“Why the name Dank Poet Dispensary?” is perhaps the most frequent question I’m asked, followed only by “Are you hiring?” The answer to the second is we are full on staff right now. The answer to the first is a bit longer of an explanation.
I have always been a strong supporter of cannabis both for its medicinal qualities but also as a much safer alternative to recreational use as opposed to say alcohol. I also saw cannabis, from my time living in Denver, CO as a way to help brings jobs and much needed commerce to small communities. There was always a dream of it would be fun to open a dispensary. Sadly, the opportunity to follow through with this dream would take many years to be realized. Through a decade as a college professor, a job I loved but sadly was not stable, I kept thinking about what type of dispensary I would open if I could.
I had a rough idea of what I wanted to accomplish, bringing my love of cannabis, the arts, and education together to create a community that was welcoming and strived to destigmatize cannabis. I was hoping to create something like the bar in Cheers, a place where everybody knows you name (and can recommend the best cannabis product for you) or the old Soda Shop of the 60’s where customers could find what they were looking for and have a personal connection with the staff that helped them. I was hoping to have a spot that spoke to these passions and goals and was different from the corporate/Apple Store Dispensaries that popped up in so many states that legalized.
The dream remained just that until moving back to New Jersey five years ago, right on the cusp of legalization. I knew this was the opportunity I needed to attempt to open a dispensary. Like many a new business owner I began diligently working to lay the ground work to open the dispensary relying purely on determination, delusion about the challenges, and of course a whole lot of hope. The next few years were a blur with the challenges: seeking municipal approval, finding property, raising capital, the entire process of obtaining a state license. Throughout this process I held true to my intentions for the dispensary that would do more then sell cannabis, but instead could become a place for the community to gather, educate, and destigmatize the ill held notions about cannabis and at the same time give back to the community that housed the store. Along with my new partners the past two years have been spent honing and building this dream. The foundation was laid, but one thing was a missing, what should the store be called?
I wanted a name that spoke to not only my passions and beliefs around cannabis, but also reflected my love of creative writing, and the notions of a community that grows and supports each other within it. After several unsuccessful names, which out of embarrassment will not be presented here, I finally found the name that was perfect: Dank Poet Dispensary. The Dank plays off the notion of dank nugs of cannabis. Those icky sticky buds that are sure to get you high. It also is a call back to many of the artistic movements of the modernists who would meet in dark bars and crowded living rooms. A community of minds that were looking to forge changes in the arts and the world, brought together to socialize and share their beliefs and passions. The Poet plays off my love of poetry both reading and writing it, but it goes deeper. The poet historically and in myth is the individual who straddles two worlds: the literal world in which one lives and the world of fantasy and play of the gods. The poet is able to travel both these worlds and is able to present the knowledge gleaned from both. The poet is a guide to better understanding of what is encompassed both internally and externally. The final part of the name, Dispensary, was quite literally a moniker to let people know what is sold there. Though in hindsight Dank Poet would have been a good name, though one that would leave many guessing what occurs inside the store. And thus Dank Poet Dispensary was born.
I want to end by saying welcome to this vision, I hope that you are able to find a community here of like mind people all joined by their passion for cannabis. May you find your muse in our budtenders on your cannabis journey and discover your own voice and become an author crafting your experience in your narrative in cannabis. Thank you for visiting and I look forward to see what you can create.
User
Letter From The Founder
“Why the name Dank Poet Dispensary?” is perhaps the most frequent question I’m asked, followed only by “Are you hiring?” The answer to the second is we are full on staff right now. The answer to the first is a bit longer of an explanation.
I have always been a strong supporter of cannabis both for its medicinal qualities but also as a much safer alternative to recreational use as opposed to say alcohol. I also saw cannabis, from my time living in Denver, CO as a way to help brings jobs and much needed commerce to small communities. There was always a dream of it would be fun to open a dispensary. Sadly, the opportunity to follow through with this dream would take many years to be realized. Through a decade as a college professor, a job I loved but sadly was not stable, I kept thinking about what type of dispensary I would open if I could.
I had a rough idea of what I wanted to accomplish, bringing my love of cannabis, the arts, and education together to create a community that was welcoming and strived to destigmatize cannabis. I was hoping to create something like the bar in Cheers, a place where everybody knows you name (and can recommend the best cannabis product for you) or the old Soda Shop of the 60’s where customers could find what they were looking for and have a personal connection with the staff that helped them. I was hoping to have a spot that spoke to these passions and goals and was different from the corporate/Apple Store Dispensaries that popped up in so many states that legalized.
