Local Cannabis Whispers at Winewood Organics
By Mary Dillon
If you want a farm-to-table experience when purchasing weed, Winewood Organics is the place
to go. Customers know exactly what they’re getting because it’s literally grown right on site. What’s unique about the microbusiness model is that marijuana is grown, harvested, trimmed, extracted, and sold all at the same location. No big shipments of commercially produced cartridges or factory grown bulk weed. This is a do-it-yourself mom and pop shop, and they do it well.
In addition to providing high quality, hand trimmed, organic flower, they also do their own in-house extractions, producing high terpene hash rosin, sauce, live resin, and other concentrates. Winewood is the first Craft Cannabis Microbusiness in SoutheastMichigan under a new type of Michigan marijuana license. As such, they are allowed to grow up to 150 plants at a time and sell the cannabis only onsite in their own provisioning center.
Eric Parkhurst, the owner and grower, and his partner Becca began this adventure while searching for alternative health medicine. Becca had developed
a large clot in an inoperable part of her brain and
was experiencing intense pressure and headaches. Since the prescribed opiates were not very effective
at alleviating her pain, and the cortisone shots could only be given very infrequently, Becca decided to give medical cannabis a try. Not only did it address her excruciating headaches, but she also noticed she didn’t feel the multiple unwanted side effects she was experiencing with opiates.
The couple then decided to move to Ann Arbor where medical marijuana was already legal. Becca became a certified medical marijuana patient, and Eric became a licensed caregiver. He began growing organic, medical marijuana for her and a few other patients they’d met from their children’s preschool. Over the years of growing, Eric kept improving his plants and boosting his harvests. He decided he wanted to take it to the next level and expand into processing and sales. The new microbusiness license was the perfect fit for what he had in mind.
While Eric continued growing medical-grade marijuana, he also started pursuing the licenses and permits required to set up shop. He then brought on board his high school friend, Marcus Huber, who became his right-hand man in every aspect of the operation. The two have worked tirelessly to convert the facility into the comprehensive business it is today. And, in fairness, Becca and Sabrina, Marcus’ wife, have volunteered countless hours to help as well.
The staff has grown into a tight-knit family of 6 employees. Does working with a small staff add to
the farm-to-table feel of the store? “For sure,’’ said Eric. “All the employees get along and are friends. We’re like a small family here and customers pick up on that. Our product is better because the employees are accountable for their job. If the job is not done, we know who didn’t do it. Everyone takes pride in their work and tries to have fun at the same time.”
Kim Smith, Winewood Budtender and Edibles Chef, agreed, stating, “Staff members here pitch in to
help wherever needed. We might be trimming and packaging one day, then helping in a grow room or the extraction lab on another day. Everyone on staff really wants to be here, and you can feel that in the vibe at Winewood.”
It Is So Local, You Might Need a New Word for Local
2394 Winewood Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 is where you can find the classy store with a down-to-earth feeling. You’ll actually find the parking lot for Winewood Organics
on the Maple Road side of the building, where the building has been painted by a local artist, splashing large, colorful flowers on a black background. As
soon as you exit your car, you’ll notice the magical aromas wafting from the building. Then, upon entering the lobby, customers will find a relaxing, inviting environment with wood trim, glass displays, and rays of sunshine beaming into the store. This environment is complete once you add in the excellent customer service that’s provided by a very knowledgeable and friendly staff.
system. An automated irrigation system is replaced by the green thumb of a real person.”
Kim states, “Health enthusiasts love that the cannabis is organic, locally grown, and devoid of harsh chemicals and metal by-products often found in marijuana cultivated with industrial fertilizers and pesticides.” Eric agrees, stating “People are loving that we grow all our cannabis right in house. We’re receiving a lot of repeat business and great feedback on the high quality of our products.”
He’s also excited to talk about his cannabis microbusiness and how it relates to the community. “It’s so nice to work directly with our customers and get their feedback on what they like, what they’re looking for, and then incorporate that feedback
into our next grow. It’s the best way to home in on the craft of growing, allowing us to make iterative improvements along the way.”
Referring to Eric’s love of his craft, Kim says he’s “a very gifted grower with a big passion for what he does and extensive knowledge and experience.” The two work well together as a team, as evidenced by Eric’s humble and humorous reply, “Kim is my hype man.” When talking with Eric about his growing techniques, and hearing his descriptions of collaborating with local farmers in Sears, MI to bring in organic soil and other special, sustainable ingredients, you get a sense of how much he knows about growing cannabis. It really is like speaking to the cannabis whisperer.
What is Eric’s favorite product? Orange Push Pop flower and the Banana OG live resin.
What is Kim’s favorite product? Peyote Cookies flower and Ice Cream Cake hash rosin.
What is a fan favorite? “Peyote cookies because it’s Kim’s favorite,” Eric said with a laugh. “But truly, we’re getting great feedback on all of our strains,” Kim replies, adding that Apple Fritter, Peanut Butter Breath, and Slurricane have been popular as well. Customers also love the pre rolls because they’re all bud, no shake or trim. The pre rolls are sold in a two- pack in a glass jar with a wood lid.”
www.winewoodorganics.com
Check out Winewood’s website at winewoodorganics.
com where you’ll find extensive information about the
grow process, harvest schedule, live streams from the grow rooms, and available products.
Winewood’s store hours are Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For direct information they can be contacted at info@winewoodorganics.com. The store has curbside pickup and in-store shopping.
Eric prides himself on making sure the business is an integral part of the surrounding community. “There are other small businesses and independent store owners in the neighborhood, and we all work together, even with figuring out logistics like staff parking.”
Two neighborhood companies produced their t-shirts and other gear, and a neighborhood restaurant, Chela’s, catered the grand opening. Another neighborhood business, Earthbound Remedies, provides the
store’s organic CBD products. Between the local businesses and the neighborhood residents, the newly- opened Winewood shop is feeling the love from the community.
“Ann Arbor is a diverse community that’s health conscious and looking to buy locally-produced, high-quality organic products while supporting a small business,” states Kim. This is what Winewood Organics represents to the core.
Winewood Organics Defines the Word Organic
Eric is excited about the Winewood story and how his love of growing marijuana has parlayed into a small business. He can describe in minuscule, scientific detail the process of his growing techniques. His statement on their website could be THE mission statement for the company: “We believe the secret to quality cannabis comes from healthy plants grown
as naturally as possible. In our grow rooms, nutrient- injected grow cubes are replaced by organic soil and purified water. Chemical pesticides are replaced by a natural, holistic integrated pest management
