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. Once upon a time, you were in big trouble if you were caught using marijuana, selling it, transporting it, or anything of that nature. Since people were concerned about the legality of marijuana usage, it became a polarizing topic of conversation.
Many Americans believed it should never have been criminalized in the first place. Others felt strongly about keeping marijuana completely illegal and out of anyone’s hands. One of the biggest arguments for the use of marijuana 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.
It’s known to relax people who are prone to anxiety attacks while helping folks get hungry when they can’t work up an appetite. 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 are ending marijuana around the world.)
To compile this list of the oldest marijuana dispensaries across the United States, 24,7 Tempo consulted several sources. These include NBC, DISA Global Solutions, US News & World Report, Investopedia, and Find Law.
The first marijuana dispensary in the US opened in San Francisco in 1994
The history of the first-ever marijuana dispensary in the United States starts in 1994 in the city of San Francisco. Thomas O’Malley opened a cannabis collective in 1992, which then morphed into the San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club a couple of years later.
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 opened in 1999
In 1999, Berkeley Patients Group, also known as BPG, was inaugurated in Berkeley, California. Along with dispensing marijuana to patients in need, BPG gained a positive reputation for its advocacy focuses. BPG was determined to change cannabis policies 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.
Medical cannabis was legalized in Colorado in 2000 with a medical dispensary in 2004
The majority of Colorado voters approved of 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. The first dispensary was called The Colorado Compassion Club.
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 started selling marijuana for recreational use in 2012
Dawn at Maroon Bells With Autumn Aspen Trees and Maroon Lake in the Rocky Mountains near Aspen 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. By the time 2012, rolled around, 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. The first recreational dispensary was Colorado Harvest Company. It’s located in Denver, owned by a man named Tim Cullen.
Arizona’s first marijuana dispensary opened in 2012
The first marijuana dispensary in Arizona began welcoming customers in 2012. The dispensary, Arizona Organix, welcomed eager customers in 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.
Arizona 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.
Rhode Island’s first marijuana dispensary opened in 2013
The first marijuana dispensary in Rhode Island opened in 2013. It’s called the Thomas C. Slater Compassion Center. 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 a medical patients. Thomas C. Slater Compassion Center boasts about offering pre-rolls, flowers, vapes, edibles, and more.
Washington DC’s first marijuana dispensary opened in 2013
In Washington DC, the first medical marijuana dispensary opened in 2013. The dispensary, Capital City Care, 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.
Washington’s first marijuana dispensary opened in 2014
The Seattle Kraken have a stunning arena.
Cannabis City is the name of the retail marijuana dispensary to open its doors in Washington state back in 2014. Since Seattle is Washington’s major city, it made sense that the dispensary would be placed there. Prior to that, applications for marijuana businesses started flowing in throughout the year of 2013. Cannabis City didn’t launch until about a year after that. Plenty of growers and retailers in Washington state were interested in jumping on the bandwagon.
Delaware’s first marijuana dispensary opened in 2014
The first marijuana dispensary in Delaware opened in 2014. It’s called First State Compassion and it covers 47,000 square feet of land in Wilmington. 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 their official website to explain their services. They claim to help people manage pain and alleviate suffering.
Oregon’s first marijuana dispensary opened in 2014
PORTLAND, OR - AUGUST 13: Wildfire smoke lingers over Downton, keeping heatwave temperatures relatively low, on August 13, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. As temperatures climb across the nation, nearly 200 million Americans are under some level of heat advisory. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images)
Breeze Botanicals is the name of the first marijuana dispensary opened in Oregon. Breeze Botanicals was ready to welcome customers in 2014. 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.
Other more recent marijuana dispensaries in America
The 90s and early 2000s were epic for marijuana consumers across America. It came as a slight shock to plenty of 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 their first dispensary in 2019. Then in 2020, Illinois and Maine both opened their first marijuana dispensaries.
In 2022, New Jersey, New Mexico, and New York all joined the lineup with their first marijuana dispensaries as well. The most recent marijuana dispensary to open in 2023 got started in the state of Connecticut. Fine Fettle is the name, and it’s located in Newington. 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.