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The California Report

Legal Recreational Adult-Use Pot Sales Finally Begin in San Francisco

Tiffany Camhi
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The Apothecarium displays its licenses, which allow it to sell adult-use recreational marijuana in the city. (Tiffany Camhi/KQED)

Six cannabis dispensaries in San Francisco started legally selling adult-use marijuana on Saturday, the first day allowed under city law and almost a week after it became legal across the state and stores were open for business in Oakland and San Jose.

By 9 a.m. on Saturday, about two dozen customers had formed a line outside of The Apothecarium, a cannabis dispensary based in San Francisco’s Castro District.

Troy Brunet was one of the first customers in line today. He's been a regular customer of The Apothecarium when it was a medical cannabis dispensary, but this time, he didn’t have to show his medical marijuana card.

“I came out here this morning to support and celebrate the fact that The Apothecarium received its permit,” Brunet said.

In addition to The Apothecarium, five other shops were able to start selling adult-use marijuana on Saturday:

  • The Green Cross, 4218 Mission St.
  • Releaf Herbal Cooperative, 1284 Mission St.
  • Harvest on Geary, 4811 Geary Blvd.
  • Grass Roots, 1077 Post St.
  • Medthrive, 1933 Mission St.
Customers began lining up outside of The Apothecarium dispensary in the Castro 30 minutes before it opened on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. The Apothecarium is one of six dispensaries that was licensed to sell adult-use marijuana on the first possible day in San Francisco.
Customers began lining up outside of The Apothecarium dispensary in the Castro 30 minutes before it opened on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. The Apothecarium is one of six dispensaries that was licensed to sell adult-use marijuana on the first possible day in San Francisco. (Tiffany Camhi/KQED News)

The Apothecarium spokesman Eliot Dobris says it was a bit of scramble to get the shop ready for new customers this morning.

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“We found out yesterday at 5 p.m. that the state approved the license,” Dobris said. “So we’ve only had 15 hours to get ready.”

The dispensary itself is elegant and inviting with crystal chandeliers, a lounge and even an art gallery.

“Whatever your image of a dispensary is, this is probably much, much nicer,” Dobris said.

Retail clerks help recreational marijuana customers at The Apothecarium in the Castro.
Retail clerks help recreational marijuana customers at The Apothecarium in the Castro. (Tiffany Camhi/KQED)

Part of the morning’s celebrations included a ribbon-cutting to welcome recreational users and remarks from California State Sen. Scott Weiner and San Francisco Supervisor Jeff Sheehy, who represents the Castro. Both have been long-time supporters of legalizing and regulating recreational marijuana.

“This is a momentous day for San Francisco,” Weiner said. “This is a legitimate business that employs people and creates economic activity.”

San Francisco resident Will, who did not want to share his last name, had not been to The Apothecarium before today and does not have a medical marijuana card. He just wanted to buy the drug because it’s legal in the city now.

“I'm not even a user,” Will said. “I don't even remember the last time I used marijuana. I just figured I'd try it out.”

If you decide to try out dispensaries in San Francisco this weekend, make sure to bring an identification card. Recreational marijuana is only legal for adults 21 and over. You can find an updating list of which dispensaries have been approved for adult-use across the state here.

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