The dream remained just that until moving back to New Jersey five years ago, right on the cusp of legalization. I knew this was the opportunity I needed to attempt to open a dispensary. Like many a new business owner I began diligently working to lay the ground work to open the dispensary relying purely on determination, delusion about the challenges, and of course a whole lot of hope. The next few years were a blur with the challenges: seeking municipal approval, finding property, raising capital, the entire process of obtaining a state license. Throughout this process I held true to my intentions for the dispensary that would do more then sell cannabis, but instead could become a place for the community to gather, educate, and destigmatize the ill held notions about cannabis and at the same time give back to the community that housed the store. Along with my new partners the past two years have been spent honing and building this dream. The foundation was laid, but one thing was a missing, what should the store be called?
I wanted a name that spoke to not only my passions and beliefs around cannabis, but also reflected my love of creative writing, and the notions of a community that grows and supports each other within it. After several unsuccessful names, which out of embarrassment will not be presented here, I finally found the name that was perfect: Dank Poet Dispensary. The Dank plays off the notion of dank nugs of cannabis. Those icky sticky buds that are sure to get you high. It also is a call back to many of the artistic movements of the modernists who would meet in dark bars and crowded living rooms. A community of minds that were looking to forge changes in the arts and the world, brought together to socialize and share their beliefs and passions. The Poet plays off my love of poetry both reading and writing it, but it goes deeper. The poet historically and in myth is the individual who straddles two worlds: the literal world in which one lives and the world of fantasy and play of the gods. The poet is able to travel both these worlds and is able to present the knowledge gleaned from both. The poet is a guide to better understanding of what is encompassed both internally and externally. The final part of the name, Dispensary, was quite literally a moniker to let people know what is sold there. Though in hindsight Dank Poet would have been a good name, though one that would leave many guessing what occurs inside the store. And thus Dank Poet Dispensary was born.
I want to end by saying welcome to this vision, I hope that you are able to find a community here of like mind people all joined by their passion for cannabis. May you find your muse in our budtenders on your cannabis journey and discover your own voice and become an author crafting your experience in your narrative in cannabis. Thank you for visiting and I look forward to see what you can create.
ChatGPT
Letter From The Founder
The question “Why the name Dank Poet Dispensary?” is one I’m frequently asked, often followed by inquiries about job opportunities. To the latter, I must inform you that we are currently fully staffed. However, the answer to the former question requires a bit more explanation.
My support for cannabis stems from its medicinal benefits and its potential as a safer recreational alternative compared to alcohol. Having lived in Denver, CO, I witnessed firsthand how cannabis could stimulate job growth and local economies in small communities. The idea of opening a dispensary had always lingered as a dream, but its realization seemed distant during my tenure as a college professor, a position I cherished but one that lacked stability.
Throughout those years, I envisioned the type of dispensary I’d create, one that merged my appreciation for cannabis, the arts, and education into a welcoming community. My aspiration was to establish a space reminiscent of the Cheers bar, where everyone knows your name (and can recommend the perfect cannabis product), or the nostalgic soda shops of the 60s, where customers could connect with staff on a personal level. I aimed for an establishment that reflected my values and differed from the corporate, sterile dispensaries that proliferated in legalized states.
The dream remained dormant until my return to New Jersey five years ago, coinciding with the impending legalization. Recognizing this as my chance, I embarked on the journey of opening a dispensary with sheer determination, albeit somewhat naively underestimating the challenges, fueled by hope. The ensuing years blurred together with the arduous tasks: securing municipal approval, scouting properties, fundraising, and navigating the state licensing process. Throughout, I remained steadfast in my vision for a dispensary that transcended mere commerce, serving as a hub for community engagement, education, and debunking misconceptions about cannabis, all while giving back to the community.
With the collaboration of my partners, the past two years have been dedicated to refining and realizing this dream. As the foundation was laid, one crucial aspect remained unresolved: the name of the store.
I sought a name that encapsulated my beliefs and passions about cannabis while reflecting my affinity for creative writing and the concept of a supportive community. After discarding several unsuccessful options (which shall remain undisclosed out of embarrassment), I finally stumbled upon the perfect name: Dank Poet Dispensary.
The term “Dank” evokes the imagery of high-quality cannabis buds, while also harkening back to the artistic gatherings of modernist movements. “Poet” speaks to my love for poetry, both as a reader and writer, and symbolizes the individual who bridges reality with the realm of imagination, offering insights from both worlds.
The addition of “Dispensary” is a practical clarification of the store’s purpose, though in hindsight, “Dank Poet” alone would have been intriguing, albeit somewhat ambiguous.
Thus, Dank Poet Dispensary was born.
In closing, I extend a warm welcome to you, inviting you to join us in this vision. May our knowledgeable Muses inspire you our Author in your cannabis journey, as you find your voice and craft your own narrative within the world of cannabis. Thank you for visiting, and I eagerly anticipate witnessing the contributions you’ll bring to our community.
Sincerely,