*Editor’s Note: Yes, Scott Reiman is, in fact, the brother of Ganjier instructor and course creator Amanda Reiman, PhD. (Above) No, she did not administer his final service examination. Name: Scott Reiman Location: San Rafael, CA Ganjier Graduating Class: September, 2021 Favorite Cultivar: Jack Herer What was your position before joining Ganjier? Dispensary Manager at the San Francisco Patient and Resource Center (SPARC) What is it now? Founder of Fog City Cannabis – Consulting, Events, Education What was your primary ambition/motivation for joining the cannabis field? I entered the cannabis field because I knew there was so much good that this plant could do, and I wanted to be a part of it. I wanted to learn all about it. I wanted to put my customer service skills to use in helping people find the cannabis that was right for them, and make them feel good about the choices they made. When I began at SPARC, cannabis was still “medical use only” in California, meaning my customers were all using cannabis to treat some sort of symptom or ailment. Nothing made me happier, or realize that I was in the right industry more, than having a member return to the dispensary to tell me that the cannabis I recommended for them was helping them sleep, easing their joint pain or controlling their anxiety. Why did you choose the Ganjier program? I chose the Ganjier program because I wanted to take everything I loved about being a Dispensary Manager, fill in the cracks in my cannabis knowledge, and then utilize all of those skills outside of the retail space to help people on their cannabis journey. The number of new cannabis users, or people returning to cannabis after a long hiatus, is growing rapidly as legalization spreads and the stigma wanes. It is important that these people have someone to guide them who they can trust is knowledgeable, as there are constantly new innovations in the world of cannabis. This is what the Ganjier Program represents to me. What did you expect going into this course? As I mentioned before, I expected to have the cracks of my cannabis knowledge filled in. I had a pretty good working knowledge of the plant, different methods of consumption and customer service skills. I definitely wanted to gain more knowledge of processing and cultivation techniques. What did you find? This course met and exceeded my expectations. Not only were the cracks in my cannabis knowledge filled in (and then some), but I became part of a family. Meeting people from all over the world during the live training and exam, people of all cannabis backgrounds and levels of experience, but all with a common goal and passion for this plant, was something that I did not expect. To be able to learn from true pioneers, leaders in their respective fields, was worth the price of tuition alone. However, this was much more than just an educational course teaching the basics of cannabis, (it does that, too), but an amazing, immersive experience from start to finish, one where you can bond with people over your love of cannabis, people whom you may never have crossed paths with otherwise. |
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Was there a game-changing “A-ha” moment for you during the course? A moment of realization that I had during this course was more about where we currently are in the landscape of the cannabis industry. As someone who has been in the industry for several years, and has a sibling who has been in it even longer, it would at times seem as though we, as a society, are pretty far along in the industry time-wise. This couldn’t be further from the truth, however. The cannabis industry is still young. Very young. Getting in now is still getting in on the ground floor. There is so much room for this industry to grow, and I am so excited to be able to be a part of the growth from the inside. If you’re thinking it’s too late to get into the cannabis industry, you’re wrong! This is the perfect time! What are you waiting for? What skills/knowledge/philosophy have you been able to take away and apply to your cannabis career? A philosophy that I’ve carried with me from my time as a Dispensary Manager, through the Ganjier program, and into my new endeavor with Fog City Cannabis, is that there are no “cookie-cutter” answers when it comes to cannabis. Everyone is different, every situation is different and everyone reacts to different cultivars, dosages and methods of consumption differently. It requires great patience and humility to be able to work with someone to find the ideal cannabis for them and their situation. That is one of my favorite things about this plant and this industry. Every situation is unique, and there is the right cultivar/dosage/consumption method for (almost) every situation. As a Ganjier, you’ll be as prepared as anyone in the world to help people find it. What impact did the Ganjier training have on your cannabis career/future? The Ganjier program gave me the confidence and the knowledge to start my own company, Fog City Cannabis. Many of the skills I am utilizing to run this company are skills that I already obtained throughout my years as a Dispensary Manager, but the Ganjier program filled in those gaps and provided the accreditation to show that we have learned from the best in the industry. Just having the title of Ganjier will open doors to me that may not have been opened otherwise. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this program and all of its graduates! To those considering the course, what advice would you give? The time to enter the cannabis industry or take your education/business to the next level is now, and this is the best program on the planet to do it. Learn from the absolute best of the best, true pioneers of the cannabis industry. There are so many different directions to take a cannabis career, from cultivation to consulting, wholesale buyers to retail managers, there is a niche for everyone. Unsure which direction you want to go in the industry? This program will help you find your calling. If you’re still unsure, try and reach out to Ganjier grads or current students if you’re looking for more information. Good luck! |
