Beef up your stash at the Bay Area's recently reopened dispensaries, where recreational cannabis is served over the counter, in some very posh lounges, and by delivery.
While marijuana for adult use technically became legal in California on January 1st, delays in passing out new permits means that some local dispensaries are still unable to actually sell cannabis for recreational use. Most are still only operational for folks with medical cannabis recommendations, but by now there are more than a few good options in most neighborhoods of San Francisco, as well as a few in Oakland.
As always, every dispensary varies in its selection of flowers and strains, vaporizers and edibles, lotions, tinctures and even dog treats, so if you're looking for something particular, peep their online menus ahead of time. Before you head out for your ganja shopping spree, don't forget your ID proving that you're at least 21. Ready, set, smoke...or vape, munch, sip.
Harvest
Unlike many dispensaries that keep all their products locked up behind a counter, Harvest looks and feels more like a stylish retail space with shelves of beautifully packaged products—think Auntie Dolores edibles, Flow Kana pre-rolls, Kikoko teas, and Papa and Barkley CBD tinctures. If you're new to cannabis and want some time to independently explore what's available, these shops are a great place to start. Regulars, meanwhile, may enjoy the chic private lounges. // 4811 Geary Blvd. (Inner Richmond), and 33 29th St. (Mission), harvestshop.com
Eaze
"Marijuana has arrived!" Such is the slogan of delivery service Eaze, which you have no doubt seen on many a Bay Area bus. The company is now slowly rolling out recreational sales by zip code, with a $10 delivery charge in the city—that's double what it was before, thanks to new regulations that require drivers to return to the dispensary to collect each customer's order rather than carrying an inventory around in their cars. Choose from vaporizers from Simply and Bloom Farms; juices and lemonades from Venice Cookie Co.; Om Edibles' pain-relieving topicals; and Humboldt Legends pre-rolls. Eaze is currently delivering to 94110, 94114, 94103, 94102, 94117, 94115, 94109, 94118, 94123, 94111. // eaze.com
Shambhala
In the Mission, Shambhala is a small dispensary that keeps everything behind glass display cases but has a knowledgable staff that can walk you though the available inventory. Here, you can shop a range of organic, pesticide-free flowers and exclusive strains, Pax 3 vaporizers, an a range of edibles including indica-dominant caramels, gummies, and hard candy. They also offer delivery. // 2441 Mission St. (Mission), shambhalamcc.com.
The Apothecarium
The Apothecarium's three San Francisco locations offer posh atmospheres for educational events such as hands-on information sessions with many of the brands (including Garden Society and Kiva edibles, Care by Design tinctures, and Dosist vape pens) sold in the store. Apothecarium was among the first SF stores to offer cannabis for recreational sales this month, so it's atypically busy there, forcing them to close their doors earlier than the usual 9pm. If this is your dispensary of choice, arrive by 8pm to ensure you get inside. // Multiple locations, apothecarium.com.
SPARC
SPARC kicked off the era of adult use in San Francisco by becoming the official cannabis sponsor of SF Sketchfest (Jan. 11-28). The SoMa dispensary was among the first locally to offer a stylish alternative to the old barred-window model, having won an award from the AIA for its cool, modern design. Today SPARC has two additional locations, in the Lower Haight and in Santa Rosa; and the stores still carry a wide selection of strains, extracts, edibles (think Kiva Terra Bites), topicals and tinctures (including Care by Design sublingual sprays), and even SPARC-branded vape pens and cannabis-infused olive oil. If you're in SoMa, enjoy your purchase with a cup of complimentary tea in vape lounge. // Multiple locations,sparcsf.org
Grass Roots
Flow Kana's farm-to-bowl flowers and Big Pete's cookies and snacks are among the 500-plus-product offering at Grass Roots, where, thankfully, the staff is well educated to walk you through the many choices and can even help you understand the dosage that's right for you. They also offer same0day delivery. // 1077 Post St. (TenderNob), grassrootssf.com
Harborside
Among the Bay Area's most OG dispensaries, Harborside is now serving the 21-and-up crowd in both Oakland and San Jose. You'll find a wide assortment of flowers, concentrates from Oakland Extracts and Native Seed, and an assortment of goodies including sweets and topicals by Oakland-based Om Edibles. DIY home growers can even pick up clones. Don't want to wait in line? Order ahead online for speedy in-story pick-up. // 1840 Embarcadero (Oakland), and 1365 North 10th St. (San Jose), shopharborside.com
Barbary Coast Dispensary
Barbary Coast stands out from the rest thanks to its full dab bar and a cannabis lounge that looks like a classy saloon. The room has five high-definition TVs, and you can access the space simply by making a purchase. Shop flowers from Butter Brand and Sherbinskis, super-high-dose Korova cookies, Waska's vanilla hemp milk, Gold Drop vape pens and more. // 952 Mission St. (SoMa), barbarycoastsf.org.
Purple Star MD
Located right next to Alamo Drafthouse, Purple Star is primed for a pre-movie treats to pair with your popcorn—they also offers complementary one-hour delivery on all orders placed online between noon and 8pm. Proceeds from their wide selection of products, including $10 grams, as well as brownies and mints are shared with four nonprofit organizations: AGUILAS, the Shanti Project, the San Francisco LGBT Community Center and Breast Cancer Emergency Fund. // 2520 Mission St. (Mission), purplestarmd.com
San Francisco Foundation on Going Green (SFFOGG)
SFFOGG is offering customers $1 pre-rolls when you make your first purchase or refer a friend. Go for the Marley Natural flowers, stylishly packaged Buena Vista pre-rolls, Satori's dark chocolate blueberries, and Yummi Karma's mac-and-cheese popcorn. Also, get a free 1/8th with all deliveries while supplies last. // 211 12th St. (SoMa), sffogg.com
ReLeaf Herbal Cooperative
ReLeaf has been operating in SoMa for over a decade. You'll find a selection of vapes from Spliffin and Bloom, Papa and Barkley topicals and, if dabbing's your thing, $5, $10 and $15 offerings at the bar. // 1284 Mission St. (SoMa), releafherbal.com.
