OPINION: Buddy’s Lounge: Safe, legal and locally sourced

Mark Harris is a first-year student at Ohio University and an opinion writer at The New Political.

Please note that these views and opinions do not reflect those of The New Political.

On Monday,  I visited Buddy’s Lounge, a new CBD store located at 10 S. Court Street in Athens. I was able to not only purchase a few of their products, but I also was able to learn a lot about the company thanks to Nicholas Marie. 

Nick is the owner of Buddy’s Lounge here in Athens as well as two other locations in Morgantown, West Virginia and Indiana, Pennsylvania. He explained to me the products he sells are legal, even though recreational use of marijuana is not legal in the state of Ohio. He sells THC, HHC and CBD products that all comply with the legal requirements set forth by federal law. This is an industry quickly on the rise, as customers' appetite for THC and THC adjacent products has only increased as more and more states legalize recreational marijuana. So, how does Buddy’s Lounge compare to others in this expanding market?

According to Nick, “(Buddy’s) only sources from three farms in Pennsylvania, one in Erie, Somerset and one in Lancaster. Which give me a huge amount of quality control on everything.” 

He went on to say, “A study found that over 74% of the 50 largest brands fake, edit or doctor their lab results. We are farm direct. We keep a standard of  what they do in legal states that maximizes ideal lab testing to prove that sourcing locally does benefit our customers in terms of the way to consume these products in a very healthy way but also has benefits in that we are participating in local economies.” 

As a long time consumer of THC and THC adjacent products, I can say that safety is a real concern. As I personally have known people who have smoked something that left them hospitalized.

Therefore, I have always been wary of what is in what I’m smoking. However, I had assumed that if it was legal to purchase it was safe to consume. According to the study Nick referred to, that's not the case. I think the model that Buddy’s is using is a smart one, putting quality first by keeping the sourcing local is a message that will resonate with their targeted consumer base. Though safety isn’t the only thing that Buddy’s is focused on, another key component to their business model is potency.

After partaking in a few of their products I can attest to the potency of their products. I had an HHC pre-roll that tasted great and had a very “heady” high, followed by a strong sense of relaxation. I also tried some THC syrup; I felt the way I usually do when I ingest THC instead of smoking it. However, I was able to consume a higher dose without getting “the spins.” Overall, it was a great time, and if you are interested, I encourage you to give their products a try. Just make sure to do so responsibly.

The shopping experience is very similar to what I’ve experienced in legal state dispensaries. In the way that shopping is more of a two-way conversation between you and the person selling you the product. In most vape shops here in Ohio, their legal THC and THC adjacent products are a secondary thought to their nicotine products. This is likely why unless you actively ask questions, you’ll learn little more about what you are smoking than what is written on the box.

In an ideal world, all THC and THC adjacent products would be legal, as well as regulated with customer safety in mind. Buddy’s has seen a market for safe legal THC and THC adjacent products. They have taken up the task of creating a high quality product and providing it in a business model that puts the legal cannabinoid consumer as the one and only focus. This is a new market and a growing one. American innovators have met the market with a fresh new business model. 

And remember to be safe and consume products you know are safe. Make sure to consume products responsibly. Know your limits and don’t exceed them. Do not use products meant for recreational use as a replacement for proper medical treatment. Understand the effects of consuming different products in combination with one another. Remember the only real way to have fun is the safe way. Most of all, be mindful of what you put in your body.