All dispensaries are not created equal. They all deal in different strains and products, and each has its own vibe. 
While some dispensaries are nicer than others, it’s important you find one that meets your needs and makes you feel comfortable. Here are four signs you’ve found the best dispensary in San Francisco. 
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1. A Friend Recommends It
If a friend recommends a dispensary, it’s likely a good one. However, be sure to ask your friend why they think it’s such a great place. It could be that your friend is very into edibles and the weed shop specializes in them. If you have the time, visit the shop yourself or give them a call to find out for yourself. 

2. They Also Sell Medicinal Marijuana
If you find a bud shop that deals in both recreational and medical marijuana, it’s probably a good dispensary. They are used to dealing with strict laws concerning their medicinal weed, so it’s likely their recreational bud is top-notch too. 

3. Their Budtenders Know Their Stuff
Upon entering a dispensary, you’ll be greeted by the outer staff, which usually includes a receptionist. You won’t meet the budtender until your name is called.
The budtender should sound educated and be able to recommend a strain or product that meets your needs. If he sounds like he’s pitching a sale, buy just what you need and cross that shop off your list. 

4. They are Strict
At the very least, the dispensary should verify your age and enter you into their system. The best dispensaries will also run your ID through an authenticity checker and make a copy of it for their records. 
When it comes to bud shops, you have many to choose from. Once you’ve found one you like, it’ll be like coming home when you visit. Use the tips above to help you find the best dispensary in San Francisco. 

If you are 21 and older in the state of California, you can legally obtain marijuana for recreational use. If you’re at least 18 years old, you can purchase marijuana for medicinal purposes, but only with a valid doctor’s recommendation. 
Either way, San Francisco is home to several licensed weed shops where you can purchase the marijuana products you need. Here are a few of the products you can expect to find.

Dried Marijuana
Also called “bud,” “flower,” and “leaf,” dried marijuana is usually sold by the gram or in increments of an ounce. Prices vary significantly depending on the strain. 

Concentrates
Concentrates are created using an extraction process that removes the cannabinoids from the plant. They are usually much more potent than dried flowers. 

Tinctures
Tinctures are prized for their therapeutic effect. They are alcohol extractions from the plant often mixed with other therapeutic ingredients. They are typically administered under the tongue. 

Edibles
Upon entering almost any weed shop, you’ll likely see displays of tasty foods and drink. These products are referred to as edibles, and they are infused with up to 10mg. of THC per serving. 

Topical Products
Topical marijuana products come in cream, salve, and lotion form. Since they don’t really produce psychoactive effects, these products are usually advertised as treatments for things like skin conditions or aches and pains. 

Live Plants
Californians are permitted to cultivate their own marijuana (with limitations), and most weed shops sell live plants and seeds to that end. 
If you’re in the San Francisco area and would like to know more about the types of marijuana products available to you, visit Elevated San Francisco and speak with a knowledgeable budtender today.

California is where it all began back in 1996 with the passing of Proposition 215. Also known as the Compassionate Use Act, it made the Golden State the first to legalize medical marijuana in the U.S. 
Let’s look at what you need to do to get your medical marijuana card in California. 

The Old-Fashioned Way
For those of you who prefer to do things the traditional way, here’s what you do. First, you must be 18 years or older. If you are, visit a doctor for an exam to determine if you’re eligible. Only people with specific ailments can be approved for a card. 
Once you’ve been deemed eligible, you’ll need proof of ID and proof of residency to apply for your card. Next, you’ll fill out the application, taking it and all of your documentation to your County Program. It may take 30 days or more to receive your medical marijuana card. 

The Modern Method 
Thanks to technology, you can now get your medical marijuana card in as little as 10 minutes. If waiting a month or more sounds ridiculous, here’s what you do. 
Head to one of the online websites that offer medical marijuana card services – Heally, for example. You’ll see a doctor there who will determine your eligibility and give a recommendation if you qualify. You’ll still need proof of residency and ID, but once deemed eligible, you’ll receive a unique ID code that’s registered with the state. At that point, you can use your recommendation to buy weed at any dispensary in the state. It literally takes minutes to get your medical marijuana card this way. 
This short rundown gives you an idea of the process you must go through to obtain a medical marijuana card in California. For more information, contact your local dispensary. 

Since marijuana was legalized in California many years ago, an old question remains. 
What’s the difference between Sativa and Indica weed? 
Whether you’re a patient looking for symptom relief or a recreational user looking for a specific high, there is a difference between the two strains. Before heading into a marijuana dispensary near you, take a minute to educate yourself with the information below. 

How Sativa Marijuana Affects the Body
Research has always painted the Sativa strain as having an energizing, mood-lifting effect. While this is still largely true, it’s now known that the strain offers so much more. 

Because of its ability to make the user feel energetic, Sativa marijuana is great for social settings. As a medicine with more THC than CBD, it has a stimulating effect that is good for treating ailments like migraines, chronic pain, and nausea. Many medical marijuana users prefer to use this strain throughout the day as it produces a “feel good” type of high.

