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Southern California Dispensary List

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when walking into a dispensary, especially if you are unsure of the type of cannabis experience you are looking for. Whether you want to be energized and enabled or calm and sedated, dispensaries should have knowledgeable and friendly staff who will provide guidance and recommendations suited for you. You should be welcomed into a clean, safe environment for an overall positive experience.

Cannabis will become legal for recreational use on January 1, 2018.  It is important that you, as consumers, are purchasing products from a trusted and reliable source. California is full of reputable, legal establishments. We’ve compiled a list of the top five dispensaries in Southern California, based on public opinion and reviews. Each of these businesses have a common mission, also shared by 3Leaf, that is to provide consumers with top quality products that are safe, and that consumers have the desired cannabis experience they are looking for.  From the best dispensary in Orange County to the best dispensary in San Diego, we have you covered.

Urbn Leaf

Best Dispensary in San Diego

• Winner of the Best Dispensary Atmosphere Award 2017 by the Dope Magazine Industry Awards, Urbn Leaf sets a high standard for the cannabis industry. There are three locations in San Diego, all of which are beautifully designed. But, the high quality does not end with the modern aesthetics of the buildings in which they operate. Urbn Leaf’s team members are professional, well educated, and up to date on all things related to cannabis. They’re ready to listen and happy to make helpful suggestions.
• Visit: https://urbnleaf.com/
• Follow: @urbnleafca

Buds and Roses

Studio City, Los Angeles

• Buds and Roses understands that cannabis is an individualized experience. Staff members are trained to the highest of standards to ensure that customers are met with an experience that exceeds their expectations. Aaron Justis, president of Buds and Roses is a leader in the cannabis industry who has made a significant impact in alleviating the stigmas around cannabis culture.
• Visit: www.budsandrosesla.com
• Follow: @budsandroses

The Higher Path

Sherman Oaks

• Since opening in 2013, The Higher Path has upheld the policy that the patient always comes first. With a wide variety of high-quality options, and well-versed, friendly staff, The Higher Path ensures that customers find the perfect medicine to fit the cannabis experience they are looking for. They are are also active members of the cannabis community who participate in everything from organizing hikes and walks, to advocating for policy change.  
• Visit: www.thehigherpath.com
• Follow: @thehigherpathcollective

Bud and Bloom

Orange County

• Named by Leafly as one of the most beautiful cannabis dispensaries in America, Bud and Bloom provides a diverse selection of cannabis products to meet a variety of needs. They are a team of professionals, working in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. They are fully compliant under the City of Santa Ana’s Measure BB, to meet legal requirements as well as consumer standards.
• Visit: http://budandbloomoc.com/

• Follow: @budandbloomoc

Green Dot

Marina Del Rey, Los Angeles

• At Green Dot, you’ll find educated staff who listen to your questions and concerns before helping you find the right medication to suits your needs. The newly renovated establishment is warm and welcoming, with a vast selection of edibles, flowers, concentrates, and topicals to choose from.
• Visit: http://www.thegreendotla.com/
• Follow: @the_greendot

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As the cannabis revolution moves forward, people are discovering that small doses of cannabinoids like THC and CBD can help us function and perform better. This is because cannabis works in perfect synchronicity with the human body, thanks to the endocannabinoid system (‘the ECS”) found in all of us.

The ECS is a signalling system of receptors, and molecules called endocannabinoids that helps us function better on a cellular level. When the ECS is exposed to cannabis and phytocannabinoids, a plant based version of this molecule, it helps our ECS function better.  

Small doses of cannabinoids, working with our body’s naturally present ECS , can counteract issues like insomnia, stress and muscle and joint pain, which are common and problematic for many adults. They can hinder our daily lives and make tasks like child care, work and exercise difficult.

THC blocks pain signals in the nervous system that regulate chronic ailments, resulting in a natural alternative to traditional, highly addictive pharmaceuticals like opiates. THC binds to the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system, just as opiates bind to opioid receptors in the brain, Leafly). As the opioid addiction crisis ravages the US and Canada, more research into cannabinoid therapy means doctors will be more knowledgeable and comfortable prescribing cannabis, to help curb opiate dependency, and better manage chronic pain.

The endocannabinoid system was discovered in 1990 by Israeli scientist Raphael Mechoulam. Humans first came into contact with cannabis approximately 11,000 years ago (Wei), but it is because of Mechoulam’s  findings that we are beginning to understand why cannabis has psychoactive, physiological and medicinal effects, all of which are attributed to the endocannabinoid system.

