The Apothecarium

I’ve developed a number of health issues over the past couple of years and decided to try medical marijuana (read my review/​horror story about the Kaiser at 2238 Geary). I decided what the heck, the meds I’ve been prescribed are far more dangerous and have much more potentially horrible side effects than MMJ. My first dispensary visit was in July 2015 after I got my «green card» from Green Evaluations (see review), and I went again in October (I think). I was very impressed with how classy and clean the store is, and how the staff made me feel very comfortable and made helpful suggestions for what to purchase. Only those holding the proper permit are allowed in the store. A staff member watches for malingerers and loiterers outside, which made me feel more at ease.
Recently I was running low so a few days ago I ordered what I needed online and had it delivered. That was a great experience too, very simple and my order arrived when they said it would. The price of delivery is well worth the cost, especially since this is pre-​Superbowl time and traffic is starting to get pretty crazy in the city.
Another The Apothecarium dispensary is supposed to open sometime on Lombard (Marina). I’m eager for that to happen that location is closer to where I live.

This place is gorgeous inside and we really lucked out on parking, but far too popular. Going in once is enough. My boyfriend and I were helped by Alex/​Allen? Young shaggy haired bass player. He’s super nice and enthusiastic, but we thought he was taking too long (although I’m not personally complaining, it was nice, but the place was packed). Since my boyfriend and I were paying as one tab, and they have a 6 person limit at the display, one worker had to step to the side and take a break. He was darker skinned, wore glasses, and looked so angry. He just stared us down which I thought was rude and unprofessional.
Overall, a great place. Due to the popularity, small size, and terrible parking, I don’t find it worth it. Sorry!

I thought this place was great. As a newbie, I was comfortably walked through the process, strains, etc. No pressure, just a nice attitude and a lot of knowledge. I will definitely be going back. Perhaps a little more pricey than others, but you get the service and product you pay for.

The Apothecarium is a beautiful, swanky joint (no pun intended). Great variety of literally everything from plant to disposable oil cartridges to wax to CBD drops/​spray to edibles… the later which I stay the hell away from. I don’t have the patience, the self control or the 10 hours to spare to be too high to move or out of bed.
I’m diggin’ the Godfather OG (probably cuz of the moniker it goes by) and the Girl Scout Cookies (bud, not actual cookies). As for comments I’ve read about prices being too high (another accidental pun, seriously), I haven’t found it to be any different than any other dispensary. If you want cheap with no options, then don’t even bother getting a card and just buy it off of your friends like you did in the Refer Madness /​Cheech and Chong record days. The only thing I find to be pricey is the wax and the oils but the aren’t any more expensive here than they are at any other dispensary, so…
By the way, giving this place 1-​star kinda makes you an asshole/​fucktard and makes you «one of those people» …you know? The ones that are assholes that every bartender and waiter loathes.

I got my cannabis card 4 years ago as a result of two herniated disc’s.
I had no idea of types or of using cannabis for pain management. When i first walked through the door I was met by a smiling friendly face. They took my information and then the owner herself spend over 45 minutes with me going over different type of cannabis, their effects and what would be helpful for me. Ever since that first amazing experience I have found this is the place for me. I have tired other clubs and for me they all lacked that warmth and knowledge that i am given each and every time i go to the Apothecarium. Its like my own private cheers. Everyone is super friendly and sweet and they acknowledge me by name. There is no other place like this in the city.
We need more places like this! Thanks everyone!

Just wanted to say again how great the customer service is for this business. I recently received a delivery order, and realized a few days later that one of the items, a vaporizer cartridge, turned out to be faulty. I called the store and told them, figuring I would have to go into the store myself to exchange it. Nope, they sent a driver right out to me with a replacement cartridge and a couple of free small edibles for the trouble. There are so many dispensaries to choose from in this city, but Apothecarium has all of my business as long as they keep up this level of service.

