Testing the Hypothesis, Part 1

Acting on the Legalization of Marijuana in Idaho

Now that marijuana is on the verge of being legalized in Idaho and many other states, there are opportunities for businesses in that field to boom because of the injured and disabled people who use marijuana for relief, stressed-out parents and workers, and the obvious, typical recreational users.

(Names shortened and abbreviated for privacy)
Interview 1: Chan C, 15

1) Are there others who have this need?  Or does everyone in my current "who" share this need?

"I'm in high school, so I really don't know who else would have the need.  Maybe teachers do.  We mess with them sometimes.  I think there are people in each of those groups you named that would like a marijuana shop."

2) To branch off of what we just said, do you think that everyone in those groups has this need?  Or do only some of them want a convenient marijuana shop?

"They could probably all use it, but I don't think they all need it.  I know some parents that would like it, but not all of my friends' parents would."

3) Do you think my "why" fits well here?  Do you think it's a good reason for this opportunity to exist and do you think it holds true across the board?

"Yeah I do.  It's illegal in most places, but there are lots of shops where it is legal.  I don't see any reason for the opportunity to exist other than it being legal and people wanting to feel high."

Interview 2: Moe K, 49

1)  (Same question as above #1, will indicate with " " when questions repeat)

"In my line of work, I see a lot of people who I think would need something like this.  Sure, medical marijuana is legal in a lot of states now, but it would be a lot more convenient for them to not go through the process of obtaining their cards."

2) " "

"Not all disabled or hurt people need it.  There are alternatives to using marijuana, but I think the majority will prefer it.  Definitely not all parents want it, but I think they need it, ha ha!"

3) " "

"Yes it definitely does.  There aren't many other reasons that you would have one of those shops if it wasn't legal, and with legalization nearing in Idaho, that's definitely a good opportunity."

Interview 3: Andy S, 20

1) " "

"College kids would love this.  I don't know if you meant to include them or not.  I think you covered most of the potential customers, though.

2) " "

"No, everyone has their preferences.  I think it's a good alternative to drinking after a long day of work though, so it could definitely benefit workers, teachers, and stressed parents."

3) " "

"Yeah.  Legal marijuana means a lot of marijuana shops popping up.  We don't get to see it in Florida because its illegal, but when I traveled to Colorado, they were everywhere.  You just have to be quick.

Interview 4: Johnny Z, 23

1) " "

"I mean, you didn't really include all of the specifics.  There were some, though.  To break down the recreational users, I'd say there are college kids, millennials, old Rasta guys, business owners, and a few more probably."

2) " "

"Of course all recreational users would have this 'need', but no.  Not all teachers, parents, and disabled people would particularly want this.  Many likely would, though."

3) " "

"Your 'why' is a combination of who needs it and the legalization, so it's kind of broad.  But yes, I do think it fits.  You have to legalize it before you can make a business out of it."

Interview 5: Chad M, 21

1) " "

"I think there are users in most demographics, so it's kind of hard to say that your 'who' encompasses everyone who could have the need."

2) " "

"Because of what I said in the last answer, I'm not sure.  You'd have to take some kind of survey probably.  I'm sure many of the people in your 'who' would likely have the need.  Just not all of them.  The only issues with this would be legal ones."

3) " "

"Your 'why' is pretty much the only reasonable 'why' in this situation.  It's being legalized by popular demand, so there will be a lot of opportunities for business."

Summary
I thought all of my interviews were interesting.  I enjoyed speaking with my interviewees.  I thought it would be fun to interview someone who was underage and definitely wasn't in my "who".  He gave really good answers and helped me gain insight on some demographics that I can't easily observe now that I'm in college.  The others were good as well.  Johnny gave me good criticism in my methods of picking "who's" and helped me to think about how I should reword or rethink my "why".  Other than that, I was happy to get good feedback from the rest of the interviewees.