The Indica Strain and Its Effects
The Indica strain is widely known for its calming and relaxing effects. The weed is especially good for nighttime use when relaxation is key to getting a good night’s sleep. In general, the Indica strain contains more CBD than THC, which is why it’s more of a whole-body experience rather than a cerebral one like the Sativa strain provides. 

From a medical standpoint, the Indica strain provides excellent symptom relief for conditions such as insomnia, chronic pain, muscle spasms, and anxiety. 

Now that you have an idea of how each of the strains affects your mind and body, you will be able to select a marijuana product that suits your needs best. For any further questions, be sure to speak with a professional at your local marijuana dispensary.
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Medical marijuana has been around since ancient times. The ancient Chinese talk about cannabis and its therapeutic properties for gout, constipation, rheumatism, and senility in old writings. In fact, Chinese Emperor and pharmacologist, Shennong, described using cannabis for medical reasons in a book published in 2737 BC.

Medical Marijuana in the United States
​Medical marijuana has always been considered a viable treatment option in the United States. Unfortunately, in 1937, the federal government outlawed its use in defiance of the American Medical Association. From that point, medical cannabis was only available to a select few through the Investigational New Drug (IND) program. Once part of the program, patients could receive up to nine pounds of marijuana a year.
For years, the American public was largely blocked from obtaining marijuana for medical use. It wasn’t until the 1990s that voters began demanding that the weed be legalized for medical purposes. California, through Proposition 215, became the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996. Since California’s bold move in the late ’90s, dozens of other states have followed suit and made medical marijuana legal.
Today, more than half of the US population has access to cannabis as a medical treatment. The sad news is that at a federal level, marijuana of any kind is still illegal. In October 2009, however, the federal government stated it would not penalize citizens who hold valid medical marijuana cards or the distributors who follow state laws.
If you live in San Francisco or Daly City and you hold a medical marijuana card, Elevated of San Francisco is the best marijuana dispensary in the area. Offering a wide array of cannabis products for both medical treatment and recreational use, every visitor is sure to find exactly what they’re looking for. 

If you’re new to medical marijuana, it helps to know that there are two strains of marijuana: Cannabis Indica and Cannabis Sativa. Established in the 18th century, these two classifications were made by scientists who noted definite differences in the two strains’ makeup and resin production, appearance, flowering time, flavor, and yields.
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The Two Strains Explained
Cannabis professionals and many medical marijuana users claim that the two strains vary greatly in the effects they deliver and the symptom relief they provide. In the medical marijuana community, the Indica strain is known to provide a sedative effect, providing a full-body relaxation and calm. The Sativa strain, on the other hand, has an uplifting, energizing effect. For people suffering from chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, muscle spasms, fibromyalgia, or nausea, the Indica strain tends to provide the most symptom relief. For people with depression, ADHD, fatigue, or other mood disorders, the Sativa strain is the best option.

Is There Really a Difference?
Some scientists believe that there is no real difference in the effects provided by the two strains. They claim that the differing effects aren’t really rooted in reality, but in what the user expects the effects to be. Whether this claim is true or not is still up for debate, but what is known is that cannabis affects each person differently – regardless of the strain.
If you’re in San Bruno or elsewhere in San Mateo County and have a valid medical marijuana card, be sure to visit Elevated of San Francisco to learn more about how our cannabis products can help you find relief from your symptoms. Elevated serves patients by providing quality marijuana products and a personalized in-store experience.

As more and more states legalize marijuana, it appears that the popularity of alternative medicine is on the rise. In San Francisco alone, people turn to not only medicinal marijuana but also aromatherapy, crystal therapy, acupuncture and more to reduce pain, eliminate anxiety and fight the effects of aging. Medical marijuana is used in a host of situations, with the following five uses being among the most popular.

1. Reduce Nausea and Vomiting
Cannabis works in the body to dull the senses. When taken orally in pill form, it can reduce or eliminate nausea and/or vomiting associated with chemotherapy in cancer patients. In fact, studies show that medical marijuana actually works better than most FDA-approved medications given for this purpose.

2. Stimulate Appetite
For cancer and HIV-infected individuals, taking medical marijuana helps to increase appetite, which in turn stops weight loss.

3. Reduce Muscle Tension and Spasm
When medical marijuana with high THC levels is given to MS patients, it helps relax muscles and reduce spasms and tremors significantly. A liquid form of the drug containing THC and cannabidiol seems to be the most effective for this purpose.

4. Pain Reduction
People suffering from chronic pain associated with such ailments as MS, HIV, alcoholism, spinal injury, amputation, etc. find significant relief of their pain after using medical marijuana.

5. Trouble Sleeping
In addition to providing pain relief, people who smoke marijuana tend to have less anxiety and fewer instances of sleep problems such as insomnia. Furthermore, people who use marijuana report improved mood and overall well-being in general. If you are in the San Francisco Bay area and would like to know more about medical marijuana and how to get it, contact Elevated of San Francisco. The knowledgeable staff can help you manage your symptoms and find relief fast.