I used to really like this place. However, their buds have gone way down hill since it opened. There also seems to be something else on some of the OG kinds, like spice or meth?
My biggest contention with this place is how they insist on giving me a pre-​roll that they then tell me is free. They charge $ 9 dollars for this pre-​roll and then take it off. I am thinking this is a way to reduce their tax bill. All would be good if the pre-​roll was worth $ 9. You can buy a gram of decent bud for $ 15 and roll your own fire joint. First off, the pre-​rolls smell like pee. Not like oh thats some skunky stuff, no this is like did you drop this in the toilet while taking a leak and then dry it out? Second, The bud inside the preroll is not bud but more likely crushed leaves. The bud is crushed so finely that even with a filter on it you are still getting little bits of pee tasting nasty weed byproducts in your mouth. Not to mention it is nearly impossilbe to even hit it because it is so fine and tightly packed. Third, the pee smell is not just a smell it tastes like the worst weed you have ever attempted to smoke.
This should really make this place bow their heads in shame and do something about the super nasty prerolls they push on you for their own tax break. You do realize that you are not supposed to operate for profit right? You also realize you are giving the worst possible substance to sick people because remember you are selling MEDICAL marijuana.
There are some really rude people that work here too. The last few times I went in I asked for no pre-​roll and they still gave me one. Not only that, the last time I went they charged me for the pre-​roll and didn’t take it off. Now, I didn’t even convey to them how bad the pre-​rolls are I just asked not to get one. I went back inside and told them they charged me and they told me they would take care of it next time.
I really feel like with their insistence of a tax break for them by giving patients «free» pre-​rolls is a sign they are not operating as a non-​profit. Someone is obviously worried about their bottom line. Medical Marjuana in the state of California is supposed to be a non-​profit business and is considered a medicine.
EDIT:
I just read some of the other posts and found other people had the same problems with pre rolls. One person said the management even told them that they changed suppliers. This is a load of bullshit. THE PREROLLS ARE STILL NASTY AS HELL!!!

Veeery frou frou chic in there! Doorman was very polite and accommodating while signing up for membership. Menu was very well tailored and categorized for different symptoms and taste. Felt like it was the crème de la crème of all clinics! However, I did received a hint of snoot from the guy working the front. Maybe I wasn’t using all the proper dictionary terminology to describe what I was looking for but, he ended up getting me exactly what I needed. Rushed was how it felt. either way, 4 stars for location, product, and ambiance!

Used to be great, then the woman at the front desk threw a menu at me, gave me a look for even asking. Not sure why the vibe has changed, but I’ll spend my money elsewhere. If you’re gonna be rude, don’t work with customers.
UPDATE: still a disappointment. Rude staff, poorly managed line. Lots of time lost and money wasted.

I always avoided here because my friends told me the staff had a snobby, superior attitute. This was far from the case when I dropped by for the first time. Their service was exceptional!
Everyone was incredibly friendly and helpful. From the doorman, to the receptionist (who I was bugging on the phone earlier) and the guys behind the counter who answered any and all questions I had. I was inquiring about what waxes they had that would be good for inducing hunger and anxiety, they did not disappoint! I also got three free edibles (mmm peanutbutter cups, 35mg) so I left the place delighted. I haven’t bought their bud but it’s on the pricey side! Think $ 50 and up for an ¹⁄₈. Maybe it packs enough kick to warrant that kind of price tag but I doubt all their strains are worth that much. I buy directly from growers usually so maybe I’m just being spoilt. Will update in a week or so when I pick something up. Edibles are good but weak. Apparently, they pick ones so it’s easier for first timers to dose correctly which I get if you need strong meds, these will not cut it unless you have money to burn to buy multiples. Personally, I’d get these elsewhere but the edibles here are top quality so… Go figure.
tl;dr Fantastic dispensery with a good selection and very knowledgeable staff. Highly recommended, will be back here again and again. Thank you!
Doesn’t accept cash for delivery, boo! Minus a star, cash is king. Sorry!

Oh if Walgreens or CVS or any pharmacy could provide such attention to detail, décor and service. I arrived here, newly carded, for my husband. It was late in the evening and I was worn out at the get-​go. Either they recognized it or they’re just super friendly to begin with. but I was warmly greeted, soothed, in fact… and explained my issues… through exhaustion. I was provided with tender loving care, support and empathy. When have you gotten that from a Big Pharma facility? I walked away feeling like I had been helped, educated and accepted. It’s a new world people. Traditional pharmacies need to wake up to customer service.

