Posted March 10, 2011

I put this on yelp and weed maps too. I don\'t want anybody else getting ripped off by this lousy club. So I stopped by the The Hemp Center the other day, and this will definitely be my last trip there. I have been there 4 or 5 times before, however I have never really been a big fan of the place, it is just the closest club to where I live and sometimes I am really lazy. The budtender I frequently see working there has a bad attitude. After looking at a couple of different things, I settled on the Jack Herer and the Platinum Kush, however, knowing that their bud quality ain\'t that great I only wanted to get an 1/8th total. I asked the girl if it would be cool if i got a half 1/8th of each, and she explained to me how they would sell me any dollar amount I wanted. I was somewhat puzzled since I wasn\'t asking for $17.34 in weed, I was asking for a full 1/8th just split between two strains, but I smiled and said hey that\'s cool. She weighed out my buds, which is deceptive because even though they are weighing in front of you, you can\'t actually see the display of the scale, but more on that in a minute. She bagged it up and charged me like $58, which again had me somewhat puzzled, since both strains were marked $50 an 1/8th. I know tax isn\'t included in price, but the tax on $50 ain\'t $8, however since it was only a couple of bucks I didn\'t sweat it too much, and I even put one of the dollars she gave me back for change into the tip jar. I asked for the pieces to the volcano and went and sat at the bar. When I sat down at the bar and pulled out the bags she gave me, they both looked pretty short. I looked at each one and thought to myself that there was no way in hell that they added up to an 1/8th. On the other hand though, my eyeballing skills ain\'t the greatest so I wasn\'t sure. I decided to only vape the Jack, and not mess with the Platinum Kush until I got home and could weigh it. When I got home I weighed the Platinum Kush, and it only weighed 1.6 grams. I weighed what was left of the Jack and it weighed out to only .5 grams. I loaded a fat bowl into the volcano, but there is no way in hell that it was more than a gram, so my best guess is that I was given 3.1 grams for $58! Not a huge rip off, but a rip off nevertheless. The Platinum Kush that I got shorted on was also no good! It smelled really kushy, but it was dry almost to the point of crumbling. When I packed it up into my pipe, it had a really weird taste, that I couldn\'t get out of my mouth, even after the bowl was long gone. To top it all off, it gave me a monster headache that I was only able to get rid of over an hour later with the help of some advil and some good granddaddy purple from a different, good club. The Jack was ok, not super crystally like Jack you would find at different clubs, but it had that nice signature Jack smell. Not very buddy, more stringy and leafy, but it did get me somewhat high. So lets review, The Hemp Center gets 1 star because of -terrible customer service, terrible -quite capable of intentionally ripping you off -substandard buds at top shelf prices This is San Francisco, California people! Every single one of our dispensaries should be 5 star, top notch, envy of every other medicinal dispensary in the country! We as patients shouldn\'t tolerate second rate, no class dispensaries like The Hemp Center

Posted August 21, 2010

This is one of the best clubs I've been to. The Cherry pie is most definitely the best weed there. The taste and the smell is one of a kind. Most of the other kush's are good, too. The Nl Kush is good, but the bubba isn't that good. I wouldn't buy it again. The staff is friendly. It was an all around good experience.

Posted July 3, 2010

Not only is this the quintessential "Mom'n' Pop" club, but they actually treat you like family, too. The owner employs locals, not just S.F. locals, but locals of the immediate neighborhood (that usually loses them a star.) They don't lose the 5th star in my review because the local employees keep the "sketchy" locals at bay. There's a sense of respect, sort of like "don't-mess-with-our-own." I have to give props to the owner for that smart business move.

The quality is always good and the prices are fair. Some things cost a lot, but you get what you pay for.

They've gotten raided by the DEA more than once, but stay in business because they never get any charges pressed. This is because there is always a huge protest in their favor, because everybody comes out of the forest to stand by their side. The only reason they get this much support is because the people know one thing about them: They are actually in it for the cause and not the money. (They give away tons to people who need it but can't afford it. If you think you fit this criteria, my suggestion is that you go there and apply.)

