Dealing as a side hustle

The driving factor for Carlmont students Charlie Thomas and Sam Martin to begin dealing vapes and marijuana was money. When they started, both were looking for extra cash on the side and an appealing status.

According to Thomas, he buys his vape stock from a store in the Bay Area. Since he went there often, he rarely was asked to show identification. However, he recognized the workers upcharged him for the products he’d buy from them.

“I know they upsell a lot of kids, and it’s just two old guys who work there,” Thomas said. “I don’t think it’s that hard; there are companies out there that will definitely help you.”

He purchases vapes for about $15 each and sells them for about $30. On average, a vape costs $8 to $12. Thomas started selling vapes as a side hustle but found there wasn’t much of a point because it didn’t make much money. Martin echoed that sentiment, claiming he “hasn’t fully stopped,” but it is easy money, nonetheless.

“Being a student dealer, it’s pretty easy for people to get into that. The type of kids that would have that thought pop up in their mind, it’s actually a common thing for people to do if they’re not trying to do it that widely. It can make them a little more money and help their friends out because I know a lot of people have tried and are doing it,” Thomas said.

Martin views his work selling vapes as a low-tier job. He claims that if he had a stable position elsewhere, he would stop dealing, especially since his customer base is mostly friends.

“I respect the hustle, but if you have a real job, you don’t have to deal,” Martin said.