WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM B8 5.1.19 l WEDNESDAY l THE ADVOCATE spotlight

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE California’s green rush Legalization of marijuana finds mainstream market, floods local dispensaries with popularity

By Michael Santone editor-in-chief simply, marijuana has been a way of life in those ages 21 and older can visit one of the drocannabinol (THC) that is more potent [email protected] California. 261 cannabis clubs throughout the Golden than garden variety cannabis. After many failed attempts to legalize State to purchase a variety of products rang- There are four dispensaries in Richmond, Over the decades, California’s cannabis marijuana for recreational use, most notably ing from traditional flowers, edibles or con- with one off of Central Avenue across the culture has faced an onslaught of battles in 2008, voters finally gave in to the idea of centrates. street from the Pacific East Mall. The clubs that have wounded, but also reinforced, packing their bowls with legal cannabis. Under the new law, experienced tokers offer a variety of products, each with a its mainstream popularity and monumental Since the legalization of recreational can- and first-time smokers visiting a dispensary, distinct niche in the market and varying achievements. nabis back in January 2018, Californians with a government issued identification, can selections. From being the first state to legalize the have flocked to their local dispensaries to purchase up to 28.5 grams of luscious green However, with emerging brands and new medical use of marijuana in 1996, to the indulge in the once taboo act of purchasing buds or eight grams of concentrates. dispensaries pruning buds and stocking annual 420 celebration at Hippie Hill in and consuming marijuana. Concentrates are exactly what they sound shelves, what makes a good cannabis club? San Francisco, weed, pot, grass, ganja or, Under the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, like they are, a condensed form of tetrahy- Insight into local cannabis clubs

Holistic Healing Collective HHC makes up for this If you’re looking to have the total cannabis club experience, then though, with its large, organized Holistic Healing Collective (HHC) in Richmond is by far the best showroom and knowledgeable dispensary in the area. budtenders. Whether you wish to dabble with edibles or take a toke of flow- Visibly beautiful display cases ers, HHC has a variety of options including household and emerg- with featured products line the ing brands offered at a lower price than any of the other four local well-lit showroom as large menus cannabis clubs. categorize in detail the variety of This includes traditional flowers with every day eighths of sativa, brands offered. indica and hybrids for $20. Concentrates and different forms of If patrons have any questions, edibles, like cookies, gummies and hard candy, are also available. each budtender is more than will- Michael One downfall, however, is the limited parking due to its location ing to explain and even provide in a busy strip mall. smelling samples and details of Santone If you find yourself visiting this cannabis club after 4 p.m., be their own personal experiences prepared for a parking headache and at least a 10-minute wait in with the different cannabis medi- line. ums.

7 Stars East Mall with a small showroom with a maximum capacity of up In comparison to other local dispensaries, 7 Star cannabis to10 people. Although it has found a new home directly across the club in Richmond is the more expensive sister of Holistic Healing street, the showroom still remains small, cluttered and intimidating. Collective. What’s worse, the budtenders still give off a “better than you” It offers a variety of options including household and emerging attitude. Instead of visibly organized display cases, products such as brands, except its products are $2 to $5 more costly. Even the eighths edibles are tossed in different baskets on bookcase-like shelves that of the same brand of cannabis flower that are offered at Holistic tower almost too high to see what is in them. Healing Collective for $20 are more expensive at 7 Star. 7 Stars is a reasonable dispensary, if patrons are willing to spend But that’s only a minor flaw with this dispensary. a little more money and are able sift through the scattered menu. Before the legalization of marijuana, 7 Stars was housed in Pacific

One Plant This vending machine feature, which is Over the years, One Plant, located in El Sobrante, has remained absent at the other three cannabis clubs, obscured from the average recreational cannabis smoker. creates more of an added attraction that That was until its new mainstream direction and name change in over time will become a necessity for lieu of California’s legalization. dispensaries throughout California. Similar to Green Remedy in product choice and expensive con- Overall, One Plant lands in the centrates, One Plant only provides a handful of edible options and middle of the road. At One Plant, eighths no cheaper than $30. slightly higher prices and lack However, this cannabis club makes up for its lack of variety and of variety are remedied by a costly top shelf flowers by offering a loyalty program that rewards reward program that its customers with discounted gifts once they meet the threshold. can yield a pre-roll, or a 10 Since the revamp, which has revived this dispensary from its mg, dated 90s decor and display, customers are invited into a modern for a penny. showroom that also includes a vending machine packed with grams and eighths for quick and easy access with no wait.

Green Remedy empty or seem to At one point, Green Remedy, located across the street from be missing some Hilltop Mall in Richmond, was one of, if not THE best local can- essential nabis club in the area. products that However, since the legalization of marijuana, it has fallen to the make a cannabis bottom of the list. club, well, Once the destination for deals and quality products, Green a club. Remedy has re-stocked its shelves with overpriced flowers and low dose edibles that have emerged from a “make money market” that corrupted the vibe inside the dispensary. It’s rare to find an eighth for cheaper than $30 or any familiar brand of edibles known for offering quality cannabis. When mak- ing a selection from the slim variety in stock, the possibility of it being available is rare. Although it offers a large showroom and friendly budtenders, the display cases are almost always

ILLUSTRATION BY JANET LIRA / THE ADVOCATE