Possible Hydro Shop Scare....Advice needed!!

[RamCTD1027]

Went to the local hydro shop on tuesday to place an order for some parts and supplies I need. Some of the items were in stock but a few of them werent so I asked the employee (who is part owner) to order the items for me. While he was gathering part numbers, he began to shoot the shit with me about business, his other store, nutrients, etc etc. Although there is a large sign above the register with something to the effect of "discussion of marijuana in this store is illegal and you will be asked to leave etc etc" the owner began to talk about his other store being half the size and generating 4x the business because it is located in a state that has medical. He started talking about how all his customers grow their own medicine and how other states are decriminalizing herb, etc etc. I did continue the talk with him about these topics, however; at no time did I talk about myself growing herb. I placed the order and was told to call next week sometime to find out when it will arrive.

Should I be nervous about returning to this store? I never gave any personal information and I always call the shop from a burner (throw-away phone). I was just a bit sketched out when the owner brought up the topic of marijuana.....

Let me know what you think.

 

[the_man]

you should be OK pay in cash only I was thinking the same about the business end of the hydro stores. there going to do great if more states come on board

if things go well with the laws I'm going to open one

 

[Classyathome]

His sign was to prevent leo entrapment - if he starts the conversation, you are prob OK.

My guy talks in oblique references - we all know, so it's all good...

 

[RamCTD1027]

So what you two are basically saying is I shouldn't be worried about returning to the shop next week to pick up the supplies I ordered? I didnt put any money down so if there is ANY slight chance that this could be a sketchy situation, I can always order the supplies from a different shop and burn bridges at this shop. I would hate to do that since this one is the closest shop to me by about 1 hr.

 

[Moldy Dreads]

Very lame for a stranger to discuss medical etc. in a non med state, specially a hydro store owner and specially with a sign like that, however I think he was just trying to be cool. I would NOT engage it tho, pretend like you don't know what he's talking about until you get to know him better. After all you grow orchids right?

 

[79towncar]

I don't kno personally I wouldn't go there no more. I mean if a person who runs a hydro shop is stupid enough to admit to selling equiptment that people are using to grow weed I would not trust that establishment. No matter what that state law shit is Federal laws always trump state laws. Just because you are state compliant dosen't mean your innocent and in no way does it protect you from Federal athorities. Marijuana is not legal.

 

[swampy_nz]

You guys are way to paranoid.I know if my local hydro store started informing or dis wading the local weed growers from buying there they would go bust in a month.the cops don't pay their wages,we do.Just my 2 cents.

 

[PurplePotion]

You guys are way to paranoid.I know if my local hydro store started informing or dis wading the local weed growers from buying there they would go bust in a month.the cops don't pay their wages,we do.Just my 2 cents.

Agreed. Most of these guys know exactly how things work.. because they did it before they went 'legit' and opened up a hydro store !! Every (hate to use this term, and I use it very loosely) dealer or grower dreams of being able to be legit one day and not having to look over your shoulder every where you go (I know I do). Not saying this is the case every time.. but more times than not it's what I've experienced.

Tomatoes, orchids, just never say anything related to ganja .. they get it anyhow. Most of the time hydro store owners are pretty upstanding people when it comes to nature and compassion for what they do and in general.

 

[keke.nz]

i wouldnt say theres anything "sketchy" about the sign and the conversation... theres no way theyd want to force the illegal growers away because thats where the money comes from. im sure everything will be OK.

peace keke

 

[Vorsprung]

You guys are way to paranoid.I know if my local hydro store started informing or dis wading the local weed growers from buying there they would go bust in a month.the cops don't pay their wages,we do.Just my 2 cents.

i agree.. it's the (usually) unspoken understanding. him just shooting the shit about another store doing 4x the volume in a medical state was him just telling a story of fact - plain and simple.

he wasn't trying to entrap you OP, and i'm sure you didn't say 'yeah i wish my giant cannabis grow operation was legal' or anything dumb like that...

i'd actually be MORE comfortable going to that shop knowing there isn't any predisposition or concern related to cannabis specific issues.. i.e. "it's all good" and just cause he was talking about it doesn't mean you have to.

long story short - don't worry...if you're happy with their service and prices remain a customer. besides the DEA black-op worm installed in your computer sending your IP and keystrokes to their main database should be of much higher concern. playin..

