Vape Intolerance

[TeeJay1952]

I live in a med legal state. I have witnessed the proliferation of grow stores from 1 in the state to one every 10 miles. Now in the Mom & Pop storefronts I am seeing vape shops. Yesterday I went in pursuit of knowledge as far as wax pens go. 4 stores declined to talk to me after learning I was looking for MJ equipment. They looked down their collective noses and said "Different Clientele" I was surprised at the notion that vaping this plant vs that plant was a difference in sales of devices. After spending a great deal of time here at FC I realize the fight ain't over yet. We preach to the choir here. We are not in the majority. If you want to protect rights or have them recognized it is up to each of us as individuals to step up. I took the time to try and educate those stores to the fact that they are missing out on sales.

Spread the Word, Vaping is here to stay.
(MJ users are not Second Class Citizens)

 

[max]

I'm assuming that you're complaining about e-cig shops being unwilling to talk about/sell/promote mj hardware. A vape shop could mean e-cig, mj hardware, or both, but e-cig shop is the only one that makes sense in the context of your complaint. My state seems nowhere near mmj approval, and even local shops selling e-cigs is relatively new, so my buying environment is different.

Just because there's an overlap with concentrates, between e-cig hardware and mj hardware, I think expecting all e-cig sellers to be mj friendly is asking too much, especially this early in the world of vaping. Many smart people were predicting, not too long ago, that mj legalization, anywhere in the U.S., was decades away. Now we have 2 where it's legal for recreational use, and 23 states (plus DC) with mmj. But some people are slow to change their views (some never will), and you have to respect their choices in what they chose to sell. Nothing wrong with making your point with them (in a nice way hopefully), but just don't forget that there are two very different industries at work here, and some people aren't going to change their views on cannabis just to make more money.

 

[TeeJay1952]

Name of Shop was "Vape World" I was wrong to think they would talk about vapes?
It was more the superior tone that I objected to. They are peddling their bad habit as better than mine. (Stop, Let me investigate what sort of vapor that is so I can determine who and what you are.)
It is their shop. I was of course friendly. (I am friendly) They can do what they want but I know prior to February I was missing the boat on this vaping deal. Now I am somewhat evangelistic on the subject because I feel it makes a great difference in my life. I wasn't looking to subvert, convert or any other kind of ert. It just made me aware of how we are echoing one another when what we need to do is politely expand our numbers.

 

[Hippie Dickie]

@TeeJay1952 - what max said, plus - there is a big difference between an e-cig vaporizer and an mj vaporizer. just read the threads about the e-cig-ish mj vapes and see all the compromises required to get a decent cloud from mj in that tiny form factor. for example the grasshopper thread. i can see where mj would be a pita for an e-cig store. plus banks/cc will accept deposits from e-cig sales and not from mj sales. yet.

 

[max]

Name of Shop was "Vape World" I was wrong to think they would talk about vapes?

E-cigs are vapes. Just because commercial mj vapes were available first doesn't mean the hardware or even the process is well known. You're assuming that 'vapes' = mj hardware and for many people that's just not the case. There are a lot of people who have heard of e-cigs but would be surprised that you can vape mj, let alone know about all the mj vapes on the market.

 

[TeeJay1952]

E-cigs are vapes. Just because commercial mj vapes were available first doesn't mean the hardware or even the process is well known. You're assuming that 'vapes' = mj hardware and for many people that's just not the case. There are a lot of people who have heard of e-cigs but would be surprised that you can vape mj, let alone know about all the mj vapes on the market.

Exactly my point. If you go in and see it is all 'Nicotine" oriented I don't think it is out of line to tell proprietor "E-Nano display would look good over there." If I say it to myself in car nothing will progress. And further: If we are going to FC then we have to fight for the right to party. (Thanks Beastie Boys {Who were popular when I was 40}

 

[Hippie Dickie]

nicotine, exactly ... i even see $9.95 e-cigs at my local bargain liquor store. i'm sure when mj-cigs are that price they will be all over it. and except for blowing out some teeth when a cheap e-cig battery explodes, i would guess there is not much after sales support required, unlike the tales of broken mj vapes all over this forum.

i wish the BBs had said "we have to vote for the right to party" fighting just brings out the military equipment.

