There are coloring books in the lobby, a receptionist behind a window, a flat-screen television on the wall and a radio playing from speakers on the ceiling. It seems like a regular doctor’s office, but this is a pharmacy unlike most - it sells medical marijuana.

Located across the street from a big-box home improvement store and next door to a Christian church, Mercy Wellness Center is an example of what is becoming the model for the future of medical marijuana dispensaries.

Like other businesses these days, Mercy has a Facebook account, advertises in public places and sponsors events in the community, interacting face-to-face with the public. They want to be seen and let people know what the business is about - caring for sick people who are seeking relief for their pain.

“It’s not a ‘pot club’,” says director Greg Lucas. “Pot is what we smoked when we were kids. This is medical marijuana, this is treating people.”

Lucas, with partner Brandon Levine opened their doors for business about two weeks ago as Cotati’s first - and only permitted - medical marijuana dispensary. They prefer the term “cannabis collective,” or anything, really, to “pot club.”

“There’s a higher standard here,” says Lucas. He and Levine are somewhat offended when people or the media refer to the business as a pot club.
“I think we’ve been through a lot to be called a ‘pot club’,” said Levine.

They’ve been advertising on an electronic billboard on the freeway, newspapers and had a table as a major sponsor of this year’s Cotati Jazz Fest.

Strict ordinance
Cotati passed its medical marijuana dispensary ordinance in 2007, allowing one dispensary to operate in the city under a set of strict guidelines. Those include proximity to youth-oriented facility (no less than 500 feet), adequate parking and security measures.

Mercy has 14 surveillance cameras, all monitored off-site. In addition, all windows inside are bulletproof glass and a reinforced wall separates the waiting room from the storefront. To get into that room, patients’ ID cards are scanned by a security guard, who then grants them access.

Levine said the Cotati Police Department was “impressed” with the level of security, particularly Sgt. Dave Houts, who stops by weekly to check on the dispensary.

The smell of marijuana is distinct and pungent, but there is no odor outside the building and only a faint hint in the waiting room. This is taken care of with a large ventilation system, which Lucas demonstrated by showing the vacuum pressure of a slightly ajar door.

The dispensary cannot exceed 1,200 sq. ft. total, and even though the warehouse building housing it can accommodate more, Lucas, a builder by trade, has modified it to adhere to the ordinance’s specifications.

The city rejected a permit application in April 2008 because of lack of parking spaces and proximity to a park.

“Without rules there’s mayhem,” he said.

Getting a ‘green’ card
Not just anyone can waltz in to Mercy, or any dispensary for that matter, and buy an eighth of an ounce of pot. There are several checks in place to assure only legitimate medical reasons exist to justify the need for medical marijuana.

First, patients need to obtain a recommendation from a doctor. This can be your family doctor, a specialist or maybe a doctor at a place like Medicann, which recently opened an office in Cotati. It claims to be “the country’s largest network of trusted medical cannabis doctors,” and has locations in 20 cities in California.

With a recommendation and a driver’s license, patients can apply for a membership to the cannabis collective. Mercy verifies the recommendation and ID, but still reserves the right to revoke membership at any time.

Inside, patients can choose from 12 different strains of marijuana (it’ll be up to 20 next week, assured Levine), each with a different name, producing a different effect to treat different ailments. For example, insomnia might be treated with a puff of Purple Dream. Or maybe a brownie made with OG Kush to treat social anxiety.

It can be purchased in gram or 1/8-ounce packages. An eighth of an ounce costs between $25 and $55, depending on the strain.

‘They’re basically criminals’
A recent news story about Sonoma County marijuana dispensaries led Lucas to cite the reasons why he did not appreciate the nomenclature of “pot club.”

When the Sonoma County court system struck down the ordinance for dispensaries on county land, pot clubs sprung up like weeds. Now that a State appellate court has overruled that judgment and the ordinance is now enforceable, most of those businesses have disappeared. But those that remain are complaining about the strict guidelines and high fees for permit applications.

Lucas said these businesses are operating in direct violation of the law. “They’re basically criminals.”

The Cotati Police Department has been involved in crafting the ordinance and making sure there are no problems in or around the dispensary. So far, so good, says Sgt. Steven Bourns. “I think it’s new, and from what I understand they’re trying really hard to keep things on the level.” He added there have not been any reported problems, to his knowledge.

Not for profit
Mercy is a nonprofit mutual benefit corporation, according to Levine. He and Lucas are directors but there are technically no “owners” in a nonprofit.

Looking at them side by side, Lucas and Levine might seem like an unlikely duo. Though both are quite passionate about the idea of medical cannabis, Levine might pass as a grad student and Lucas a professor. Neither resembles the stereotype of a marijuana salesman.

Lucas said he first got the idea for the business when his father became ill with cancer and traditional medicines were not helping his pain. When he finally conceded to try cannabis, both were appalled at the facilities calling themselves medical marijuana dispensaries.

Lucas teamed up with Levine, who had almost eight years in the business in Southern California, to offer what he they felt was lacking. “We wanted to get away from the ‘pot club’ kind of thing,” said Lucas. “We tried to make it more like a visit to the doctor’s office.”

Education is key
Since members of the neighboring Calvary Community Church spoke against the idea of a dispensary at a Cotati Council meeting in March, Mercy has since mended fences with members and the pastor, Sam Howard. Operation hours were altered to work around service times, and there are strict codes of conduct for Mercy members in and around the dispensary.

“They just had to be educated,” both Lucas and Levine said.

Patients aren’t just 20-somethings who may or may not have a legitimate reason for medical marijuana. About half of Mercy’s patients are Baby Boomers, said Lucas. In one hour of observation, that proved to be the case, though four customers at once was called “a bit of a rush” by Levine.

They hope to expand into a full wellness center, teaming up with doctors and other professionals to offer a wider range of care. With plenty of vacant space in their shopping center, there is room to grow.