In many ancient cultures around the world, cannabis was not only a medicine, but it also had a role in communal celebrations. There have always been social elements surrounding cannabis, and HPC relishes our role in connecting with the Port Hueneme community. When you Google recreational dispensary near me, you’ll get much more than search results ⎼ you’ll find a group of dedicated people at HPC who live, work, and play in Ventura County. We know how lucky we are to call the area our home, and giving back is in our DNA. 

The Friendly Dispensary By the Sea

Did you know that Port Hueneme’s official motto is The Friendly City By the Sea? We get it and for us, being friendly and helpful isn’t a complicated concept, it’s simply how we go about our day. We also live that ethos beyond the dispensary’s walls. Being part of a community means you need to jump in, get involved, and help make Ventura County the jewel of the Central Coast. Here’s a quick recap of a few of our recent volunteer activities, and more are on the way. 

Believe, Strive, and Succeed

It’s often said that investing in the lives of young women and girls pays off in a better future for everyone. As a woman-owned dispensary, HPC is proud to support the Oxnard chapter of The Soroptimist Club. The name Soroptimist means “best for women” and its members volunteer to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. For example, its Dream It, Be It program provides local 9th-grade girls with effective tools and strategies for removing barriers they may encounter in life. 

In general, HPC wants to support children in any way they can. That’s why they’re also donating money regularly to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme, an organization that exists to “to inspire and enable all youth, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.”

Keepin’ it Clean

Spending time at our wide, sparkling, and uncrowded beaches is one of the best things in the world. Plus, we can bring our dogs! While our beaches are amazing, keeping them clean takes a lot of work and we all need to help out. HPC recently partnered with the vape company, Acme, for a beach cleanup day in Port Hueneme. Over the course of the morning, volunteers collected mounds of trash, empty (and not so empty) cans and bottles, cigarette butts (why do people think this OK?), and many unpleasant items that just don’t belong under your toes on a warm sunny day. If you’re interested in partnering with us for another cleanup day, reach out and let’s see what we can put into action!

Sweet Dreams

Homelessness brings its own unique problems and costs to the community. This is even more acute at night where finding a safe place to sleep can sometimes mean the difference between life and death. Temporary shelters provide some relief for people in need, and HPC along with other local dispensaries helped purchase over 100 bunk beds for a temporary homeless shelter in Oxnard. The total cost was $35,000 and the beds were assembled by union volunteers from the local Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters. In addition to a safe place to sleep for 110 people, the shelter is open 24/7, provides two meals a day along with access to showers and social services.

Lighting Up

A Fourth of July holiday celebration without fireworks lighting up the sky is almost unthinkable. Yet this almost happened in 2019 when Oxnard’s budget problems threatened to cancel the annual Fireworks by the Sea celebration. It typically draws up to 20,000 people, so HPC and other dispensaries stepped up and donated $30,000 so the show could go on. Their actions give a new take on the phrase “lighting up” as the night skies over the Oxnard harbor once again drew satisfied oohs, ahhs, and cheers from the families attending the show. 

Community Outreach with Open Arms

The Hueneme Patient Collective is a fully legal and licensed cannabis dispensary serving both medical and adult-use patients and their pets. At HPC, education plays an important role in changing the conversation about cannabis, whether it’s holding classes at the dispensary or meeting with government officials and law enforcement officers. Did you know that neighborhoods with licensed dispensaries often see a decrease in crime? In an almost unimaginable twist of fate, police agencies often partner with dispensaries and make use of their extensive (and required) security camera networks to review criminal activity near the dispensaries. Potential criminals have noticed and apparently don’t want to be seen on TV when real cops are watching the replay. 

HPC is so proud to be a part of our beach community. We are your friends, neighbors, brothers, sisters, and partners in this idyllic, best-kept secret that is Ventura County. We thank you for the honor of helping and serving you. 

Stay in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, and  Instagram, email us at [email protected] or call us at 805-874-3151. Even better, come visit us at 501 W. Channel Islands Blvd., Suite 302, Port Hueneme, California. CA LICENSE #C10-0000064-LIC