I have been meaning to write this review for a long time, but now that I am moving away from SF, I feel like it’s the perfect time to do so.
Like every other young professional coming to SF from the East Coast (typical, right?), I wanted a cannabis card. My situation was different though because I played college football as a running back and had 5 surgeries during my 4 year career. Bone spurs in my neck, a ton pec, two torn shoulders, a broken hand, and a broken tibia on my resume, I never ever wanted to take a painkiller because I have a very addictive personality and wanted to finally use marijuana medically, not recreationally.
Originally I lived in Pac Heights and went to a few dispensaries around there, but I was just buying whatever the guy behind the glass window would tell me was the best and having panic attacks when I would try new things. Then I moved to Twin Peaks and found the Apothecarium, which truly changed everything.
The Apothecarium is basically a family. They have their regular employees and new ones come in all the time, but they introduce you to the employees through their amazingly detailed menus and it is just such a smooth, calming and relaxing place that you never have to feel intimidated. Standing behind a bar, the employees will truly help you find what will work best for you, whether you know nothing or you are an expert on cannabis. They are very personal and actually do care.
They taught me the differences between strains and helped me pinpoint what would make me sleep better, feel better, and not panic at all. The experts stand behind the bar and you can ask as many questions as you want and they will remain friendly. I have never, ever had a bad experience. Not only was living by this place amazing, but then they began to offer delivery, and that changed the game.
Josh is usually my delivery guy and he knows I’ll be waiting for him downstairs a soon as he gets here. He’s done such a great job handling all of these deliveries from the start and truly operates it like a professional. I’m really going to miss my conversations with Josh and the knowledge he had to share. As for the rest of the delivery guys, one time Rock went and did another delivery instead because I was stupid enough to pre-​order before I got home, but then came back just to bring me my medicine, even though he didn’t have to because it was my fault. Another time, I didn’t have a lighter or any matches, and living in Twins Peaks, where there isn’t a convenience or grocery store within a mile, that is a huge issue. However, Ely saved the day and gave me his lighter, which to this day I still have. Shout out to Alex too, who has always been so fast. The new delivery site is easy to use, the deliveries are fast and they send you the ETA with a map. It takes usually between 30 – 90 minutes, but for those of you who are impatient, remember that these guys are dealing with hundreds of orders and driving around one of the most difficult cities to drive in, so cut them a break if it’s a little longer than that.
I hope these stories about my experience tell you what kind of place this is. The Apothecarium is a club that truly cares about their patients, hires the best and friendliest people who enjoy working for them, and will educate you on how cannabis can seriously improve your life. Sorry for such a long post, but I truly enjoyed being a member of the Apothecarium and hope other people like myself will join and see exactly what I am talking about.

I chose the Apothecarium as my very first dispensary to visit.
After being informed they were the Nordstrom of dispensaries, I decided it would be the perfect place for a Budtender to teach me what would be the very best medicine to treat my condition.
While waiting I sat next to a girl similar to my age, who explained she had just moved to California and this was her very first dispensary visit also! We bonded for a minute, and then our names we’re called separately but at the same time.
We each had our own Budtender, and I couldn’t help but overhear how excited hers was to go over every detail about all his favorite strains and the effects of each of them. He pulled out all these jars, and had her smell them and everything. He was enthusiastic and knowledgable, and seemed to genuinely care. This was the customer service I had heard about, and the reason I had chosen this spot as my very first.
The guy who helped me was very nice, and as I told him what I was looking for he made a couple of suggestions. He stayed mostly quiet… While he let me read the descriptions and ask questions. Not a bad thing! But I couldn’t help but be a little jealous of my new friend to my right, I even asked at one point which flower her guy was describing, because he made it sound so good!
In the end I definitely recommend the place. My guy was super nice. I’ll be visiting a different place next just to try something different, but I’ll be back to The Apothicarium again to get more Lambs Bread eventually.

