Best Cannabis Athlete 2024 | Marcus McGhee | Cannabis | Phoenix
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Ladies and gentlemen, stepping into the octagon with a record of 9-1 and a knockout punch that's taken down nine opponents, here's the unstoppable bantamweight powerhouse, Marcus "Maniac" McGhee. Known for his dynamic in-ring skills and relentless pursuit of victory, McGhee combines his passion for fighting with a love for skateboarding, showcasing his versatility both inside and outside the octagon. But beyond his athletic achievements, McGhee is a vocal cannabis advocate. While he doesn't rely on cannabis for health reasons, he openly enjoys it for pleasure, as he has shared in various interviews. His dedication to the cannabis community extends beyond personal use — he's worked in the metro Phoenix cannabis industry for over five years, contributing his expertise and support to the field. McGhee is not just a fighter, he's a multifaceted individual whose interests and career intersect in exciting ways, making him a unique figure in both the UFC and the cannabis world.

Molly O'Malia isn't just a cannabis influencer. She's also a talented singer and musician with over 350,000 followers on Instagram and 165,000 on TikTok. She consumes cannabis to enhance her creativity when she faces creative blocks while writing and performing music or creating skits for her cannabis sponsors. O'Malia is involved with local dispensaries, making spontaneous visits and conducting interviews to promote high-quality cannabis products, including dab pens, edibles, flower and prerolls. She's an integral part of the local cannabis lifestyle and is even photographed inside grow operations to show how green she is. Her dedication to both her music and the cannabis community exemplifies how grassroots influencers can authentically bridge their passions and professions, inspiring their audience with creativity and credibility.

Lots of people got creative during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mesa artist Sladjana Ahmetovic, laid up with a foot injury, invited a few friends over to smoke some pot and make some art. People loved the idea, so after the worst of the quarantine was over, Ahmetovic started Pretty Dope Paintings. The puff-and-paint classes are open to people ages 21 and older. The classes are BYOC (bring your own cannabis), and for about three hours attendees are guided through the art project of the night while smoking pot. Past classes have created Halloween- and Valentine's Day-themed paintings as well as canvases of cactuses, aliens and other fun imagery. Pretty Dope Paintings is a unique way to socialize and smoke at the same time.

With locations nationwide and 12 in Arizona, Curaleaf is a chain with a community feel. All the budtenders are friendly, and each dispensary's selection is vast. Several other virtues elevate Curaleaf above the competition, primarily that it accepts debit as a form of payment, whereas most other dispensaries only take cash have ATMs that usually come with fees and/or charge fees as high as $5 for folks to use debit at the registers. Curaleaf also delivers to medical marijuana patients for no fee (but tipping is always appreciated) and has great deals every day of the week. And, as a bonus: cheap munchies by the register.

Like the people who prefer to make their own bread rather than buying it from the grocery store, there are plenty of folks who get their marijuana the old-fashioned way: by growing it themselves. If you're on the home grow train, or if you're preparing to board, you should check out West Valley operation GrowersHouse. No matter how big or small your endeavor, GrowersHouse has the supplies you'll need, from air filters and grow lights to humidifiers and insecticides. And when it's time to harvest the fruits of your labor, it has dryers, containers and other equipment for processing. And besides the huge inventory, GrowersHouse has something money can't buy: a knowledgable and helpful staff who want to help you succeed in your endeavors.

Best First-Time Patient Specials

Trulieve

First-time medical marijuana patients can get 40% off their first purchase at one of Trulieve's (formerly Harvest) 15 metro Phoenix dispensaries. On their second visit, patients get a BOGO (buy one, get one) special. The offers exclude accessories, but if you're at a dispensary, you're probably looking for cannabis anyway, and many Trulieve dispensaries are near head shops if you really need a cheap bong. And if you bring a new medical marijuana patient in with you, you'll both get 50% off your next order. Patients (and recreational buyers) can join the Trulieve rewards program for even more discounts.

Leafly
Arizona Organix

Some people just want to get high. But if you're looking for a strain of cannabis that's best for a particular ailment — anxiety, insomnia, muscle pain, lack of appetite, etc. — the budtenders at Organix have got you covered. This west-side dispensary is warehouse-like and huge, so it's good to have a knowledgeable guide help you navigate the inventory. Organix budtenders can tell you all about where a product was made, its THC percentage and effects, and whether or not it's a good value for the money. Or if you just want to get high, they can tell you the best cannabis products for that, too. Don't forget to tip.

Cannabist Tempe feels a little like a weed wonderland, thanks to its massive retail space and indoor-outdoor atmosphere. The check-in/waiting area outside the dispensary is roof-shaded, with a giant tree as its centerpiece. The walls are covered in synthetic vining plants, and there's a giant window with a view of the dispensary's grow room. Festive strings of lights add to the chill environment. Inside the dispensary, displays are arranged smartly behind the counter and in several standalone displays that include information about the products contained therein. And there's another, even larger, window with a view into the grow room. With an atmosphere like this, it's easy to see why there are often lines to get in.

Since 2012, Bud's Glass Joint has been the go-to place for the best bongs, pipes and chitchat with fellow 420-friendly enthusiasts. The first spot, located just off Roosevelt Row, was so popular that Bud's expanded to open a second location on Grand Avenue. The Fifth Street location is hard to miss — it's the big green house all lit up with Christmas lights — and smokers will find everything they need inside. Bud's selection of bongs/water pipes, steamrollers and bubblers are all Arizona-blown glass. Accessories like rolling papers, lighters, tapestries, incense, dab rings and more are available, too. Like the classic "Saturday Night Live" skit says, Bud's is definitely the kind of place where you can walk around saying, "You could put your weed in that."

Consuming cannabis via suppositories is one of the rarest methods to access its health benefits, yet it's super-fast and effective. According to THC Living, its suppositories deliver tiny cannabinoids straight to where the pain is and also get absorbed by the whole body. Suppositories are a great option for treating pain from irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, sexual discomfort and menstrual cramps. THC Living suppositories contain 30 milligrams each of CBD and THC, which work together to create better results. They are made with a pharmaceutical-quality base for a safe and comfortable product. They can be found in select dispensaries throughout metro Phoenix.

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