OUTLIERS COLLECTIVE: FLYING SOLO AT GILLESPIE FIELD

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly version Share this

 

 

By Leon Thompson

August 24, 2014 (El Cajon)—Outliers Collective (www.outco.com) the only marijuana dispensary licensed by the County of San Diego, held its open house on August 2nd, one month after opening its doors to provide medical cannabis to patients who bring a doctor’s recommendation.  

The open house at the new facility near Gillespie Field at 8157 Wing Avenue in El Cajon was a great success, in spite of the rain. Patients came from as far away as Oceanside.  A couple from Imperial Beach said they read about the grand opening in East County Magazine and were happy to know there was at least one dispensary in San Diego that is licensed by the County.  “I’m 66 years old and smoked pot for the first time when I was 16,” the coastal resident said, “So today for the first time in 50 years I am buying marijuana legally.”

Some critics call dispensaries a sham, the process irreparably flawed and the system breeched. The history of dispensaries in San Diego thus far does not inspire confidence, with many forced to close.  However cannabis and its derivatives have been used for medicinal purposes all over the world for thousands of years.  

California voters were among the first to make medical marijuana legal back in 1996 through ‘the compassionate use act’ passed by a ballot initiative.

Advocates of medical marijuana point to the mounting evidence of positive medical outcomes from victims of epilepsy, cancer and glaucoma using cannabis.  As widespread and compelling as the evidence is, it is considered anecdotal because marijuana is still illegal under federal law. Scientific study is needed: peer-reviewed clinical tests and randomized controlled trials.

Today bolstered by the legalization of medical cannabis around the country and polls showing that two-thirds of voting adults favor the legalization of medical marijuana, the process of making legal marijuana available for patients is making progress in spite of all the confusion.

An important precedent set in that process is the establishment of dispensaries implemented by the County as legal business entities, setting the standard for municipalities.

The process to be licensed requires the approval of Planning and Development. The zoning restrictions put marijuana dispensaries a thousand feet from churches, schools, parks, daycare and 100 feet from any homes.  These zoning restrictions have the effect of limiting dispensaries to less urban parts of the County.

To insure a healthy and safe facility, San Diego County Health and other departments have requirements and conduct inspections.  For the safety of staff and patients the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department worked with the owners to create state-of-the-art security.

Only two marijuana dispensaries have ever been licensed by the County of San Diego, both in the same location but with different owners.  The previous dispensary owners lost their lease.  The new dispensary owners purchased the building. 

Finding a location that is away from schools, parks and homes yet close enough to public transportation and populated areas to be serving those in need is challenging. The Outlier Collective has Gillespie Field on two sides and an industrial park on the others. 

It is reassuring to those who need the medication to hope that a legal, safe and secure location will always be available because so many questionably licensed ‘dispensaries’ are here today and gone tomorrow. In spite of the heightened security, however, the atmosphere is anything but stuffy.

The experience is like a visit to an upscale doctor’s office with an armed security guard.  The waiting room is large and comfortable.  A big screen TV dominates one wall.  You must register and have your information confirmed before you get anywhere beyond the door that leads to the products.  All of the personnel have security clearance and background checks by the Sheriff. 

When your name is called you are welcomed in to see, smell and compare products.  The assistants are well-trained, pleasant and knowledgeable. The different strains are displayed in jars, each with unique characteristics and uses. There is a balance between Indica and Sativa, the two dominant strains.

One strain is described as “excellent medication for anxiety and stress, nice cerebral effects.”  Another as “a mind calming strain that allows you to stay focused and active while medicated for pain.”  

Depending on your needs they can recommend a treatment plan however the assistants are careful not to make medical recommendations. 

Another important ingredient is cannabidiol or CBD. Cannabidiol is distilled from a strain of industrial hemp into an oil and does not contain the substance that makes you “high”, however CBD is known to reduce the occurrence of life-threatening seizures in persons with epilepsy.

Once you have made your selection, your order is sent to a secure inner room and delivered to the cashier by a thru-the-wall drawer often seen in banks. Outlier Cooperative also provides delivery service.

The Outliers Collective does not sell “edibles” because the dosage cannot be controlled, sometimes resulting in surprises. Plus there is concern that cookies and brownies can be attractive and irresistible to children. 

The Outlier dispensary has a useful website convenient for ordering online for pick-up or delivery.  The website has sections that are informative about the science of cannabis, a scholarly blog and the latest in the press nationally and locally.

One of the owners, Austin Birch, told me, “Our goal is to have greater control over the cultivation process.”  Presently product providers document every step and are subject to County inspections.  Strains are laboratory tested. “However we grow our own as much as we can,” he said, adding that the cooperative requires that all plants are organic and grown without chemical sprays or genetic engineering.

“Our pledge is to maintain a legal, safe and secure place to access your needed medicine with the highest quality tested meds in the region available for pickup or delivery,” East County’s newest business owner concluded.

For more information on the Outliers Cooperative, visit www.outco.com.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.