The discovery of the ECS is significant as it has prompted doctors and scientists to research  the impact of cannabis’s medicinal properties on the body. This is an important step in helping end society’s stigma with cannabis, and encouraging further research into how different cannabinoids can regulate the body’s functions.

If you are interested in learning more, please see the glossary below.

Feel free to reach out via email at [email protected] with any questions or comments you may have. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see what’s new and exciting in the market, to see what we’re up to day-to-day and learn about our latest products. Stay connected on the latest 3Leaf news and blog posts by signing up for our newsletter.

The endocannabinoid system

The endocannabinoid system is a triad of molecules, enzymes and receptors that perform homeostatic duties, regulating the body’s functions and sensory experience(Russo).

The ECS is comprised of CB1 and CB2 receptors, endocannabinoids (small molecules that activate cannabinoid receptors), and metabolic enzymes that break down endocannabinoids after they are used (Russo).

Cannabinoid receptors in the human body

Cannabinoid receptors are found on the surface of a cell, and their function is to communicate changing conditions inside the cell, and initiate bodily responses to these conditions.  

CB1 and CB2 are the receptors we know the most about, with CB1 being the most abundant receptor type in the brain (Leafly). CB1 receptors bond with THC molecules, producing a psychoactive effect, and triggering other processes like controlling pain sensation and stimulating appetite or sleep.

Cannabinoids

There are two types of molecules that can bind to these receptors and make our bodies work at their best, both called cannabinoids. Endocannabinoids are produced by the human body, while phytocannabinoids are found in cannabis flowers.

Anandemide and 2AG are the two most important endocannabinoids. They bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors.

Both THC and CBD, along with other cannabinoids like CBN, belong to the class phyto-cannabinoid, and are plant based. THC and CBD tend to dominate mainstream conversation around cannabinoids. These are the two most researched compounds found in cannabis, and are responsible for the two most exciting things about it – the psychoactive and the many of the medicinal effects (which are not mutually exclusive).

Phytocannabinoids mimic anandamide, 2AG and other endocannabinoids, modulating and revving up processes like sleep, stress management, digestion and sensory perception of pain.

Sources and Further Reading

Leafly – Marijuana as Opioid Substitute https://www.leafly.com/news/science-tech/medical-marijuana-opioid-pain-relief-substitute

Meadow – How is Marijuana Medicine? https://getmeadow.com/education/how-is-marijuana-medicine

Russo – 2016_-__-_Beyond Cannabis Plants and the Endocannabinoid System [retrieved-2017-10-21]

Don_Wei_-2016 – _Endocannabinoid Signaling in the Control of Social Behavior [retrieved-2017-10-21]

The variety of ways cannabis can be consumed continues multiply as it enters the main stream. From vape pens to topicals and edibles, most of today’s products rely on combining and infusing ingredients with extracted cannabinoids like THC and CBD. There are also many ways to extract these cannabinoids, and it is important to understand that each  method varies in its effectiveness, clarity and taste.

As we continue to see  more complex methods of extraction become popular, we note that not all cannabis oils are created equal.

Choosing the correct extraction process is extremely important when creating edibles. Some edibles are infused with cannabis oils extracted from plants using solvents such as propane (PHO) or butane (BHO). Edibles containing PHOs or BHOs may be cost effective but they leave residues, impurities and trace amounts of unwanted chemicals. Consumption of PHO and BHO can be dangerous, especially prolonged use, and the extraction process can be even more dangerous.

CO2 super-critical extraction produces one of the purest forms of cannabis concentrate – distillate – resulting in one of the cleanest cannabis profiles available. CO2 extraction separates individual compounds through an extremely controlled heat and pressure system. This extraction process ensures there is no plant matter remaining in the oil. This means that products created using CO2 distilled extract will not taste any different than their non-infused counterpart.

3Leaf uses pure distillate in our edibles because it doesn’t sacrifice health and safety; moreover, it allows our oatmeal-coconut cookies to taste just like that – oatmeal and coconut. It’s simple, effective and above all else, safe.    

Food is meant to be enjoyable, and to nourish our bodies and minds. More often than not, it should be healthy, made with natural ingredients and contain as few chemicals as possible.

This standard is upheld in the way we formulate our products. We only infuse our edibles with pure cannabis distillate derived from CO2 super-critical extraction methods.

