We are proud to announce that The Crested Butte News named SOMA “Top Budtender” of 2014 in the Best Of The Butte polls.

What are the Best of the Butte polls?

An annual occurance, the Best of the Butte polls are a platform for the citizens of Crested Butte to vote on the best that the city has to offer. The categories don’t stop at just restaurants and apothecaries.

In fact, in this year’s winners list you will find everything from the best adrenaline rush (Riding the Gravitron at Cattleman’s Days) to the best town rumor (Mark Reaman is a socialist).

Soma Colorado Wins Top Budtender

Being one of four great dispensaries in Crested Butte, it’s a huge honor to be given top honors. This means so much to us because it’s directly from the people of our great city.  We wholeheartedly believe that it is our dedication to great customer service, marijuana safety and warm, inviting atmosphere that helped us win the top percentage of votes this year.

In 2014, we were also lucky to have our Deadhead OG, Durban Poison and F’n Wrecked place 1st, 2nd & 3rd — respectively — in the Crested Butte Blazer’s Ball.  Thanks everyone!

In light of the award we would like to introduce you to Lee Olesen, who you most likely already know running our establishment, and some details on the future of SOMA Wellness Lounge across Colorado. Head’s up: There will be a steady stream of fresh SOMA buds for days!

Interview with SOMA Owner

Lee Olesen

Overview: Innovative and results–driven leader focused on achieving exceptional results in highly competitive environments that demand continuous improvement.

Education: University of California, Berkeley

Member: Community Thrive

Connect with Lee Olesen on Linkedin

It’s obvious that the city of Crested Butte has really adopted SOMA.  How important is the community to you?

Extremely important.

We’ve been making strides to remain deeply rooted in Crested Butte community activities since day one.  Recently, we’ve began sponsoring local athletes, started working with Tough Enough To Wear Pink who supports the fight against breast cancer, and we’re a part of THRIVE, which aims “to build stronger and more engaged communities using education and science based facts to support youth development.”

What has been the most rewarding part to being one of the first of your kind in Crested Butte?

We’re not the first — laughs — one of the last, actually.

Providing a safe and reliable establishment for the consumption of marijuana has been very rewarding for us.

Why is SOMA the best in Crested Butte?

First and foremost it is our safe and inviting apothecary atmosphere.  We also have great a customer service staff who all are highly experienced with cannabis.  And lastly, fair pricing and superior, consistent quality.

These all make up the three sides of the triangle that represents our brand.

What plans do you have for 2015?

We are finishing up a 3,000 sq. foot grow operation in Crested Butte, as well as a 46,000 sq. foot grow facility in Pueblo, which will really streamline our production.  We’re excited to announce that we also have a MIPs which will be licensed in March in which we will be producing our our branded concentrates.  On top of all of this, we will be opening a second retail store in Gunnison.

As part of our ongoing service to the community we have established colorado marijuana frequently asked questions that will help you better understand the laws in the state. We always welcome questions so please reach out in the comment field with anything else you’d like to know about our growing organization.