What Cannabis Dispensary Is The Oldest?
By Jeff Eckenrode
Quick Answer: The first cannabis dispensary in the U.S. was the San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club, founded in 1992 by "Brownie Mary" Rathbun, Dennis Peron, and Dale Gieringer. The oldest continuously operating dispensary is the Berkeley Patients Group, also founded in 1992 and still open today — making it over 32 years old.
Cannabis legalization and legal dispensaries are a relatively new phenomenon in the United States
But did you know that cannabis also has a long history of use as a fiber, a food, and a medicine dating as far back as 5,000 years ago?
In fact, cannabis has been completely legal in many countries for most of human history!
So what is a dispensary? When did the first one open? And how old is the oldest dispensary, anyway?
What is a cannabis dispensary?
The terms “cannabis dispensary” or "marijuana dispensary" are synonymous. Both are widely used to describe private companies or organizations that sell cannabis.
The term "cannabis dispensary" is becoming more politically correct because some people prefer to use the word "cannabis" instead of the Spanish slang word "marijuana".
When did the first cannabis dispensary open?
The first dispensary San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club was founded in 1992 by Proposition 215 coauthors "Brownie Mary" Rathbun, Dennis Peron and Dale Gieringer.
Proposition 215, known as the Compassionate Care Act, created cooperatives between cannabis growers and patients. It allowed anyone with a doctor’s recommendation and a state-issued ID to legally purchase cannabis.
The San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club was the very first public medical cannabis dispensary in the United States.
LGBTQ+ rights and AIDS activists are largely credited for The San Francisco Cannabis Buys Club’s founding and the overall success of the cannabis legalization movement in the 1990s.
What’s the oldest dispensary still operating today?
Today, The Berkeley Patients Group is widely recognized as the oldest continuously operating dispensary in the United States.
It was founded shortly after the San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club in 1992 which makes it 32 years old!
Want to learn more about Cannabis?
Then you’re in luck! Check out some of our related posts on THC as well as other cannabinoids!
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FAQ Oldest Cannabis Dispensary
What is a cannabis dispensary?
A cannabis dispensary (also called a marijuana dispensary) is a licensed private business that legally sells cannabis products. The term "cannabis dispensary" is increasingly preferred over "marijuana dispensary," as "cannabis" is the plant's scientific name while "marijuana" is derived from Spanish slang.
When did the first cannabis dispensary in the U.S. open?
The first public medical cannabis dispensary in the United States — the San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club — was founded in 1992. It was co-founded by "Brownie Mary" Rathbun, Dennis Peron, and Dale Gieringer, who were also co-authors of California's Proposition 215.
What was Proposition 215?
Proposition 215, known as the Compassionate Care Act, created legal cooperatives between cannabis growers and patients in California. It allowed individuals with a doctor's recommendation and a state-issued ID to legally purchase cannabis — a historic milestone in U.S. cannabis legalization.
Who is credited with founding the first dispensary?
LGBTQ+ rights activists and AIDS advocates are largely credited with the founding of the San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club and the broader cannabis legalization movement of the 1990s. Their advocacy was central to getting Proposition 215 passed in California.
What is the oldest cannabis dispensary still operating today?
The Berkeley Patients Group is widely recognized as the oldest continuously operating cannabis dispensary in the United States. Founded shortly after the San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club in 1992, it has been serving patients and customers for over 32 years.
How long has cannabis been used historically?
Long before dispensaries existed, cannabis had been used for over 5,000 years as a fiber, food, and medicine across many cultures. It was used in ancient China and India, adopted into Western medicine in the mid-1800s, and was a common household remedy in the U.S. until federal prohibition in 1937.
Want to learn more about cannabis history and culture?
Then check out our collection of related posts here!