Tioga Green Brings Plant-Based Benefits to Yosemite's Local Community
Adult-use cannabis has made incredible legalization strides throughout the past few years, and while this means much more freedom and acceptance for the recreational consumer, the market’s medical patients have consequently taken a bit of a backseat.
More operators are focused on selling points that speak to the average adult-use consumer: gummies for relaxation, fashionable smoking accessories, or party-friendly packs of joints. However, a significant few haven’t forgotten the industry’s life-saving medicinal roots or their own personal connection to the plant – like Tioga Green owner (and former professional skier) Cory Zila.
Tioga Green: Yosemite’s Recreational cannabis community pass
Located in the heart of the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains and on Yosemite’s famous Tioga Pass, adult-use only dispensary Tioga Green was founded on active, community-based intent – and its place in the mecca of back-country skiing, rock climbing, and ice climbing was no accident.
“Our store is really unique. It’s right at the entrance to Yosemite, and the summer tourist season is huge for us,” Zila said. “We’re also known for operating more on the medical side of things, and really showing love in that regard. We like to make sure people are taken care of. If someone in the community doesn’t have much money, they can come into Tioga Green with whatever they have and we’ll make sure they leave with something.”
Zila entered the industry as a consumer, when he was working as a professional skier from 2003-2011. After finding out he was allergic to opiates, a friend suggested he try high-CBD and low-THC products to manage the pain he was experiencing. He quickly became fascinated with the cannabis industry, realizing it had a powerfully positive effect on his mental game as well. He began selling cannabis as a broker when he was 18, and eventually started working with cannabis doctor offices where patients were prescribed recommendations for the plant.
“I did that for five years, and I learned a lot about cannabinoids and how they helped with different ailments, the endocannabinoid system, and terpene interactions. I developed this really strong foundation for helping people, and getting recommendations for different issues,” Zila said.
Zila brings his medical cannabis experience to the adult-use market
That medical experience – and accompanying reputation – followed him to the opening of his own dispensary, and Zila is still known as a local expert when it comes to medicinal cannabis use.
“People will drive from all over to our shop when something is wrong with them. I have doctors from the local hospitals write on their prescriptions, ‘Go talk to Cory at Tioga Green,’” Zila said.
Tioga Green is dedicated to keeping the industry pure and good-intentioned: both in regards to how they direct their consumers to their products, and how the products are showcased in the first place.
“We just developed our latest brand Pheno Hunts, which combines a bunch of different terpene profiles in a variety half-ounce bag. It’s a win-win for brands and consumers: brands secure a place in my shop and all of the stores that sell Pheno Hunts, and consumers get to try a bunch of different products at an affordable price,” Zila said.
The initiative is designed to provide brand awareness and make more cannabis accessible to consumers without sacrificing quality.
“Most people go into shops and look for the best deal, but if they’re able to get a half-ounce of top-shelf indoor flower, they might steer away from those BOGO deals of low-quality products. We want to eventually include a rosin and cart line, and keep teaming up with smaller shops so we can have a good variety of sources,” Zila said.
What’s beyond the Pass for Tioga Green
Ultimately, Zila wants to help fellow industry operators access a variety of products at a good price, just as he wants consumers to enjoy the fruits of the cannabis market without having to spend an exorbitant amount of money. Zila also aims to eventually expand Tioga Green dispensaries on a global level – a long-term project he’s been working on with Australian cannabis advocate Will Stolk.
“Will is at the forefront of cannabis legalization in Australia, and he does all sorts of crazy 420 stunts. He just got in trouble for projecting a dancing weed leaf on the Sydney Opera House,” Zila said.
“He’s got the big ideas, and sometimes I have to reel him in. But he’s a great partner to be working with, and we’re so excited for what’s ahead.”
Tioga Green certainly places a lot of energy towards forward progress, expansion, and servicing the cannabis community in an authentic and compassionate way. It’ll be exciting to see how the Yosemite-famous dispensary grows throughout the years – but in the meantime, if you’re a cultivator or farmer interested in collaborating on Pheno Hunts and beyond, Zila would love to hear from you.
