About Our MMJ Dispensary Guide (Opening a Dispensary in California)

Charles Restivo

MMJ Advocate and Author

I’m Charles Restivo. I have been a longtime medical marijuana advocate. I was instrumental in obtaining Santa Barbara’s first medical marijuana dispensary permit. I come from a finance and accounting background and I think of myself as an entrepreneur. I have learnt first hand how to run a successful storefront dispensary which is often quite a controversial business.

These days I put my Honors degree in Economics (UCSB) to consult with private businesses including dispensaries, retail boutiques, salons, and entertainment companies. I can really assist you to keep on the right side of the law while providing a very necessary service. I am also the co-author of “California Medical Marijuana Dispensary and Grower’s Guidebook” as well as co-authoring “A Budding Success: The Ultimate Guide to Planning, Launching and Managing a Lucrative Legal Marijuana Business.”

William J. Britt

Cannabis Expert, Patient Advocate

And I am William J. Britt. In 1998 I founded the APA –Association of Patient Advocates. We are a non-profit organization that assists disabled and chronically ill patients with gaining access to healthcare information and social services. I work closely with healthcare providers to advocate for patient rights, to improve services and to include the patient in healthcare policy decisions. As a Cannabis expert I have worked with attorneys, attending over 500 court proceedings throughout California.

I have investigated more than 300 individual cases and testified as an expert over 80 times. I have heard police officers testify in court at least 200 times. Examined, evaluated weighed and photographed cannabis plant material at least 60 times. From January 2007 to present, I have worked as amicus curae to several State and Federal courts and jurists. I have spent over 1000 hours interviewing defendants and witnesses, qualified medical cannabis patients, recreational users of cannabis, doctors and police officers, including discussions on legal aspects, patterns of personal use and cultivation techniques. I have also visited and inspected numerous indoor and outdoor legal medical cannabis cultivation sites. (50+)

I co-authored “California Medical Marijuana Dispensary and Grower’s Guidebook” with Charles.

Cory Cervantes

Private Consultant

Hi there I am Cory Cervantes. My cannabis career started in the early 2000s, when I operated a hydroponics store and quickly immersed myself in the MMJ industry. For the last decade my responsibilities have included day-to-day dispensary operations, employee training, patient interaction and retention, city compliance, local licensing, oversight of large outdoor grows, extraction, and edibles manufacturing. I have also successfully managed multiple indoor and outdoor grow operations on the West Coast. I was involved in the construction and operations of two cannabis dispensaries in Santa Barbara. As the MMJ scene evolved I started a private consulting group to help my clients to develop business plans, dispensary outlines and staffing, workflow structures, employee handbooks, product selection processes, and growing procedures. I co-authored “A Budding Success: The Ultimate Guide to Planning, Launching and Managing a Lucrative Legal Marijuana Business” with Charles. I currently manage one of the longest-standing cannabis collectives and delivery services in the California Tri-Counties area.

Nick Cokas

Cancer Survivor, MMJ Revolutionary

Last but not least, I am Nick Cokas. I survived brain cancer and my mission is to share my experience with marijuana as a superior therapeutic solution. Marijuana provided me considerable relief while I endured chemotherapy and radiation. Due to the benefits that I received from marijuana, I have a deep desire to help others understand the advantages of marijuana.

In 2009 I opened Colorado Care Inc. (dispensary) and Keens Greens (edible business) in Boulder Colorado. In 2014, I moved to Massachusetts to consult caregivers personally and provided them with the ability to succeed in this ever-growing environment through my personal consultation business. In June of 2016 I then moved to Florida to help new caregivers and to be an advocate in a less friendly state. I like to quote Thomas Jefferson… “Every generation needs a revolution.”