They are good people. Support them.

I do.

Posted December 9, 2009

The cannabis is expensive but it is always good and soewhat consistent. The kief is expensive but again real good. I have known Kathleen for a few years and she is a true advocate. Her staff is young and not always aware of the true contributions some of the oldtimers have made to have the law the way it is today. My story is told when you google TimGiangiobbe OCBC. You will see my case. I won my appeal because I am not A criminal.

Kathleen is far from perfect and has managed to run inro some of the same characters Ken Estes has like Michael Grunner aka "ROCKY".She survived that.Rocky did help bail me out once he can have a heart but money is to damn important to him.That is the problem with alot of clubs.I have alot to say and you will keep hearing from me. Kathleen is an old timer who deserves the best. She must stay in business pay the growers who are somewhat greedy due to the risk.

Posted October 1, 2009

This club has the best compassion program in the city. I have been in here several times and been treated well by the people in the back. They are kind and considerate. The angry black man at the door is another story completely. If he knows you are there for compassion, he won't let you even enter the club proper. In order for my caregiver to go there for me, I'm required to call ahead of time, he answers the phone and curses me out for calling then hangs up on me. When my caregiver called and asked to speak to the owner/manager, the doorman told him that if he came to the club he would beat his ass and then told my caregiver to "s his d". If the doorman wasn't there, I would still be going out there and I live way down in the mission. I always felt the long bus ride was worth it, they have a pretty good price range and it is pretty much you get what you pay for, cheaper weed is cheaper for a reason...good for when you're on a budget.

Posted August 5, 2009

This place is a perfect example of what a Cannabis Club should not be. I went in there (the last time I was ever there) and the guy behind the counter asked me what I would like. While I was making my selection, he sneezed into his hands, and then proceeded, without washing his hands, to reach inside the jar with his hands to get my herb. I mentioned this to him and he shrugged me off. I then told the manager that this is not healthy nor appropriate behavior. He told me to get out and not come back.

They have no sense of service, and no understanding of what business they are in. The Hemp Center gives cannabis clubs a bad name. Do not waste your time, energy, and money. There are ethical clubs with decent people who offer the same or better product. I recommend people stay away from this place.

Posted July 23, 2009

They are overpriced! They have the same strains every time I visit. With the exception of 2 staff members, the staff are misanthropic, rude, and seem like they'd rather be somewhere else.

2 stars for the ambiance - it's a pretty nice club to kick it, but that is it. If you're not too infuriated by indifferent staff.

Posted May 22, 2009

On Monday May 18th at about 2:00pm I witnessed two male staff members screaming, cursing, yelling and belittling an older gentleman possibly in his seventies. He had come into the Hemp Center to ask about the club. I was appalled at this type of behavior from people who are supposed to be assisting their patients, not belittling them and calling their patients names. It's a shame because this could be a really nice club if it weren't for some of the staff.

Posted April 11, 2009

Its really hit or miss when you go to THC. Although the set up is one of the nices I've seen with the couches, bar, and plasma TV (which is never on), the selection of meds to choose from rarly changes.

Being primarily an indica club however, you can find some good indicas like their peak 19, Morning Glory, or their GDP which is over priced, sometimes you might luck out and catch them with some fire sativa's once in a while.

Overall it's a chill/clean club to go medicate in, most of the staff is very friendly, you can be most certain you'll leave with some kind of fire indica.

Posted March 22, 2009

I have been going to Hemp Center for over a year now. I always tell myself I will never go back. The meds at this club can be good, however I have not seen a new strain of good medicine enter this club for quite some time. They always try to sell you on the same stuff- the "Blackberry Kush," (which to me is just an average, not very well manicured Kush) as well as their purps or something else. These are just some of their more expensive meds. As a high-paying customer, I demand variety when it comes to buying meds. I don't like having to go in to a shop and look at the same meds that I just saw the last time I was there. This place never gets new types of medicine. I like this club I'm just saying that there are others out there that blow this one out of the water. Also, the staff at Hemp Center is rude. They think that they are the greatest and act like their patients are there to wait on them. Screw that I don't need to be treated like I am just some pushover customer. I pay good money to buy my medicine as a cannabis patient and I am sick of being treated like some sort of outsider. I recommend taking your money and buying some quality meds somewhere else.

