Southern California dispensaries

[DrSteez]

Which have you found to be best in quality? In regards to both flowers and concentrates.


Also, specifically in Orange County, are there any good quality dispensaries?

As far as I have experienced, tlc is great, but far if you live in OC. Gtr in OC is too much hype with better than ok flowers.


Any suggestions?

 

[Tranquility]

Which have you found to be best in quality? In regards to both flowers and concentrates.


Also, specifically in Orange County, are there any good quality dispensaries?

As far as I have experienced, tlc is great, but far if you live in OC. Gtr in OC is too much hype with better than ok flowers.


Any suggestions?

The "best in quality" I've seen is at 420 Central in Santa Ana. Both because of the high quality of some of their stock and because it is a legal dispensary (And all the cost associated with that.), they ask a high price for their product. I suppose there are those who can appreciate the quality and the price might be fair. To me, while I could afford it, I don't really appreciate it. I can tell (sometimes). It's just that it really doesn't matter to me.

I guess it's like wine. I tend to not really enjoy expensive wine. I can taste the complexity of the flavors, but I prefer a mid-range.

There are a ton of...a...independent dispensaries in the area as well. There, the quality is more hit and miss. The price is more reasonable and you might feel as though you get better value. And, every once in a while, their hookup comes through and you can get real quality for a fair price.

Even there, there are differences. Some places specialize in flower and others in concentrates. Some stick with a fairly small amount of strains and preparations and others take all comers for a wide variety. It all depends. Do you have any criteria you are focusing upon?

 

[DrSteez]

The "best in quality" I've seen is at 420 Central in Santa Ana. Both because of the high quality of some of their stock and because it is a legal dispensary (And all the cost associated with that.), they ask a high price for their product. I suppose there are those who can appreciate the quality and the price might be fair. To me, while I could afford it, I don't really appreciate it. I can tell (sometimes). It's just that it really doesn't matter to me.

I guess it's like wine. I tend to not really enjoy expensive wine. I can taste the complexity of the flavors, but I prefer a mid-range.

There are a ton of...a...independent dispensaries in the area as well. There, the quality is more hit and miss. The price is more reasonable and you might feel as though you get better value. And, every once in a while, their hookup comes through and you can get real quality for a fair price.

Even there, there are differences. Some places specialize in flower and others in concentrates. Some stick with a fairly small amount of strains and preparations and others take all comers for a wide variety. It all depends. Do you have any criteria you are focusing upon?

Mainly good quality flowers.


As per concentrates I feel like oil refinery and ce solutions and dablife do a great job.

Unfortunately, as per flowers, most places it seems, smells good but tastes nothing like it smells. Super harsh and not tasty smoke.

 

[lwien]

Cornerstone Research but they're not in Orange County.

 

[mixchu69]

I frequent GTR in Anaheim for edibles and oil, but don't like their flowers. Too much popcorn. From the earth in Santa Ana has best quality flowers I've seen, but they charge 60 an 1/8th for their top of the line flowers. Please let me know if you find any good shops. I always like visiting new dispensaries.

 

[Buildozer]

@DrSteez, Have you tried Trees R Us in Garden Grove?

At GTR, I always found it really annoying the way they all stop what they're doing to group cheer for every person who walks in the door and I always felt like I had to settle on flowers at GTR, they always had only popcorn nugs for every strain every time I've been there.

 

[mestizo]

From the Earth, Santa Ana.
Prices are above average but I haven't found a better selection anywhere in the OC, not that there isn't better anywhere just haven't visited all the places mentioned above, concentrate list is unbelievable.
Cornerstone Reserch Collective beats them all in my opinion in flowers, not only they have the highest quality, but you'll find the same flowers you like time after time, they don't change growers like other dispensaries.

Edit: you'll find the same flowers time after time, except Kilimanjaro, sorry @lwien, some day, keep the faith.

 

[DrSteez]

I frequent GTR in Anaheim for edibles and oil, but don't like their flowers. Too much popcorn. From the earth in Santa Ana has best quality flowers I've seen, but they charge 60 an 1/8th for their top of the line flowers. Please let me know if you find any good shops. I always like visiting new dispensaries.

TSA seems to have decent quality flowers. The thing with GTR is, i pick up a bunch of individual grams and then find the best one, and then call and ask for that grower and all of his strains. But then again it is a hit or a miss. They do sometimes have concentrate deals.

