The notion of Outlook getting a cannabis store would’ve likely been laughed out of the room as little as a few years ago. But the times, they are a’changin’, and it’s something that has been positively embraced since that idea turned into a brick and mortar storefront on Franklin Street.
One Eye’s Weedery opened up shop on January 7, less than a week into the new year. Under the guidance of general manager Eddy Spigott, any of the store’s four ‘budtenders’ – Jason Boulton, Annie Flemstrom, Carol Paulsen and Lane Britnell – are there to help you with any questions and fulfilling your requests and desires.
In the short time since opening, the store has seen products such as edibles show their popularity in the community, and they’re on tap to have new ones such as sparkling drinks in stock soon. January saw something of an ‘introduction period’ to the new market, while business in February started to pick up steam.
Eddy says that so far, it’s been good vibes as far as community relations go.
“There’s been a positive reception from the community,” he said, sitting down in the store with The Outlook. “I know my dad Brian said at town council that it’s another reason for people not to go to Saskatoon, but we’ve heard that very line. ‘I’m just thankful I don’t have to go’, you know? It’s people coming from Lucky Lake, Milden, Kenaston and just the surrounding area.”
It wouldn’t take someone from the Outlook area very long to realize who the inspiration is behind the store’s name. Spigott’s explanation is really quite simple – keep it in the family.
“Lots of people comment on the name,” Eddy smiled. “Brian’s nickname is ‘One-Eye’, and we were spit-balling some names and ideas and we wanted to come up with something that is personal. He’s been in the community his entire life and my grandpa was here before him, and now I have a son, so we’re fifth-generation in the community, so we wanted to do something that people would recognize.”
The public perception has been largely positive from what Eddy has experienced, and he’s perfectly fine with people being unaccepting of the cannabis lifestyle if it’s simply not for them.
“For the most part, people have been positive,” he said. “I haven’t personally encountered anybody who’s upset that we’re here and I don’t believe any of my staff have either. The overall reception has been positive. As far as I can tell, the people who are against it aren’t for legalization, and I think they’re of the mindset that, ‘It’s okay if other people do it, but we’re not going to be involved with it’ and that’s fine. Some people don’t drink, right? We’re actually super happy with the reception from the community so far.”
What Spigott hopes people might remember to do is keep an open mind about the products that his store sells.
“I think people need to keep an open mind,” he said. “Alcohol was once prohibited as well. Lots of things have been prohibited and legalized and also reversed. There was once a time that lots of things that are illegal now were once prescribed as medicine! I’m not saying that this should be prescribed as medicine, but we have a lot of people who come in here and see positive effects, whether it’s mentally or physically. If it helps them and everybody’s consuming responsibly, then I don’t see any negative aspects of it. I’ll also say that since legalization, the number of minors under the age of 17 who use cannabis has decreased. This is backed up by Stats Canada.”
There have been countless health articles written about the positive effects of CBD oils and extracts. Spigott says people walking into the store have a vested interest in the product’s possibilities, and while they’re not doctors who can prescribe anything officially, staff encourage people to ask questions about their products.
“Lots of people are interested in CBD oil,” said Eddy. “We’re not physicians, so we can’t come right out and say, ‘You’ve got arthritis and this is going to cure your arthritis’, but lots of people come in and say they’ve got issues with sleeping or anxiety, and there are a variety of delivery methods such as putting it in their tea, squirting it in their mouth, or even the sprays, and we have gel caps as well. People seem to be interested in it and its effects. As well, we’re going to be having some education seminars we’re going to be putting on where people can have the chance to ask questions in an intimate environment.”
One-Eye’s is still very much a newcomer in the market, as well as in Outlook’s business district, but Eddy says they’re here to fill a void.
“It’s very early in the market right now and we’re (Canada) only a year in or so,” he said. “We’ve only been open for just under two months, but the support in the community has been great thus far, so I think that demonstrates a need for someone to fill this void. As with any small business, you have to wake up everyday and answer your customers’ demands or requests, and we’re trying to do that.”
For those interested, the store is gearing up to hold a special grand opening celebration on Friday, March 13 that promises to be a very welcoming and laid-back atmosphere.
“We’ve got some games that we’re going to be playing that’ll have promotional effects with them,” said Eddy. “We’ll have some reps from some suppliers here and promotions on all the products in the store throughout various times of the day, and we’re also going to be giving away a Volcano vaporizer, which has a retail value of about $1000. Come in, buy something and you’ll have a chance to enter your name for that. I think we’re going to have a fun day; good music, good games, good vibes, and good sales.”
For more info on One-Eye’s Weedery, you can hit up their Facebook page or log on to www.oneeyesweedery.com.
