Rick Marino

DESERT magazine

Ok ok, so there is all this talk about marijuana these days. In January, our state is joining the ranks of legalizing recreational adult-use, and our own Coachella Valley is home to some pretty cool shops and dispensaries. This month, I’m road tripping in our own backyard to hopefully take some of the guesswork out of where to go if you’re new at this kinda thang! You know what I mean?

After touring for about 20 years with rock and roll bands around the world, I have been around cannabis culture my whole life, so I am not afraid to share what I know here. Ever since my first puff (I didn’t inhale! HA!) as a teenager, I never quite understood why this plant was illegal in the first place. I mean, it’s a plant on this earth growing naturally – it’s supposed to be used by us, right? I truly do believe that still, and am happy to see and hear and learn about some of the good things it really does for people. There is way more to it than giggles and the munchies, I can assure you.

I have had my medicinal marijuana card for many years now and have used the herb for all sorts of things, from insomnia and anxiety to actual pain relief without even having to smoke it. The most interesting part of going to the medical dispensaries in the past was the intimidation factor, even for an old pro like me. Signing up and going into the back room isn’t really for everybody.

But on this month’s adventure, I found some great places that are owned and operated by people who love what they do, and know what they are selling – they are inviting and easy to talk to. A good dispensary will be able to guide you through what they know about the products you are looking for – don’t be afraid to ask! There are SO many different products out there, it will blow your mind.

There are the “green buds” that you smoke that we have all seen in movies – dozens of varieties that vary from place to place with clever names. Indica is for a mellow body high, and sativa for the ‘in-your-head’ high. A hybrid gets the best of both worlds. Then, there are pre-rolls: These are joints, or marijuana cigarettes all ready to go. Moving along in the smoking department are the vape pens and oils. These are electronic cigs that have different strains, and can help with different things from sleep and pain relief to just getting a good ole’ fashioned buzz. True story, a friend of mine’s mother, whom I never thought would ever touch the stuff, found relief from her chronic heel pain with a puff or two at the end of the day.

Then, there are waxes, powders, hash and all kinds of smoking accessories, like pipes. And, of course, edibles – BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THESE THINGS! – and topicals in the form of creams, oils and rubs that really do help with pain and skin conditions. There is even stuff for pets! Lastly, tinctures are concentrated elixirs used to treat all kinds of medical conditions – two famous ones are Rick Simpson Oil and Charlotte’s Web that you may have seen in the news!

Not all the products you will find will get you high. CBD is a term you will see often, and is part of the plant, as is THC (that’s the chemical that gets you stoned, by the way). I have been taking a CBD capsule for sleep this past year and found them to work pretty well.

Here in the valley, there are dozens of dispensaries, and they are not all equal, in my opinion. There is something for everybody, and I start off with the mission to find places that you want to go in and check out. There is a website called Weedmaps that has a listing of stores and delivery services, as well as doctors that can issue medical cards. Some of the places aren’t an experience I would recommend – some are for younger people who like loud music, and some are just plain and boring. But I encourage you to give in to your curiosity and go explore what the marijuana plant has to offer. I am currently looking for something for a family member’s insomnia, to replace sleeping pills. The solution might just be a road trip away!

My first recommendation is Palm Springs Safe Access on Gene Autry Trail near the airport. This place is slick. Located in an industrial park, it does not look like much from the outside but inside, it looks really cool. The waiting room and store are separated by a large fish tank, and the shop is divided into individual counters to do your business. The staff is professional and knowledgeable, and the products are well-curated. I like that – it seems the owners know what products they like and want to sell, and I wasn’t overwhelmed.

What happens in January? “We will be definitely pursuing maintaining our vision in adult-use and medical,” says co-founder Robert Van Roo. “Whether or not the adult-use shop is Forte [an anticipated re-skin for the storefront] or maybe another name, time will tell. So, we’re running lots of tracks here and it really depends on the law and how it all shakes out.”

Next, I pull up to Joy of Life Wellness Center in Palm Springs on Oasis Road, which has a homier vibe. Here, there’s a small waiting room and window where I check in and am greeted with a smile by Sara Meredith, whose mother, Joy Brown Meredith, owns the store. (You may know her as the president of Main Street Palm Springs and vice president of the Police Advisory Board.) I like this family-run place! The store itself is small but there are tons of different products and expertly displayed. Turns out, Joy has been in the retail business for many years and owns Crystal Fantasy downtown. That is why it looks so good. Besides that, they are all the sweetest people and know a ton about everything they sell. This is a great place for first-timers, for sure, to learn and experience.

What happens in January? “We are hoping that we will make it through the city’s process for recreational,” says owner Joy Meredith Brown. “… I think that we’ll have separate registers, but we really don’t know what the state is going to require of us yet.”

My next stop is PSA Organica in downtown Palm Springs. It’s easy to get to and a nice place to hang out. The folks here are all very knowledgeable and very accommodating, and agree with me that it should be a fun experience and encourage any and all to ask as many questions as possible. The store itself is quite large and there are plenty products to browse, including locally made Infused Edibles – a line that includes gummies, macaroni and cheese, and birthday cake mix!

What happens in January? “We will have medical on one side and recreational on the other,” says owner Julie Montante. “There will be quality control on both sides. … I’d like to see the best quality on both sides of the board.”

My last stop is in Desert Hot Springs, and turns out to be one of my favorites as far as design goes. Desert’s Finest is located on Palm Drive, right in the heart of downtown DHS. From the moment I walk in, I want to see more. Here, there’s a great lounge waiting room, with midcentury furniture and a cool vibe. I walk up to the window to check in and give them my card, and am invited into the store. The fact that these guys hired designers (Samuel Fleming Lewis and Stephen Kladder) tells me they get it – this is no different from any other retail experience and it’s just what I was looking for. The shopping area has a great ’70s feel with reclaimed wood covering the walls, and everything in the display cases is easy to see. I had a lot of fun learning about what they have to offer!

What happens in January? “Our goal is to have both, the best of both worlds,” says CEO Lawrence Bynum. “We will continue to offer medical marijuana to the patients who need it, … but, I mean, honestly if you limit yourself to a tiny fraction of the public or the entire public that’s 21 years and older with the appropriate documentation, I don’t believe it would be best for our patients or our business to limit ourselves solely to medical.”