Where to Buy Recreational Weed in the Bay Area
I just realized that my last post, The 4 Best Dispensaries to Buy Legal Weed in San Francisco, was, well, lacking. Not only did I neglect to include other pot shops that I thoroughly enjoy, but I also don’t even live in San Francisco anymore, so it’s like I’m emotionally cheating on Oakland.
I’ve gone ahead and comprised a list of all the places where you can buy recreational weed in the entire Bay Area, or most of it, anyway. If I’ve missed a spot or don’t mention one of your favorites you know the protocol–comment, comment away.
Harvest
I’ve talked about Harvest before, what with their imported Pellegrino mineral water and high-priced caviar nugs, they’re simply not for us common folks, dammit. Regardless, Harvest is poised to be the next big thing in a city that will ultimately cater to the uber-rich. Beautiful display cases dot a clean, spacious interior. They even have their very own chic smokers lounge for regulars. Needless to say, this is definitely not your early 2000’s pot shop. Harvest is located at 4811 Geary Blvd. (Inner Richmond), and 33 29th St. (Mission), harvestshop.com.
Grass Roots
I’ve heard of Grass Roots but have never tried them, so, unfortunately, I can’t provide you my typical snarky, flippant review. That being said, it’s reported that the staff is fairly knowledgeable about their wares, which is good for you uninformed smokers out there. You should also be able to find a rather healthy selection of your favorite goods in stock, along with same-day delivery (although the latter should be a given, just saying). Grass Roots is located at 1077 Post St. (TenderNob), grassrootssf.com.
Barbary Coast Dispensary
I’ve talked about how gosh darn pretty the Coast is, but you honestly need to step foot inside to get an authentic sense of how aesthetically pleasing a pot shop can be. Barbary Coast stands out from the rest on this list due in part to its full dab bar and cannabis lounge that looks like a saloon straight from a small coal-mining town in the late 19th century. The room has five high-definition TVs, which are decidedly modern, and you can access the space simply by making a purchase. Barbary Coast is located at 952 Mission St. (SoMa), barbarycoastsf.org.
San Francisco Foundation on Going Green (SFFOGG)
San Francisco who? Going Green what? I’m fairly prolific when it comes to my ganja intake and I have never heard of these folks before. Then again, it’s kind of hard to keep track of all the different delivery services and brick and mortar shops out here in the Bay, especially when you begin to favor one over the other. But who the hell cares about notoriety when you’re getting a free eight with every delivery? Yeah, they do that, as well as offer you $1 pre-rolls when you make your first purchase or refer a friend. SFFOGG is located at 211 12th St. (SoMa), sffogg.com.
ReLeaf Herbal Cooperative
ReLeaf is sooo non-descript you might not even notice it among the skyscrapers of tents and other encampments that enshrine it. And if you’re wanting to take a stroll down dispensary lane and hit up one of those old-school dispensaries, you know the one with the buzzers and chill black bouncers you used to frequent back in Bush era, well then this is your place. Releaf Herbal Cooperative is located at Mission St. (SoMa), releafherbal.com.
Berkeley Patients Group
Located in Berkeley, CA, the Berkeley Patients Group is the leading Medical cannabis supplier and a licensed Medical cannabis dispensary in Berkeley, aiming to provide compassionate care for patients. Yeah, I took that straight from their website. BPG is located at 2366 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702.
Harborside Health Center
Harborside is hands down the most well known and perhaps one the most respected dispensaries in the entire East Bay. Their founder, Steve DeAngelo, is somewhat of a cult figure of sorts, having been featured on shows as A&E’s Weed Wars. Purchasing your legal weed there is an experience you should not forgo. Harborside Health Center is located at 1840 Embarcadero, Oakland, CA 94606.
Magnolia Wellness
Located in my new favorite city, Oakland, CA, Magnolia Wellness Center was one of the first dispensaries in the Bay Area to air their own commercial on primetime TV. Magnolia Wellness is located at 161 Adeline St, Oakland, CA 94607.