Thank you for taking the time to read our post, we hope you found it informative and helpful. To find out more about our low-dose, high-quality edibles click here. Never miss out on 3Leaf news and exciting announcements by joining our newsletter. Want to see how we live our best life with 3Leaf edibles? Follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

The team at 3Leaf believes that cannabis should help stoke your fire, adding to the richness of your day-to-day experience. Further, we believe this should be true of all food we ingest, medicated or otherwise. That is why we make sourcing quality ingredients a priority; we want our edibles to fuel your body, and your life! We aim to produce healthy cannabis edibles.

Cannabis can elevate every day. It nourishes the mind and body. From the relaxing, uplifting perks of THC consumption, to the aromatic therapy the plant provides, science is just starting to uncover the true nature and extent of these benefits.

Quality food products can do the same thing. The right food ingredients can feed the mind as well as the body, and give us fuel to experience life at its best.

At 3Leaf it has been our goal to combine quality cannabis and healthier food products to provide clients with the best edibles experience possible. Our team is a combination of cannabis enthusiasts and natural health specialists, with extensive food formulation experience for healthy edibles.

“We use the healthiest ingredients we can and keep caloric content to a minimum” said 3Leaf executive chef Sandra Mallet, who has extensive experience in both culinary production and cannabis.  “People can medicate without excess calories.”

3Leaf edibles contain protein rich, energizing foods. “People will benefit more from eating an edible with healthy food like flax and quinoa. It will give you more energy at the end of the day”.

Click here to learn more about 3Leaf’s health conscious product line.

We are a team of active participants. We enjoy the finer things in life. We work hard and enjoy the journey. We have families and routines, which we love to mix up with a little adventure. We are cannabis users.

There is a major discrepancy between the myth and the reality when it comes to who uses cannabis. While it is often hard to trace the birth of a stereotype, the stigma surrounding cannabis culture can be easily mapped.

Prohibition created an environment where propaganda and “reefer madness” reigned supreme, and embedded a language of fear into the western conversation around cannabis. While the news and government institutions worked furiously to condemn cannabis as a “gateway drug” or “the devil’s lettuce”, many regular Americans were turning on the plant for relief and recreation.

The hippy uprising of the 1960s stimulated the conversation, for better and also for worse. This new free-wheeling way of life paved the way for the birth of the “lazy-stoner”. This new facet to the stigma provided a whole new way for institutions to condemn cannabis.

While American tokers were confined to back-alleys and basements, a small group of advocates began to lobby and fight to expose the truth about cannabis – a beautiful gift from nature and the source of many beneficial medicines and healing properties.

As their work comes to fruition through legalization’s slow but steady chug across the Americas, the research being uncovered around who uses cannabis and why begins to tell a very different story than many people expect.

One major perk of legalization is the integration of cannabis into all verticals, including market data, research and analytics. Companies such as BDS analytics are dedicated to providing up-to-date information to cannabis businesses and government bodies, and have uncovered some very interesting realities about who is using cannabis in the US.

Here are some of the most interesting data points uncovered in their research (source). 

Accomplished Personally and Professionally

• Average annual household income among California Consumers is $93,800, compared to $72,800 for Acceptors and $75,900 for Rejecters.
• The percentage of people holding master’s degrees among California Consumers is 20 percent, compared to 13 percent for Acceptors and 12 percent for Rejecters.
• Full-time employment is enjoyed by 64 percent of Colorado Consumers, compared to 51 percent of Acceptors and 54 percent of Rejecters.

Satisfied with Life

• Nearly five in 10 Colorado Consumers agree they are more satisfied with life today than they were a year ago, compared to about four in 10 among Acceptors and Rejecters.

Parents Raising Families

• Cannabis Consumers are the most likely segment to be parents in California: 64 percent of Consumers are parents, compared to 60 percent of Acceptors and 55 percent of Rejecters.
• In addition, Consumers in California are significantly more likely to have children ages 10 years or younger at home — 37 percent of Consumers compared to 23 percent of Acceptors and 11 percent of Rejecters

Active Socially and Creatively

• Among Colorado Consumers, 36 percent agree they are very social people, compared to 21 percent for Acceptors and 28 percent for Rejecters.
• Acceptors in Colorado were more likely to enjoy the fine arts and describe themselves as creative.

Enjoy the Outdoors

• When compared to Rejecters, Consumers in both Colorado and California say they enjoy outdoor recreation at a higher rate — 50 percent for Colorado Consumers compared to 36 percent for Colorado Rejecters, and 57 percent for California Consumers compared to 26 percent for California Rejecters.

Nurturing and Volunteers

• In California, 60 percent of Consumers agree that they are nurturing people, compared to 41 percent of Rejecters. Also, 38 percent of Consumers say they volunteer their time to help others, compared to 25 percent of Rejecters.