Torrey Holistics offers patients a sophisticated dispensary option

REGION — Medical cannabis has been legalized in California for 20 years, but the stigma surrounding dispensaries tends to have a distinctly seedy feel to it.

The marijuana leaf flags hanging in windows of “here today, gone tomorrow” dispensaries in strip malls across the county do nothing to change the image of what are actually legitimate businesses, suffering from what had previously been a law voted in without the necessary structure to succeed.

That, however, is changing. The fact that a facility like Torrey Holistics can even exist now is proof of that.

Last fall, Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law comprehensive medical marijuana regulations that have allowed local municipalities and providers structured guidelines, encouraging a responsible model for running what been a legitimate business for many years but hardly felt like one. “These new regulations allow best business practices,” Shane Smith, marketing director for Torrey Holistics said. “The industry, communities and law enforcement can now work together to offer patients a sophisticated dispensary experience, which includes a large selection of high-quality product and consistency in a safe, nice environment.”

The recent regulations opened up an opportunity for investors to see medical cannabis dispensaries as viable businesses, which is precisely how Torrey Holistics, which opened its doors in February 2016, came to be. “We were able to bring together people with traditional business backgrounds and industry knowledge to bring medical cannabis out of unsafe, unsavory neighborhoods into a quiet and respectable area,” Smith said. “We are here to stay. We have a great relationship with the city. We will continue to provide consistent, lab-tested products in an environment that is comfortable and discreet.”

Will Senn’s official title is operations consultant, and part of his job is to offer high-level cannabis consultations. He knows the industry inside and out, and he works with growers and patients to ensure that he is providing the best possible product for the spectrum of symptoms medical cannabis helps to relieve.

“The most common ailments we see are people in cancer treatment, either early or late stage, and chronic pain,” Senn said. “Cannabis is also very beneficial for insomnia.”

Senn explained that there are different strains and varietals of cannabis, and he and the staff help each patient choose which is right for their medical needs. He said that THC is also great for treating epilepsy.

“Our patients’ safety is our number one concern,” Senn said. “Every strain we carry is lab tested not just for potency but for safety. We test for mold and CBD, which is the most medically beneficial compound found in cannabis for fighting cancer.”

Senn is considered a “sommelier” in his field and takes extreme pride in not only the varietals Torrey Holistics offers, but they way in which patients are treated as well. “We source locally, and work with a few specific exotic farms throughout the state,” Senn said. “This is a premium collection, and it has taken me a long time to be able to put it together. Everybody who comes in loves it and is excited about it.”

Senn and the Torrey Holistics staff have a goal to create the ultimate patient experience. “We have created a safe comfortable atmosphere where patients can get their medicine without the concern of being hassled,” he said. “Not to mention we have possibly the best collection in the state.”

Torrey Holistics is located at 10671 Roselle Street, Suite 100 in San Diego, and is the northernmost legally permitted and licensed dispensary serving North County.

It can be easily accessed from Interstate 5 or Interstate 805. There is plenty of easy parking in a safe and quiet neighborhood. They are open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, call (858) 558-1420 or visit torreyholistics.com.