SF Buyer's Club: Reception

When I mentioned John Entwistle's name to the beefy doorman, he showed me up the stairs and into the reception area. John works at the Political Desk of the Buyers' Club. He emerged from an office off to the side, greeted me with a big smile, and led me to his desk. Nattily attired in jacket, button-down shirt, and no-nonsense tie, John exuded relaxed authority--a demeanor aided, no doubt, by the pipe crammed full of green California bud that rested next to his computer's keyboard. He gave me a quick rundown about the club before we started the grand tour.

JOHN ENTWISTLE: We provide political representation for our members in Sacramento, in Washington, in City Hall, wherever it's required, for people with AIDS and cancer who need marijuana for medicine. We also provide the marijuana in question, in different grades and in proper form--no molds, no pesticides--for people to purchase in a safe environment, over the counter. The third thing that we provide in general is safe space. This is a social club for its members. There's no cost to join, simply the ultimate: you have to have a serious medical condition.

It's always here, it's always beautiful for you, it's always clean and people know it. They're very empowered here. These rooms I'm going to take you through in the 10,000 sq. ft. clubhouse, if you will, are set up to be conducive to social healing in a socially empowering environment. This is a club where they get together and heal each other and talk to each other, and that's what you're going to see.