The Green Door; Bay Area Collective Highlight

The Green Door

843 Howard Street

San Francisco, 94103

www.greendoorsf.com

Top-Selling Strain: Platinum Cookies

Top-Selling Concentrate: Cypher Extracts

Top-Selling Edible: Korova Edibles

How and when did your collective start up?

Our collective initially began in 2003 in Oakland. Original founder, Mike Nolin got together with a few friends to come up with the idea and from there, The Green Door was born. In 2004, we moved to our current San Francisco location and have been here ever since.

What’s the story behind the name of your collective?

“The Green Door” is a metaphor of sorts. We liked the idea of the symbolic door being opened to the world of medical marijuana. Obviously our door literally opens to patients with a valid California Recommendation and on the other side of that door is a vast array of the many forms of medical cannabis. This includes items like medicated gourmet cupcakes, chewing gum, THC pills, beef jerky, vape pens with cartridges, every grade of flowers, THC and CBD oils, hard candies, chewy candies and so much more. We definitely didn’t realize the depth of the world of marijuana when we started out but we are pleased with where the door has lead us.

What does your collective offer patients that they can’t find anywhere else?

We pride ourselves on the quality and consistency of both products and customer service, as well as always carrying the lowest priced high grade eighth in the city. All of our products are tested to the highest level of industry standards to ensure its quality. Private stock flowers are always fully stocked with a variety of strains available at any time. We carry the rarest strains possible for our private stock flowers and we make certain they are of the highest potency.

How has the cannabis industry changed since you have been in the business? Where would you like to see it go?

The cannabis industry has changed tremendously over the years especially in regards to regulation. Many aspects of the industry are becoming more mainstream, which is a huge change from when we started out with this business. The industry used to be similar to a speakeasy where advertising and knowledge of locations was only through word of mouth. We definitely think cannabis is headed in the right direction. We have seen so many patients benefit from medical cannabis use over the years and if the industry continues to progress then that means more people in medical need can be reached.

What are the biggest challenges you face in this industry as a collective? Biggest joys?

Maintaining compliance with city and state regulations is a constant battle for a number of reasons, specifically due to the constant changing of regulations and requirements. In addition, the 280E which doesn’t allow us to deduct normal business expenses from our taxable income like other types of business can, things such as payroll, rent and utilities, to name a few. We are only allowed to deduct the cost of goods sold which can be quite a financial burden at times.

The greatest joy in this industry is being able to help patients in medical need. Making a positive difference in a terminally ill patient’s life definitely brings joy to a heart-wrenching situation. Being a part of this company and watching the transformation of the industry has enriched all of our lives on multiple levels.

If someone wanted to open a collective and get their feet wet in the industry, what advice or counsel would you give them?

Hire an expensive lobbyist. The medical cannabis industry is extremely competitive these days due to the overwhelming amount of corporations and rich business people trying to break into the industry that they know will be the future.

What is the most important thing you hope to accomplish while in the MJ/MMJ community?

Federal legalization is at the top of the list along with recreational legalization, those two things alone would positively impact individuals as well as society on a plethora of levels, including helping our economy.