psychoactive compound in cannabis. Technically, we sell only Delta 9 THC.
Is it a misconception that a hemp buyer has to pay in cash?
Yes, that is a misconception. The Federal Farm bill of 2018 legalized hemp and consequently we accept all forms of payment, except checks. We do charge a cannabis tax added to each purchase, as required by Minnesota law.
Is hemp considered safe?
Yes. However, anyone interested in buying one of our products should check with a physician if they have any questions or concerns, particularly if they take prescription medication. I am not an expert on hemp, and the Hemp House is not a medical dispensary.
Is the Hemp House going to apply for a cannabis license?
Yes, we have applied for a cannabis license that would enable us to sell cannabis, including the flower product — “joints,” for example. However, at least for now, our plan, if approved by the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) would be to sell cannabis products at our store (to be named “Stoke”) in Northeast Minneapolis. The Uptown Hemp House, at least for now, would continue to just sell hemp derived products. We hope to hear this summer about the status of our cannabis license.
Tell us about the clients at the Uptown Hemp House and have you had any issues with crime?
We have a wide range of clients here at Uptown. We check IDs as our clients have to be over 21. We see clients who are versed in cannabis — clients who use cannabis products in their day-to-day life. We see new clients as well, clients who have never tried cannabis. We see clients looking for specific effects from our products to help with sleep or pain management, although we advise them that we are not a medical dispensary. Fortunately, we have not had any issues with crime, at least in the last year and a half I have worked here.
Can Hemp House products be delivered, and is there a limit on how much a client can purchase for delivery?
Yes, we do local deliveries to clients 21 or older, either through our store or Door Dash. If a client is within a 15 mile radius of one of our shops, we can deliver to them the same day, ideally within a two hour time frame. We offer two day shipping if the client is not within a 15 mile radius from our store. There is no limit on the amount or type of product a client can purchase for delivery.
What is 4-20 all about and why is it called 4-20?
April 20 is a counterculture holiday when cannabis is celebrated. If you are a regular consumer of cannabis you are going to know about 4-20. According to legend kids in the 1970s would get together at 4:20 p.m. after school to smoke weed. We have a sale on April 20th and it is our busiest day, as is Black Friday. We will also celebrate the grand opening of our Hemp House location in Northeast Minneapolis, but it will only be renamed “Stoke” when and if our cannabis license is approved by OCM.
