
Cannabis use prompts a lot of questions. About how much, and what kind, and which ailment it might help. You should feel comfortable before jumping in, so come ask your question. That’s why our ridiculously great staff is here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I legally buy cannabis from Harborside?
Everyone from around the globe who is 21 years old or older can buy cannabis products from legally Harborside. Just be sure to bring a government-issued identification (e.g. drivers license, passport, etc).
We’re also very happy to serve “medical-use” customers who, if they have a state-issued Medical Cannabis Patient Identification Card (issued by the California Department of Health Services), do not have pay California state sales tax on medical cannabis products (although the excise tax and city tax still apply).
How do I know which cannabis product will fit my specific needs?
If you’re new to cannabis, we encourage you to follow these steps:
1) Read our Cannabis Quick Start Guide,
2) View our product selection on the online menu that corresponds to the Harborside location of your choice, anda
3) Visit a Harborside location in-person to speak to our team of helpful cannabis consultants. They’re eager to pair you with the products that will best fit your individual needs.
Where are you located?
What are your business hours?
Oakland Location:
Open Daily: 10am–8pm
Phone Orders: 10am–6:30pm
Delivery: 10am–7pm
San Jose Location:
Open Daily: 10am–8pmca
Phone Ordering: 10am–8pm
Delivery: 12-7pm
Delivery:
To Oakland: Daily, 10am-7pm
To Greater East Bay: Daily, 10am-4pm
To San Jose: Daily, 12-7pm
How can I speak to a Harborside customer representative?
Call us at 888-994-2726, 7 days a week, 10am-8pm.
Do you accept credit and debit cards?
While we cannot accept credit cards, you can use your debit card to make your payment at the register. Debit Terminals charge $1 plus guest bank may charge an out of network fee and the total will be rounded to the next whole dollar with change provided.
You can also use our onsite ATM to withdraw funds for your purchase.
What do the letters THC, THCA, and CBD mean on your online menu?
THC stand for Tetrahydrocannabinoid and it is the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis that causes feelings of euphoria. People who seek to induce euphoric sensations seek the products with the most THC (THC+); people seeking to minimize the psychoactivity of the plant, seek lowest levels of THC (THC-)
THCA is a precursor to THC and it is listed as a reference. Many dispensaries list only one of these values (THCA) to inflate the perception that their medicine has more THC than accurate. We list both values to avoid confusion.
CBD is a different Cannabinoid than THC and has no psychoactive properties. In fact, medicine containing high levels of CBD will prevent the euphoric sensations caused by THC and it is prefered by patients who wish to avoid those sensations. Many states only allow the use of CBD cannabis.
Adult Use Regulations (as of Jan. 1, 2018)
When did the new laws go into effect?
California’s cannabis “adult-use” rules began on January 1, 2018 and gives everyone from around the world, who is 21 years old or older, the ability to buy cannabis without a doctor’s medical recommendation.
Do I need a medical recommendation to purchase cannabis?
No. You only need a government-issued identification card showing that you are 21 years old or over to purchase cannabis products from Harborside. That said, if you have a state-issued Medical Cannabis Patient Identification Card (issued by the California Department of Health Services), you won’t have to pay California state sales tax (although the excise tax and city tax still apply).
What do I need to bring if I am a Caregiver for a patient?
You must bring a designation of caregiver form written by the patient’s treating physician. When placing a pickup order with us please ensure that you place the order in the patients name and inform your pick up associate that you are the Caregiver.
How are taxes calculated?
Why do you have taxes when other shops do not?
Taxes are applied by the state of California and the local city government. All legal dispensary pay taxes and pass the charge to the consumer, although many of them “include” the taxes in the price displayed to the consumer. Harborside believes in transparency and we want our customers to know what portion of the cost is going to taxes. In addition, you may qualify for lower taxes if you have a valid medical recommendation or a state-issued medical-cannabis ID card. Please read How do Taxes work for more information.
How do taxes work?
There are three different taxes applied to purchases of cannabis in the State of California:
1. Excise Tax 15%
The state of California imposes a 15% excise tax on all cannabis products. There is no exceptions to this tax.
2. City Taxes 5-10%
Oakland
The City of Oakland imposes a 10% tax on adult-sales Cannabis products. If the consumer has a valid medical recommendation for cannabis, the Oakland City tax is only 5%.
San Jose
The City of San Jose imposes a 10% sales tax for medical and adult-use customers.
Delivery
Delivery customers pay the city tax that is associated to the city to which we are delivering
3. CA Sales Tax (8-10%)
California Sales Tax varies from city to city. Each municipality can add local taxes to the standard 9.25%, and the taxapplied varies on the place of transaction, therefore delivery customers may pay a slightly different sales tax rate based on the location of the delivery. In addition, customers who have a state-issued Medical Cannabis Patient Identification card (Issued by the Department of Health Services), do not have pay sales tax on Medical Cannabis products (although the Excise tax, and the City tax still apply).
What is the daily limit that I can purchase?
California state law allows adult-use customers to purchase up to one ounce (28.5 grams) of cannabis flower, eight grams of concentrated cannabis, and six clones (immature plants) per day.
Medical Use customers can purchase up to eight ounces of flower, eight grams of concentrated cannabis, and 12 clones (immature plants) per day.
Are there new potency and dosage limits to edible products?
Yes. For adult-use sales, no single edible package can contain more than 100mg of THC. Edible products must also contain no more than 10mg THC per serving.
If cannabis is legal, am I allowed to consume in public?
No. Most public spaces prohibit smoking or vaping cannabis products. This includes Harborside’s parking lot.
How much cannabis am I allowed to carry with me?
You can carry one ounce of non-concentrated cannabis (flower) and eight grams of concentrated cannabis.
How much cannabis am I allowed to gift to someone?
You can gift one ounce of non-concentrated cannabis (flower) and eight grams of concentrated cannabis at one time.
Is there any change to the driving laws?
No. Driving under the influence of cannabis is illegal and dangerous.
Are there any other useful references that I should be aware of?
Let’s Talk Cannabis (California Dept. of Public Health)
Senate Bill No. 94, Sess of 2017
California Business and Profession Code 26001
California Health and Safety Code Section 11362.715
Ordering for Delivery
How does delivery work?
Harborside offers free delivery to residences and work locations within cities that allow adult-use cannabis sales. See below for a complete list of cities, and minimum order quantities.
Due to regulations, we are unable to deliver to certain cities in the Bay Area. That said, we do regularly monitor city-based regulation changes specific to cannabis delivery, and we will continue to expand our delivery area when possible. Please reach out to a customer care representatives at 888-994-2726 for more information.
Please note that during special sales events delivery times might be delayed and cut-off times may change due to high demand. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Delivery Areas, Schedule, Minimum Orders
Experiencing an error online while trying to place a delivery order?
When is delivery available?
24 hr Online Ordering: Oakland and San Jose (some resrictions may apply).
Call center (888) 99-Harborside (1-888-994-2726):
Oakland Call Center Hours: 10am – 8:00pm
San Jose Call Center Hours: 11am – 8:00pm
Please note that during high volume sales events (such as 4/20), waiting times may be longer than usual.
What are my payment options?
Harborside, San Jose
- Cash (exact change)
- Debit cards (please note that we no longer accept Mastercard debit)
Harborside, Oakland
- Cash (exact change)
- CanPay (download the CanPay App and pay using your phone)
Unfortunately, we cannot accept:
- Personal Checks
- Credit cards
- MasterCard debit cards
Cannabis Delivery Safety Guidelines
- Drivers retain the right to refuse service to anyone.
- Abuse of the service or our staff will result in denial of service.
- Drivers carry no products other than your cannabis delivery.
- Drivers will only complete deliveries during daylight hours.
- Driver vehicles have security cameras and are tracked via GPS through security headquarters.
- You may order a maximum of one ounce of flower or eight grams of concentrate or edibles, or an equal combination of those items and quantities. Certain restrictions can apply.
- Drivers will only deliver to a residence, your work, or hotel where you are checked in.
- Addresses and contact numbers will be verified.
- Delivery drivers will not be in uniform or driving in a marked car for safety purposes.
- Drivers are randomly and anonymously followed by our trained safety personnel to ensure best practices.
- Deliveries are packaged in special exit bags. All items are sealed.
- Please restrain dogs and other animals.
What do I need to receive delivery?
All that is required is a valid government-issued identification showing that you are at least 21 years of age. Accepted forms of identification include a state-issued driver’s license/ID card, passport, birth certificate, social security card, etc.
What is your return policy on deliveries?
Due to adult-use regulations, we cannot accept returns on cannabis products except that are defective, such as a vape cartridge that do not work. If you experience a defective product, we will replace the non-working item with a functioning item. Refunds cannot be issued for defective products. Partial credit may be issued for partially used vape cartridges.
Do you deliver clones?
Unfortunately, we do not deliver cannabis clones at this time.
Ordering for Pick Up
When will my order be ready for pick up?
Clients will receive a text message when the order is ready for pick up. We recommend waiting for the “Order is Ready” confirmation before heading to the pick-up counter.
How long will you hold my order?
Your order will be held 24 hours from the time the order is placed.
Where do I pick up my order?
Once you’re inside a Harborside retail location, look for signage that will direct you to the pickup counter.
Can someone else pick up my order?
Yes! For adult-use orders, you can ask someone else to pick up your purchase, but they must show government-issued identification that verifies that they are 21 years or older, not exceed daily purchase limit, and pay for the order.
For medical-use orders, only a designated caregiver may pick up your order. The caregiver must show government-issued identification that verifies that they are 21 years or older, not exceed daily purchase limit, and pay for the order
Can I return a purchase at the pick up counter?
Unfortunately we cannot process exchanges or returns at the pick up counter. To make an exchange for a defective item, you must speak with a manager.
Can I cancel my order?
If you need to cancel your order, please call us at 888-994-2726, respond to the text notification you received, or email us at pickup@harborsidehealthcenter.com with the word “cancel” in the subject line and we will cancel the order
How long do you hold an order?
We hold orders until the end of the day the order was placed. Please let us know if you will be unable to pick up your order.
Can I make changes to my order when I come to pick it up?
If you need to substitute a product at the pickup counter, we will try our best to accommodate you. However, if you would like a product consultation, we encourage you to visit our regular sales counter.
There Are No Dumb Questions
People still call pot 'pot', right?
Yes, but many of our customers prefer using the scientific name: cannabis.
How do we get my mom comfortable with cannabis?
Bring her to Harborside for a consultation with one of our sales associates, or have her join one of our educational sessions for seniors! If you’d rather do the talking, start by having an open and honest dialogue: try to gather evidence for a joint discussion, rather than presenting your evidence to them. If they do decide to try cannabis, encourage the use of familiar delivery methods like lotions, tinctures, or capsules at a low dose.
You’ll deliver cannabis, like, to my door?
Yes we deliver throughout the East Bay, San Jose, and Peninsula areas with a valid ID. There’s no delivery fee; you’ll just need to meet the delivery minimums.
How many bites of magic chocolate are too many?
We recommend that beginners start with no more than 5mg of THC and wait at least 2 hours before they consider increasing their dose.
Can I go to work on this stuff?
Cannabis affects everyone differently. We recommend getting to know your proper dose before you consider going to work. Ultimately, it’s a good idea to check in with your employer before giving yourself the green-light, so to speak.
What’s the right cannabis for romance? I like romance.
We’re all about love at Harborside! There are a variety of products in our dispensary designed to enhance romance – often lubricants, though many customers have shared positive experiences with both edibles and flower – and we’d be happy to discuss these options with you.
Has your cannabis gone through safety testing?
Yes, all of the cannabis products sold at Harborside were tested by a third-party laboratory for safety and potency. That’s one of the many advantages of buying cannabis from a trustworthy, licensed dispensary.
Which cannabis things make me sleepy? I need sleep.
We’ve heard a great deal of feedback about certain cannabis products aiding in sleep. Indica strains, for example, have been known to provide a sense of deep body relaxation. We’d be happy to discuss which might help you get the right kind of shut-eye.
Can I fly with my cannabis? It’s just to L.A.
Even though cannabis is legal in California and some other states, there is no one definitive answer because cannabis is not federally legal, and consequently not allowed in any federally regulated space. So we advise looking at your departing and arriving airports’ websites to see if they have any federal cannabis policies or restrictions in place.
Do I need one of those Dr. Marijuana cards to get in?
No, you don’t. When visiting, you need to be 21 years of age or over and have a valid, government-issued ID.
Can topicals get me high?
Topicals typically won’t cause a high, but transdermal products are designed to permeate into the bloodstream and might.
How do I avoid getting the munchies?
Avoid THC and opt instead for a product containing CBD. That’s the best way to prevent yourself from experiencing an increased appetite when using cannabis.
Seriously, what is a CBD?
Cannabidiol, otherwise known as CBD, is a cannabinoid from the plant that many customers mention as helping relieve pain, lower inflammatory issues, reduce anxiety, and even aid with seizure suppression. It is unlikely to give you the sense of being “high”, which is why CBD is often a popular alternative to THC-based products.
Can I still get the benefits if I don’t get high?
Yes, there are many ways to use cannabis in which you could receive the benefits without experiencing the psychoactive mood- and perception-altering effects. We’d be happy to talk them through further with you in our dispensary.
Does cannabis, uh, spoil?
All cannabis products sold in California provide the “Best By” date, and Harborside recommends adhering to those guidelines.
Which of these cannabis stuff helps my arthritis?
We carry a range of products that can provide relief for arthritis. These products include CBD, THC, or a combination of both, and they come in many forms: topicals, edibles, flower, etc. We can let you know what other customers have found helpful in relieving arthritis pain.
Are Indica and Sativa, like, brand names?
No. Indica and Sativa are words made up by cannabis users decades ago and used to classify plants by the effects that users described when smoking them. Indica, for example, provides for some a sense of deep body relaxation, while Sativa strains tend to create a more energizing experience.
Which edible helps with anxiety?
Edibles containing cannabidiol (CBD) might provide help with anxiety. Harborside carries a wide variety of CBD-based products, and we’d be happy to talk to you about which products our customers have found help with anxiety.
Is Sativa the one that mellows you out?
Many of our customers report that cannabis strains classified as ‘sativa’ can be uplifting and, sometimes, energizing. That said, cannabis affects everyone differently, making it difficult to predict just how it might make you feel.
Should I care if my cannabis is indoor or outdoor?
Cannabis grown indoors under artificial lighting has a large carbon footprint, so we love our sun-grown buds.
Are these like the brownies my friends used to bake?
No, unlike homemade edibles all of the edible cannabis products sold at Harborside are tested for safety and consistency of potency by a 3rd party laboratory.
Which cannabis works best for sore golf knees?
Many of our customers have told us they find relief using topically-applied cannabis products such as lotions or balms.
A tincture goes, uh, where, exactly?
Tinctures are applied under the tongue and left for 1-5 minutes. This is called a ‘sublingual’ application.
Why would I use a 1:1 instead of an 18:1?
Our customers have reported that different ratios of CBD-to-THC have varied effects on them.
Is putting it in the freezer a good idea?
Well that depends on the type of product. Traditionally, it’s not necessary to stick cannabis flowers in the freezer, but always check the label to see if refrigeration is suggested.
Are there chemicals or preservatives in cannabis?
All of the products sold at Harborside are rigorously tested for safety by a 3rd party independent laboratory. As always, it’s wise to check the list of ingredients listed on the packaging to make sure you are comfortable with what’s included.
What’s a cannabis flower?
The flower is the part of the plant that produces the cannabinoids. They are commonly ground up to be smoked or vaporized.
Can I just walk into the place and buy whatever I want?
An adult-use cannabis customer can buy up to 28.5 grams of flowers, 8 grams of concentrates and 6 immature cannabis plants in a single day. A medicinal cannabis patient can buy as prescribed by his/her doctor, which can be significantly more than an adult-use customer.
Does anyone there… prescribe it, or do I get to pick?
Just like the grocery store, you are welcome to select your products according to your needs. But if you need assistance Harborside’s knowledgeable associates are more than happy to share the breadth of customer feedback they have received about our different products.
Do you have an arthritis section?
We have many products that our customers find provide relief from arthritis.
There’s nothing illegal about this, right?
The state of California legalized the adult use of cannabis on January 1, 2018. It is still federally illegal in the United States.
Are you my 'dealer' now or should I not say that?
Our sales associates are happy to help with all your cannabis needs.
When should I buy a flower if it’s a holiday gift?
Very generous of you. Any time of the year is okay to buy flower for a holiday present, but Harborside does offer great deals and a wide variety of holiday gift baskets during the holiday time of year. We even have gift cards!
Do you have gift cards? That sounds crazy coming out of my mouth.
Not crazy. And yes, we do have gift cards.
You can’t pay for it with a card, can you?
Actually, you can: we accept both debit and ATM cards.
Why do I have to show you my ID to get in?
The state of California requires that anyone who wants to purchase cannabis needs a valid I.D. proving they are at least 21 years old, or 18 years old for medical use. You may need to contact the dispensary in advance for age verification, as some local ordinances require both adult-use and patients to be at least 21 years old.
Should I be anxious about it making me anxious?
No, you shouldn’t. Let us help you learn about – and select – the right products for you so you can approach using cannabis with confidence. If you like to do that in a safe space, feel free to join us in our new Tasting Room at Harborside Oakland.
Okay but for real: what is dabbing?
“Dabbing” is a method of vaporizing and inhaling cannabis concentrates using specially designed equipment. Visit the Lounge at Harborside Oakland to learn about dabbing in person.