Posted January 30, 2009

I have been there twice and about to be three times in about a half hour and it's unparalleled service! I have been to about 12 other dispensaries in the city. Hemp Center has gone the extra mile shown me the ropes that other staff at other clubs just get impatient with. Every one there realizies that we are all there for the same reasons.

Most of the employees are cool and a good judge of the quality of the at least 16 available strains is by the smile on the door attendant's face. I feel more at home at here than other clubs.

Yes it is on the other side of town but well worth it. I didnt even want to write this review because I the low key part of this club makes it what it is.

I cant think of anything else but to say visit this club...nothing more...just visit.

Posted January 14, 2009

I have been coming to the Hemp Center for two years now. It has done me well, always has something good on discount. The reason I am here is to warn : the employees at the hemp center are not professional and do not know about their products.

One example out of many: I was there the other day, and someone next to me asked the man behind the counter if Blue Dream was an Indica or Sativa. After a long "ummm" he replied that it was an indica, then turned to the man helping me for confirmation.

I looked at him and said "In all due respect sir, I smoke a lot of this from the dispensary in Arcata, and it is predominantly sativa." Even without smoking, the open composure of the bud and a classic long sativa structure should be a dead giveaway to anyone in that field of work.

It is not acceptable for a pharmacist to be unaware of the properties of the medicine they are selling to individuals with specific medical conditions. Besides, everything should be labeled. Always. Blue Dream is Blueberry crossed with Haze.

Posted July 31, 2008

Everyone is laid back, good quality of stuff, good edibles. Very informative for first timers. Well medicated upon leaving.... and had some dank ass kush in my pocket... Anyone would love this place.

Posted July 2, 2008

$60 dollars for an eighth of sour diesel is a bad deal, there are so many other good clubs in San Francisco to choose from. I dont know why anybody would go to this place twice.

Posted February 20, 2008

I revisited the Hemp Center a few days later. This time there were all different staff people there. They were friendly, helpful, knowledeable, and I actually had a very pleasant experience buying some seriously good pot.

So what I would say is, that the service here is inconsistent; and it depends on who's working that day. Some of the people who work here are very friendly and knowledgeable. Some of them are not!

This would be a better place if they were good more often; but still, I've been coming here for three years and they have really good, high-quailty medication; and sometimes they are nice people and are capable of providing good information and advice.

Posted February 19, 2008

Like some of the other reviewers, I agree that this place has good pot and poor customer service.

The employees rarely if ever have any knowledge of the product. If you go in and ask for a good strong sativa, they have no idea. If you ask how this month's shipment of Train Wreck compares to the same strain from a few months ago ... they have no idea.

Today was the second time I went there and was unable to do business due to the rudeness and incompetence of the staff. The guy was actually f*cking with me to the point that I just walked out. And this is after driving all the way up there from the 'burbs.

I don't want to diss this place for just a few bad apple employees. But they really need to clean up their act in terms of customer service. I do like their product, but I'm currently shopping for a new dispensary. I'm just tired of the way I get treated here sometimes.

Posted January 2, 2008

This place is all you need in a pot club. You can buy 5 bucks of any of their 30 strains and see what you like, before you waste your money on some boo boo like at some other clubs.

It may be a little pricey per eighth, but you'll always find some top quality, connoisseur worthy, cannabis. I found the staff very helpful and knowledgeable of their products, but a sort of no bs atmosphere. If you act like a douche, those guys aren't afraid to call you on it, but if you show them respect, they'll treat you with respect.

One employee was "extra" nice to my dog, but overall they seemed harmless. One guy flirted with all the girls and even asked my girlfriend for her number right in front of me. He thought we were brother and sister, an honest mistake. In conclusion i think the hemp center is like a wave in the ocean, just swell.

Posted December 18, 2007

The staff had poor customer service and the medicine was very expensive.