Purple Heart
Purple Heart is not Purple Star. I always get that mixed up and then I’m that lazy blog writer who didn’t do their homework. Don’t screw this up like I do. Purple Heart is a no-nonsense medical and recreational marijuana dispensary carrying flower, plants, topicals & edibles. And it is NOT located in San Francisco. Purple Heart is located at 415 4th St, Oakland, CA 94607.
Airfield Supply Co.
Sounding more like a band you would hear on a Lite Jazz radio station, Airfield Supply is actually fairly decent when it comes to the quality of their products. In fact, they are touted as being one of the foremost designer marijuana dispensaries that deals in quality cannabis products and buds in all of San Jose. Airfield is located at 1190 Coleman Ave, San Jose, CA 95110.
Buddy’s Cannabis
I honestly could not believe the name of this dispensary but hey, cannabis makes you think up interesting shit. Just peep the interior of the place and you will see what I mean. Don’t get me wrong-Buddy’s does deliver, although not with the bells and whistles you might find in other pot shops–it’s more like a comic book store you would find in downtown Portland. Buddy’s is located at 1075 N 10th St, San Jose, CA 95112.
Caliva
Caliva is also the safety word I use with my dealer when I’m too high, but that’s off-topic. The store itself looks like the lobby of a spa in the Marina, and you’ll be paying comparable prices. Caliva is located at 1695 S 7th St, San Jose, CA 95112.
Canna Culture Collective
Don’t let the fact that the Canna Culture Collective looks like a friendly abortion clinic stop you from buying your weed from them. Having been in the ganja game for almost seven years now, CCC has established itself as a “model collective” in the entire East Bay. CCC is located at 3591 Charter Park Dr, San Jose, CA 95136.
Elemental Wellness
Another dispensary that looks more like Target than a pot shop, Elemental Wellness prides itself on being a medical and recreational marijuana dispensary in San Jose offering the best selection of lab-tested medical marijuana bud, concentrates & extracts. Elemental Wellness is located at 985 Timothy Dr, San Jose, CA 95133
Harborside Health Center
A flagship of the main Harborside in Oakland, HHC offers the same supreme selection and quality as its sister site. HHC is located at 1365 N 10th St, San Jose, CA 95112.
Purple Lotus
Christ, not another Purple Place.
While definitely not as modern looking as other pot shops on this list, Purple Lotus contains 100s of products and the Bay Area’s most exotic Cannabis. Their words, not mine. Purple Lotus is located at 752 Commercial St #20, San Jose, CA 95112.
White Fire
Yes, 80’s Rock Band nostalgia is in full effect in this article and you can thank the brains behind the names of your soon-to-be favorite pot shops. Based on their reviews, White Fire has reasonable prices and friendly knowledgeable staff. If they are all donning mullets or mesh tank tops I may have found my new go-to dispensary. White Fire is located at 111 Old Tully Rd, San Jose, CA 95111.
Sparc
All you out-of-towners can now purchase legal weed at SPARC and not have to worry about buying it off the street. Unless of course, you want to pay less. Sparc is located at 473 Haight Street and is open from 10 am to 10 pm every day!
Purple Star
Purple Star remains one of my favorite pot dispensaries in San Francisco. Be sure to check out their BOGO (Buy One Get One) deals as they are a cost saver. Purple Star is located at 2520 Mission St and is open from 9:30 am to 10 pm.
Shambala
Shambala is located right across from Purple Star and within walking distance of a whole host of tasty restaurants on Mission street. Shambala MMC is located at 2441 Mission Street and is open from 10 am to 10 pm Monday through Saturday.
Apothecarium
The fact that this dispensary, which barely was able to sell medical marijuana can now sell recreational weed, is monumental. They also have an insanely comprehensive collection of pot products. Apothecarium is located at 2029 Market Street and is open from 9 am to 9 am.
