Clinical Cannabis Group LLC opens in Blackwell

Blackwell's first medical marijuana dispensary, Clinical Cannabis Group LLC (CCG) opened its doors this past Monday and three of the four owners Stacy Bergman, Skylar Zaitshik, and Garrick Gross, took time just before their opening to discuss what the dispensary means for them and for Blackwell with one common goal in mind: giving back.

“We want to not only be a part of this community, but we want to give back to it as well,” Zaitshik said, already an entrepreneur throughout Northern Oklahoma, known for Five80 Clothing, “everything in the store will be done with our patients in mind.”

CCG, located at 723 South Main just next to Dairy Queen, will be selling 8 strains at launch and will also be providing concentrate, edibles, and glassware with everything organic and cannabis-based.

CCG branded t-shirts and hats will also be available.

“This all sort of came about when Question 788 passed,” Bergman said, “I even remember telling Garrick and he was just like, 'you what?!',” she laughed, “but we all kind of had this same idea. We wanted to open it and do everything correctly so that it was all local and would directly benefit Blackwell and the people of Blackwell.”

Kelly Horinek, Gross, Zaitshik, and Bergman's husband Skye were soon in on it as well, and from there the CCG was born with “equal input” from all partners with Stacy saying that “everyone has played a crucial part.”

“We read recently that Blackwell schools had discontinued their summer food program,” said Zaitshik, “matters like that are the kind of issues we want to help with once we get established and have the resources to fund and give back with.”

Bergman has spent more than 30 years in the medical field, and to her, Gross, and Zaitshik the matter of professionalism is integral to CCG's success.

“We could have gone with some real earthy 'pot-leaf' name,” Bergman said, “but that's not what we're about and that's not the goal here for any of us. Those that come in will be treated with our upmost professionalism, privacy, and respect. Everything will be handled discreetly.”

“Privacy and professionalism,” Zaitshik agreed before adding, “and quality.”

The quality of CCG comes from the care they take to provide the best possible service.

“Our product, a majority of it is grown right here by us. It is all pesticide free and thoroughly tested to make it as close as possible to being 100% organic. Something a lot of people don't realize is that medical marijuana doesn't have a lot of requirements or control factors behind it...but we're not cutting any corners with our product. What we have is given a full-spectrum test from a toxicology lab to assure the cleanest possible result that will benefit our patients directly,” Zaitshik said.

The CCG won't just be benefiting current card-holders in the State of Oklahoma, though. Soon, they're aiming to help men and women through the process of getting a Medical Marijuana card themselves, in-house.

“It's a difficult process to navigate, it is very thorough and that can be challenging,” Garrick Gross said, “we plan on having a doctor on-site for a patient registry drive where we will assist anyone who wants to come in and apply for their card. We should have more information on that soon, and we will be posting about it on our Facebook page.”

Bergman, Gross, and Zaitshik all agreed that the passing of 788 last year was crucial to helping Oklahomans.

“We had gone to a medical marijuana conference recently and you would expect at something like that to see, say, 90% suits and ties, right? Well it was kind of the complete opposite of that. Instead of these corporate people you had, say, Ma and Pa from Waynoka there- you had your small town couples from Ponca City there- all trying to get it on this because it's such a huge market,” Zaitshik spoke.

“It was incredible, really,” Gross recalled, “it's a local industry and that is what makes it so important.”

“Oklahomans benefit directly, and the collaborate process we've all been a part of to just get even here has been wonderful,” said Bergman.

“We want to be integrated into the Blackwell community, and we're all hoping that Blackwell accepts us,” said Zaitshik.

“Along with that we want to make it clear that anyone who has any questions or concerns can e-mail us at ccgoklahoma@gmail.com, and our doors are open to anyone that wants to walk in and ask about getting their own cards or even just the program in general,” Gross added.

The CCG is open Monday-Sunday from 10 a.m.- 7 p.m.