 

[215z]

No, Vape World caters to people who use nicotine juice, not marijuana. They will not want to have anything to do with you.

 

[syrupy]

Exactly my point. If you go in and see it is all 'Nicotine" oriented I don't think it is out of line to tell proprietor "E-Nano display would look good over there." If I say it to myself in car nothing will progress. And further: If we are going to FC then we have to fight for the right to party. (Thanks Beastie Boys {Who were popular when I was 40}

That sounds a little out of line to me. It's not just suggesting a display item, it's asking the owner to change their business and clientele. If I had the money, I'd open an e-cig store before a mmj vape store, so I don't begrudge anyone for going that route.

It's not difficult to see as soon as walking in what kind of vapes are being sold. Why not go to a head shop, or order one online? Seems easier than trying to change existing businesses.

 

[TeeJay1952]

I did not throw a hissy fit.
I politely asked about MJ equipment and then suggested potential tie in.
Where I am at, I am legal. Things are changing. We are the change.
I made no demands, only inquiries.
I am not now nor have I ever been ashamed of what I do.
I would not imbibe in my backyard as not to offend neighbors. I would not use in front of Police Station to make point. I may vape with an Officer on his day off.

 

[max]

The acceptance of e-cigs as a safer alternative (and option for quitting) to cigarettes is growing, but the progress is uneven and many opponents see them as attracting kids who may not have been willing to adopt the nasty taste of real cigs. E-cig use has been banned in quite a few places where smoking is prohibited.

Although the American Heart Association has just given a mild to e-cigs (only if nic subs like patches have failed), they also say "they still pose an array of potential risks and should be the focus of more taxes, regulations and research." I'm sure just the tax question (regular sales tax or taxed like cigs?) alone has e-cig sellers concerned.

If I were investing in an e-cig business I'd have all the concerns I could handle with possible sales restrictions and taxation unknowns. I certainly wouldn't want to compound my potential problems by selling hardware designed for mj use. People concerned about their non-smoking kids getting into e-cigs would probably take that concern to a whole new level if their local e-cig shop started selling vapes meant for mj.

While it would be nice to have vapes for cannabis concentrates available at your local e-cig shop, from many business owners' viewpoint, it would be 'too much, too soon', and some will always have the attitude that vapor is good, vs. tobacco smoke, but mj in any form is bad.

 

[TeeJay1952]

How do attitudes change? I have stumped regular citizens my whole life by being that "hippie who isn't such a bad guy" I feel like MJ use has "That 70's Show" connotation while ignoring the medical benefits. I have a note from my Doctor, I have permission from the State Legislature. (Allowed to posses plants it says on my license.)
Mainstream is my goal. Acceptance is another. I am not picking on the folks who invested in a shop, I think I am pointing out another revenue source for them that they may not have considered. We are not all like Tommy Chong. (hey, some are but not all) I agree that some will consider it too much too soon OTOH some may not.

 

[syrupy]

How do attitudes change? I have stumped regular citizens my whole life by being that "hippie who isn't such a bad guy" I feel like MJ use has "That 70's Show" connotation while ignoring the medical benefits. I have a note from my Doctor, I have permission from the State Legislature. (Allowed to posses plants it says on my license.)
Mainstream is my goal. Acceptance is another. I am not picking on the folks who invested in a shop, I think I am pointing out another revenue source for them that they may not have considered. We are not all like Tommy Chong. (hey, some are but not all) I agree that some will consider it too much too soon OTOH some may not.

