Bijan Sakaki was never bitten by a radioactive spider, and he’s never been involved in a government science experiment gone wrong. Sakaki’s story of heroism began in his mother’s basement in 2010, when he reluctantly accepted cannabis offered to him by his older brother as a way to curb pain caused by his Ulcerative Colitis (UC).
“I always had a taboo vision of cannabis as bad,” said Sakaki during an interview with Salt Baked City. “Until I had a personal experience, and realized that all of my pre-existing programming about the plant had to go out the window. My thinking then focused on how I could shift other people’s perspective of cannabis in a positive way.”
Growing up with conservative immigrant parents in Salt Lake City, Sakaki never dreamed of smoking, drinking, or going against his parents’ wishes, much less of becoming a medical cannabis pharmacy operator one day. He wasn’t going to disappoint his family by doing drugs. Until his UC backed him into a painful corner, leaving him no choice but to give the illicit plant a try.
Diagnosed with UC when he was 12 years old, Sakaki’s journey with wellness and pharmaceuticals didn’t include cannabis. The inflammatory bowel disease that causes irritation, inflammation, and ulcers in the lining of the large intestine, required regular doctor visits – followed by heavy doses of pharmaceuticals.
“The [Remicade] infusions were a lot like Chemotherapy and sucked before, after, and during the procedure. I would heavily medicate throughout those times with edibles, topicals, vaping, and every which way I could consume to fight the pain and stress. The more I learned, the more it worked for me, so I kept at it”
Bijan Sakaki, Beehive Farmacy
Check out our Baked Q&A: Salt Baked City Interview with Bijan Sakaki
He learned everything he could about cannabis, which led him to take his first steps into the industry. After graduating a Ute with a degree in Business Administration, Sakaki decided to relocate to the Sunshine State where he spent the last six years working with industry leaders all over California.
“This was all a part of the vision,” Sakaki said. “I’ve run dispensaries in other states, been an operator in other states, and I always thought when this happens in Utah, I want to get in. Those opportunities were just steppingstones to get here and I’m glad I took them.”
In October of 2020, Sakaki’s vision became a reality when business partners Paul Henderson and Steve Brewster opened Beehive Farmacy, located at 1991 S 3600 W in Salt Lake City. Since opening doors Sakaki has hired 10 staff members, each from different walks of life who all share a passion for cannabis. All of our staff are here to help others, Sakaki added. It’s not just another job to them. Look for their second location in Bringham City, expected to open January 2021.
“For patients, by patients is our motto at Beehive Farmacy,” Sakaki said. “I remember the dark basement and how alone it would make me feel. I like knowing I can shed light on cannabis and help guide patients down this path. They don’t have to go it alone in a basement like I had to.”
Published in Salt Baked City Print Magazine – Spring 2021
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