Posted September 19, 2007

I read a few reviews about the Hemp Center and wasn't expecting much of it, but I went anyway because it's only a few blocks from where I live in the Richmond. Wow was I surprised. It took a couple of minutes the first time because you gotta register with them and get a membership ID and all, but it saves a lot of time in the long run. Trust.

As for the selection, I was blown away with how many different types of buds they have. They have at least 3 "low-grades" that go for $35 an eighth ($12 a gram), at least 4 or 5 "mid-grades" ($40 an eighth/ $20 a gram), and another few high grades ($50 to $60 an eighth/ $20 a gram). Their supplies are consistent yet ever-changing, so that's refreshing. The best part is that they sell in any dollar amount so you could get a variety pack on your visit by betting nickel-bags.

Other pros include a wide array of edibles (including ice cream) and volcanoes that you can use.

The one downside is that they enforce sales tax on bud sales, and also the fact that their pre-rolled joints are $15 because they're fatty Euro-style cones (which is how I roll them anyway and would rather buy a cheap gram bag than a $15 joint).

Posted March 25, 2007

You have to become a member of the club (doctor's note was good enough for me) and they give you a 4-digit membership number.

When you visit, all you have to tell them is your number and last name.

The staff is unpredictable at times varying from energetic/helpful to indifferent/spacey. I can understand the other reviews here. Always quick service, though.

Med-large selection, probably about 20 different strains at any given time. Lately, it's been the same variety with a few new ones changed out. $60 for high-grade 1/8 and they don't discount as you go up in quantity. They have sales often so you can score lower-grade 1/8s for $35.

Good selection of gels, candies..

Yummy edibles ($3-$8)- "Tainted" brand is delicious. They also carry "Destiny's Kitchen" which is organic and vegan! Awesome banana bread and one of the staff told me the strains a particular cookie was cooked with - very cool.

They have a lounge where you can chill and smoke. Mellow vibes, hip hop music usually. I've been going on and off for 1 1/2 yrs and enjoy the easy access, quick service and selection. They are closed on Sundays which is the biggest downside to me.

Posted January 10, 2007

OVER PRICED....I live close to there and wont bother going back....... great selection and great pot...... OVER PRICED......$60 an 1/8th is unacceptable....like the other reviewer wrote...he may have had his own situation with the staff.......but he is right, they should not be able to sleep with themselves at night charging that kinda dough...... better off looking around a little more

Posted June 7, 2006

The workers here always act as though they have forgotten that they are a patient oriented facility. They always disrespect me, the owner however does respect me for going to her protests in front of city hall, however she is hardly ever there. Once I had an atrocious experience where the workers became very verbally abusive to me, when I refused to answer a question from a worker which was personal in nature. I had to scream at the top of my lungs "I AM A PATIENT WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME". I used to live near and I would frequent with my roommate. The workers would always say that we were married, and if I went in alone someone would say "where's your wife?" Once a worker said "if i saw you in the street in those clothes I would never have thought you smoked weed" which isn't so negative, but I personally don't like being judged constantly by my medicinal purveyor, just do your job. This place needs a change of employees.

Those cons set aside, this is the only club to serve the inner sunset, and richmond districts, NOT TO MENTION it consistently has the very best herb on the face of the planet, and usually carries "honey melt" which is a whole new experience in THC inhalation. I would recommend this club to anybody, my personal problems with them aside they have the best medicine in the world. I'm sure some dutch would disagree, but that's because THEY HAVEN'T BEEN HERE to truly sample how much SWEETER our medicine can be than their coffee shop's top of the line.

Prices are so - so. If they truly cared, they would sell 40$ eighths of sour diesel, they probably pay $3500 for a lb of it. thats 218 an oz, that's 27$ an eighth they pay. they could make 13$ per eighth, they sell 100 a day, that's $1300 profit a day, that's 39,000$ a month, way more than they pay for commercial rent and licenses. Why is this medicine costing me more than the medicines that destroyed my body? You people should be ashamed of yourselves, when you go to sleep at night, you know charging 60$ and eighth is wrong, it will weigh on your conscience as long as you continue to do what you know is wrong.