K........e

This was the first collective I visited when I moved to Michigan, well over a year ago. For months I was an extremely loyal customer. They knew my face, they knew my name, and when I walked in everyone looked happy to see me. I was a regular. Since I am a patient on Disability, I would frequent their "happy hours," to save a few dollars. These folks knew me so well, in fact, a couple times I would arrive a few minutes past "happy hour," and they'd still be kind enough to extend the same discount. Unable to afford their medicine without the 10% "happy hour" discount, after many months of allegiance I was forced to go elsewhere- until they started offering the same 10% discount for patients on "Disability." I couldn't wait to go back. People on Disability typically receive less than $700 per month- every dollar counts. And every dollar especially counts when you are trying to alleviate severe pain- daily. So after many months, when they began to offer the "Disability" discount- and I could afford a donation- I happily returned. I donated for a gram, and explained that I understood they now had a discount for patients on "Disability." Before I continue, please know this: There were 5 people in the room when the following incident occurred- a budtender, a manager, 2 other patients whom I did not know, and myself. The manager told me (paraphrasing), that the discount only applied to those who are "visibly disabled," as in- a patient in a wheelchair, using a cane or walker, etc. I explained that according to the State of Michigan, I am Disabled, and receive a government check because of my Disability. The manager replied (paraphrasing) that, "We are all disabled if you really think about it." I asked him if he gets Disability checks from the state, as well. His answer was no. And then he told me the "Disability Discount" was really only for those who made significant donations- 1/2 oz., 1 ounce, etc. My total income is under $700 per month- I donate for a gram when I can- and make it last as long as possible. The manager's response (paraphrasing) was, "Saving $1 on a gram is really that big a deal to you?" I was astounded. Again- a budtender, the manager, and two patients whom I did not know were all witness to this. Angry? No. Hurt? Yes. Humiliated? Beyond humiliated- I wanted to disappear. And I did. I haven't been back. Sometimes it is embarrassing enough to explain to people you have a disability, that you receive money from the state- but to be humiliated like this at a collective? In front of strangers? Shameful. Reprehensible. Disgusting. I told the manager, "You know, a dollar might not seem like a lot to you, but it means a whole lot to me because of my fixed income." He smirked. I told the budtender and the manager that they were about to lose a loyal customer for life over $1 and the humiliation they were causing me, and neither seemed to care less. As I left, I spoke to the receptionist- who knows my face well: "Is that really the policy here? The State of Michigan counts me as Disabled but the AAWC does not? What about disabilities you can't see- like PTSD, crippling depression/anxiety, disabilities counted for SSI, or even multiple herniated discs (which is what I have)? I was on high dosages of narcotic painkillers for years, enough to be labeled "Disabled" by the state, and unless I'm using a walker I can't get $1 off a gram? Really?" She just kind of shook her head. I walked out a few months ago and have not been back since. Humiliated, embarrassed, disgusted. Interestingly, when I called today- I first asked (a different) receptionist the same question, "Do you offer a discount for patients who are Disabled?" And her response (today!) paralleled the one given to me months ago(paraphrasing): "Visibly disabled, wheelchair, cane, walker, etc." The owner again seemed shocked. Because . . . he had trained her himself. Wow. What about PTSD? People on SSI? Sometimes you can't always "see" a disability. But apparently, the AAWC thinks they can. The staff literally stood there arguing with me as to whether or not I am disabled- in front of a bunch of other patients- over $1. Put yourself in my shoes. How would you feel? You have a choice where to spend your money. Disabled or not, next time you are thinking of going to the Ann Arbor Wellness Collective, please consider this review. These are the people you are handing your money to.