Pubdate: Thu, 23 Oct 2014
Source: Tucson Weekly (AZ)
Copyright: 2014 Tucson Weekly
Contact:  http://www.tucsonweekly.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/462
Author: Chris Flora

SITTING ATOP

The Green Halo's grow helps them serve their large clientele

Tucson has spoken, and it's saying The Green Halo is the best of the 
best in medical marijuana dispensaries.

Voted on by the general public in the Tucson Weekly's annual "Best of 
Tucson," The Green Halo, opened Jan. 1, 2013 as the second dispensary 
in Tucson and third in Arizona, has become a household name in the 
medical marijuana industry, and as a wholesaler of more than 50 
dispensaries, its product can be found throughout the state.

In fact, it was The Green Halo's efficiency in creating a 
self-sufficient grow that has given it leverage on other 
dispensaries-many of which are only now in the process of 
establishing a proprietary grow to reduce overhead costs.

Because of the earliness in which The Green Halo established its 
grow, it has been able to offer competitive pricing and weekly 
specials on a regular basis.

"Nobody else can quite provide what we can yet, because our grow is 
flourishing," said Dominique Sarno, dispensary manager.

Of the Halo's specials, the most popular falls on each Tuesday, when 
The Green Halo offers all of its strains for $10 per gram.

"Our typical patient base is about 40 to 60 customers per day, but on 
Tuesdays, we're getting about 250 per day," said Sarno. "Other 
dispensaries will offer $10 per gram, but only here and there, 
whereas we do it every week."

To some that might translate to a better deal but longer waits. Not 
necessarily so, given the fact that The Green Halo is equipped with a 
relatively large staff of about 20 people-much higher than the 
average dispensary in Tucson.

The additional staffing maintains a smooth flow for patients. For The 
Green Halo, it also allows for the delegation of staff members to 
their areas of expertise-whether those be the patient representatives 
who serve customers face-to-face, or in the Halo's kitchen or back 
room where edibles are manufactured.

Needless to say, patient satisfaction is the priority at The Green Halo.

But, in order to ensure satisfaction, educating patients is a 
must-and that's something staffers at Halo want to emphasize. They 
aren't simply chasing a buck-they are looking for the best strain for 
one's particular conditions.

"We try to make it the best experience possible for our patients each 
and every time," said Sarno. "We are a destination where people will 
make the drive for us. All our patient reps are here for the 
customer-and that's something that sets us aside."

Upon becoming certified as a cardholder, patients who choose The 
Green Halo as their medical marijuana dispensary will receive an 
educational packet that will help them determine which is the best 
strain for their condition.

Patients regularly have the choice between the Halo's 20 strains, 
including what has become a highly popular strain in "Larry OG."

Also inventoried at the Halo are nearly 70 edibles, ranging from 
chocolate bars to popcorn to gummies to salsa.

The Green Halo will be looking at expanding hours in the future with 
the passage of a Tucson ordinance that allows dispensaries to do so. 
A separate ordinance will allow dispensaries the opportunity of 
delivery; something The Green Halo's Tucson location will also look 
to take advantage of.

For more information on pricing and specials, visit 
www.thegreenhalo.org or call 664-2251. The Green Halo is located at 
7710 S. Wilmot Road.

Follow The Green Halo on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as well.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom