Ventura marijuana dispensary benefits from new regulations

New recreational marijuana regulations means big economic growth for one Ventura marijuana dispensary.

Bryan Behamta, CEO of the Green Bee Collective, said that his phone was ringing every ten minutes since the new regulations went into affect on January 1.

“With the law passing on January 1, it’s enabling us to open to a newer client base,” said Behamta.

Founded in 2014, the Green Bee Collective has been serving thousands of consumers in the Ventura County area.

Behamta says the new statewide regulations will be good for his business.

“It’s going to be a lot more controlled, a lot more regulated, there is not going to be so much stuff on the black market,” Behamta said.

As of January 1, an adult 21 and older can posses as much as an ounce of cannabis and grow up to six plants at home. In addition, a 15 percent excise tax is added upon retail purchasers of all cannabis and cannabis products, including medical cannabis.

Employees at the collective reminisced about how in the past buying off the black market was dangerous. Cannabis bought off the black market could include harmful pesticides.

“What is cool about it, is how it’s going to be more regulated, it’s not just going to be more rules, there are going to be a lot of positives,” said one employee.

“It’s going to make the black market a little harder to get off the ground but only if cities allow these businesses to thrive. If they put a ban on a businesses like this,they are opening doors to the black market,” said Behamta.

Behamta says that he hopes new regulations will end the stigma of marijuana.

“Pretty much the way I compare cannabis is to coffee instead of alcohol. That is the biggest mistake people make. People look at it more like a hard drug when it is more like coffee or a tea,” said Behamta.

For current licenses and permits, please visit your local governments website.