Do You Know How Old America’s Oldest Marijuana Dispensary Is?

Marijuana has been around for centuries and has been used for its alleged healing properties for millennia – the oldest known record of its use is attributed to Chinese Emperor Shen Nung, regarded as the father of Chinese medicine, in 2727 BCE. But it wasn’t always just ingested for use in medicinal, and later recreational, purposes. Cannabis was also valuable for supplying fibers for ropes and nets, food, and seeds for oil.

Once its medicinal properties for identified, marijuana was instrumental in aiding in the relief of many ailments, from arthritis and depression to inflammation and lack of appetite, and much more. It hasn’t always been accepted – and it still isn’t in many places – although many countries have begun to make its use acceptable (currently 40 nations approve the use of cannabis for medical and/or recreational use).

The marijuana industry has been a booming business since it had a chance to spread its wings. Americans have been advocating for the legality of marijuana for decades. For the longest time, marijuana was criminalized so seriously that it resulted in prison sentences. In the United States, the use of marijuana may still be illegal on the federal level, but 38 states have legalized its use for medicinal purposes, while 24 states have legalized it for recreational use as well.

Many Americans believed it should never have been criminalized in the first place. One of the biggest arguments for its use is that it’s helpful to people dealing with different sicknesses and ailments. It’s known to ease physical pain, soothe symptoms of glaucoma, and fight back against the discomforts of cancer.

Cannabis is also known to relax those individuals who are prone to anxiety attacks, help people get hungry when they can’t work up an appetite, and has even proven beneficial to those who suffer from various conditions, like restless leg syndrome. Marijuana is also recognized for helping insomniacs fall asleep at night while mitigating some of the misfortune that comes along with a multiple sclerosis diagnosis. (Click here to find out more details about the laws and policies that are ending marijuana around the world. )

To compile this list of America’s oldest marijuana dispensaries, 24,7 Tempo consulted several sources. These include NBC, DISA Global Solutions, US News & World Report, Investopedia, and Find Law. (For those traveling to Paris this summer to see noted gymnast Simone Biles, among others, compete in the summer Olympic games, it is always important to remember that it is still not legal everywhere and you should always check the laws where you may be traveling.)

San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club

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• Established in: 1992
• Location: San Francisco, California

The first-ever marijuana dispensary in the United States started in the California city of San Francisco. The San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club opened in 1992, founded by the coauthors of Proposition 215 , “Brownie Mary” Rathbun, Dennis Peron, and Dale Gieringer. They had taken over a previous cannabis collective that was run by Thomas O’Malley who died that same year.

The reason the dispensary had any legs to stand on in the early ’90s is because it existed as a way to provide marijuana to patients who were HIV positive or diagnosed with full-blown AIDS. The club was described as having a similar structure to a coffeehouse with comfy chairs and couches to relax on. Customers were welcome to order loose marijuana or edibles if they had a doctor’s note proving their condition.

Berkeley Patients Group

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• Established in: 1999
• Location: Berkeley, California

Berkeley Patients Group, also known as BPG, along with dispensing marijuana to patients in need, gained a positive reputation for its advocacy focuses. The group was determined to change cannabis policies and laws through reformation and mass education. Tom Bates is a former mayor of Berkeley and Jesse Arreguín is the current. Both men have vocalized their approval of BPG from that era.

Colorado Compassion Club (medical use only)

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• Established in: 2004
• Location: Denver, Colorado

The majority of Colorado voters approved Amendment 20, which legalized the use of marijuana for approved patients with legitimate doctor’s notes. In total, 54% of Colorado voters were on the same page about it in 2000. In 2004, patients with health issues were the only individuals who could get their hands on marijuana in Colorado.

Customers were allowed to possess up to two ounces of marijuana at any given time. If they had more than two ounces of marijuana, they were liable to face criminal charges. There were a few other dispensaries scattered throughout Colorado in 2000 offering a wide range of marijuana strains that offered various qualities.

Colorado Harvest Company(recreational use)

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• Established in: 2012
• Location: Denver, Colorado

While it’s true that medical cannabis was legalized in the state of Colorado in 2000, recreational consumption of marijuana wasn’t green-lit yet. It wasn’t until 12 years later that things in Colorado started evolving. The changes directly benefited people who were interested in incorporating marijuana into their daily lives with serious health diagnoses. The enactment of Colorado’s Amendment 64 is the reason recreational marijuana became possible in the state.

Arizona Organix

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• Established in: 2012
• Location: Glendale, Arizona

The dispensary welcomed eager customers on their first day of business. At the time, Arizona residents vocalized how pleased they were to finally have a place to safely and legally purchase marijuana. The state is known for the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Havasu Falls, and many other beautiful places to explore in the great outdoors. Fast forward to 2024, and Arizona is still considered a great state for adventurers who enjoy marijuana to reside.

Thomas C. Slater Compassion Center

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Rhode Island joined the conversation in 2013.

• Established in: 2013
• Location: Providence, Rhode Island

According to their official site, their mission statement is to provide “exceptional quality, selection, and service” to whoever needs marijuana. Their mission applies whether customers are recreational users or medical patients. Thomas C. Slater Compassion Center boasts about offering pre-rolls, flowers, vapes, edibles, and more.

Capital City Care

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• Established in: 2013
• Location: Washington, D.C.

The dispensary made it clear that customers had to be approved by the Department of Health before purchasing marijuana from their business. Getting approved included obtaining a legitimate recommendation from a licensed doctor. Although plenty of people associate Washington DC with the White House and the President of the United States, others see DC as a safe haven for legally consuming marijuana.

First State Compassion

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• Established in: 2014
• Location: Wilmington and Lewes, Delaware

This dispensary has two locations but the branch in Wilmington covers 47,000 square feet of land. On the property, you’ll find an extraction lab, 19 cannabis cultivation rooms, and the dispensary section, of course. First State Compassion, also known as FSC, uses its official website to explain its services, which it claims help people manage pain and alleviate suffering.

Breeze Botanicals

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• Established in: 2014
• Locations: Ashland, Oregon

Oregon residents from all over the state traveled to Jackson County to legally get their hands on marijuana that year. They did so for medical and recreational purposes. Oregon is known for its outdoor wonders including Crater Lake, Mount Hood, and the Oregon Coast. Marijuana smokers who enjoy the great outdoors are in a top-tier location by choosing to live in Oregon.

More recent marijuana dispensaries in America

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The 90s and early 2000s were groundbreaking for marijuana consumers across America. It came as a slight shock to many citizens when American laws started changing to decriminalize the use of marijuana. With so many people locked behind bars for marijuana-related charges, the fact that things have evolved to such a degree is still mind-boggling.

In 2015, Nevada opened its first marijuana dispensary with Oklahoma following their lead a few years later in 2018. Michigan decided it was time to welcome marijuana consumers by opening its first dispensary in 2019, and in 2020, Illinois and Maine both opened their first marijuana dispensaries.

In 2022, New York, New Jersey, and New Mexico all joined the lineup with their first marijuana dispensaries. The most recent dispensary to open in 2023 was in the state of Connecticut – located in Newington, it’s called Fine Fettle. Click here to find out which states in America use the most marijuana – we’ve got a clear-cut ranking of all 50 states in the US.

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