[Umpsy]

Dispensaries buy their bud from growers. The growers are the suppliers and the retail shop is the distributor...together they form a co-op or cooperative. To be honest its run just like a business, which isn't to say they shouldn't, with the threat of jail time and loss of property they better be making some money.

If you want to start your own co-op you'll probably have to have some "old hippie" connections. However, I believe you are able to grow the stuff yourself and sell it. It's not like co-ops "claim" their growers. The only problemwith that is you'll never keep up with demand.

-Umpsy