Today we’d like to introduce you to Cole Fullmer.
Hi Cole, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
That’s a loaded question… haha! I’m 38 years old now and have experienced a lot of ups and downs along the way. I grew up in Reno, NV with aspirations of becoming a National Geographic photographer. To fulfill those dreams, I studied journalism at Indiana University and graduated in 2007. Not the ideal time to be walking into the world of print, but the lifestyle excited a kid who looked up to Henri Cartier-Bresson, Hunter S. Thompson, Jon, Krakauer, and Jack Kerouac.
I worked a short stint in broadcast journalism after college but foolishly wanted to work in print. The first publication to bring me onboard was a daily newspaper called the Morning News in Blackfoot, Idaho. The print bug never left me and followed the dream to three different states, a total of 6 publications, before winding up in Utah working as the Business Editor at the Park Record in Park City in 2013. I left this job when I was 30 years old for a marketing position that could pay the bills a little easier. It was almost like losing a part of myself and life seemed empty. The world of journalism had changed and I was left feeling like I didn’t have a choice though. This was from 2014 to 2017
During this time I sold a stationary ski exercise machine to destination skiers from around the world. I’d be lying if I didn’t say working in the ski industry wasn’t fun, but it didn’t scratch the itch. Luckily, I got laid off from this job in 2017 and hit the ground running doing any freelance reporter gig I could find. Nobody was hiring full-time reporters it seemed and the emerging cannabis industry caught my eye. I started working at Moonlight Garden Supply part-time, thinking this would be my leaping point when medical cannabis started in Utah. Not ideal being a 35-year-old entry-level person though. This is where it’s safe to say my life’s mission unexpectedly showed. Almost every customer walking into the Salt Lake City garden store was asking questions about Proposition 2 and Utah’s medical cannabis program. “How do I get a card?” “Where do I find a doctor?” “Did the church get rid of our medical cannabis program?”
The questions never stopped and it was clear to this journalist there was a well-executed play taking place between capitol hill and local media to keep cannabis in the shadows. I still remember the Saturday morning in August 2019 at Moonlight Garden Supply when the idea of Salt Baked City popped into my head. It was so very clear what I needed to do for the community and I felt like I had invariantly trained for this my whole life. I use cannabis because it relieves pain in my back I suffer from scoliosis. My spine looks like a question mark and the inflammation causes hot spots throughout my body. I also got creamed by a taxi while crossing the street during college and the rod in my leg detects approaching storms better than a meteorologist. I’m also an alcoholic who doesn’t remember my 20s. I’ve been sober for nearly 10 years and cannabis is one of the biggest reasons why. I don’t use cannabis like I abused alcohol, but it’s safe to say herb gives me clarity and sense of relaxation I need to keep a level head and stay away from booze.
I started the LLC for Salt Baked City in 2019 with the anticipation to print our first magazine in April 2020. Just like the rest of the world, Covid set us back some, but I kept moving forward knowing we had a growing patient population that needed some direction and transparency. Our first quarterly magazine was released in March of 2021 and the fight continues. I just released our 6th magazine last week… and why I’m just getting to this interview questionnaire. Sorry! I’m still a one-man band on most days and definitely underestimated my responsibilities when starting this journey haha. Today it feels like I’m back on track with life. If you would have told me what I’d be doing just a few years ago, I wouldn’t have believed you. It’s still very surreal that I’m publishing a magazine at all, let alone a cannabis one in the Behave State.
My MO is, and will always be journalism. We have a lot of bag appeal with the news we cover at Salt Baked City, but I hope people will appreciate what we’re trying to do for community journalism. It almost doesn’t exist in Utah anymore and I feel like cannabis can be the resurgence it needs to make a comeback. We recently teamed up with City Weekly and you can find our new two-page ‘Salt Baked City Weekly’ section in every weekly publication. I’m hoping this will help us show mainstream Utah that cannabis can lead a positive role in our community and help so many people who need it.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I tried a little bit too hard to be like my journalism idol, Hunter S. Thompson. Alcohol has always been my downfall and using it has caused me to lose out on a lot of great things in life. I started drinking as a teenager and shortly discovered I didn’t use the substance the same as more responsible people. This leads to stints in jail, and rehab, and don’t remember my 20s much.
Honestly, I’m lucky to be alive. It took me until my 30s to kick the habit. I tried so many times before but I couldn’t stay sober over time. Medical Cannabis has really given me a grip on life and feels like it’s allowing me to feel more vibrant and alive. I don’t abuse the herb like I did alcohol, but it’s refreshing I know I can decompress and relax when needed.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I publish Salt Baked City — Utah’s first and only cannabis news and culture magazine. Currently, we print every quarter and distribute magazines statewide to Utah’s medical cannabis pharmacies. There’s only 14 total in the state, but they cater to nearly 60,000 patients who have registered to get their medical cannabis cards.
Salt Baked City is also found in 150+ bars, restaurants, smoke shops, clinics, and CBD stores around the state. If you would have told me I would be doing this just a few years ago, I wouldn’t have believed you. I’ve worked in print journalism for almost 20 years now, but never expected to focus on cannabis — especially in Utah.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The magic is in the steam. Persistence is king in other words. I feel like if you show up for life, life will show up for you. Nothing is given in this world, that’s for sure, but if you show up every day you will see results. Never stop following your dreams, period.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.saltbakedcity.com
- Instagram: @saltbakedcity
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saltbakedcity
- Twitter: @saltbakedcity
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPXzJX-_aRfoVXsEvFnZWjA
Image Credits
Kathryn Salas, Cole Fullmer, and Wasatch Cole Fullmer
