I again had the opportunity to visit several dispensaries in San
Francisco. This time, I covered the Sunset, St. Francis Wood, Haight,
Western Addition, Nob Hill, and Civic Center sections of the city. All
of the Dispensaries had security who checked my ID and recommendation
before ushering me in to the facilities. Pricing for products was
competitive at each of the dispensaries. Here’s what I found:
 NATURAL SELECTION ? HopeNet offers qualified patients an assortment of choices in San Francisco. Photo by Jaime Galindo
4811 Geary Boulevard (@12th)
415-221-HEMP
Hours: Monday-Friday 11am to 7pm, Saturday 12pm to 5pm
Accessibility: ADA accessible, public transportation, close to freeways, ample street parking.
Atmosphere: The Hemp Center offers an energetic and friendly
atmosphere. While I was there, patients were consuming on-site while
surfing the net and chatting. Employees were easy-going and very
helpful. There are high ceilings and funky decor. They have been at
this location for eight years, but have only been known as “The Hemp
Center” for four years.
Products:
• Medicine: dried product, keif, hash, elixirs,
tinctures, tainted candy bars, edibles (vegan, sweet and savory).
• Accessories: none.
• Extras: free internet access, tv with cannabis
related viewing, water pipes and vaporizers available for use on-site.
Alternative Herbal Health
442 Haight (between Fillmore and Webster)
415-864-1300
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am to 8pm
Accessibility: Public transportation, close to freeways, street parking.
Atmosphere: This facility is full of energy. Patients were medicating
and playing games at the table in the sitting area. There was a big
screen TV playing and employees were laughing and interacting with
patients. Consumption is allowed on site.
Products:
• Medicine: dried product, keif, hash, purple cream
honey oil, tainted candy bars, butter, balm, and assorted edibles.
• Accessories: no
• Extras: water
The Vapor Room
609 A Haight (@Steiner)
Hours: Monday-Friday 10:30am to 8:30pm; Saturday, Sunday 12pm to 8pm
Accessibility: ADA accessible, public transportation, close to freeways, street parking.
Atmosphere: When I entered The Vapor Room, I immediately felt
comfortable and relaxed. One manager appropriately described the
facility as a “Sixties-style living room.” The colors, furniture, and
accessories (specifically the fish tank) all lend themselves perfectly
to this genre.
The employees were all nice, attentive and
knowledgeable (they are all CPR certified). In fact, the staff is so
informed about their products, they have organized the service counter
so that patients can find sativa, indica, and crosses in separate
sections. This is extremely helpful for patients who are trying to
address specific needs. The Vapor Room is sensitive to the needs of
some of their less-fortunate regular patients, so they have enacted a
compassion program (ask for information). There is consumption on site
and there are plenty of places to sit and medicate.
Products:
• Medicine: dried product, keif, hash, thc capsules, honey, teas, chocolates, ice cream, edibles.
• Accessories: grinders
• Extras: compassion program.
Cannamed Care Center1211 Sutter (lower, @Polk)
415-885-8007
Hours: Monday-Saturday 2 to 9pm, Sunday 2 to 8pm
Accessibility: public transportation, close to freeways, street parking.
Atmosphere: offers a large array of medicine, in a pleasant and professional environment.
Products:
• Medicine: dried product, concentrates, edibles
• Accessories: no
• Extras: no
The Divinity Tree958 Geary (between Larkin and Polk)
Hours: Monday-Saturday 11am to 7pm, Sunday 11am to 5pm
Accessibility: will make accommodations for disabled patients. Public
transportation, close to freeways, street parking, pay lot (across the
street).
Atmosphere: The Divinity Tree is a tranquil and relaxing dispensary.
Employees and patients are easy-going and mellow. There is a very
calming vibe. The employees were very helpful and kind. In addition to
selling medicine, the Divinity Tree also sells Oracle DVD’s and
informational cannabis books. They also offer free pamphlets and
reading material in the front of the facility. There is a sitting area
for patients. They are temporarily allowing consumption on site.
Products:
• Medicine: dried product, keif, hash, chocolates, tinctures, balms, assorted edibles.
• Accessories: oracle dvd’s and cannabis books
• Extras: water
Alternative Relief Co-Op
1944 Ocean Avenue (between Fairfield and Keystone)
415-239-4766
Hours: 12:00pm-7:00pm daily
Accessibility: ada accessible, metered street parking, non-metered
parking on corner of Fairfield, public transportation (Muni K Line).
Atmosphere: This relaxed and mellow dispensary sits on the quieter end
of town. It has a very relaxed and pleasant aesthetic. It is clean,
quiet and professional and has been around for four years. They offer
their walls to local artists, so have a constantly evolving eclectic
mix of art (mixed media, painting, photography, etc.) decorating their
facility. There are couches for patients to sit and relax. They make a
point of only allowing one patient to enter the dispensing area at a
time, to honor the privacy of each patient.
Their edible products are baked in-house, in the
interest of quality and dosage control. They have a special program
with local hospitals to deliver medicine for qualified inpatients with
special needs. For more information about this facility, please visit
www.alternativerelief.org.
Products:
• Medicine: dried product, assorted extracts, keif,
hash, tinctures, joints, chocolates, and (in-house baked) edibles, THC
capsules (made in-house). Clones also available.
• Accessories: none.
• Extras: free water, candy, art by local artists.
San Francisco Patients Cooperative350 Divisadero (between Page and Oak)
415-552-8653
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 11am to 7:30pm, Saturday-Monday 11am to 5:30pm
Accessibility: ADA accessible (restroom as well), limited street parking, public transportation (encouraged).
Atmosphere: This cooperative began on August 24, 1999. It is a
non-profit organization and its focus is community outreach and
activism. They utilize their space by hosting numerous groups
(including AA, NA, Men’s and Women’s groups), and offering peer and
social service navigation.
They also offer various other activities like Open
Mic night, harm reduction seminars, Daily Focus at 4:20, and field
trips (for a complete schedule and more information please visit
www.sfprc.org ).
Only dedicated volunteers work at San Francisco
Patients Cooperative. They all receive disaster preparedness training.
The site itself is artfully decorated, with banners and posters on the
wall.
While I was there, the room was filled with a
writers group. Patients were discussing politics while medicating.
Reverend Randy was took time to speak with me about her cooperative.
She makes certain that, aside from all of the help she offers to the
medical community, she also adheres to a “good neighbor” policy.
Products:
• Medicine: dried medicine, keif, hash, tinctures,
oils, teas, edibles (vegan, sweet and savory), topical solutions.
• Accessories: none.
• Extras: political literature, countless seminars and activities.
 KIND BUD - A sample of Purple Kush bud from the HopeNet collection. Photo by Jaime Galindo |
Volume 2 
The Men's Wearhouse George Zimmer
