Plans for marijuana dispensary The Apothecarium’s second San Francisco location have been much talked-about in the Marina; the proposed location is 2414 Lombard, which would join the group’s existing Market Street location in the Castro. At 2414 Lombard, the store would share the block with some restaurants, a massage parlor, and other small shops.
The Apothecarium touts support from businesses and charities in the city, including the head of Castro Merchants, who says the Apothecarium is well-loved in the Castro: “We’ve had no trouble from them; in truth, we need more businesses like the Apothecarium.” In March, the San Francisco Planning Department issued a report praising the Apothecarium for its openness. “Two [medical cannabis dispensaries] in particular, Apothecarium and Barbary Coast, show how an MCD can successfully blend into the community by complying with the Codes’ existing transparency requirements. Both dispensaries have transparent windows and use half-opened blinds to provide some privacy. The Apothecarium even has an open door staffed by security that further increases the connection to the neighborhood. While privacy concerns should be considered, hiding medical cannabis behind obscured windows only increases the feeling that MCDs are an illicit business.”
