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MITCHELL — Mitchell has a new kind of flower shop, where the blooms are not bouquets but cannabis buds.
Mitchell’s medical cannabis landscape has expanded with the arrival of its third dispensary, the Flower Shop Dispensary, which officially opened its doors in mid-September. This new establishment brings a familiar name from Sioux Falls, offering residents a broader range of options for their medical cannabis needs.
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Mitchell’s journey into the medical cannabis industry began in the spring of 2023 with the opening of its first dispensary Superior Buds Dispensary. The city of Mitchell has implemented a limit on medical cannabis dispensary licenses, permitting only five to operate simultaneously. The Flower Shop Dispensary is at 100 N. Main St., at the corner of First Avenue and Main Street.
As part of the city’s regulations for medical cannabis establishments, dispensaries in Mitchell must adhere to specific signage and advertising rules. Notably, these businesses are prohibited from displaying the words “cannabis” or “marijuana” on their storefronts or external signage. The name “Flower Shop” was inspired by the flowers on the marijuana plant that can be smoked, said owner Peter Dikun.
Dikun entered the cannabis industry nearly two years ago in Sioux Falls, following South Dakota’s passage of Initiated Measure 26 to legalize medical cannabis. His Sioux Falls store was the first to open in the city after his application was the first drawn in the city’s lottery for medical marijuana licenses, making him a pioneer in this burgeoning industry.
“I got started in the industry simply because I was looking for something different, and a dispensary is definitely different. It’s not like opening any other type of retail store. We got lucky that our application was the first ball drawn in the lottery, the number one ball,” Dikun said.
Alongside his work in the cannabis industry, Dikun, a Dell Rapids resident with roots in Czechoslovakia, also owns a dent repair business called Dent Force.
The path to opening in Mitchell presented challenges. According to Dikun, the Mitchell Planning Commission initially denied approval for the cannabis shop on Main Street, citing concerns about its suitability for the location. One of the primary issues raised by commission members was the potential aroma emanating from the shop. Despite these reservations, the business ultimately gained approval from the city council.
The building’s historical designation presented additional challenges, prolonging the opening process. Dikun explained that extensive renovations were necessary, all of which required approval from both local and state authorities.
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“The state doesn’t want to fix anything. The state wants to keep everything old,” Dikun remarked on the difficulties of navigating regulations tied to historical properties.
The building has a rich history on Mitchell’s main thoroughfare. Previously, the location was home to the Rusted Wing gift shop. Over the years, the building has served various purposes, including housing a sewing and vacuum center. Interestingly, in an earlier era, it functioned as a drug store, as well.
Dikun’s connection to Mitchell runs deep, with his wife hailing from the Corsica area and his brother owning a business in the city.
“We are excited to be a part of the Mitchell community and to provide safe access to cannabis,” Dikun said.
To purchase cannabis products from the Flower Shop, customers must be over 21 and possess a state-issued medical marijuana card, which costs $75. According to the South Dakota Department of Health, as of mid-September, there are 287 approved practitioners and 12,515 approved patient cards in South Dakota.
Inside the dispensary, customers can find five different strains of cannabis flowers, as well as a range of hemp-based edibles, including CBD oil, melatonin, taffy, and brownies. Dikun explained that their products are sourced from Pure Bliss Farms, a local cultivator in Tea. The Flower Shop stocks products from various providers across South Dakota.
“We are kind of like a one-stop shop for everybody,” Dikun explained.
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The Flower Shop distinguishes itself from the other two cannabis stores in the city through its “deli-style” dispensing approach, while the others sell products in prepacked containers.
At The Flower Shop, the majority of cannabis products are sold by weight directly from larger batches rather than being prepackaged. This deli-style method allows customers to see and smell the flower before purchasing, choose specific buds they want, and have their desired amount weighed out on the spot by knowledgeable budtenders. Flowers are stored in jars and brought to point-of-sale stations where the budtenders weigh out the exact amount requested by the customer.
“The deli-style service creates a more personalized and engaging shopping experience,” said Mitchell manager Hunter Musick. “Customers can interact closely with the products, making informed decisions based on visual inspection and aroma.
Operating within South Dakota’s strict regulatory framework is paramount for Flower Shop Dispensary.
“Compliance is huge. The state regulations are stringent,” Dikun said.
The business maintains a camera system that state officials have access to at all times. Dikun explains that their inventory has to match exactly what the state thinks they have.
“Every single product has to be accounted for. You know, in a regular convenience store, if you’re missing a Pepsi, not a big deal,” Dikun said. “Well, if you’re missing a three-year-old joint, there’s going to be problems.”
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Each product is tracked meticulously from seed to sale, with each ounce accounted for using barcode labels assigned from the moment a plant is cultivated. And products undergo rigorous testing before they can be sold; if they do not pass inspection, they must be discarded. Dikun has all new staff spend about a month working at the Sioux Falls location to familiarize themselves with the company’s procedures and compliance standards.
Dikun has observed a diverse clientele at his Flower Shop Dispensary, with customers seeking relief for a wide range of medical conditions. Medical cannabis has shown potential benefits for various ailments, including chronic pain, anxiety disorders, epilepsy, and muscle spasticity.
For customer Aaron Cooper, cannabis has been a transformative solution after years of struggling with addiction. Cooper, who battled dependence on pain pills and meth for 26 years, turned to cannabis as a natural alternative to manage his chronic pain and PTSD. He discovered that cannabis provided effective relief without the harmful side effects he experienced with other substances.
“Cannabis truly did save my life,” Cooper said, now approaching five years of sobriety. “It’s not about getting high or having fun. It’s about seeking relief from pain or other debilitating conditions.”
While staff cannot provide medical advice, Dikun and his staff are trained to listen to customers’ concerns and guide them toward suitable products.
“We are not doctors. We cannot provide medical recommendations,” Dikun said. “But we can point them in the right direction.”
Dikun acknowledged the emotional challenges that come with the territory.
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“The most rewarding, yet difficult part of the job, is getting to know the patients,” he said. “You see their conditions month after month. There are some you don’t see anymore, they aren’t with us anymore, and that’s hard. But hopefully, during their time as our customers, they found some relief from cannabis.”
Looking ahead, Dikun plans to expand Flower Shop Dispensary further, with another location set to open in Aberdeen soon. As the dispensary continues to grow, he remains committed to providing quality products and exceptional customer service, aiming not only to meet customer needs but also to educate them about the benefits of medical cannabis.
“The most rewarding part of this job is seeing patients find relief,” Dikun concluded. “It’s about helping people improve their quality of life.”
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