Staff is very friendly there’s a wRm vi e when you walk I. And you wait for them to call your name. The staff takes there time to become familiar with there clientele and I also love how they have a point system that is attached to your name. And how they weigh out the buds n front of you

The staff is great, and I love that they have a name-​call system, which allows you to sit down for a bit and hang out.
However, the product leaves much to be desired. Perhaps I picked the wrong thing. I wanted a midgrade that was within my price range. And I was a new patient so I received a free joint as well.
The medicine was very dry — thankfully I have a grinder with a kief catch because about half of them fell off during the grind. The joint was incredibly dense, so I had to break it open and repack it. Finally — it was ground so finely, and was so dark, and smelled funny (not as in funny like it should, but like, funky funny). Was it medicine? I have no clue. The smoke tasted funny too, but hey, it did the trick.
Either I picked something bad, or that’s just what you get for mids. Everything else seemed overpriced. I will continue to go here occasionally because it’s convenient.

I like this place! Looks good and the staff has been nice fun and helpful.
Except today. Maybe this guy was too high for being in front of other human beings?
Not a single eye contact, saying random things more to himself than me. «sorry the bud is larfy», lar. what? Please use your words :)
Also he probably put as much in the tray than next to it on the counter. It sure is a lot of effort
Having weird introvert stoners on your staff doesn’t do you service

I have a crush on the hot nerdy staff here. They love their job, and the passion shows. I learn something new I swear, every time I go in. Helpful and polite and super cool. Aces on the sweet delivery guys as well.
My only complaint are the hand rolls– often times its rolled so tight it’s impossible to smoke. Smash it down for a few minutes. I had to unroll one once completely, I gave up, ha.

I received a sub-​par pre-​roll and reviewed it here on Unilocal.The manager contacted me personally to correct the problem. He let me know that they had canceled the supplier and had found a much more reliable source. They offered me complimentary pre-​rolls so that I could see the new supplier and they were WONDERFUL. Definitely visit this great, high-​class cannabis club.

Disappointingly, the quality of this place has gone down the tubes.
I waited 20 minutes to get my verification completed, after one of the workers at the door made a stink about me not bringing my full paper recommendation. After waiting, they called two patients who had just entered the dispensary. I was last in line somehow. I was in a rush, so I decided to come back another day.
I enter the next time, and the place is relatively empty. I am called within a couple of minutes, after being asked to remove my glasses. I read the menu and ask to see oils, only to be told that they are out of stock on every single oil that is displayed in their enticing menu.
At least if the workers there were pleasant, it would make up for the fact that they don’t have anything in stock, let alone that their menu is overpriced (you’ll pay a few dollars more at apothecarium than you will at other more competitively priced dispensaries that have better service)
Unfortunately, I won’t be coming back to, or recommending this place to anyone again. Not with places like Sparc and SFFOGG that are raising the bar in this space instead of lowering it.

If the Green Door is the Wal-​Mart of cannabis clinics (see my review, it really is), then The Apothecarium is motherf*cking Nordstroms, ya’ll.
I should have known what to expect by how nice and old timey the entrance is. They practically drape a smoking jacket over your shoulders and hand you a cigar. Sometimes going into these places, I feel like I need to have my card outstretched before me like I’m waving a white flag in a war zone. At The Apothecarium a kind gentleman warmly welcomes you at the door from a podium, as though he’s verifying your dinner reservation. Once you register with them, the next available employee will CALL YOU UP BY NAME to the counter, where they will open up a leather bounded book of their selections and say, «What can we do for you today?» Hot damn– what is this, customer service? I have forgotten what it looks like.
Okay, so I only came in here for a pre-​roll on good recommendation that their «Rainbow Roll» was a must-​try. Which it absolutely is. It’s $ 7 of sativa bliss, guys. Go sit in Duboce or Dolores and enjoy life.
I don’t even care that they don’t accept debit cards. The Apothecarium is the best cannabis clinic I have ever been to.
*Don’t forget to sign up for their newsletter to stay in the loop! They have an amazing ⁴⁄₂₀ special going on right now with free pre-​rolls or edibles with purchase.