Marijuana Architecture: 10 Best Designs for Pop-Up Pot Shop Storefronts, from Michael Underwood's Dispensaries
In an economy where vacant commercial space is the norm, it's no surprise medical marijuana dispensaries have cropped up to meet the demands of legal stoners. Since cannabis became "legal" in 2003, it's been almost as easy to buy as cigarettes or alcohol, but the pot free-for-all reached a fever pitch last year when the city ordered more than 400 dispensaries to close.
As the fate of legal weed outlets hangs in the balance, photographer, cinematographer, and CalArts alum Michael Underwood has been using his lens to document the collectives before they close for good, featuring them in his aptly titled new photo book: Dispensaries.
Saturday, June 18 at 2 p.m., art critic Mathew Timmons interviews Underwood at the book's launch as part of the Saturday Visits series at the Outpost for Contemporary Art. In the meantime, we're giving you a sneak peek into the book with our own Top 10 Pop-Up Pot Shops, with insights from the photographer himself.
10. Mission Hills Patients Collective
Michael Underwood
Michael Underwood: "Whomever sells mirrored glass in the valley made a killing in the dispensary boom. It's as if our city is so vain it created a phenomenon just so it could look at itself."
9. California Health Remedies
Michael Underwood
"Vinyl banners were used extensively by the dispensary owners to promote themselves with imagery, in this case a blue sky with ganja plants to the horizon. 'Your Health Depends on Our Quality' sounds a little ominous to me, but I suppose it's accurate."
8. Happy Medical Center
Michael Underwood
"While shooting this project, I spent a lot of time on the street and saw firsthand how big the homeless problem in L.A. truly is. All the good things promised by the dispensaries are only available if you have the money (preferably cash) to get a 'recommendation.'"
7. Hyperion Healing
Michael Underwood
"In this prime Silver Lake location, Hyperion Healing goes with a minimal-chic remodel with a striking mural. Three separate cameras are the only other decoration, because in a business like this, you can never be too careful. From what I understand, the chief affliction they heal is writer's block."
6. 420
Michael Underwood
"It took nearly a week of shooting, but I finally found one that had the address number '420.' No sign or other advertising needed -- the address is the name of the store."
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