For quality, From the Earth and SCSA have good flowers, but I can't seem to justify the $60/3.49g. But if you havn't gone there, be sure to check it out---their first time patient deal is buy one get one free 1/8. So, you pay 60 for top shelf and you can get 7g of that strain. So, at that price it's definitely worth it.

Besides that, I've been flocking to LA to get flower and concentrates. Specifically TLC in East LA. VERY high quality flowers and very good and high quality concentrates, all from trim run to sugar run to live resin and premium nug run. Prices are great too. 1/8==45 tops, but can get to be $30 and concentrates you never pay more than 60/g ever. Most live resins are 40-60/g and nug runs are around 25-50/g

But, the 5 is always such a bitch, especially at the citadel. But I think its worth it for the most part.

@DrSteez, Have you tried Trees R Us in Garden Grove?

At GTR, I always found it really annoying the way they all stop what they're doing to group cheer for every person who walks in the door and I always felt like I had to settle on flowers at GTR, they always had only popcorn nugs for every strain every time I've been there.

I havn't tried that place. I'll check it out and possibly check it out tomorrow!

BYE!!!!! WELCOME!!!!!

From the Earth, Santa Ana.
Prices are above average but I haven't found a better selection anywhere in the OC, not that there isn't better anywhere just haven't visited all the places mentioned above, concentrate list is unbelievable.
Cornerstone Reserch Collective beats them all in my opinion in flowers, not only they have the highest quality, but you'll find the same flowers you like time after time, they don't change growers like other dispensaries.

Edit: you'll find the same flowers time after time, except Kilimanjaro, sorry @lwien, some day, keep the faith.

yea, i've been there a few times, but only really got thrills out of first time patient deal. Even their special super purple weed was subpar. I've never heard of cornerstone before. I'll definitely have to check that out.

 

[DrSteez]

I wish I could just find a good grower with great results and just stick with him lol. Hate going to so many dispensaries and trying it all out and ending up with their top shelf pretendica.

 

[Tranquility]

Weedmaps put out a best 100 list not too long ago with a number in OC.

https://weedmaps.com/dispensary-rockstars

 

[mixchu69]

I am glad this thread is growing, because there must be a lot of FC members in So Cal. Even though I live in OC, my work is near riverside. Any recommendations out there?

 

[DrSteez]

Ok guys update....



I found a great place in Orange County... Superclinik. It's totally legal in the city of Santa Ana, no raids, and their flowers are amazing. Fuck the cannabiotix pesticide 50. Their 35 strains are fantastic and taste great. They boast to be 35cap aswell.


Otherwise, there's this vendor at these local events who charge 8/g of usually Ogs. It's great flowers. Nuggs is his vendors name or whatever he goes by at the seshs.


And tlc still holding it down, but goly gosh, 45/eighth gets pricey sometimes.

 

[looney2nz]

I was looking through Weedmaps the other night... and yesterday (or was that EARLY this morning?) the SAPD raided some of the 'illegal' dispensaries that have been operating outside of the licensing of the city, they closed the highest rated dispensary in Santa Ana, and are going after the landlord that rented to them.

I haven't checked out too many of the 'legal' places there, I've been to a few, but wasn't all that impressed with their selection or knowledge. If a bud tender is only conversant in 'indica/sativa', and knows nothing of CBD or the other compounds (including terpenes), that's not a good thing. Their prices were all substantially more than what I have paid when I have gone to dispensaries in the south bay. There's a particularly great place in Lomita (next to Torrance) that I use regularly, check out NACCC on Weedmaps.

Has anyone found REAL organic flower in these Santa Ana shops? I could really use a good quality AC/DC for making trips out... non-psychoactive (most I've had are all down around <0.74% THC and around 20-21% CBD). For some reason, many organic growers seem to be shifting their pipeline for more specialized products like CBD for veterinary use, even some organic beauty products for women.
Wish we had more folks going to a clean green organic grow My heart goes out to the poor folks in WA who have to put up with 200 different pesticides and fungicides the state classified as 'organic' (SURE it is).
Luckily I just found the remains of a small organic grow of 1-1 ratio, which will be helpful for everything else (can't beat $200 an oz for a lab-tested organic grow).

Anyone know the Weedmaps folks? Just curious... wondering if that's really the best they can do with that product. I'd like to be able to search more discretely both within a dispensary's stock and across multiple dispensaries. Perhaps they have some agreement NOT to do this to limit price shopping. Even if they just showed if they carried the product and what their stock was like... at least you'd know if you were wasting a trip out

 

[DrSteez]

I was looking through Weedmaps the other night... and yesterday (or was that EARLY this morning?) the SAPD raided some of the 'illegal' dispensaries that have been operating outside of the licensing of the city, they closed the highest rated dispensary in Santa Ana, and are going after the landlord that rented to them.

