Silicon Valley is filled with tech workers that are regulars at more than 106 medical marijuana clinics.
f you’re experiencing pain and find yourself in the Silicon Valley, be sure to drop by the Palliative Health Center for some Sour Diesel, or Purple Haze. Palliative Health is one of many medical marijuana dispensaries in San Jose, Calif. Inside, you will discover iPads mounted on pedestals so patients can navigate prices and availability of a dozen strains or so. Additionally, the shop offers marijuana-infused sodas, muffins, and chocolates, and monthly classes on cooking with cannabis.
Assistant manager Ernie Arreola, 38, says about 40 percent of Palliative Health’s clients are tech workers. “We’re seeing people from some semiconductors, lots of engineers, lots of programmers,” he says. And why wouldn’t they be, with the area’s biggest employers—Cisco Systems ,Google, Adobe Systems, Apple, EBay —just down the road.
San Jose is the medical marijuana capital of the Bay Area. With more than 106 pot clinics (for are delivery-only)—more than four times the number in Frisco, and twice as many per square mile as Los Angeles, San Jose Major Chuck Reed says there are many more than necessary to meet the medical needs of their population.
Mark Johnson, chief executive officer of Zite, based in Frisco, says marijuana use is “extremely common” among tech workers. Owned by Time Warner, the company produces an application that offers a personalized news stream on smartphones and tablets. “People just don’t care,” says Johnson, who adds that he smokes pot daily. “If you do, you don’t need to hide it; and if you don’t, you accept that there are people around you that do.”
Located a half-mile from Adobe headquarters, MedMar Healing Center offers a marijuana-infused chocolate toffee called Veda Chews that is a fav-favorite to the approximate 15 percent of customers who are tech workers, according to Doug Chloupek, 35, its CEO and co-founder. “It does not give the high or intoxicated feeling that you would typically get from a lot of medical cannabis,” he says. “Those who are coding for 15 hours a day with cramping hands, that is the product that allows them to have mental clarity and still get pain relief.” Veda Chews go for $13 each. MedMar also offers $10 joints with names like Sour Grapes, Skunk, and Super Silver Haze, along with cannabis-infused breath sprays, brownies, and chocolates.
Despite the widespread prevalence and favor with workers, companies still don’t want employees getting high at work. Cisco, for example, forbids use or possession of “illegal drugs while on Cisco-owned or leased property, during working hours, while on company business, or while using company property,” says Robyn Jenkins-Blum, a company spokeswoman. According a company statement, Adobe has a similar policy. With that said, neither company screens potential hires for drug use. “The Silicon Valley data support recent news reports citing some employers who say they are having a hard time finding candidates that can pass the preemployment drug test,” says Barry Sample, director of science and technology for Quest Diagnostics Employer Solutions.
The tech industry employs a mass of intelligent people, and a lot of intelligent people smoked marijuana in college and never lost the habit. “Pot is an extremely functional drug. Coders can code on it, writers can write on it,” he says. “I see good days ahead for pot.”
If you or someone you know is facing charges as a result of Medical Marijuana prescribed to you as a Medical Marijuana patient under the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act, contact Komorn Law and ensure your rights are protected.
Michael Komorn is recognized as a leading expert on the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act. He is the President of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Association (MMMA), a nonprofit patient advocacy group with over 26,000 members, which advocates for medical marijuana patients, and caregiver rights. Michael is also the host of Planet Green Trees Radio, a marijuana reform based show, which is broadcast every Thursday night 8-10 pm EST. Follow Komorn on Twitter.
