The Ivy Hall at Crystal Lake stands in an old Culver’s drive-thru, the quintessential Midwestern experience. The familiar bones of the fast food chain have been redesigned so instead of fast food, they are getting expert cannabis guidance, great weed, and budtenders who are passionate about the plant. Samantha, one of Crystal Lake’s newer budtenders, has found her calling.
Before her introduction to becoming a budtender, she was a licensed massage therapist and built a career on helping people feel better in their own skin. That same passion for wellness and balance is what led her into the cannabis industry, where she now brings her healing touch to Ivy Hall Crystal Lake.
“I’ve always been passionate about wellness and helping people feel their best,” Samantha shares. “When I saw the opportunity to be part of a growing field where education and compassion make such a difference, it felt like the perfect fit.”
A New Wellness Chapter
Samantha has been a budtender for nine months, recently promoted to full-time. For her, it’s way more than just selling the product. “What I enjoy most is connecting with people — listening to their needs and helping them find something that will truly make their day better,” she explains. “Whether it’s a first-time customer or someone with more experience, it’s rewarding to know I’m helping create a positive experience.”
Her approach is rooted in empathy and she takes the time to ask questions: Are you looking for stress relief? Better sleep? Pain management? Or maybe just a fun, uplifting experience? From there, she guides guests through options in a way that feels approachable and never overwhelming. Samantha’s goal is to always make them feel comfortable and supported in their choice.
Reading the Room and the Market
As a budtender, it’s important to read the room. At Crystal Lake, Samantha has noticed a shift in what people are reaching for. “Edibles and vapes have become very popular lately,” she says. “They’re convenient, discreet, and easy to control in terms of dosage, which is especially appealing for beginners. The fast-acting edibles in particular have been a big hit.”
Another noticeable trend is the growing interest in balanced products. “A lot of people are looking for lower THC or THC/CBD blends. They want wellness-focused effects rather than just intensity. It’s about enhancing quality of life, not just chasing a high.”
Samantha finds it inspiring to see how far cannabis products have come. “The evolution of cannabis makes the plant accessible to so many different lifestyles,” she reflects. “Whether someone prefers a classic flower, a discreet vape, or a soothing topical, there’s something for everyone. That variety shows how far the industry has come in offering people safe, reliable, and personal choices.”
Breaking the Stigma
For Samantha, Ivy Hall has given her the opportunity to reshape the perceptions people have about cannabis.
“Dispensaries like Ivy Hall are really important in shifting the narrative around cannabis,” she says. By creating a professional, welcoming environment and focusing on education, Ivy Hall shows that cannabis is about wellness and community.
She’s especially proud of Ivy Hall’s community engagement. “We’re not just a dispensary — we’re a team that cares about giving back and making a positive impact. That’s powerful in breaking down stigma.”
In just under a year, Samantha has become a trusted budtender at Ivy Hall Crystal Lake for both new and returning customers. Her professional background in wellness and her extremely approachable, caring personality has allowed her to make endless connections with customers and the other budtenders in the store.
From Newcomer to Experienced Veteran
Behind the counter is Anthony, one of Ivy Hall’s most seasoned budtenders. With five years of experience, Anthony has seen the cannabis industry evolve quickly – and he’s proud to bring that knowledge to Crystal Lake, a town that’s embraced the dispensary’s unlikely second life.
“I started at a medical-only dispensary,” he recalls. “That really helped me see people as patients needing help rather than just customers needing a high. What I enjoy most is when people come back to tell me that what I gave them worked. That’s a fantastic feeling.”
“I started at a medical-only dispensary,” he recalls. “That really helped me see people as patients needing help rather than just customers needing a high. What I enjoy most is when people come back to tell me that what I gave them worked. That’s a fantastic feeling.”
Guiding First-Timers
Anthony has a unique mantra when it comes to helping newcomers: treat them like his grandmother.
“I know that sounds crazy,” he says with a laugh, “but my grandma has never touched weed before. And that’s the case for some first-timers, too. I tell them: start low and go slow. You can always take more, but you can never take less.”
He wants guests to feel safe, especially when they are trying to navigate cannabis for the first time.
Trends Across Communities
Unlike Samantha, who notes statewide popularity of edibles and vapes, Anthony sees consumption trends as more location-specific.
“At my old dispensary, we sold barely any flowers and little to no concentrates. Everyone came in for drinks, edibles, and vapes,” he explains. “It really depends on the town you’re in, and the income of the general area.”
Still, he sees promise in the development of solventless products. “I love to see steps in the right direction with more rosin and solventless products overall. Compared to other states, Illinois still has a way to go, but when I look back at where we were five years ago, the progress is undeniable.”
Five years may not seem like a long time in some industries, but in cannabis, it can be like a lifetime. Anthony has watched the field grow rapidly as it becomes more recognized, and it’s necessary to adapt to customers’ needs when products are constantly evolving. The human element is what remains a constant for him.
“This job is about listening,” he says. “Behind every sale is a person trusting you to guide them. That’s a responsibility I never take lightly.”