I haven't checked out too many of the 'legal' places there, I've been to a few, but wasn't all that impressed with their selection or knowledge. If a bud tender is only conversant in 'indica/sativa', and knows nothing of CBD or the other compounds (including terpenes), that's not a good thing. Their prices were all substantially more than what I have paid when I have gone to dispensaries in the south bay. There's a particularly great place in Lomita (next to Torrance) that I use regularly, check out NACCC on Weedmaps.

Has anyone found REAL organic flower in these Santa Ana shops? I could really use a good quality AC/DC for making trips out... non-psychoactive (most I've had are all down around <0.74% THC and around 20-21% CBD). For some reason, many organic growers seem to be shifting their pipeline for more specialized products like CBD for veterinary use, even some organic beauty products for women.
Wish we had more folks going to a clean green organic grow My heart goes out to the poor folks in WA who have to put up with 200 different pesticides and fungicides the state classified as 'organic' (SURE it is).
Luckily I just found the remains of a small organic grow of 1-1 ratio, which will be helpful for everything else (can't beat $200 an oz for a lab-tested organic grow).

Anyone know the Weedmaps folks? Just curious... wondering if that's really the best they can do with that product. I'd like to be able to search more discretely both within a dispensary's stock and across multiple dispensaries. Perhaps they have some agreement NOT to do this to limit price shopping. Even if they just showed if they carried the product and what their stock was like... at least you'd know if you were wasting a trip out

I totally understand what you mean.

It's always such a hit or miss, and such a disappointing feeling when you get home and try the flowers.


As far as I'm concerned, Sky High is back up and running, they texted me this morning notifying me of so.( Didn't know I was on their list)

The only legal place that was good i suppose is the superclinik, but even then, they dont tell you the grower and its all a mystery. On the plus side, the budtender I had at that place was super knowledgeable and helped me out a lot and you can tell she smoked the same as us and probably has the same questions as us. Unfortunately, often boasting lab results, they never have any. Goes with most dispensaries. It's only the THC and CBD concentrations in total....never residual solvents/pesiticides/microbials/etc


For Weedmaps, If you are thinking of something like a search bar across all southern california--that would be fucking awesome. That way, time isn't wasted driving and waiting and going to a dispensary that doesn't have all the products that you want.


Unfortunately I dont know any organic vendors. Maybe some of that Kyle Kushman Veganic stuff in hollywood or downtown LA? Apparantly, grown totally veganic.

 

[invertedisdead]

I think the reason nobody wants to post results for residuals is there's probably not enough clean organic product going around, so they would just scare people away when they found out the real test results. A lot of the clean strict organic guys will still do ANYTHING to save a crop, and since plants aren't designed to grow indoors, things come up constantly. Especially after being a slave to the electric bill and excessive overpriced nutrients for months on end, most guys aren't going to let a harvest slip away in the name of being "organic."

Just my thoughts after going through a few of these "organic" operations.

 

[looney2nz]

I think the reason nobody wants to post results for residuals is there's probably not enough clean organic product going around, so they would just scare people away when they found out the real test results. A lot of the clean strict organic guys will still do ANYTHING to save a crop, and since plants aren't designed to grow indoors, things come up constantly. Especially after being a slave to the electric bill and excessive overpriced nutrients for months on end, most guys aren't going to let a harvest slip away in the name of being "organic."

Just my thoughts after going through a few of these "organic" operations.

Well, I know it can be done. My old friend and mentor built such an operation in Arcata in the early days of the movement, it was amazing. Sadly, he passed and the DEA closed his operation
Clean Green Organic certified, NASA style air handlers, etc. Top notch quality control.

I agree tho, I never see the other labs I REALLY want to see
For that matter, why don't they put a copy of the actual lab sheet next to each strain?

The closest I've seen so far are the labs that PopNaturals uses for their CO2 process oils.

I'm hoping to see some folks with larger acreage put down blackout greenhouses, so they get the full sun during the day, and (preferably solar powered) efficient lighting for the night (I want to try the induction lighting... need to go back and study up a bit).

 

[invertedisdead]

It can definitely be done, I'm just saying shit happens and I've seen what some organic growers do to keep a crop alive right before harvest.

