Ganjier ProFile: Solventless Solutions

Name: Matthew Alvarez

Location: Denver, Colorado 

Ganjier Graduating Class: November, 2021 

What was your position before joining Ganjier? 

Kitchen Production making solventless edibles.  

What is it now? 

Solventless Lead. I now produce the hash rosin for our edibles at Dialed In Gummies. 

What was your primary motivation for joining the cannabis field? 

To help people. As a cannabis user since I was 11, it was originally a dream that seemed impossible. In 2009, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and given 6 months to live. With the help of cannabis edibles, she regained the will to fight and ultimately beat her cancer. That moment changed my life and I dove head first into edibles.  

In 2015, I was on a cross country road trip, managing two smoke shops and going to tradeshows. In LA, I was introduced to rosin. In Arizona, I was wrongfully detained and charged with a cannabis offense for the second time in my life. When I returned home, I bought a Low Temp rosin press and hired an attorney with NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws). After my case was dismissed, I was brought on to volunteer with NORML of Florida and became the Network Director for NORML of Miami.  

Consuming solventless rosin made me consider my eating habits and helped me transition to a plant based lifestyle, ultimately losing over 120 lbs. After years spent in Florida fighting for change, I decided I needed a change. Moving to Colorado, where I could legally work in the cannabis industry, I was blessed to get hired at an edible company for my first industry job. Within 3 months,  I was called to work for Dialed In Gummies. I made the switch and have been there almost 2 years now. It has truly been a blessing. 

Why did you choose the Ganjier program?

I like to think the Ganjier chose me. I was selected to be in the program on the initial offering of the program after applying. I applied because of the mentors. Frenchy Cannoli taught me how to make hash in the Bay Area. Nikka T, I met on my travels.

The other instructors were top-tier and I didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to study under them, expanding my own cannabis knowledge that I could later share with others on their cannabis journey. 

After I was selected to be in the program, my girlfriend had a stroke, which left our funds for the program at zero while focusing on her health. The deadline approached to pay for my tuition and unfortunately I couldn’t afford to pay it. This is why I say the Ganjier chose me. Nikka T hosted a giveaway on his Instagram for one spot in the Ganjier program. I figured it was worth a shot entering the giveaway. Totally forgetting about it, I was at work one day and my friend blew up my phone telling me to call him and that I had won. Again, completely oblivious, I called my friend and asked him what he was talking about. He said, “GET ON TWITCH NOW! YOU JUST WON THE GIVEAWAY!” 

To which I responded, “What is Twitch?”  

I created an account quickly to connect with Nikka to confirm I won and was going to be a student in the Ganjier program. I was so excited and grateful after all the stress leading up to this moment of confirmation from the universe.

With my girlfriend’s health rebounding to a full recovery and a trip to California coming up, I was excited about how my journey to the program was going so far! 

What did you expect going into the course?

Going into the course I expected to grow my understanding of cannabis at a more professional level. 

What did you find?

I found a community to be a part of. I made friends from different paths, living in different places, with a passion for cannabis so strong that it’s impossible to express in words. 

Was there a game-changing “A-ha” moment for you during the course?

I spoke with Kevin Jodrey after our in-person classes, and he told a few of us, “If you do what you love and can do it with passion, then you’ll never feel like you work a day in your life.” For me, that was a moment that has really stuck with me and led me to this moment today.

I go to work everyday happily. It doesn’t feel like work. I just love doing it. I love the process of it all. Having that kind of opportunity in this life is truly a blessing that I hope we all can experience. I’m so grateful for that after-class chat that left a gold nugget for me to really think about and get after.  

What skills/knowledge/philosophy have you been able to take away and apply to your cannabis career? 

Using the SAP App has been a tremendous help in my cannabis career. Having the app at my side has really allowed me to dive deep into better understanding my cannabis preferences. It has helped me to diversify my palate and understand what terpenes provide to the overall experience when consuming cannabis. When sourcing products for work, I am able to look back at my SAP App and see if any of the cultivars coming through are new, familiar, similar or even different from previous batches of the same cultivar. Tracking with the app helps me remember what I haven’t tried yet either which can be very helpful.  

What impact did the Ganjier training have on your cannabis future?

Without a doubt, it helped me confidently rise up in my company. I believe it will continue to aid in my future success with cannabis. In the future, I’m confident that my Ganjier training will ultimately lead to, and help me run, a social lounge for cannabis consumption, networking, and possibly a music venue.  

To those considering the Ganjier course, what advice would you give?

The same advice I give everybody about life: Just do it. If you fail, you will know more than you did going in. But at least you tried and can look back with a better story to tell. I believe the Ganjier program truly helped me advance in my own cannabis career quicker by providing me with the training and understanding of the cannabis plant like no other program out there. Sign up for the program. I hope to meet more fellow Ganjiers on this amazing journey.