As of today, I Sean McDowell AkA JohnDeere owner of JDs Organics is withdrawing all public support for the Kiona's Farm'acy Merced dispensary in Merced.
I know a lot of your are getting ready for october harvest, the long wait is coming to an end, and farmers will be looking for places to take their crops. DO NOT place your crop on consignment through Kiona's Farm'acy. I am trying to save you a world of frustration. You will have to literally play the role of a collections agent to see a full payment.
This is not the fault of the several employee's That Lakisha Jenkins employs. They are not allowed to make a payment to any vendor without the explicit direct consent of Dr. Jenkins as far as I'm aware, so please Try not to take your frustrations out on the employees(sorry Roland) as they don't deserve the anger that should be directed at Dr. Jenkins.
Now your'e wondering why I'm going through the trouble of warning you to NOT Vend to Kiona's? It's simple, If your a small crop farmer like myself, You will be taken advantage of(what it feels like). If your product that is placed on Consignment is sold, DO NOT expect a payment UNLESS you are a Mainstream vendor, With major branding and what is considered "Consistent" product availability.
I personally Vended nearly a pound of premium indoor product last month when the facility was out of flower product. It sold out in 4 days. I called on day 7 to see if a payment was available, It wasn't, I was told that I needed to wait the full 2 weeks to receive payment even if the product was all sold. When the two weeks came to pass I had a meeting with Dr Jenkins, She explained to me that as a member of the supposed "Co-op" we were all responsible for the well being of the foundation, That sometimes there will not be payments on time because of costs like lawyers, and cops seizing products, and employee/labor etc etc yet she turns around and pays up front to big vendors, while placing the small farmers on their "we will pay you when I can list."
A month and 10 office visits later my balance is now close to being paid out, And I have given up all hope that this facility will turn its business practices around, And be the Co-op and safe access that Merced needed. Kiona's Farmacy Merced is the furthest and worst example of the kind of co-op merced needs. Please save yourself the frustration, and take your crops elsewhere. I know its a major bummer, But I promise you don't want this kind of headache.
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