That approach still doesn't seem effective to me. It's assuming the store owner is too sheltered or stupid to know about marijuana. Did you think they were going to say, "My God! I had no idea I could be making huge amounts of extra money selling marijuana vaping equipment."? Chances are they've heard it a million times, and consciously chose to not market that way, which I think its smart. Marijuana tie-ins can only hurt the e-cig industry's already spotty reputation.

Take the point of view of the e-cig store owner. She's trying to sell a new product (e-cigs being relatively new). People drive by and think, "those are the people who sell e-cigs to children." How do you improve your reputation as an e-cig business owner? I would suggest embracing a quasi-legal herb isn't going to please the critics.

Don't get me wrong, I'm in support of your stance. But it sounds like the owner got a condescending attitude, and didn't like it. Do you think your interaction with that owner made them stop and want to embrace mj? Or did it confirm their bias against it?

 

[TeeJay1952]

If no one asks then it will not be considered.
When Vape shop owner is paying the bills, I would (perhaps) like to be thought of.
I did not do this at a clothes store or restaurant. They all had signs saying Vape or some variation thereof.
I realize I cannot control other's thought process. When condescending attitude was detected I was more surprised than anything else. I assumed we were all capitalists here.
10 years from now when pot is for sale behind the counter at 7/11 we will all look back at these times and cringe.
30 years ago it was counter culture.
20 years ago crime (you could lose your house)
10 years ago felony (4-5 years)
5 years misdemeanor (1 year or fine)
Last year Civil Infraction
This year Medical + 2 States legal
Next year ..........

 

[Hippie Dickie]

Next year ..........

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,

- W. Shakespeare, Macbeth (Act 5, Scene 58)

 

[stickstones]

In my non legal (yet!) state there are two types of places to get nic vapes other than convenience stores. Either a head shop that sees the profits in ecigs and juices, or the nic only stores that won't talk about mj for fear of legal issues.

 

[syrupy]

If no one asks then it will not be considered.

That's my point. How do you think an owner of a mortar vape shop could EVER POSSIBLY not have considered or heard of the mj tie-in? Your assumption seems only geared towards making you seem knowledgeable, and the owner an idiot. How is that going to work in our favor?

In ten years, we may chat about it at 7/11. But today it's a different game. Read up on the MyrtleZap thread as proof there's much more than civil infraction at stake.

Edit: Don't mean to attack your tactics, just not sure if they're the best. But hopefully we agree the movement needs support from the left, right, and center.

 

[TeeJay1952]

That's my point. How do you think an owner of a mortar vape shop could EVER POSSIBLY not have considered or heard of the mj tie-in? Your assumption seems only geared towards making you seem knowledgeable, and the owner an idiot. How is that going to work in our favor?

In ten years, we may chat about it at 7/11. But today it's a different game. Read up on the MyrtleZap thread as proof there's much more than civil infraction at stake.

Gosh you sound like I came in on a cloud of righteousness a tried to strike down the unbeliever.
It went more like "I am a card holder. Where is the MJ section.? You don't have one? Perhaps you should consider it." To which they replied, "Sorry, Nicotine only"
After seeing the reluctance here at FC I see there is much more work to be done. The road for pioneers is fraught with danger. I don't want to tell people what to do. I don't know what they know or don't know. My point was they are vaping a weed, we are vaping another. Why should we be in separate camps?

 

[Vicki]

It's similar to this....

You know how you walk into your LHS (in non-legal states), and if you even mention cannabis, they get very angry? (might even kick you out) It's the same with e-cig shops. They don't want to be associated with it. Make sense?

 

[Stu]

My point was they are vaping a weed, we are vaping another. Why should we be in separate camps?

"They" are not vaping a weed. They are vaping PG or VG or PVGwhatever-the-fuck-they-put-in-vape-juice-these-days.

That's definitely not my camp, and I doubt that I'm one of their potential customers. Big difference IMO.

I wish e-cigs had chosen a different term altogether instead of "vaping". Call it "Twerking" for all I care.