Meet Mandi Drake, one of Leafly’s Budtenders of the Year
Mandi Drake, 28, starts her workday like many of us. She gets in her car, grabs an oat milk latte on the go, and plays an audio book on the way to work. But the audio book that Drake plays is usually cannabis-related, and the “office” she pulls up to is definitely cannabis-centric. After all, she’s a budtender at Verilife pharmacy in Liverpool, New York.
We caught up with Mandi to find out more about how the budtender life chose her.
Looking for cannabis culture on the east coast
Mandi grew up in upstate New York where, as she admits, the cannabis scene was mid-range and definitely underground.
“There weren’t any cannabis users in my family, so I didn’t really have much opinion about cannabis,” she tells Leafly via email. “My first impression of it came from negative TV ads and anti-drug propaganda. But as a young adult, I became more curious,” she wrote.
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New York’s restrictive medical program meant job openings were few, so after graduating from college with a fine arts degree, Mandi transitioned into bartending, although she continued her artistic practice on a freelance basis. It turns out that the nuances of the pairing of tannins bear a striking resemblance to cannabis terpenes. Jumping from one type of bar to another didn’t seem too far in early 2022, especially when patrons were far less rowdy.
“I learned many of the skills I use in my current job as a bartender. I’ve been into wine quite a bit, so identifying the nuances of wine and describing them to my clients was something that was really cannabis related.”
At Verilife, Mandi is now helping people relax instead of showing up. She is particularly fond of newbies and welcomes the opportunity to help them embark on their cannabis journey. However, once she clocks out, it’s time for GDP (or Blue Dream or Pineapple Express), rolled in a bag or packed in a pipe. Outside the clock, Mandi paints murals, writes poetry, and wanders the wilderness. And we know that cannabis makes it all so much better.
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She also says she views cannabis “more as a wellness product than a pure intoxicant,” and feels the same desperation many in the industry feel at the sluggish pace of federal prohibition.
Advice for potential budtenders
As New York State prepares to launch its adult-use cannabis industry, Mandi’s job is about to change. But she’s ready for the next chapter and all the newbies that come with it. For those currently considering promoting their local pharmacy, she says, go for it. That said, if you can show up, keep learning and really love the plant.
“A true passion for cannabis and a strong desire to help people are the building blocks of any successful budding career. Potential budtenders should do as much research as possible to demonstrate their knowledge, and I think a strong sense of empathy and compassion is crucial. I’m really excited to play a role in spreading awareness. I can say without a doubt that the plant has changed my life for the better.”
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