First, I'm still going to give this place 5 stars...since they were very nice there...but honestly, I really didn't think their first time patient giveaway was very "amazing" at all! Cute, yes...but amazing...uh, no! I'd found this place here on WeedMaps...and asked my friend (who also has a valid doctor's recommendation) to go there with me...so I could possibly get some kind of "referral" gift...as well as their FTP giveaway. I even called first, to find out what type of gifts/specials/giveaways they offered new patients...and if they also offered any kind of gift, or incentive for referring new patients. I spoke with a gentlman named, Jesse, who said he couldn't "discuss that over the phone"...but to just come in...and he assured me that we'd both be taken care of...and we'd leave happy. So we hopped in the car and went on over!
As we drove up to the front of the building, I saw a sign that read, "Parking and Entrance in Rear", so we went around to the back to park and enter. But as we were parking, I saw another sign that said their rear entrance was for returning patients only! Huh??? THAT seemed rather confusing...however, they made an exception and still allowed us to come in through the rear entrance...since they were closing in about 30 minutes. Perhaps the sign in the FRONT shoud have said, "Parking and Entrance in Rear for Returning Patients Only...New Patients Must Use Front Entrance" or "New Patients, Enter Here...Returning Patients, Park and Enter in Rear"!
The shop is very clean, nicely decorated, and professional looking...which was impressive...since I've been to many other dispensaries which were definitely NOT (and one that literally reaked of cigarette smoke)! Once we were in the budroom, we asked for Jesse...and there seemed to be some confusion as to whether he was actually THERE or not. I told the staff that I'd just spoken to him on the phone...and he'd told us to come in! They asked us for our names...and suddenly Jesse was located (?). My friend got some edibles, I got a gram of something he suggested...and we both were given their "custom tote bag filled with goodies"...and one free joint. Here's what was in the "tote"...which is somewhat like those perforated paper shopping totes with handles...that you can get at some stores and markets for 99 cents. There was a small hand towel with the name of the dispensary...Coast To Coast Collective...on it ('not exactly something I'd really need or use...but okay)...a small pad of post-it notes...with the name and the phone number of the dispensary imprinted on it...also not really something I need...but I'll probably use it eventually...just because I have it...if I keep it in my car. There was a cute little mini glass pipe...again, not something I really needed (I HAVE plenty of pipes)...a plastic grinder (which I also don't need)...and a little mini disposable lighter wrapped with hemp-wick...which I will actually use...if it works.
I didn't find any of that especially "amazing"...it was nice...and free...but what I would've REALLY liked and appreciated so much more was "medication"! The free joint was just so-so (it was called Space Queen)...but it was preferable to anything else in the entire bag! What I was wondering was this...if we were BOTH first time patients...and I'd brought my friend with me as a referral...how come we were both given exactly the same things? Jesse did say they gave gifts for referring new patients...which is the reason I insisted that my friend go with me that night...but each of us was given just the "tote" and it's contents...and the one free joint. So I guess there really WASN'T any additional gift for bringing in my friend...as a "referral".
Overall, I'd say it was a pretty decent place...and I may go back. I know my friend liked their large selection of edibles...since she prefers not to "smoke" her medication. I will say this...if Jesse had told me (over the phone) that their "custom tote goody bag" (for first time patients) consisted of a small hand towel, a post-it note pad, a mini lighter, a plastic grinder, and a mini glass pipe...I WOULDN'T have gone over there that night...and I WOULDN'T have insisted that my friend come with me!
My old dispensary (and their other current Downtown L.A. location) gives their patients "a free gram of choice"...for referring new patients...plus ten grams of "shake"...and first time patients get a free gram of choice, plus five grams of "shake"! They also give a free (GOOD) joint with ANY donation...as well as another free joint for simply writing a review of their shop on WeedMaps! In MY opinion...I'd say THAT'S much more "amazing" (they're just a lot farther away...from Canoga Park)!