 

[Miss Blunted]

I wouldn't worry too much abou it....if you don't feel right talking to him like that, just keep it business. He probably had a lot of reasons for being so open...with MJ becoming more accepted in society, I think people aren't hiding their affiliations with it as much. Being a grow shop owner, he can size up what you're doing just by being a customer....he probably thinks your a cool person and feels a certain comfort level with you.

 

[lordbudly]

what if it was like family guy though? where the cops had the place bugged and the mob would buy their bunnys there?

 

[Joey56789]

If he's talking about people growing MJ is a state where MMJ is legal, he is not admitting to anything illegal!!! You're buying your shit for your tomatoes, he's talking about his other store where people do legal things. Keeping your mouth shut is the right thing to do. You do that, you're not at any further risk from this discussion IMHO.

 

[basilfarmer]

I dont think there i any reason for concern at all due to him conversing the way he did

Good hydroshop visit rules are simple: pay cash, shop farther away from home, dont use your vehicle or a vehicle registered to your gardens address, better to borrow a pot smoking friends vehicle that doesnt grow, they would be delighted to work out a deal i'm sure

one note: there are cases where hydroshop owners have been busted for income tax evasion or other crimes and made a deal to allow their shop to be surveilled and sales records reviewed. thats the leos favorite game; to get people to roll over on each other

 

[EckoSKy]

what if it was like family guy though? where the cops had the place bugged and the mob would buy their bunnys there?

LOL, You gotta love Family Guy!

 

[RamCTD1027]

Sooo many different opinions on this topic....

I always follow the rules when visiting the hydroshop...I've been to a bunch within a 100 mile radius. I've always had good luck when visiting this place and its nice cause its the closest one to me. It was just a very blunt introduction into the topic of MJ....never experienced anything like it before at a hydroshop. That's why I thought it was sketchy....and I wasn't even high.

I still havent decided whether I am going to go and pick up the items, or if I'm going to order them from somewhere else.

basilfarmer's 'note' really has me thinking....

one note: there are cases where hydroshop owners have been busted for income tax evasion or other crimes and made a deal to allow their shop to be surveilled and sales records reviewed. thats the leos favorite game; to get people to roll over on each other

 

[swampy_nz]

one note: there are cases where hydroshop owners have been busted for income tax evasion or other crimes and made a deal to allow their shop to be surveilled and sales records reviewed. thats the leos favorite game; to get people to roll over on each other

you would have to be the unluckiest person for this to happen and find it very unlikely that the feds have your shop under surveillance but at the end of the day you have to do what ever makes you feel secure.No use sitting around wondering or waiting for the feds to kick down your door when you could have peace of mind and shop somewhere else.

 

[del...]

there have been many instances where leo started investigations based off of license plates in parking lots of hydro/grow stores...i believe there are some reports floating around here about it and some here might recall 'operation green merchant' from several years ago. there is absolutely no reason for store employees having customer names and addresses so get by that visible license plate thing and you should be safe...

 

[VandyMan]

Can't you just ask him if he is police or FDA? I am not from your country, but I think there is a problem with denying that they are trying to "trap" you....so just ask him if you are that worried....otherwise I think you are fine. Also don't mention your purposes of purchasing his goods.

 

[Classyathome]

Can't you just ask him if he is police or FDA? I am not from your country, but I think there is a problem with denying that they are trying to "trap" you....so just ask him if you are that worried....otherwise I think you are fine. Also don't mention your purposes of purchasing his goods.

Common fallacy - ask if they are a leo/fed, etc., they have to say the truth...

WRONG!!!

leo can, and do, lie. They are allowed to tell you any BS they want. What they say to you isn't legally binding, but anything you say to them is.

Asking a guy if he is leo, and expecting the truth is kinda like believing your lady when she says yours is the first dick she's sucked...