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Spotlight – Shayree M.

Harvest of OH prides itself on having some of the most amazing and knowledgeable Budtenders in the region. These individuals exemplify what Harvest of OH is all about. They truly care about our patients' wellness and the relief they seek. They are always there to answer any of the patients' questions with a smile. This month in our Employee Spotlight we would like to introduce Shayree McCoy, one of our amazing Budtenders from Harvest of Columbus.

Q: What drew you to the medical marijuana industry?

What initially drew me to the medical marijuana industry was my decision to take a gap year after graduating college in 2021, due to COVID-19, with the global impact it had on education, social life, friends, and family. This led me to take a gap year after graduating, to decide if I wanted to go to grad school to get my Masters in Sociology or to begin working “in the real world.” I’ve always had an interest in cannabis and the benefits it has on a wide variety of people from all different backgrounds. The best way I thought to begin the journey of expanding my knowledge and experiences with cannabis was to work in a dispensary.

Q: What about your position inspires you the most?

What inspires me the most about my position is being able to have an impact on people’s lives on an everyday basis. Working in the medical industry, you have some patients who have no knowledge of cannabis at all. For most of them, this is their first time being introduced to cannabis. Walking into a dispensary some patients have misperceptions about cannabis due to the stigma throughout generations. It inspires me to educate them on the benefits of the plant while breaking down the bad stigmas of marijuana. It’s always motivating to have a patient come back and say a recommended product has worked for them when the traditional way of medicine, like prescription pills, is not helping patients to relieve pain. Being able to help people on an everyday basis and in their overall way of life is the most inspirational part of this position. I’m also able to grow in an industry that is still new and has so much potential to become a global market.

Q: What’s the most unique part about working at Harvest of OH?

The most unique part of working at Harvest would be working for a company that is majority owned by a black woman. One of the main reasons I wanted to apply and be a part of Harvest was the leadership. Seeing black people, especially black women, in positions of power is very influential. I like to brag about being a part of a company where diversity and inclusion aren’t just a placeholder word for a catchy slogan but are embedded in the actual company.

Q: What is a typical day like as a Budtender?

The typical day of a bud tender would be to open the shop, get the inventory out, and prepare the menus and orders for the day. Consulting patients would take most of the day. Keeping up to date on new products can help you recommend products for a variety of patients with different conditions. The environment is typically very lighthearted and fun because you’re in a space where you can educate, learn, and grow daily.

Q: It is Harvest of Columbus's 1 year anniversary. What does that mean to you?

For me, it means many more anniversaries to come. Harvest of Columbus was able to hit their sales goals, grow as a store, and continuously have positive reviews. This shows the incline of growth and many more anniversaries to celebrate in the future.

Q: What advice would you give someone wanting to work in the Medical Marijuana Industry?

The advice that I would give to someone wanting to work in the medical marijuana industry is to be passionate. You always want to move with purpose, and for there to be growth within yourself and within a company, you must have that passion to educate and to learn. This is key to being a budding buddy. Passion leads you to growth.

Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?

My favorite childhood memory would be growing up around my older sisters. We would create dance choreography of our favorite songs and pretend that we were in girl groups. Being able to laugh and really have a sisterhood that we can talk about and look back on is the best.

Q: When was the last time you had a completely new experience and what was it?

It was a couple weeks ago when I recently visited Puerto Rico. I went on the ATV dirt bikes through one of the jungles. It was a very good experience. It was a little nerve-racking at first, a completely new experience and out of my comfort zone. Although it was a little scary at first, being able to step out of my comfort zone and jump into a new experience helped me to find something that I enjoyed doing and create more memories doing similar activities.

Q: What is an interesting fact about you that most people don’t know?

I have played the alto saxophone for over 10 years. I started when I was in the fourth grade and played all throughout middle school and high school. I played a little bit in a jazz band in college and sang in the gospel choir.

Q: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be, and why?

I would like to go anywhere overseas. I have not been out of the country yet. Italy would be at the top of the list. I would love to try new foods and experience new cultures and customs where I get to see a different way of life than the one that I’m accustomed to.

Q: What did you want to be when you were a child?

When I was younger, I wanted to be a lawyer. I think the concept of helping others is one thing that I’ve always loved.

Q: Where do you see yourself in ten years?

In 10 years, I see myself as the owner of my own small business. I would love to have my own storefront. I’ve always dreamed of working for myself as an end goal. I never wanted to get stuck in the rat race where I’m constantly working from paycheck to paycheck instead of living my life to the fullest. The best way to end that cycle is to be my own boss. The concept of my business will be a place to educate, influence, and broaden mindsets.