What is Jenny Delivers and how does it work?
Jenny Delivers is a female-owned and -operated business. It’s a very simple process to order. You simply email your order with a preferred delivery time, and we deliver it. That’s it.
Where do you source your product from?
I know no one likes the term “middleman,” but that’s kind of what I am. I basically connect farmers and growers with customers. I get to know the customers and what they learn from their experience with this or that kinds [of cannabis], what ailments are treated best with this or that. It’s all locally sourced but I don’t know that everything has actually been grown in Minnesota. It has been sourced locally.
So for some of it, you wouldn’t say you’re totally sure where it came from?
I do know. That’s not the case. But when I receive a delivery of flower, it has come from different places. But I have never crossed the state line.
Your website describes the legality of your business as a “gray area.” Can you explain the reasoning there?
I would say it’s a gray area only because Minnesota has been so ambiguous, I guess is the best word to use. If I want to give my friends some weed, I can. So a gift is OK. If I were to just outright sell $300 an ounce, that would technically be against the rules. But if I charge for delivery and a referral fee, which is what I do, then I’m gifting whatever’s in the bag.
Are you being advised by attorneys on this?
Yes.
And attorneys have agreed with you that this is OK?
Yes.
Are you worried that operating so openly could draw the attention of state regulators and law enforcement, who may not share your interpretation of the law?
Very much so! I have a life to lose, so I don't like to think about it.
Has your product been subject to any sort of safety testing for contaminants or mold?
They’re always tested for mold, but not other than mold. We have both organic and non-organic products. It depends on what altitude it’s been grown at and what the circumstances are that it’s been grown under. Because I have such close relationships with my farmers and growers, we Skype and I see their whole situation. I test everything, obviously, on myself before I release anything to the public, but that’s the extent of it.
How did you decide to start this business?
I just saw a need. It was really that simple. I’ve spent years in Colorado and California. As you know, they’re legal states. I can assure you that out-of-towners are the ones that are going to dispensaries. The locals go to their dude, whomever their guy is. I could see that people are going to want to have their local person. That’s going to happen here, and we’ve got a lot of really great growers here. So I see the gray market continuing.
How much time do you spend on Jenny Delivers in a given week?
I spend a lot of time on it now, because it’s kind of taken off. It’s useful for people, so it makes me feel good because I sit and talk to the customers sometimes, especially the ones that are severely ill. It’s been rewarding. It almost feels like a volunteer job.
How is business these days?
Pretty steady. We have a lot of regulars, people who are dealing with one ailment or another. Delivery is really the key for my business, because a lot of these people can’t drive or maybe they’re disabled completely. My big hurdle is having to only accept cash. I can’t wait to get licensed so I can use other electronic means for payment. Because for some people it’s a really big deal to have to go to the ATM to get cash, but that’s the only way I can operate right now.
How many employees do you have?
Just two, me and one other person.
What is your process for vetting customers?
For customers, it’s pretty basic. If I ever get an itchy feeling about somebody, I’ll make sure that our driver meets them in a public place.
Have you had to reject many customers because you didn’t have a good feeling about the situation?
No. [Only] if they want less than the minimum order or something, I’m not going to send [the driver] out for no reason.
So you said you intend to apply for a license and participate in the legal market when possible?
Of course, I don’t aspire to be a gray-market person. I’d like everything to be on the up and up.
What type of license do you plan to apply for?
Delivery. I just want to keep this going. It’s a really great service and it’s working out for everyone involved.
Did you operate in the black market prior to legalization?
I mean, as much as everybody’s next-door neighbor has. I’ll buy more and then sell to my friends or something.
Do you have a day job?
Yes.
Can you say what industry?
It’s real estate-related.
What is your view of how Minnesota’s rollout of legal cannabis has gone so far?
I think there were good intentions, and I think there was a lot of pressure on them as well at the time. I can relate to having a program not go where you thought it was going to go. I think it’s not too late to change course and just get something done faster, which I know is a ridiculous thing when you’re talking about the Legislature. I still think this is so easy. We don’t have to complicate things. We saw what happened in California when they overcomplicated things and they they were lacking product.