I used to get delivery from a place called Clean Green, not sure if we're talking about the same place. Really quality selection, small menu (a plus in my book, not a negative) great knowledgable service, guys were really into teaching patients about cannabis and not just trading it.

 

[looney2nz]

It can definitely be done, I'm just saying shit happens and I've seen what some organic growers do to keep a crop alive right before harvest.

I used to get delivery from a place called Clean Green, not sure if we're talking about the same place. Really quality selection, small menu (a plus in my book, not a negative) great knowledgable service, guys were really into teaching patients about cannabis and not just trading it.

actually I was referring to the Clean Green Organic certified program from Chris Van Hook:
https://www.cleangreencert.org/about-us/
is more than possible these folks are only using Clean Green protocol.

 

[invertedisdead]

actually I was referring to the Clean Green Organic certified program from Chris Van Hook:
https://www.cleangreencert.org/about-us/
is more than possible these folks are only using Clean Green protocol.

Interesting, thanks for the link! I was not aware that there is no organic standards since its federally prohibited. Good info to know there. I'm really lucky now to have access to biodynamic material without going through a collective.

The place I was referring to says this - ALL STRAINS LAB TESTED FOR POTENCY, PESTICIDES, FUNGICIDES, AND PATHOGENS!! The ONLY collective in San Diego that tests ALL strains for potency AND pathogens.

 

[DrSteez]

Interesting, thanks for the link! I was not aware that there is no organic standards since its federally prohibited. Good info to know there. I'm really lucky now to have access to biodynamic material without going through a collective.

The place I was referring to says this - ALL STRAINS LAB TESTED FOR POTENCY, PESTICIDES, FUNGICIDES, AND PATHOGENS!! The ONLY collective in San Diego that tests ALL strains for potency AND pathogens.

Lucky.

 

[ataxian]

Which have you found to be best in quality? In regards to both flowers and concentrates.


Also, specifically in Orange County, are there any good quality dispensaries?

As far as I have experienced, tlc is great, but far if you live in OC. Gtr in OC is too much hype with better than ok flowers.


Any suggestions?

I'm living in the OC BUBBLE.
The better service is WENDY at PROGRESSIVE GREENS.

There are so many good ones.

EAST LONG BEACH has the best prices.
@kellya86 do you like humor?

 

[herbivore21]

If a bud tender is only conversant in 'indica/sativa', and knows nothing of CBD or the other compounds (including terpenes), that's not a good thing

Damn bro, I'd go further than that and say that any would-be stoner with leafly can be conversant to that level (not that this is useful information - a narrow leaf variety can over generations and in the right conditions take on a broad leaf chemotype/appearance and visa versa)!

Given that strains themselves are not a unique identifier of chemotype/effects, let alone the terms 'indica' and 'sativa'; which describe geography and not what these 'budtenders' think, a budtender with only this level of knowledge is little help to a patient/customer.

Nothing is going to keep MMJ from credibility like 'stoner lore' being given to patients in lieu of proper product data.

 

[DrSteez]

Damn bro, I'd go further than that and say that any would-be stoner with leafly can be conversant to that level (not that this is useful information - a narrow leaf variety can over generations and in the right conditions take on a broad leaf chemotype/appearance and visa versa)!

Given that strains themselves are not a unique identifier of chemotype/effects, let alone the terms 'indica' and 'sativa'; which describe geography and not what these 'budtenders' think, a budtender with only this level of knowledge is little help to a patient/customer.

Nothing is going to keep MMJ from credibility like 'stoner lore' being given to patients in lieu of proper product data.

"yea, they are ALL fire. We dont carry anything not-fire."

 

[DrSteez]

I've found

I'm living in the OC BUBBLE.
The better service is WENDY at PROGRESSIVE GREENS.

There are so many good ones.

EAST LONG BEACH has the best prices.
@kellya86 do you like humor?

a few growers from different events and seshs that have amazing bud. 7-8/g-- almost 100$ for an half ouce of same stuff the dispensaries are selling for full price 280-300 / ounce.

 

[ataxian]

I've found

a few growers from different events and seshs that have amazing bud. 7-8/g-- almost 100$ for an half ouce of same stuff the dispensaries are selling for full price 280-300 / ounce.

15 grams is a 1/2 ounce = $100 or on the street for $100 you get a ounce. (east Long Beach)

Medical is necessary in CALIFORNIA.
I have had CANNABIS around the world and some states and countries are Marketed well but quality is not even close?

Most of the CANNABIS = ENGLISH spelling is free for SURFERS (FYI)

BUD TENDERS?