West side providers

The Provision Center serves Grand Rapids’ medical marijuana

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I often hear patients say that they drive over an hour to Lansing to find a medical marijuana provisioning center (dispensary), particularly patients who live on the west side of the state. Many people don´t know of any dispensaries in the Grand Rapids area, but there is at least one. The Provision Center is on Plainfield Avenue on the north side of Grand Rapids.

With the help of GPS, I found the place easily enough. But I did have to rely on the street addresses, because there was no sign out front. The building, which has plenty of parking, is shared with several other businesses, creating an all-inclusive resource center for patients and caregivers, including a certification doctor and legal services on site. I walked up to the building and found the Provision Center through the first door on the right.

Right away I found myself in a different setting than in most shops. There was no separate green room, and everything takes place in an office with a professional ambiance. Unlike some shops, where the jars are set low in display cases that are hard for patients with bad backs to view, The Provision Center displays its products closer to eye level. The dispensary offers a wide variety of marijuana strains, all a flat rate of $15 per gram, $50 per eighth ounce, $100 per quarter ounce, $200 per half ounce and $400 per ounce. The staff was knowledgeable about all the strains and counseled me on some medicinal effects of both CBD- and THC-rich products. There were about 20 strains on display, with a balanced variety of indicas, sativas and hybrids. All the strains are lab-tested through Iron Laboratories, and the test results are posted publicly. Caregivers can even drop off their own samples to get tested.

I chose the classic sativa-dominant hybrid Super Lemon Haze and the relatively new Headband, a hybrid of OG Kush and Sour Diesel. Both came in a white prescription bottle with a sticker that listed the strain name, amount and the patient registry number. The budtenders were very friendly and helpful and the office was clean and comfortable. The only downside I could find is that the dispensary does not carry any medibles, oils or extracts. Overall, I had a very enjoyable experience.

Once safe at home, I was able to twist up a few joints. I tried the Headband first. It had a sweet taste, with underlying hints of lemon and fuel. I found this strain to be elevating with a strong head high. It was great for my mood and my persistent pain.

Next up was the Super Lemon Haze, a strong sativa that, if done right, is one of my favorites. This one certainly hit the spot. The lemon flavor was sweet and it had good, long expansion. The ash burned white, showing that the flush process was done correctly. This is a great daytime strain. I was focused and motivated, while having both the munchies and creativity. I found myself making an omelet with ingredients I never would have dreamed of before, like pineapple. I now know that I´ve got a pit stop anytime I´m heading through Grand Rapids.

Steve Green, who writes this column every two weeks, uses marijuana to prevent seizures. He has no business ties to any dispensaries or products.


The Provision Center

10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday- Friday; closed Saturday- Sunday 4920 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids (616) 259-9449, theprovisioncenter.net

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